Beginning, Again: The ride that led home

Community weighs in on Maines Field renovation planning

NORTHAMPTON — After years of flooding damaged its roads and softball field, the city’s Parks & Recreation Department is planning a major renovation of Maines Field — and wants the community’s input on updating the century-old park. Planning for the park’s remake off Riverside Drive in Florence took center stage over two days last week […]

As Democratic Socialists gain ground nationally, a local chapter is growing too

Democratic socialist Sasha Morsmith doesn’t see much of a distinction between Democrats and Republicans. For her, they are the “two capitalist parties.” And increasingly, she is not alone. As co-chair of the River Valley Democratic Socialists of America (RVDSA), which spans Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties, she has watched the organization gain traction, especially in […]

Public invited to Picture Main Street info session

NORTHAMPTON — Following the submittal of its 100% design guidelines for the Picture Main Street project, the city is hosting an informational session to present its Main Street redesign plans to the public from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at 180 Main St. The city first began submitting design plans to the Massachusetts Department […]

Amherst Media sells planned building site

AMHERST — Amherst Media’s quest to build a new headquarters and technology center on Main Street, a short distance from the Emily Dickinson Museum, is ending with the sale of the land it bought in 2013 for that purpose. The .56-acre site at 420 Main St., which had been eyed for the nonprofit’s new $1.3 […]

Amherst to run tax, treasurer services in Pelham

PELHAM — Tax collection and treasurer services for Pelham residents are being provided by the town of Amherst under a new intermunicipal agreement. The decision to have Amherst’s five-member team provide the services to Pelham, in a one-year pilot, came following a May 11 vote by the Select Board to eliminate the collector and treasurer […]