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."

Late score sends Gateway to soccer final

WORCESTER - As Erika Mason stood on the sideline with her Gateway Regional girls soccer teammates celebrating around her Tuesday, she barely remembered the goal that made her a hero for the second straight game.

Mason scored with 39 seconds left to give the Gators a 2-1 win over Sutton in the state Division 3 semifinals at Foley Stadium.

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.

Gators blank Rams for title

WESTFIELD - After seven years and two changes in division, the Gateway Regional girls soccer team has returned to the top of western Massachusetts.

The fifth-seeded Gators won the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Tournament championship with a 1-0 victory over No. 3 Granby on Sunday at Westfield State College.

Lenox finally scores on Gateway

WESTFIELD - After approximately 550 shutout minutes, the Gateway Regional boys soccer team finally gave up a goal in the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Tournament championship game on Sunday.

The Gators never recovered, falling 3-0 to Lenox at Westfield State College.