A Look Back, Feb. 21

A place to belong: Cummington's J.S. Bryant School marks first year serving LGBTQ+ youth

CUMMINGTON — Five years ago, Allison Druin couldn’t find a high school where her transgender son could be celebrated for who he was and learn in safety. So she and her husband set out to build one, though their son would graduate before it opened its doors. Nearly 75 people gathered in Cummington last weekend […]

Downed powerline sparks severe brush fire in Worthington

WORTHINGTON — A downed powerline sparked a severe brush fire in wooded land on Worthington Road at about noon on Friday, and officials said firefighters are expected to work through the night to put out the blaze. Worthington Police Chief John Scobie told the Gazette that crews were still attempting to maintain the fire in the […]

Big E’s in Easthampton to be sold to another family, will stay open

EASTHAMPTON — The owner of Big E’s Foodland, the family-owned supermarket at 11 Union St. that opened in July 1977, is working toward selling the store to another family that plans to keep it running as Big E’s. “Big E’s will not close for a single day and it will remain Big E’s with the […]

Atkinson Family Practice founder abruptly departs after 21 years; Northampton office closes

AMHERST/NORTHAMPTON — Dr. Katherine Atkinson has left the Amherst and Northampton family practice she ran for more than two decades, a year and a half after selling it to keep it out of bankruptcy.  “I would never leave my patients on short notice if I had any option,” Atkinson said in a phone interview with […]

DA’s office: Driver killed in Whately rollover crash

A driver, believed to be an 18-year-old man, was killed in a rollover crash and subsequent vehicle fire on Interstate 91 near Whately on Thursday afternoon.