Guest columnists Kristin DeBoer and Emma Ellsworth: ‘Protect Water and Nature’ ballot initiative would safeguard region’s lands and waters

There is a Season with Molly Parr: A tasty twist on leftovers

So far this spring, the locally-grown and seasonal bits and bobs entering my kitchen have come from the hydroponic garden tended by the fourth graders at Leeds Elementary School. We’ve enjoyed salads full of fresh sprouts, used the cilantro in creamy dips, and enjoyed the Swiss chard in these chard and quinoa patties.  I actually […]

Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: The woods lend us trilliums: Spotting Emily Dickinson’s favorite spring wildflower

One recent morning, I was walking on the rail trail in South Amherst when something in the sun-dappled underbrush caught my eye. A dot of burgundy, then another. I stopped to look more closely and all at once there appeared a small multitude of trilliums gathered around the base of a mature maple tree.  These […]

Proudly precocious: Hopkins Academy celebrates Class of 2026

HADLEY — Precocious. Spontaneous. Positive and a good outlook on life. Those were among the words teachers offered Elizabeth Rotunno, valedictorian of the Class of 2026, as she prepared the speech she would deliver at Hopkins Academy’s graduation Friday. Rotunno said those words help define the 33 members of the class that has now completed […]

Amherst boys lacrosse forfeits MIAA Round of 32 matchup due to suspensions and injuries

The No. 30 Amherst boys lacrosse team earned a trip to the MIAA Division 3 state tournament Round of 32 after a 15-7 victory over No. 35 Middleborough on Thursday night in the preliminary round. Despite the win, the Hurricanes were forced to forfeit their expected matchup against No. 3 Scituate. At the conclusion of […]

Western Mass housing advocates say 46% shelter decline masks barriers for families

The Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness reports a 46% decrease in families living in shelters due to state and federal policy changes, but advocates warn that many families are still living in unsafe places due to these regulations.