An artful farewell: Three Sisters Sanctuary founder reflects on mortality in final work

Northampton’s Smithland Pet & Garden Center returning to North King Street’s Big Y Plaza

NORTHAMPTON — More than a year after Smithland Pet & Garden Center closed all 13 of its Massachusetts and Connecticut locations, including its Northampton and Hadley stores, the pet and garden chain is expected to return to Northampton — in its former space at the Big Y Plaza on North King Street — by the end of the year. Westfield restaurateur Nabil Hannoush, owner of the Shortstop Bar & Grill, who described himself and his wife, Julie, as being animal and nature lovers, said he was disappointed to hear of the pet and garden stores’ closure for liquidation last year, and […]

Gauntlet of musical treasures: UMass piano professor selected to perform Beethoven's complete sonatas

Mastering one Beethoven sonata is a feat even for an accomplished musician, but one local pianist has accepted the challenge to master all 32 of them. The Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center selected Gilles Vonsattel, who teaches piano at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, to learn and perform all 32 of Beethoven’s sonatas — […]

Pelham residents split over solar project that would clear 34 acres near UMass research forest

PELHAM — A proposed 4.4-megawatt solar installation off Tower Road that would require clearing 34 acres of privately owned woodland next to Cadwell State Forest to accommodate 7.7 acres of panels is drawing both support and opposition. At the first public hearing on the proposal from PureSky Energy Tuesday, Christine Crispin of Bray Court asked […]

Former Healey aide charged with SNAP fraud while awaiting drug, gun trial

SPRINGFIELD— Lamar Cook, a former aide to Gov. Maura Healey who was arrested last year on gun charges and accused of trafficking more than 8 kilograms of cocaine, now faces federal charges that he fraudulently collected more than $500 a month in food assistance. Cook, 46, of Springfield, was arrested Wednesday morning on charges that […]

Sports Briefs: VU Gx Fall Valley Rally returns to Northampton on Nov. 8

The second annual VU Gx Fall Valley Rally is returning to the Pioneer Valley this November. The event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, is open to middle-schoolers and high-schoolers interested in playing Gx ultimate. There is no cost to attend the event, plus all first-time ultimate players will receive a free disc. More […]