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Northampton

Chris Barcomb, of Easthampton, sits where a bench used to be in front of Hay Market Cafe on Main Street Northampton Tuesday afternoon.

Fewer Northampton benches in effort to curb loitering

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Saying they are being used too much, the city removed six public benches on Main Street downtown for a trial period to see if their absence solves the problem of excessive loitering. Mayor David J. Narkewicz said his office has received numerous complaints, particularly from the business community, that people occupy the benches for extended periods of time … 0

Impatient drivers, eastbound on Bridge Road, pass on the right of a car turning left into the JFK Middle School parking lot about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday. KEVIN GUTTING

Northampton to study Bridge Road traffic after complaints 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Public outcry about drivers who speed on heavily traveled Bridge Road in front of JFK Middle School has led the city to move ahead with a pair of studies this spring that nearby homeowners hope will lead to relief. After hearing from about a dozen residents Tuesday who raised safety concerns … 0

11th annual Sojourner Truth event Sunday in Florence 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — The 11th annual Sojourner Truth celebration will be held Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the statue at the corner of Park and Pine Streets in Florence. Two Sojourner Truth scholarship recipients will address the gathering: Renee LaFleur of Northampton High School, who will enroll at Wheaton College in the fall and is president of the NHS Best Buddies program, … 0

Local Photography »
Doug Laroche of Hampshire Regional, right, gets tagged out at first by Matt Serra of Monson on a pick from the pitcher Tuesday at Hampshire. JERREY ROBERTS Tuesday’s high schools: Hampshire baseball qualifies for postseason
The Laprade's game is kept in a box covered with pictures of their family that ran in the local papers. Custom trivia game reveals generations of Laprade family lore
Left, Dawud Lubieddin's things are laid out where a bench used to be on Main Street Northampton. Lubieddin talks with Abd Lomax of Northampton. Fewer Northampton benches in effort to curb loitering
Other Local News
Fewer Northampton benches in effort to curb loitering
From News »
Northampton to study Bridge Road traffic after complaints 
From News »
Tuesday’s high schools: Hampshire baseball qualifies for postseason
From Sports »
Bruins on verge of East finals, lead Rangers 3-0
From Sports »
Editorial: Healing the IRS
From Opinion »
Bruce Watson: Sam the Scam takes your questions
From Opinion »
Custom trivia game reveals generations of Laprade family lore
From Living »
Elizabeth Slade: Weeding out core beliefs between our parents, ourselves
From Living »
Hollywood has its eye on Sunderland
From Arts & Entertainment »
11th annual Sojourner Truth event Sunday in Florence 
From Arts & Entertainment »
The Laprade's game is kept in a box covered with pictures of their family that ran in the local papers.

Custom trivia game reveals generations of Laprade family lore

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Some families track their history through genealogy books, photo albums and websites. Others consult diaries or boxes of keepsakes. For the Laprades, a longtime Easthampton family, it’s a trivia game. Their own. For the last decade, the family … 0

COURTESY WILLISTON NORTHAMPTON Gabby Thomas, of Florence, competes in the 100-meter dash for Williston during the NEPSAC Division 2 Championships, held Saturday in Easthampton.

Gabby Thomas of Florence shines for Williston at NEPSAC track championship

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Gabby Thomas put the finishing touches on an outstanding sophomore track & field season for Williston Northampton Saturday. The Florence resident won her third straight 100-meter dash title in 12.98 seconds at the NEPSAC Division 2 Championships, which … 0

Doug Laroche of Hampshire Regional, right, gets tagged out at first by Matt Serra of Monson on a pick from the pitcher Tuesday at Hampshire. JERREY ROBERTS

Tuesday’s high schools: Hampshire baseball qualifies for postseason

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

In its must-win regular-season finale, the Hampshire Regional baseball team survived nine walks and a pair of rain delays by allowing no hits in a 7-4 home victory over Monson that clinched a Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament … 0

Tuesday’s high school tennis: Amherst clinches league title in match that started outdoors then moved indoors

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Amherst Regional and Minnechaug started their Tuesday girls tennis match outdoors at the University of Massachusetts and finished it at the Ludlow Tennis Club, but when it was over, the Hurricanes had sewn up the outright Valley League title with a 3-2 over the Falcons. The teams played … 0

Area briefs

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Northampton MARKEY CAMPAIGN: The local committee to elect Ed Markey to the U.S. Senate in the June 25 special election is hosting a community meeting Wednesday, May 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St., Florence, next to Lilly Library. The campaign … 0

A Look Back

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

50 Years Ago ∎ Field trips sponsored by the Parent Teachers Association of the Williams Street School began Monday morning, with the third and fourth grades going by bus to television station SHYN in Springfield. The group was accompanied by the teachers, Mrs. Irene Sielski and Miss Helen … 0

Bryan Lombardi, who is the new principal at Northampton High School, by the main entrance Monday. JERREY ROBERTS

Bryan Lombardi new principal at Northampton High School 

Monday, May 20, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — When he takes the helm of Northampton High School in July, Bryan Lombardi said the working style he has developed during his six years as associate principal at the school won’t change. “You’ll see me at … 0

Paul Alpers at Smith College in 2008. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Paul Alpers, husband of Smith College President Carol T. Christ, dies of cancer

Monday, May 20, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Paul J. Alpers, the husband of Smith College President Carol T. Christ and an unofficial ambassador for the school, died Sunday night after a battle with cancer. Alpers, 80, died the same day that the college … 0

Florence Community Center at 140 Pine Street in Florence. KEVIN GUTTING

Gougeons lone bidder for Florence Community Center

Monday, May 20, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — A dozen parties expressed interest in buying the Florence Community Center, but the city received a single bid Monday for the property. The Gougeon family of Northampton offered to buy the former Florence Grammar School at … 0

This drawing shows Smith College's plan for use of the site of the former Green Street Cafe in Northampton. It will be mainly green space.

Smith College moves ahead with plans to raze old Green Street Cafe building

Monday, May 20, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Smith College will raze the former Green Street Cafe building next to Ford Hall next week and convert the site to green space as part of a long-term expansion plan. The demolition comes some 18 months … 0

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