Bank robber had helper, police allege

NORTHAMPTON - Police say a series of text messages helped link a Holyoke woman to the suspect in Friday's robbery of the Florence Savings Bank branch on King Street.

Amherst College offers to keep funding campus preschool, with caveat

AMHERST - Amherst College has offered to continue funding the Little Red Schoolhouse if the preschool program expands its hours to better accommodate the needs of college faculty with children.

Northampton merchants urged to just say 'No sale' to synthetic pot

NORTHAMPTON - Police are putting local store owners on notice to keep an eye out for products marketed as incense or bath salts but used by some as a synthetic alternative to marijuana.

Amherst schools chief says more reserve funds needed

AMHERST - Superintendent Maria Geryk has recommended the regional schools spend an extra $133,441 from reserves next year because state aid is expected to be less than anticipated.

Talk to offer farmers tips on reviving the good earth

NORTHAMPTON - The public is invited to the First Churches tonight to hear agricultural experts talk about a topic they say is of grave importance - dirt.

The 7:30 p.m. event will feature discussions about how the decline of soil quality is affecting the nutritional value of crops, and what farmers and consumers can do to reverse the trend.

On area stop, Nuciforo talks change in DC

EASTHAMPTON - Andrea Nuciforo Jr. told city residents Wednesday that he will work to reverse the direction of an economy that is "rigged against ordinary people" if he is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

New board member brings student's perspective

AMHERST - The newest member of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee said at his first meeting Wednesday that starting classes the Thursday before Labor Day next fall might help students ease back into school.

His opinion had some credibility because he is a senior at Amherst Regional High School.