Latest News
Eclipse myths and misfortunes: Local experts explain that eclipses have a rich, reality-defying history
Manju Sharma remembers sitting on the lawn of her childhood home in Himachal Pradesh — the northern-most state of India — years ago, gazing at a solar eclipse reflected in a flat water vessel.Sharma’s school closed early that day to prevent children...
‘Rock star’ will be missed: Bill Hairston, who spent years as head counselor at VA in Leeds, dies at 86
NORTHAMPTON — Bill Hairston was one of the first people to greet Cathie McCoy on the day she began attending services at College Church back in 1977.A quiet man who made coffee and stayed at the back of the church, it wasn’t until McCoy and a friend...
Most Read
Where to view (and prep for) Monday’s solar eclipse in the Pioneer Valley
As Hadley works on energy storage bylaw, some question why the town has to allow them at all
Former UMass basketball player Josh Cohen follows Eric Musselman, will transfer to Southern California
‘Rock star’ will be missed: Bill Hairston, who spent years as head counselor at VA in Leeds, dies at 86
Smith trustees put out feelers to resolve College Hall sit-in
Defying the odds: Hadley’s Owen Earle back competing less than two years removed from horrific accident
Editors Picks
A Look Back, April 8
Photos: Dock builder
Photos: Learning the art of improv
The Beat Goes On: Cloudbelly celebrates a new album in Northampton, Brazilian sounds come to Amherst, and more
Sports
Boys volleyball preview 2024: Frontier eyes 3-peat in new, challenging league
After two Western Mass. Class C titles in two seasons as a varsity program, Frontier boys volleyball has ditched its independent schedule and is joining the Eastern League in pursuit of a Western Mass. three-peat.Sean MacDonald, who led the Frontier...
High schools: Amherst softball starts fast, routs St. Mary’s 14-0 (PHOTOS)
Opinion
Carolyn Cushing: Easthamptonites are owed thanks for cease-fire resolution
I am grateful for my follow Easthamptonites who have worked so hard with our City Council on a cease-fire resolution. It is an incredibly diverse, knowledgeable, and ever growing group. Some members have both personal and professional experience in...
Jacob Levitt: For Northampton, Neumann is a net win
Marie Lane: The emperor has no clothes
Bill Hodgeman: Northampton mourns Bill Hairston
Guest columnist Joe Blumenthal: Path from Mideast extremism to peace elusive

UMass
Former UMass basketball player Josh Cohen follows Eric Musselman, will transfer to Southern California
Former UMass men’s basketball forward Josh Cohen announced last week he would be transferring to Arkansas, ending his Minutemen career after one season. And on Thursday, he broke some more news to the college basketball world.Cohen announced he would...
Arts & Life
You’re up next: Western Mass open mic scene heats up post-pandemic
Not so long ago, there was a general lament sometimes heard among Valley musicians: “There aren’t enough places to play around here.”That might have been true for professional players who wanted to be paid — and maybe, despite the opening of new local...
Obituaries
William Redell Hairston
Northampton, MA - On Friday, March 22, 2024, William R. Hairston transitioned to his eternal home at the age of 86. He was born November 10, 1937 in Pittsylvania County (Danville), Virginia... remainder of obit for William Redell Hairston
E. Ann Sheridan
West Springfield, MA - E. Ann Sheridan of West Springfield, Mass., a longtime professor and dean emerita at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, passed away on Tuesday, March 26 at Bays... remainder of obit for E. Ann Sheridan
Sandra Wissman
SANDRA "SANDY" WISSMAN Hatfield, MA - Sandra "Sandy" Wissman of Hatfield, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2024, at the age of 78. Sandy was born in Northampton on October 14, 1945, to th... remainder of obit for Sandra Wissman
Priscilla Hart Hunt
Amherst, MA - Priscilla Hart Hunt, longtime resident of Amherst, MA, who also lived part time in Jamaica Plain, died of cancer on Monday, April 1. Born in San Francisco on April 22, 194... remainder of obit for Priscilla Hart Hunt

Columnist John Sheirer: If I complain about paying my taxes …
Hopkins Academy in Hadley to launch clean energy career pathway for students
Community painting mural at JFK school — a collage of places students say they feel happy, safe
Northampton firm lands Tilton Library project in Deerfield
Area briefs: Daytime roadwork on Union Street in Easthampton starts Monday; rail trail on Damon Road in Northampton to close temporarily
U.S. Rep. McGovern talks national issues, local effects at South County Senior Center
Residents seek to balance intersection upgrades with preservation of Sunderland character
Deerfield Planning Board OKs site plan for cell tower extension
Northampton’s Roan Dunkerley signs contract with Boston Glory in the Ultimate Frisbee Association
Defying the odds: Hadley’s Owen Earle back competing less than two years removed from horrific accident
On The Run with John Stifler: It’s officially Tuesday race season in Northampton
UMass notebook: Josh Cohen (Arkansas), Robert Davis Jr. (Old Dominion) have new homes as transfer portal remains busy
UMass hockey: 9-time national champion Denver awaits Minutemen in NCAA Springfield Regional opener
UMass football: Record number of players participate in Minutemen’s pro day
UMass football: Minutemen back to work, ‘good feeling to be back’ for Don Brown as spring practice opens
Earth Matters: Why opposites attract: The magnetism between two things isn’t always fully explicable; sometimes it just feels right
Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: What good is an herbarium? Herbariums, like Emily Dickinson’s, are an essential resource for scientists
For all the bragging rights (and one trophy): The winners of this year’s Valley Voices story slams head to a final competition
April is a theatrical month: Latinx Theater Symposium and Shakespeare on tap at UMass