Guest columnist Lisa Ekus: Ode to Jane Yolen, a love letter of friendship

Easthampton City Council joins regional push to hold ICE agents accountable

EASTHAMPTON — The City Council is demanding accountability of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, passing a resolution calling for state and local law enforcement to investigate agents that have potentially broken state law, in the midst of a surge in ICE activity. A dozen residents backed the resolution passed last Wednesday in support of, “Holding Federal […]

A smoother road ahead: State officials launch new Unpaved Roads Program in Hatfield

HATFIELD — Washouts, mud and a surface that washboards, with parts so rough that drivers will choose to travel on the grass at the edge rather than on the dirt, often affect the gravel section of Straits Road. The main cause of these problems is evident to Highway Superintendent Duane Meehan, who points to a sub-base made up of silt and sand, materials that are not stable, and which cause even truck loads of gravel, used to maintain the road, to be swallowed up each year. Sometime in 2027, those long-standing issues will be fixed, as stone is added to the […]

Designers explore three sites for temporary DPW headquarters in Amherst

AMHERST — A designer is exploring three options for a temporary Department of Public Works headquarters: relocating to the Wildwood School site on Strong Street, moving to the Ruxton site on Pulpit Hill Road, or remaining at the current 586 South Pleasant St. building while a new $35 million facility is constructed there. But even […]

Mount Holyoke to close language center amid budget cuts

SOUTH HADLEY — A study spot. A movie theater. A cozy lounge area. A tutoring center. A classroom. One room at Mount Holyoke College’s Ciruti Language Center encompassed it all. The Language and Cultural Commons is the only language center in the Five College Consortium. It helps students fulfilling their language requirement find tutors, introduces […]

Amherst seniors gather at local venues to foster community connection

AMHERST — Monthly gatherings of senior citizens, organized in part by the Council on Aging and Friends of the Amherst Senior Center, are taking place at locations around town. On Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m., the next Meet & Greet will be held on the patio at Atkins Farms Country Market, 1150 West St., while on July 30, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Inn on Boltwood Tavern, 30 Boltwood Ave., will be the site of the next Senior Sips. “The purpose of both of these things is to foster a sense of community among seniors,” says Dennis Vandal, president […]