Kudos to Goshen for use of grant

GOSHEN - The town's effective use of $500,000 in state funds for road and drainage improvements has earned the state's praise.

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray recognized Goshen this week for the town's responsible and effective management of a $500,000 MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant.

Run for Tara grant leads to education on eating disorders

WESTHAMPTON - The parents of a former Southampton woman who died from complications related to anorexia are working to ensure that area students are better armed than she was to fight eating disorders.

Hilltown fire departments win grants for equipment

WORTHINGTON - Seven area fire departments Monday received grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 that will go to buy boots, tools, pumps and protective clothing.

Firefighters halt blaze lurking in Goshen home's walls

GOSHEN - An early morning fire Tuesday caused about $5,000 in damage to a Main Street home, according to Fire Capt. Bob Labrie.

Homeowners Justin and Ashley LeBeau, of 60 Main St., were not displaced by the fire, although work must be done on the house to repair the damage, according to Justin LeBeau. He said and his wife awoke around 4 a.m. to the smell of smoke.

Slowing life down subject of talk in Cummington

Poet Christian McEwen, a Northampton resident and author of "World Enough and Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down," will kick off the winter Coffeehouse Series at the Old Creamery Grocery on Route 9 in Cummington with a free reading and book signing on the title's subject: slowing down as a way to better enjoy life and explore your creativity.

Hilltown health agent tapped as next Easthampton inspector

EASTHAMPTON - The city will have a new health inspector when longtime Inspector Dennis Lacourse retires in January. The Board of Health chose Jacqueline Duda, the health agent for the Foothills Health District, to serve as the city's next top health official.

Weather conditions lead to shortage of quality hay for sale, drive up prices

AMHERST - During the summer months, goats tended by Hope Crolius earn their keep by eating. As the key employees for her business, Goat Girls Brush Clearing, the six goats clear people's land one mouthful at a time. But over the winter months, Crolius needs about 100 bales of quality hay to get her goats through until they can start grazing in the spring. This year, compared to other years, Crolius and other livestock owners are having a hard time finding good quality hay for sale locally. Local farmers agree a shortage of good hay in the area is driving prices up and causing some buyers to seek out hay out-of-state.

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