Bottomless pits: Potholes may plague area roads, but highway bosses say this year isn't as bad as prior years

Dark spots in the pavement where potholes are forming and homemade signs providing warnings about frost heaves have become part of the landscape of Shutesbury Road in Amherst this winter. The same story pervades other cities and towns in the Pioneer Valley. Yet despite the problems Garland and her neighbors have encountered, Amherst DPW Superintendent Guilford Mooring and other area road bosses say this winter could have been worse for potholes and taken more of a toll on roads.
--Agree? Disagree? Email us with your pothole locations or tales

Easthampton eyes Park Hill Road land for garden space

EASTHAMPTON - Residents with a green thumb could soon reap be tending gardens thanks to the city's purchase of a piece of a well-known Park Hill Road farm.

Agricultural land up for fresh leases in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON - Several agricultural parcels owned by the city are up for grabs this month, now that their leases have expired.

Mayor Michael A. Tautznik will accept bids for new leases until April 5 on the parcels, which total 52 acres on Oliver Street, Hendrick Street and Holyoke Street.

Briefs

EDUCATION IN AFRICA: The Munson Library, at 1046 South East St., will host Leah Danoff, co-founder of the Integrity School, a preschool and kindergarten school in Ongwedive, Namibia, Africa Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. discussing goals for the school and how others can become a part of it. For more information about the school go to www.theintegrityschool.com.

Easthampton schools propose a 'restoration' budget

EASTHAMPTON - School officials are looking to bring back a second-grade teacher, four kindergarten aides, technology support, a high school autism aide and money to bus teams to sporting events in the proposed $15.2 million budget for next year.

Easthampton names new parks super

EASTHAMPTON - An eastern Massachusetts resident who has worked in the recreation field since 1995 will be the city's next Parks Director.

John J. Mason, 39, who resides in Westwood, has been hired to replace longtime director Edward M. Piziak, who retired last year after 23 years on the job.

Area Police News

 · Eight college-age people were issued tickets for violating the marijuana possession law after police found four of them in a parked vehicle at Mount Pollux Conservation Area Wednesday at 12:43 a.m. and another four in a vehicle stopped for an infraction on Pine Street Wednesday at 12:48 a.m.