Scaled-back East Amherst historic district wins Planning Board approval in 4-3 vote

UMass football: Eastern Michigan sinks Minutemen in front of sellout crowd, 38-14

AMHERST — Through four games of the season, opposing defenses had few answers to slow down UMass quarterback Pop Watson. With each week, his decision-making seemed to improve, backed by his 74.0% completion clip and a single interception to his name. Rather than stop the man himself, Eastern Michigan arrived at Amherst in front of […]

An evening of wonder: Look Park hosts outdoor pumpkin art trail in October

Look Park in Northampton will host ALLURA Pumpkin Art Spectacular, a family-friendly outdoor pumpkin art trail, over the course of 15 nights beginning next week. The trail features pumpkin art set up in 13 scenes with designs that include, among others, fantasy creatures like fairies and dragons as well as images based on movies like […]

Book Review: Wales-based author Jason Prokowiew's 'War Boys' is a peace offering between father and son

Jason Prokowiew wasn’t trained to use his voice. As a self-described fat and queer kid born in 1976 in Sudbury, Mass., the budding writer endured abuse that no one named. “Body positivity” didn’t exist yet. Ellen wasn’t out. So it was no surprise, really, when the school bully sat behind him in class, waiting for […]

A faithful calling: Rev. Vicki Kemper to step away from pulpit at First Church Amherst

AMHERST — One of the first United Church of Christ congregations in the United States to declare itself open and affirming, First Church Amherst has regularly been at the forefront of faith-based social justice causes. Whether helping the LGBTQIA+ community to the full life of the church or ensuring rights for immigrants, promoting environmental protections […]

Quabbin water plan draws flood of opposition at crowded hearing

Western Massachusetts residents and lawmakers opposed a proposal by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to withdraw an additional 20 million gallons of water daily from the Quabbin Reservoir during a state hearing held on Wednesday.