National Adoption Day: In a courthouse in Hadley, 14 children and their families formalize their bond

HADLEY - The Blair family keeps on growing. Friday, Martha and Wayne Blair of Leeds officially adopted 3-year-old Savannah. It was a big to-do, attended not only by mom and dad, her big sister and two big brothers, but also by the people she calls grandma and papa and uncle and aunt. And there were plenty of stories just like Savannah's: Adoptions for 13 other children from Hampshire and Franklin counties were finalized at the courthouse Friday as part of National Adoption Day.
--Judge cites desperate need in region for foster families
--Trumpeting the value of foster care adoption

Judge cites desperate need in region for foster families

HADLEY - "We need - desperately, desperately need in this region - foster families," Judge Lillian Miranda told a crowd gathered Friday to celebrate National Adoption Day at Franklin/Hampshire Juvenile Court.

Although virtually anyone can be a foster parent, the judge said, it takes "commitment and selflessness."

Elementary school closings idea studied for Gateway

WORTHINGTON - A panel set up to study the question of closing elementary schools at the Gateway Regional School District will present its findings to the School Committee Wednesday at 7:30 p.m in the Middle School library at 12 Little Road in Huntington.

Around Worthington: Special Town Meeting considers sustainability panel

Voters at a special Town Meeting tonight will be asked to approve a number of financial requests as well as a measure that would create a sustainability committee.

The meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.

Alleged pot-growing endeavor brings charges

NORTHAMPTON - A Wales man accused of cultivating marijuana in Worthington denied charges Tuesday in Hampshire Superior Court.

Walter J. Haynes II, 46, pleaded innocent to possessing a class D drug with intent to distribute, possessing a large-capacity firearm, storing a firearm improperly and two counts of committing a firearm violation with a prior violent crime conviction.

Around Worthington: Busy lineup for Halloween night

It's not every year that Halloween is scheduled for a Saturday, so when it is, why not do it up in grand style?

In this town, that means a daylong series of events planned by the Recreation Committee.

Hilltown CDC sets series of planning meetings

Over the next four weeks, residents of the seven Hilltowns will have a chance to come together for public meetings aimed at setting priorities for community projects, acquiring grant funding to support them and gathering input from local residents.