News
Authorities ID victim in Greenfield slaying
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office had identified Christopher Hairston, 35, last known to reside in Pittsfield, as the victim found dismembered in a barrel in a Chapman Street apartment on Monday evening.Suspect Taaniel...
A Look Back, April 29
50 Years Ago ■Daniel L. Labato, 42, a sergeant in the police department, was appointed deputy police chief by Mayor Sean M. Dunphy at a special meeting of the City Council last night. The $12,999 per year position of deputy chief has been vacant since...
Chance Encounters with Bob Flaherty: The coming of bees puts South Hadley man in high spirits
SOUTH HADLEY— Amid the cheerful greenery popping out everywhere like peepers, a red and black plaid mackinaw will pull you in every time. Inside the coat and under a pulled-down brim smiles Kim Harwood, hard at work with both shovel and spade at the...
Filling the need: Volunteer Fair returns, giving those seeking to donate their time a chance to see what’s out there
By EMILEE KLEIN
NORTHAMPTON — The partnership between HEC Academy and Western Massachusetts Rabbit Rescue began when a non-verbal student wanted to get involved with the community.Many of the volunteer opportunities offered by the therapeutic public day school for...
Amherst officials outline vision for Hickory Ridge: fire station, community center, affordable housing among options
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A fire station, possibly combined with a new community center, or an affordable housing development, are among the concepts unveiled for the front portion of the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course on West Pomeroy Lane, the 150-acre, town-owned...
Cannabis sales in Massachusetts top $1B for third straight year
By Alison Kuznitz
BOSTON — Looking to sidestep controversy over the Cannabis Control Commission leadership, regulators highlighted the increasing profitability of the industry Thursday while discussing their work to implement a state law promoting diversity in the...
Town election in Worthington features contest for Select Board seat
By JAMES PENTLAND
WORTHINGTON — Annual town election and Town Meeting are on Saturday, May 4.Polls are open at Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Town Meeting begins at 9:30. There are options for early voting and vote by mail.The ballot includes one contested...
Voters at Hadley Town Meeting to decide big capital projects on Thursday
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — Significant capital investments that include a $9 million project to replace the Mount Warner and Mount Holyoke water tanks and $2 million to buy a ladder truck for the Fire Department, and adopting a bylaw to permit stand-alone battery...
Area briefs: Broad Brook Greenway parking; Northampton pickleball group to hold event; and more
Broad Brook Greenway parking construction NORTHAMPTON — All Broad Brook Greenway access from Cooke Avenue, including parking and trail access, will be temporarily closed to all public access starting on or about Wednesday. The parking lot is estimated...
$100,000 theft: Granby Police seek help in ID’ing 3 who used dump truck to steal cash from ATM
Staff Report
GRANBY – Granby Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying three suspects who allegedly used a dump truck to steal $100,000 from a PeoplesBank stand-alone ATM machine in January. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 1:26 a.m., police responded to 77...
Authorities ID victim in Greenfield slaying
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — The Northwestern district attorney’s office has identified Christopher Hairston, 35, last known to reside in Pittsfield, as the victim found dismembered in a barrel in a Chapman Street apartment on Monday evening.Suspect Taaniel...
Photos: The growing season begins
Frontier Regional School students appeal to lower voting age
By CHRIS LARABEE
When Sunderland residents head to their Annual Town Meeting on Friday, they’ll vote on the town’s budget, some bylaw changes and a citizen’s petition with a unique twist, as the residents who brought the article forward can’t actually vote on...
Deerfield residents to decide personnel bylaw, tax bill at Monday’s annual Town Meeting
By CHRIS LARABEE
DEERFIELD — A new personnel bylaw, a shift to quarterly tax bills and the rescinding of $5 million in borrowing authority for road repairs are on the table Monday evening for Deerfield’s annual Town Meeting.The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in Frontier...
A Look Back, April 27
By Jim Bridgman
200 Years Ago ■For sale, that valuable farm and buildings which Martin Burt formerly owned, situated in the westerly part of Southampton. This farm, which contains 150 acres, and three years ago was appraised for cash at $3,200, will be offered and...
Homeless camp in Northampton ordered to disperse
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — People living at a homeless encampment behind the closed Speedway gas station on King Street were told by police that they have until Monday to leave the area and find elsewhere to go.The encampment, situated between the gas station and...
Final pick for Amherst regional superintendent, from Virgin Islands, aims to ‘lead with love’
By SCOTT MERZBACH
Editor’s note: The third of three finalists for the job of superintendent was interviewed Thursday. A decision could be made as soon as Monday. AMHERST — Collaboration, empathy and communication are being emphasized as traits Ericilda Xiomara Herman,...
Reyes takes helm of UMass flagship amid pro-Palestinian protests
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — On a Friday morning filled with music, ceremony and speeches by state leaders to inaugurate Javier Reyes as the 31st leader of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the first Hispanic chancellor of the flagship campus, protesters...
La Veracruzana, PHO-keh Bowl launch returnable container program
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — Amid the annual commemorations of Earth Day, Pioneer Valley eatery La Veracruzana is launching a new kind of takeout container meant to be given back after it’s used. The restaurant, which is known for its Mexican cuisine and has three...
Photo: Peach Protectors
