Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: Fall is the perfect time to plant trees for a thriving landscape

High E. coli levels prompt swimming advisory for Puffer's Pond

AMHERST — For the first time this summer, people are being advised not to swim at Puffer’s Pond due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. Signs are being posted at the State Street site and a notice is also on the town website. While the pond regularly showed E. coli levels above state safety […]

Area Property Deed Transfers, July 17

AMHERST Charles C. Wang and Yu-Mei Wang LT to Jennifer Correia and Jared Correia, 156 Aubingwood Dr., $450,000 Catherine A. Olds to Lijun Kuang, 26 Green Leaves Dr., Lot 635, $220,000 Irene Blaho to Anne F. Lenault and Cynthia M. Lenault, 27 Green Leaves Dr., Lot 726, $285,000 Gertrude G. Swain to Catherine A. Olds, […]

Bullseye business: New archery range aims to hit the mark at Hampshire Mall

HADLEY — As a client loads an arrow onto a bow and prepares to shoot it toward a target about 30 yards away, North East Archery Supply Co. owner Joshua Gray offers advice on how to make the shot as accurate as possible. After Sam Medina gets instructions on the correct form for using the […]

Leverett weighs pursuit of cultural district status from state

LEVERETT — With its home studios, gallery space at Leverett Crafts & Arts, historic buildings, and conservation land, the town may have what it takes to become a state-designated cultural district. David Henion, a Montague Road resident who has served as president of Leverett Crafts & Arts, made the pitch for seeking the designation to […]

Around Amherst: Drama on the common

AMHERST — A 10-minute auditory piece by local dramaturg John Bechtold, presented by the Amherst Historical Society, takes place on the Amherst Town Common Saturday. Coinciding with the Amherst Farmers Market, “common,” Bechtold’s piece, is intended for two to 200 people, with participants asked to follow voice instructions on their headphones and move around the […]