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A letter from John Hancock, Sophia Smith's ear trumpet and a half-pound key: Finds from the Hatfield Historical Museum

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

HATFIELD — When Kathie Gow took over as curator of the Hatfield Historical Museum three years ago, she was nearly buried alive by the town’s 343-year-old history. Boxes piled waist-high, milk crates and bags of artifacts donated by residents over decades lined and stuffed areas of the one-room museum. Drawers, shelves and corners were crammed with centuries-old town documents, miscellaneous … 0

Federal budget cuts result in fewer Pioneer Valley Head Start slots

Monday, June 17, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Without the city’s Head Start childcare program, Jennifer Allen said she could not have held onto her first job in six years, a … 0

Testimony begins in Granby arson trial of Scott Szaban

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of the Granby man who prosecutors say started a 2011 house fire that “burned the memories and … 0

Leadership of Rosenberg Fund for Children passed on to father-founder's daughter

Friday, June 14, 2013

EASTHAMPTON — The Rosenberg Fund for Children’s slogan is “carry it forward.” For its founder, that means letting a daughter take it from here. “A part of the mission of the RFC is to pass on progressive values … 0

New owners of McFaddens, renovate, reopen, rename it Riverview Bar and Grill

Friday, June 14, 2013

WILLIAMSBURG — Born and raised in Haydenville, David Lacourse met his wife Lori at a bar called The Last Chance on Route 9 before that establishment was renamed McFaddens. Now 19 years later they are returning with their … 2

Hampshire Regional Principal Laurie Hodgdon to leave job after two years

Friday, June 14, 2013

WESTHAMPTON — Hampshire Regional High School Principal Laurie Hodgdon will leave her job at the end of the month, two years after she started. School District Superintendent Craig Jurgensen said Friday that Hodgdon is leaving to take a … 0

Rotary donation funds school room renovation

Friday, June 14, 2013

AMHERST — Wildwood Elementary School’s cafeteria and multipurpose room will be renovated using a $25,000 gift from the Rotary Club of Amherst. The grant will be given at the club’s annual awards banquet to be held at the Lord Jeffery Inn Thursday at 5 p.m. This marks the … 0

Church hosts West Bank talk

Friday, June 14, 2013

When Greenfield resident Sandra Boston traveled to the West Bank in 2012, she made it her mission to witness and record what she calls the “apartheid situation” currently going on between the Israeli government and the Palestinian people. On Tuesday, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the … 0

Area police news

Friday, June 14, 2013

Northampton • Police received a report at 8:18 a.m. Friday that the Overlook at Northampton sign and two traffic signs nearby on River Road in Leeds had been vandalized with spray paint. e_SBlt Zachary G. Johnson, 21, of Bernardston, refused medical treatment after the vehicle he was driving … 0

Northampton police disavow affiliation with DARE

Friday, June 14, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — City police issued a statement Friday regarding telephone solicitations on behalf of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, known as DARE. According to Capt. Scott A. Savino, the Northampton Police Department has no affiliation with DARE and has never benefitted from any money raised by the … 0

State police object to Eastern Hampshire District Court ruling in Quabbin trespassing case

Friday, June 14, 2013

BELCHERTOWN — The Massachusetts State Police are challenging a decision by a clerk magistrate not to issue criminal complaints against seven people who allegedly trespassed at the Quabbin Reservoir last month. The late-night incident, involving people from Northampton, … 3

School Committee votes to move start time later at Northampton High beginning in 2014

Friday, June 14, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Putting to rest more than five years of debate on the issue, the School Committee voted 7-2 Thursday for a later start time at Northampton High School, effective no later than September 2014. Voting in favor … 8

Farewell picnic held for retiring Principal Margaret Riddle at R.K. Finn Ryan Road School

Thursday, June 13, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — A steady downpour did not deter a farewell picnic late Thursday afternoon for Margaret “Margie” Riddle, who is retiring this month after more than three decades with the city schools — the past seven as principal … 0