News
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...
Wheeling for Healing returns to South Deerfield to raise money for cancer treatment
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After a successful move to Yankee Candle last year, the 17th annual Wheeling for Healing event is back on May 19, as the fundraiser seeks to continue raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer patients receiving treatment within...
Sadiq to leave Amherst middle school principal role
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — As a process continues to find a permanent Amherst Regional Middle School principal, High School Principal Talib Sadiq is relinquishing his oversight of the building where seventh and eighth graders are educated.Interim Superintendent...
Northampton seeks bids to redevelop former Registry of Deeds property
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — The city is accepting bids from developers for the former Hampshire Registry of Deeds building at 33 King St. with a minimum bid of $2.5 million required for the downtown property.The building is located on a 1.46-acre parcel next to the...
A Look Back: April 16
50 Years AgoThe Hampshire Area Commission on Alcohol Abuse will tonight request a lodging house license at 23-25 Graves Ave. for a proposed halfway house for recovered alcoholics. Purchase of the property would culminate an intensive campaign that...
Two men dump milk, orange juice over themselves at Amherst convenience store
AMHERST — A Monday morning incident in which two customers fled from a Belchertown Road convenience store after pouring milk and orange juice over themselves is being investigated by police.At 4:25 a.m., police were called to the Cumberland Farms at...
All about conviction: PVPA team wins state, heads to nationals of Mock Trial Championship
By EMILEE KLEIN
SOUTH HADLEY — Prepare, prepare, prepare.That’s the motto that mock trial coach Gary Huggert passes along to each new mock trial team at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School, a motto that took the team to the state finals for the past three...
Three Amherst Regional Middle School counselors absolved of Title IX offenses
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Even with complaints that their actions and behavior, including intentional misgendering students were likely offensive, three counselors at the Amherst Regional Middle School have been cleared of violations of the federal Title IX law in...
