Latest News

FirstLight faces appeals to MassDEP’s water quality certification; parties allege river not protected
In response to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to give FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. a water quality certification for its operations in Turners Falls and Northfield, two environmental advocacy nonprofits have joined others in the Pioneer Valley in filing an appeal with MassDEP’s Office of Appeals and Dispute Resolution.

‘A Tangible Dream’: Belchertown student’s artwork chosen for US Capitol display
BELCHERTOWN — Kaia Couture had not even considered entering the 44th annual Congressional Art Competition until Belchertown art teacher Elizabeth Teixeira suggested her realistic painting of marbles had enough intricate detail in its reflections, light and shadow to contend with the thousands of submissions from the First Congressional District.
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Sports

Legion baseball: Jake Waller drives in winning run as Belchertown Post 239 beats Westfield in extras
BELCHERTOWN — The Belchertown Post 239 Senior American Legion team improved to 2-0 on the season, with its latest victory coming in walk-off fashion in extra innings on Wednesday evening at Belchertown High School.
Opinion

Lois Ahrens: Massachusetts’ cruelty: life without the possibility of parole
Testimony I submitted to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary, June 3, 2025 in support of H.2052/S.1178: An Act to Reduce Mass Incarceration. Twenty-five years ago, when I began the Real Cost of Prisons Project, I naively thought if people understood the real costs of mass incarceration to people imprisoned, their loved ones and their communities and the hundreds of millions of dollars we pay yearly to keep people caged, they would see that this state-run, outrageously costly system harms, not helps, everyone involved.





Your Daily Puzzles

An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."

A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.

Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.

Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.

Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business

Filling the soft-serve void: Sips and Scoops Cafe now open in Easthampton
EASTHAMPTON — Where community members may have seen an empty storefront, Trista Nadolski saw opportunity. The result was the city’s newest ice cream spot, which is already bustling as residents seek some cold treats to beat the rising heat.




Arts & Life

Speaking of Nature: The pressures of parenthood: Bird dads, like human dads, deserve a happy Father’s Day
June is upon us and we are all set to celebrate Father’s Day this coming weekend. If we have any luck at all the weather will be cooperative, but the pattern has been pretty dismal so far; 12 consecutive rainy weekends according to my brother. It has been a rough spring for outdoor activities, but that is seen strictly through the human lens. Our wild neighbors have a schedule to keep and the game is on rain or shine.
Obituaries

Williamsburg , MA - Jen was yanked from this life by metastatic breast cancer far too soon, fighting ferociously to the last breath. She was surrounded by love as she fought her battle. Jennifer was the epitome of strength, kindness, g... remainder of obit for Jennifer Ann Smith

Florence, MA - Ronald Hodges, 78, passed away on June 7, 2025 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Born to the late Willard and Ruth (Jarvis) Hodges on May 6, 1947 in Northampton. He attended Holyoke Community College and Western New England ... remainder of obit for Ronald Hodges

Easthampton, MA - Judith Rose Singler, 79, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2025, surrounded by her family at her home in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 31, 1945, to Howard and Mary Alice Kempe,... remainder of obit for Judith Singler

Hadley, MA - On May 27th Philip Duffy passed from complications of Parkinson's Disease but was in no pain and surrounded by love. Until the end, he fought for every ounce of life and held onto his fierce independence. Philip was bor... remainder of obit for Philip F. Duffy