Celebration March 4 for late environmentalist

AMHERST - A celebration of Alexandra Dawson's life will be held March 4 at 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall of Grace Church, 14 Boltwood Ave. in Amherst.

Dawson, a longtime environmental activist, attorney and Gazette columnist who lived in Hadley, died Dec. 30.

Easthampton eyes four finalists to fill planner post

EASTHAMPTON - Two former employees of Northampton's planning department, a staffer with a regional planning agency and a lecturer for the University of Massachusetts Amherst are the four finalists Mayor Michael Tautznik is considering for the open city planner position.

Longtime Hadley Board of Health member David Farnham will step down

HADLEY - After 26 years of service on town boards - including more than 20 on the Board of Health - David G. Farnham is calling it quits. Farnham, 80, said this week that he will not run in the April 10 town election. He declined to elaborate on his decision to vacate the post he has held since 1989. He said in making the announcement now, he is seeking to give residents interested in his seat ample opportunity to take out nomination papers by Feb. 17, gather signatures and make campaign preparations.

Here's the plan for John and Anna

David Martula of Hadley, a fee-only financial planner, proposed the following plan for John and Anna. A Hadley native and a graduate of Amherst College, Martula previously worked as an insurance agent. He has operated his own financial planning business for 20 years.

It appears that John and Anna's expenses exceed their income by around $35,000. No way can this continue.

Hopkins Academy girls basketball falls short against undefeated Mahar

HADLEY - Olivia Mathieu did everything she could to try to will the Hopkins Academy girls basketball team to a victory over unbeaten Mahar Regional.

The junior guard created turnovers, fought hard on the glass and took over when needed offensively, but it wasn't enough in a 72-63 loss to the Senators at home Friday night.

Area police news

11-year-old arrested for alleged assault

NORTHAMPTON - Police arrested an 11-year-old West Farms Road boy Thursday after he allegedly threw a bottle at his mother during an argument.

The boy, whose name was not released because of his age, is to face charged in juvenile court of assault and battery and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Danielle Pelissier & Jonathan Allard

Kevin and Maryann Pelissier of Hadley and Michael and Nancy Allard of Shutesbury announce the engagement of their children, Danielle Leigh Pelissier and Jonathan Mark Allard, both of Easthampton.