Wood turtle protection recognized

AMHERST - As habitats for the wood turtle dwindle, area farmers and landowners are stepping up to modify their land-use and agricultural practices to protect this state-listed species of special concern.

Amherst lays groundwork for tax override

AMHERST - Facing an expected multi-million dollar gap between revenue and the spending needed to maintain services, Amherst officials are beginning the task of preparing for a Proposition 2½ tax-cap override next spring.

Whately library boosts musical offerings with local label's help

WHATELY - When Tiffany Hilton began her new job as Whately librarian four months ago she faced a dilemma: The shelves of the town's S. White Dickinson Memorial Library had no music offerings. What's worse, it seemed to Hilton, a self-professed music lover, that she could do little about it. Today, S. White Dickinson Memorial Library arguably has one of the finest collections of local, folk and Americana music in the Pioneer Valley -- without the town or the library spending a dime. The change in the library's musical fortunes is due, in part, to Hilton's discovery that Jim Olsen, owner of the Whately-based record label Signature Sounds, also is a Whately resident.

Former worker sues Millitech over alleged sexual harassment

NORTHAMPTON - A former worker has sued a local high-tech company, claiming she was sexually harassed by a supervisor and fired for complaining about it.

Easthampton OKs solar zoning, exempting landfills

EASTHAMPTON — Potentially quashing a dream held by Mayor Michael A.
Tautznik to install solar panels on two closed Loudville Road
landfills, the Planning Board this week endorsed solar energy zoning
that excludes former dumps.

Belchertown to assume Clapp library ownership

BELCHERTOWN - Clapp Memorial Library trustees are prepared to give the library building to the town prior to a fall Town Meeting vote asking voters to borrow money for expanding and renovating the venerable building.

Man held in UMass assault case

AMHERST - A Medford man charged with threatening several groups of University of Massachusetts students with a knife Sunday night was ordered held on $25,000 cash bail Tuesday.

Brendan J. Daddario, 25, pleaded innocent Tuesday in Eastern Hampshire District Court to seven counts of armed assault to rob and nine counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.