Whately teen earns top honors at World Dairy exposition

WHATELY - On Oct. 1, while most of her peers were sitting in class back at home, 16-year-old Sarah Belder of Whately was making the rounds in the colossal show ring at the World Dairy Exposition in Madison, Wis. After traveling halfway across the country and competing in three grueling rounds in the Youth Showmanship category, Belder was named the 10th best youth dairy showman in the world.

Haydenville man stable after crash in Cummington

CUMMINGTON - A Haydenville man who was critically injured in a two-car rollover accident on Stage Road Wednesday afternoon was listed in stable condition at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, a hospital spokesman said Thursday.

Bob Flaherty: Punching the clock with a month of poems

NORTHAMPTON - How much would you pay for a poem? Go ahead, reach into your pocket - we'll wait. A dime, a dollar and a subway token? We'll take it.

Ledges 2010 rates target residents, young adults

SOUTH HADLEY - Ledges Golf Course will have a complex fee structure next season designed to entice more town residents and younger adults to play the municipal course.

Jury backs business in Cummington oil leak

NORTHAMPTON - A jury found Wednesday that Whiting Oil Corp. is not responsible for a heating oil leak and costly cleanup at Greenwood Music Camp in Cummington two years ago.

South Hadley administrator search criticized by residents

SOUTH HADLEY - Five residents asked the Selectboard Tuesday to start anew the search for a new town administrator, but board members said they will proceed with interviews of the three remaining finalists Friday.

Tax hike less steep for Hadley residents

HADLEY - The average annual tax bill will increase this year from $2,807 to $2,860, but this hike is lower than normal.

Last year, the average assessed valuation in Hadley was $308,500 and the tax rate per $1,000 was $9.10. This year, the average valuation declined to $306,900 while the tax rate increased to $9.32, said Assessor Dan Zdonek.