Guest columnist Shane L. Dillon: I worked for Richard Neal. I'm knocking on doors for Nadia Milleron

Northampton mayor seeks path forward for Smith College's Fort Hill closure

NORTHAMPTON — As families voice anger and frustration over Smith College’s plan to close its Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra said she is working with the college and the public schools on ways to keep childcare spots available for working families. The Fort Hill center opened in 1926 and […]

South Hadley holds off on data center moratorium as officials weigh effects on utilities, tax base

SOUTH HADLEY — A push for a data center moratorium has stalled for now as town officials weigh how such facilities could affect local utilities and economic development. South Hadley began considering legal language for a data center moratorium or ban after Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order Sept. 8 that requires local approval […]

AG Campbell visits Northampton High, announces $50K grant to support cellphone ban

NORTHAMPTON — As 17 school districts across the state share $625,000 in grant funds to carry out bell-to-bell cellphone bans, Attorney General Andrea Campbell sat down with Northampton High School students Tuesday to hear their thoughts on keeping a phone-free school. The state’s top law enforcement officer joined students, city and school officials at the […]

Amherst deploys extra ambulances to handle Halloween crowds

AMHERST — Four Amherst Fire Department ambulances will be staffed and four out-of-town standby ambulances will be present in town Saturday night, part of an effort to reduce dependence on mutual aid on Halloween. A year after a four-hour period on Halloween saw 30 patients transported by ambulance from Amherst to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in […]

Yes for Amherst Schools Committee donates leftover funds to Amethyst Brook

AMHERST — Participatory projects that teach civic engagement and organizing for students of all ages are being supported through a donation to the newly formed Amethyst Brook Parent Guardian Organization. With Amethyst Brook Elementary School open this fall, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, the Yes for Amherst Schools Committee gave its remaining $2,839.10 to the PGO. That money remained from the committee’s advocacy in advance of the May 2023 Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion override, which passed with 82% support. Under campaign finance laws, such funds must be donated to another candidate’s campaign or political action committee, or a nonprofit. For the Yes […]