News
Haydenville residents resist Greenway trail plan, float alternative design
By JAMES PENTLAND
WILLIAMSBURG — With decision time nearing on the first section of the long-planned Mill River Greenway that will one day create a trail connection from Northampton to Williamsburg, a dispute over the project’s design through Haydenville’s residential...
Super defers Amherst middle school principal pick to successor; one finalist says decision is retaliation for lawsuit
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Interim Superintendent Douglas Slaughter has opted against hiring a permanent middle school principal despite a search that yielded three finalists, a decision one of those finalists says is retaliation against her because she recently filed...
Federal probe targets UMass response to anti-Arab incidents
By JAMES PENTLAND
AMHERST — Federal civil rights officials are investigating the University of Massachusetts for allegedly dragging its feet over complaints of anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian harassment on campus amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.An official...
Supreme Court seems skeptical of Trump’s claim of absolute immunity but decision's timing is unclear
By MARK SHERMAN
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday appeared likely to reject former President Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity from prosecution over election interference, but it seemed possible Trump could still benefit from a lengthy trial delay,...
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
Editor’s note: The second of three finalists for the job of superintendent was interviewed Tuesday. The final candidate will be interviewed Thursday. AMHERST — Experience in teaching, administration and establishing collaborative relationships,...
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 reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into practice — and at the same time bidding for a share of the $100...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
