Justice for Jonas coalition calls police ‘malicious’ in arrest of Amherst man which was videotaped

Peter G. Jeffs of Amherst said ‘person of interest’ in area break-ins

An Amherst man arrested at his home Thursday is considered a “person of interest” in a series of break-ins at homes in several Hampshire County communities, said Easthampton Police Det. Sgt. Mark Popielarczyk. Amherst Police assisted Southwick Police with the arrest of Peter G. Jeffs, 51, of 463 … 0

‘Life after’ to be found for former Florence Grammar School

NORTHAMPTON — The Florence Community Center was built around 1930 as the Florence Grammar School at the junction of Pine and Corticelli streets. Situated on a 2.2-acre site at 140 Pine St., the two-story building is not to be confused with the smaller Florence Civic Center in Florence … 0

• Florence Community Center tenants wary of change

Christopher G. Smith challenges two Hatfield incumbents, Marcus J. Boyle and Stanley Pitchko

HATFIELD — Hatfield voters will settle two contested seats on the annual town election ballot Tuesday. Incumbent Selectman Marcus J. Boyle is seeking a third, three-year term on the Select Board and Assessor Stanley Pitchko is hoping to win a second three-year term on the Board of Assessors. … 0

Seat on School Committee only contested race in Belchertown

BELCHERTOWN — The race for School Committee will take center stage at Belchertown’s annual election Monday, with incumbent Beverly Phaneuf competing against Myndi B. Bogdanovich and Thomas T. Soja in the only ballot contest. Phaneuf, 69, has been on the School Committee for nearly seven years, having served … 0

Southampton voters to consider $14.5 million budget at Town Meeting Tuesday

SOUTHAMPTON — Voters at Tuesday’s annual Town Meeting will consider a $14.5 million budget that level funds most departments but allows for 2 percent raises for employees. The meeting takes place at the William E. Norris School at 34 Pomeroy Meadow Road at 7 p.m. At $14,516,580, the … 0

Goshen voters to consider $2.3 million budget Monday at Town Meeting

GOSHEN — Goshen residents will be asked Monday to support a budget increase for the coming year. The town’s recommended fiscal year 2014 budget of $2,388,827 includes $596,185 for the Goshen Chesterfield Regional School District, $381,172 for Hampshire Regional High School and $299,294 for Smith Vocational and Agricultural … 0

Area police news

Amherst ■ An Amherst man was arrested early Friday morning following a brief pursuit on the Route 116 bypass in which his vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and made a U-turn on the road that extends between Hadley and Sunderland. Gangi Bakarani, 34, of … 0

A Look Back

200 Years Ago ∎ Died, at Ashfield on the 8th inst., Miss Anna Kilbourn, aged 24, daughter of the late Mr. Jacob Kilbourn. The deaths of five of this family were published last week. ∎ Nathaniel Coolidge, Jr., has received a quantity of cotton yarn and wishes to … 0