News
William Strickland, a longtime civil rights activist, scholar and friend of Malcolm X, has died
By MICHAEL CASEY
BOSTON — William Strickland, a longtime civil rights activist and supporter of the Black Power movement who worked with Malcolm X and other prominent leaders in the 1960s, has died. He was 87.Strickland, whose death April 10 was confirmed by a...
Hatfield eyes reserves to cover unexpected spike in payments to Smith Vocational
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HATFIELD — Town officials are recommending the use of free cash to cover a significant and unanticipated increase associated with the cost of tuition and transportation for Hatfield students attending Smith Vocational and Agricultural School in...
Ashfield considers seeking ‘Climate Leader’ designation
By DOMENIC POLI
ASHFIELD — The town is seeking a “Climate Leader” designation from the state that would help it reduce emissions by increasing its use of equipment run on electricity rather than those requiring fossil fuels, and maximizing the efficiency of...
Photos: Remembering the Armenian genocide
Building conversion, battery storage bylaws up for vote at Sunderland Town Meeting
By CHRIS LARABEE
SUNDERLAND — Bylaw proposals concerning battery storage facilities and converting existing buildings into multi-family dwellings will come before voters at Friday night’s annual Town Meeting.Residents will decide on the 18-article warrant at...
Area briefs: Bonifaz to speak at Law Day events; Easthampton Film Festival preps for third year; Granby Candidates Night
Law Day events to focus on ‘preserving democracy’NORTHAMPTON — The public is invited to 2024 Law Day at the Hampshire and Franklin county courthouses next week, with public presentations on the topic of “preserving democracy.” Constitutional law...
More arrested in pro-Palestinian campus protests ahead of college graduation ceremonies
By JIM VERTUNO, ACACIA CORONADO and NICK PERRY
AUSTIN, Texas — With graduations looming, student protesters doubled down early Thursday on their discontent of the Israel-Hamas war on campuses across the country, with multiple arrests made at campuses in Massachusetts and California as universities...
Amherst regional superintendent candidate stresses collaboration, experience
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Experience in teaching, administration and establishing collaborative relationships, coupled with a professional background in sales before becoming an educator, are qualities Joanne Menard says she would bring to the Amherst, Pelham, and...
A Look Back, April 25
50 Years Ago ■For Paul Walker, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, yesterday was a “memorable day.” Walker traveled to Washington, D.C., to present plaques to Congressman Silvio O. Conte, expressing appreciation to three...
Locking up carbon for good: Easthampton inventor’s CO2 removal system turns biomass into biochar
By JAMES PENTLAND
HOLYOKE — Like many people, Michael Garjian believes global warming is a pressing issue of our times.Unlike most, he’s putting his ideas for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into practice — and at the same time bidding for a share of the...
Spilka pledges ‘comprehensive climate bill’ in Senate
By SAM DRYSDALE
BOSTON — Signaling the potential for more change in the transportation and energy sectors, Senate President Karen Spilka revealed Monday that the Senate plans to tackle a major climate bill within the next three months.The Ashland Democrat said at a...
Northampton City Briefing: Council adjust start time for its meetings; Farmer’s Market to begin 49th year on Saturday; CDH blood drive coming up
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
The Northampton City Council is changing its meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, effective for its next meeting on May 2 and for all council meetings going forward.The council recently approved the change, with councilors agreeing that starting...
Photos: Plaque of remembrance
Advancing water treatment: UMass startup Elateq Inc. wins state grant to deploy new technology
By XINYI YANG
AMHERST — In the four years since its founding on the UMass campus, startup Elateq Inc., a water treatment and hardware company, has landed contracts big (think PepsiCo) and small (think town of Amherst).Now the company, which uses advanced...
New Realtor Association CEO looks to work collaboratively to maximize housing options
By ABNER ROJAS
SPRINGFIELD — As the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley’s new CEO arrives to a Massachusetts housing market plagued by high prices and a lack of stock, he aims to work alongside elected officials to maximize the availability of different kinds of...
Northampton man will go to trial on first-degree murder charge after plea agreement talks break down
By JAMES PENTLAND
NORTHAMPTON — A city man will go to trial on a first-degree murder charge with a new attorney after long-running negotiations toward a plea agreement broke down, lawyers said at a brief hearing Wednesday in Hampshire Superior Court.Devin Bryden, 26,...
Area property deed transfers, April 25
AMHERSTTheodore A. Hallstrom and Elizabeth L. Hallstrom to Richard B. Pierce and Elaine R. Pierce, 63 Cherry Lane, $625,000 Bodin D Joseph Est and Kristi A. Bodin to Julius J. Rosenthal, 35 Maplewood Circle, $470,000 JELB...
Report tallies pros of energy retrofit at Hopkins Academy
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — A deep energy retrofit planned for Hopkins Academy, using ground-source heat pumps, would cut more than three-quarters of the building’s greenhouse gas emissions and would significantly reduce estimated expenses associated with the health and...
Belchertown mobile home village getting new water system
By EMILEE KLEIN
BELCHERTOWN — The state has approved funding for a new $6 million water system at Pine Valley Plantation Mobile Home Park to replace the park’s 45-year-old water pipes.Pine Valley Plantation, in the southern part of town across from Cold Springs...
Primo Restaurant & Pizzeria in South Deerfield under new ownership
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After more than a decade in the previous owner’s hands, the Rodas family is taking the reins at Primo Restaurant & Pizzeria with plans to continue the eatery’s legacy.The new owners officially took over the pizza, sub and pasta shop...
