Hampshire Superior Court acting chief of probation placed on leave

NORTHAMPTON - The acting chief of probation at Hampshire Superior Court has been removed from his job.

There was no official word why Christopher J. Hoffman of Hatfield was placed on paid leave, but the move comes amid ongoing state and federal probes of hiring practices in the state's probation system.

In Our Opinion: Well-meaning leash rule needs to be tightened up

We don't envy members of the Conservation Commission in Amherst. Next month, they'll take up an issue that has no easy solution: whether the town should continue to allow dogs to run off their leashes on certain public lands.

Come to the next mayoral debate in Northampton

You're invited! Come to a debate between mayoral candidates David Narkewicz and Michael Bardsley.

Local group to run shelter

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JERREY ROBERTS

Caleb Raitto, from left, Matt Brown and Mark Linscott get the Amherst Homeless Shelter at First Baptist Church ready for clients Tuesday, Dec. 7.

A new local nonprofit agency will operate the town's homeless shelter from the First Baptist Church, 434 North Pleasant St., beginning Nov. 1.

UPDATE: Press problems delay Tuesday Gazette; www.gazettenet.com content delivered free of charge

Major mechanical problems with the press delayed production of Tuesday's Gazette. Publisher Jim Foudy said that efforts are being made to have the paper available for sale later Tuesday. However, the delivery of Tuesday's Gazette to customers at home may be delayed so they receive it with Wednesday's paper. Further information will be available during the day by calling the Gazette's circulation department at 586-1925.

In Our Opinion: 'Riverscape' pays worthy tribute

There's something remarkably appealing about the idea of public art. Removed from the sometimes rarefied air of museums, galleries and private collections, works of art that are public are accessible, approachable, "right there" for all to see.

Minutemen to play in Frozen Fenway game

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KARA VAUTOUR

UMass hockey senior T.J. Syner poses for a picture after a press conference Friday at Fenway Park.

BOSTON - Toot Cahoon isn't lacking for memorable Fenway Park experiences. As an 11-year-old, the University of Massachusetts hockey coach was in the stands with his father to see Ted Williams hit his memorable home run in the legend's final game in 1960.

In Our Opinion: UMass takes on move-in gridlock

College is a time of experimentation - and not just for students. After tinkering with the graduation schedule this spring, the University of Massachusetts is trying out a new way of bringing first-year students onto campus.

Apparently, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

In Our Opinion: The right security

The Northampton City Council sent a strong message last week when every one of its members voted against having the city participate in the federal Secure Communities program. With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at hand, this vote is a principled stand against sacrificing civil liberties while grasping for safety in an insecure world.

Northampton's mayoral race heats up by ground and by air

NORTHAMPTON - Just days after mayoral candidate Michael R. Bardsley launched a campaign air strike by plane, City Council President and mayoral candidate David J. Narkewicz today is set to field some ground action.

Sweeeeeet: How to select, store and prepare summer’s sweet corn

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It’s worth the effort to make your favorite foods from scratch for better taste and fewer preservatives and unknown ingredients.

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AP PHOTO

Cutting kernels of corn from an ear of corn, slicing down, is an easy task.

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CAROL LOLLIS

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CAROL LOLLIS

By Sharon Thompson McClatchy Newspapers

Ask any farmer or backyard gardener about fresh corn, and they'll tell you the best way to cook it. Put a pot of water on to boil before you run out to the garden, pick the corn, shuck it on the way back to the house, and plunge it into the boiling water.

Lou and Lucy's Leftovers: Treatise on the Tide pen

Eating can be a delicate art. Many times this art turns into a Jackson Pollack on your shirt.

For example, the other day I was eating some late-season strawberries at my desk at work. I took a bite of one, and it completely exploded with juice all over the place, but mostly the juice landed on my light green shirt and white pants.

Finding Their Voices: At Whole Children in Hadley, teens with disabilities learn to speak up for themselves

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Alex Mody and Garnet Davis, second and third from left, head to the bus stop in front of Whole Children’s quarters in Hadley with staff members Brian Melanson, far left, John Libera and Meghan Carroll. The organization offers social and educational programs to around 500 families.

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Social skills therapist Meghan Carroll listens to Aidan O’Donoghue, third from left, during a session of the self-advocacy class, which ran from April to June. In addition to allowing participants to work on peer-to-peer skills, the class provided practical advice about school, volunteer work and jobs.

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During a field trip last month sponsored by Whole Children, a center serving young people with disabilities, Alex Mody picked beans at Next Barn Over Farm CSA in Hadley. Whole Children recently introduced a self-advocacy program, aiming at helping teens like Alex speak up for themselves.

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John Libera, left, and Garnet Davis pick beans at Next Barn Over Farm. Garnet was among the teens in the self-advocacy class, where some of the discussions touched on aggressive, assertive and passive behaviors. Assertiveness is the best approach, Garnet told her peers.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Tim Daniels with his mother, Joanie Daniels, at their home in Northampton July 12.

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GORDON DANIELS

Social skills therapist Meghan Carroll leads a self-advocacy session at Whole Children.

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GORDON DANIELS

Cade Holden, 15, left, of Northampton and Cybele Zwart, 15, of Greenfield work with Christine Blakesley, a teacher at Whole Children.

Parents and teachers tend to make all the decisions for young people with disabilities, but a movement is under way to change that by letting the kids themselves have a say. That's the idea behind behind a new self-advocacy class at Whole Children in Hadley, and teenagers like Alex Mody say it's making a difference.

Amherst stopped cold: Team falls on penalty kicks in PVSSL semifinal round

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JERREY ROBERTS

Zak Tobin of Amherst, right, goes to the ball against Alex Shapiro of Longmeadow Thursday in Longmeadow.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Erik Schleeweis of Amherst, top left, heads the ball beside Alex Shapiro of Longmeadow in the Pioneer Valley Summer Soccer League semifinal game Thursday in Longmeadow. Longmeadow won 3-1 on penalty kicks after the game finished regulation and overtime tied 1-1.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Matan Shmerling of Amherst, second from left, shoots against Longmeadow goalie Derrick Yam in the Pioneer Valley Summer Soccer League semifinal round Thursday in Longmeadow. Yam stopped the shot. Longmeadow won 3-1 on penalty kicks.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Eric Gooden of Amherst looks for an opportunity from behind Jack Neil of Longmeadow.

LONGMEADOW - It was the second game in a row the Amherst boys soccer team faced penalty kicks, but this time the team didn't fair as well, as No. 3 Longmeadow defeated No. 7 Amherst 3-1 on PKs to reach the Pioneer Valley Summer Soccer League finals. Longmeadow (10-1-3) goalkeeper Derrick Yam saved three out of four penalties in the shootout after his error in the first half led to Amherst's lone goal. The game was tied 1-1 entering the penalty kick round. Longmeadow will play No. 4 Chicopee Pacers in the championship of the high school A Division on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at Lusitano Stadium, Ludlow.

Scoring error cost 'Canes in title game

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COURTESY MARTIN GAVIN

Amherst Regional softball players watch as King Philip is awarded the state Division 1 championship trophy following the 1-0 title game at Worcester State on June 18.

A scoring error apparently cost the Amherst Regional softball team a chance at the state Division 1 championship last month.

The Globe: UMass Amherst Chancellor Robert Holub on the way out

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University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub

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University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub

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University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub

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University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub

AMHERST - A committee that's taking a close look at the job performance of UMass Amherst Chancellor Robert Holub is recommending that his contract not be renewed, according to a report in The Boston Globe today.

Mendoker strikes out 32 in pair of Amherst softball wins

Amherst Regional 7, Westfield 2; Amherst Regional 6, Minnechaug 0 - Emma Mendoker struck out 32 batters as the Hurricanes won a pair of road games over the weekend.

Mendoker struck out 16 batters in each contest. In Saturday's win in Westfield, she gave up two unearned runs on five hits and one walk.

Amherst's Hart, Suchodolski net WMass individual titles

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Jane Keyes Ames

Nicole McCann of Amherst Regional

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JERREY ROBERTS

Tom Suchodolski, who plays no. 1 singles for Amherst, returns against Thomas Hirsch of Northampton Monday in Amherst.

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Jane Keyes Ames

Maya Hart of Amherst Regional

For as long as she's played high school tennis, Amherst Regional junior Maya Hart has been the best girls player in western Massachusetts.

Nothing changed Sunday in the western Mass. individual final, but she was pushed hard by her teammate and friend.

Nkamebo, Burnett break Amherst track marks

Amherst Regional track star Tchuijo Nkamebo earned three first-place finishes as the Hurricanes came in second at the western Massachusetts Division 1 championships Saturday in Holyoke.

Gougeon scores 2OT winner for Northampton boys lacrosse

Northampton 11, Westfield 10 (2OT) - Drew Gougeon's third goal was the game-winner in double-overtime as the Blue Devils (5-12) knocked off the Bomber (6-8) at home Saturday.

Justin Golec led the way with four goals and one assist, while Colin Sawula added two goals and one assist.