Revenue stream: UMass hedges its bets, hoping research can be its cash cow

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts spent a record $489 million on research last fiscal year, but UMass officials are already predicting next year's spending will blow that figure away. And they say that is good news for a university that has so much riding on research, especially at a time when state support for public education is waning.

South Hadley motorcyclist killed in Granby crash

GRANBY - A South Hadley man was killed here Wednesday evening after his motorcycle strayed over the center line on Carver Street and was struck by an on coming van, Granby police said.

Shown BB gun causes stir at complex in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON - Police broke up a disturbance at Meadowbrook Apartments late Wednesday during which one person brandished a BB gun that looked to onlookers and police like a semiautomatic pistol.

Despite the commotion, police said no crimes were committed and no charges will result.

Officers were called to building 20 of the 491 Bridge Road apartment complex about 10:30 p.m.

For now, it's four housemates to a place: Amherst board to give matter more study

AMHERST - A cap on the number of unrelated housemates who can live together in one residence is expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future while town officials work to better control the negative effects of student housing.

Southampton police warn residents of mail scam

SOUTHAMPTON - The police are alerting residents of a mail scam, touting a fictitious lottery sweepstakes prize, which found its way to a number of Southampton mail boxes earlier this week

Police Chief David Silvernail said that a resident that was suspicious of the mailing reported the incident to the police department on Monday.

Subcontractor claims Smith project bill not paid

NORTHAMPTON - A subcontractor involved in the construction of Smith College's new science and engineering center claims it hasn't been paid in full.

In a lawsuit filed Thursday in Hampshire Superior Court, United Steel Inc. of East Hartford, Conn., is seeking $93,205 from the college and general contractor William A. Berry and Sons Inc. of Danvers.

Veteran fire captain retiring in Amherst

AMHERST - After a large explosion and fire damaged several units at Emerson Court in 2006 and two weeks later a Bank of America branch burned down, Amherst fire Capt. James Johnson helped battle the blazes, and later led the investigations into cause.