1st Franklin District candidates talk farming, food insecurity at forum

Question 7: Voters to decide whether to allow homes on smaller lots statewide

AMHERST — Should single-family houses be allowed statewide on land roughly the size of an NBA basketball court? Voters will take on that question in the Nov. 3 election. Ballot Question 7 proposes to allow construction of single-family homes in residentially zoned areas totaling at least 5,000 square feet of land, given that there is at least 50 feet of frontage and the lot has access to public water and sewer services. To give a sense of scale, a professional basketball court is 4,700 square feet. A yes vote would put this zoning standard in place statewide. A no vote would […]

Proposed census rules would exclude noncitizens and snowbirds, experts say

BOSTON — U.S. Census Bureau proposals would exclude a large noncitizen population in Massachusetts, change whether the state’s “snowbird” population is counted, and cause “severe inaccuracies” in population data in 2030, a local research expert told lawmakers Wednesday.  One lawmaker said the thought of the impact that would have on the state was “flabbergasting.” The bureau […]

Washing Well laundromat in Easthampton avoids major damage after dryer vent fire

EASTHAMPTON — Firefighters responded to a dryer vent that caught fire at approximately 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Washing Well laundromat on Union Street, filling the inside of the business with smoke. The fire was contained to the dryer vent and was extinguished by firefighters before it could expand any further, Fire Chief Christopher Norris […]

From protest to the polls: No Kings rallies push early voting across Valley

NORTHAMPTON — More than 100 people gathered in Pulaski Park Saturday afternoon for a No Kings demonstration — an event that last year served as a protest against authoritarianism, but this year held a renewed meaning with midterm elections around the corner. As the musical group “Singing Resistance Western Mass” harmonized folk songs, members of […]

UMass hockey: Penalties prove costly for Minutemen in 4-1 loss to Northeastern

AMHERST — Three unanswered goals pushed Northeastern past the No. 19 UMass hockey team on Saturday at the Mullins Center. Tied 1-1 late in the second period, an interference penalty, combined with a major spearing infraction from UMass, gave the visitors an extended 5-on-3 power play and the Huskies converted for the 2-1 lead before […]