Nonprofit innovator Greg Speeter dies at 68

HATFIELD - Friends and colleagues say Greg Speeter, founder and former director of the Northampton-based National Priorities Project, was a rare combination of visionary and everyman, a person whose legacy is an organization that brings the reality of the federal budget home.

Food Bank's Souper Bowl Sunday tackles hunger

HATFIELD — As football fans around the country are gearing up to watch the Super Bowl, laying in grand buffets of treats and betting on their favorite team, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is hoping that people will also consider contributing a few dollars to the Souper Bowl of Caring.

Across the country, charities, food pantries, churches and youth groups are preparing for what has been called one of the nation's largest celebrations of giving and serving.

"This is a national program, and local organizations can take it on as their project," said Heather Clark, development and marketing manager at the Food Bank.

Duseau Trucking shifts waste to its own Valley Recycling

NORTHAMPTON - A partnership more than 40 years in the making is about to come to an end.

Duseau Trucking, the Hatfield residential and commercial waste hauler, has stopped sending the bulk of the trash it collects to Northampton's landfill.

UMass freshman Jonathan Gray of Holyoke mourned

NORTHAMPTON - Friends and acquaintances of a University of Massachusetts student who got his early schooling in Hatfield are mourning the death of young man they recall as friendly, open-hearted and hardworking.

Jonathan E. "Jonno" Gray, 18, a UMass freshman, died unexpectedly while exercising at home in Holyoke Jan. 5. The cause of death has not been determined.

Briefs

ANNEX CLOSINGS: Granby Town Hall Annex offices will close at 11 a.m. Friday to accommodate the Council on Aging lunch service. The Town Hall Annex will also be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday.

Hatfield town administrator leaves for new post

HATFIELD - After two years serving as Hatfield's town administrator, Jeffrey Ritter is leaving, with his last day Jan. 17.

"Jeff has done a terrific job for the town in the short time that he has been here," Selectman Marcus Boyle said this week. "He has helped us out in many ways, particularly in financial and contractual areas. His leaving is a significant loss to the town."

Parenting workshops offer advice on raising young children

EASTHAMPTON - The Collaborative for Educational Services is offering help to parents trying to figure out the mysteries of raising young children.