For optimal protection, health experts urge waiting until mid-September to mid-October to get a flu shot

Amherst project aims to close radio gap over the Notch

AMHERST — Firefighter-paramedics aboard Amherst Fire Department ambulances traveling on Route 116 over the Notch can often encounter challenges in communicating via their radios with emergency dispatchers in downtown Amherst. Soon, though, the frequent trips the ambulances make south to the region’s trauma center, Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, as well as rescues conducted by […]

An honor for 'Mr. and Mrs. Plainfield': Town names park after Ed and Sandy Morann

PLAINFIELD — When future generations use the Plainfield Town Park — which features a ballpark with a grass infield, swings and play sets, and a covered pavilion with picnic tables — they will see that the park is dedicated to Ed and Sandy Morann. Following a unanimous vote by the Select Board this month, the […]

UMass football: Minutemen ramping up offseason work

AMHERST — The UMass football team moved into the more contact-oriented part of the preseason in the last week. With the road opener against Rutgers fast approaching, the Minutemen are progressing as planned. “I think we are right where we are supposed to be,” UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said. “We had a great first scrimmage. […]

School committees get new law to address library material challenges

BOSTON — When Andrea Fiorillo became co-chair of the Massachusetts Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibilities Committee in 2019, she remembers there being fewer than 10 challenges to library materials in Massachusetts.  By 2025, there were 229 challenged titles. Fiorillo, who is also a member of the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition, noted a […]

Former Granby Police lieutenant barred from Massachusetts law enforcement after misconduct findings

GRANBY — A former police lieutenant who worked for the Granby Police Department for 25 years has promised to never work in Massachusetts law enforcement again following an agreement he signed with the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission last month. Gary Poehler, who was employed by Granby from March 2000 to April 2025, […]