News

Quabbin region studied for MWRA expansion

By SAM DRYSDALE

As House Democrats eye the expansion of its public drinking water service area, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is considering whether the communities where that water comes from should finally get to reap the benefits of the...

A Look Back: April 18

50 Years Ago■Robert F. Ulm, Easthampton’s fire chief since 1944, last night submitted his resignation to the Board of Selectmen, to become effective April 20. Ulm said he would become fire chief in the town of Bedford.■The Northampton City Council...

Amherst Fire Chief Walter ‘Tim’ Nelson to retire in June

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Fire Chief Walter O. “Tim” Nelson, who has led the department since early 2010, will retire from the position at the end of June, bringing to a close a more than 43-year career in fire services in which his emphasis has been on helping...

First look at how little Amherst’s police alternative being used called troubling

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The tiny number of emergency dispatch calls directed to the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service since mid-December, when the department began taking 911 calls, is prompting worries by members of the Community Safety and...

Petition to block auto dealership on King Street falters in Northampton

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — A joint meeting between the Northampton City Council’s Committee on Legislative Matters and the city’s Planning Board heard public comments on a petition to ban further automobile dealerships near the city’s downtown, an issue that...

LIME SPREADER

Photo: Lime spreader

Flair and flavor: Couple draws on European, regional travel and food expertise to bring gourmet Aster + Pine Market to Amherst

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — From their own journeys in Europe and across New England and the Northeast, and their experience in the hospitality industry, a Northampton couple is creating a market featuring wines, pantry staples and fresh, local produce in downtown...

Developer pitches new commercial building on Route 9 in Hadley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — An Amherst developer is proposing to construct a new commercial building on Route 9 that will become the headquarters for a Holyoke metal roofing and gutter company.At Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting, Thomas Reidy, an attorney at Bacon...

Holyoke man finds bear paw in his yard

By JAMES PENTLAND

HOLYOKE — Armand Laramee was heading out on his morning walk around 6 a.m. Tuesday when something lying in his yard caught his eye.His first thought was perhaps his neighbor’s black cat had been hit by a car. He went to check on it.“Then I saw that...

Mass. saw nearly 200 percent rise in antisemitic incidents last year

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — New England saw a staggering surge in antisemitic incidents last year that exceeded the increase logged nationally, the Anti-Defamation League said in a new report released Tuesday.There were 623 antisemitic incidents of assault, harassment...

Three finalists named for Ryan Road School principal in Northampton

STAFF REPORT

NORTHAMPTON — A selection committee has chosen three finalists for the job of principal at Ryan Road Elementary School, Superintendent Portia Bonner announced Tuesday.The finalists are Rebecca LeBeau, the current interim principal at Ryan Road;...

Prices up, sales down in early spring housing market

By COLIN A. YOUNG

The signs of spring are all around: the days are getting warmer, baseball is back, and Massachusetts home prices are setting records as demand continues to significantly outpace the inventory of houses for sale.The real estate analysts at The Warren...

Area property deed transfers, April 18

AMHERST 44 Chapel Rd, $560,750, B: Kristin M. Flewelling and Christine L. Larson, S: Paul A. Schroeder and Maria Monasterios BELCHERTOWN 203 South St, $507,150, B: Glenna J. Young, S: M & F Land Dev LLC 45 West St, $200,000, B: Serenity Ft and...

A Look Back: April 17

50 Years Ago■A group of unicyclists pedaled down Main Street today on their springtime ride from Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton to the University of Massachusetts. The fresh air enthusiasts sought to collect pledges for an even longer...

Boyfriend accused in slaying of Hampden sheriff’s assistant, former legislator’s top aide

By SAM DORAN

HOLYOKE — A Chicopee woman killed in Holyoke early Sunday was a former legislative staff member who was currently employed as executive assistant to Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi.Authorities said Eileen Monaghan, 48, was stabbed by a man...

Crocker School kids draw on historical picture books for library banner project

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An unfolded brown paper bag is being transformed, through use of crayons, pencils and paint markers, into a banner showcasing an acclaimed American naturalist, artist and academic.“I think Anna Comstock was very impressive in her work,” says...

Organizers ramping up for bigger Northampton Pride this year

By EMILEE KLEIN

NORTHAMPTON — Under new organizers and a nine-week planning schedule, Pride returned to the queer capital of Northampton last year after a three-year hiatus, and it’s back to stay.Hampshire Pride, the nonprofit that revived Pride in the Pioneer Valley...

Revised plan to combat bullying in Amherst regional schools questioned

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A revised plan for investigating bullying and stopping such incidents at the Amherst-Pelham regional schools is raising concerns for some members of the Regional School Committee, who see the changes as taking a backward step.“This new...

News Briefs: Roadwork in Plainfield; bake sale in Hadley

Road closurein PlainfieldPLAINFIELD — Route 8A will be closed this week to through traffic from Route 116 (near the old package store) through Hawley to Charlemont for emergency repairs.The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be repairing...