'No Child' left behind: Feds allow state to set rules for school progress

Area school leaders welcomed the announcement Thursday that Massachusetts is among 10 states the U.S. Department of Education freed from some of the stricter requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law. The change gives them needed leeway and sets more meaningful targets for student progress, they said.

• Waiver details

Waiver details

Here are some key facts from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education about the No Child Left Behind waiver the U.S. Department of Education granted Massachusetts on Thursday.

Area police news

Home, vehicle breaks probed in Amherst

AMHERST - Police are investigating break-ins to an Amherst home and two vehicles Wednesday night.

The first incident was reported at 8:45 p.m., when a Woodside Avenue resident told police a television set was stolen from his apartment. Detective Richard MacLean said there were no signs of forced entry.

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.

Easthampton officials praise departed city planner Stuart Beckley

EASTHAMPTON - On his last day as Easthampton's city planner on Feb. 2, Stuart Beckley reflected on how he felt when he first took the job as in 1989. "It was intimidating," he said. "It was not knowing the people, not being totally familiar with the public process."

People in the news

The following local residents have been named to the fall semester dean's list at American International College in Springfield:

Ryan Boisjolie, Taryn Crisafulli, Anne Feliciano and Eric John Koloski of Easthampton, andRyan Baker and Morgan Bean of Southampton.

Events for seniors

EASTHAMPTON

Note: Events and programs take place at the COA Enrichment Center, 19 Union St., unless noted otherwise. For more information call 527-6151.

February movies: "Taming of the Shrew," today, 12:30 p.m.; "Seven Years in Tibet," Feb. 16, 12:30 p.m.; "The Visitor," Feb. 23, 12:30 p.m.