Lightning strike destroys Smith Academy shed storing field hockey equipment

Easthampton navigates 'growing pains' over new short-term rental regulations

EASTHAMPTON — Cease-and-desist notices were posted on the front doors of dozens of local Airbnb and Vrbo listings earlier this summer, blindsiding short-term rental owners across the city. “If you were renting a place and you saw a cease-and-desist letter, what are you going to think?” said John Losito, a short-term rental owner in Easthampton. The […]

No one injured after wrong-way crash in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — No one was injured after two vehicles — a white sedan and a black SUV — collided head-on in a wrong-way collision at the Interstate 91 exit ramp off Route 5 Monday morning, according to Northampton Fire Deputy Andy Breen. Northampton Fire and Police responded to the collision with airbag deployment at the […]

Belchertown mobile home park water overhaul hits setbacks

BELCHERTOWN — Pine Valley Plantation, a 389-home community for residents 55 and older on 147 acres in Belchertown, has lost a chunk of its state funding to overhaul its failing 45-year-old water system and now faces a looming wetlands violation. The state revoked $1.2 million of a $6 million loan awarded to replace the system, leaving the property without money to complete road paving.  At the same time, the Belchertown Conservation Department expects to issue a notice of violation to the resident-owned mobile home community over erosion control during construction. Heavy rains over the past week have carved 2- to 3-foot […]

Fatal crash closes I-91 southbound near Hatfield, causing major delays

NORTHAMPTON — A five-mile section of Interstate 91 southbound between Whately and Northampton closed Monday morning following a fatal car crash in the highway median in Hatfield at 6:25 a.m., according to state police. Troopers from the Northampton barracks were dispatched to the scene, where the operator of the vehicle, identified as a 30-year-old man […]

Whately, Hatfield begin talks of police regionalization

The Whately and Hatfield police departments are considering a multi-phase regionalization plan to address officer shortages, beginning with the potential for a shared police chief following Michael Dekoschak's retirement in December.