A ‘monumental’ journey: Nearly 200 people become American citizens at naturalization ceremony at UMass Amherst
AMHERST — Ten years ago, Angelo Mercado began the lengthy and difficult process of becoming an American citizen. On Tuesday inside the Bowker Auditorium at Stockbridge Hall at the University of Massachusetts, that arduous journey finally came to an end.
‘We’ve lost a good one’: Donald R. Dwight remembered as passionate advocate for local journalism
HOLYOKE — With family roots in the newspaper industry and many years serving as chairman of Newspapers of New England, Holyoke native Donald R. Dwight, who died at the age of 94 on Sunday, is being recalled for a life lived by the same principles that guided his commitment to locally owned, independent journalism.
Most Read
Trump forcing Mass. to reassess emissions mandates
Hampshire Pride 2025: A day to celebrate, unite in ‘demand for justice’
Fight at Amherst Middle School prompts union to call for safety improvements
In service of others: After a long career in legal aid and music, Northampton’s Catherine Kay ready for next chapter
‘Herself to the End’: Northampton woman’s book details partner’s end-of-life decision to stop eating and drinking after Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Amherst’s $103.3M budget plan nearly meets school requests
Editors Picks
A Look Back, May 7
Speaking of Nature: Motivated mother mink
Arts Briefs: Western New England Music Festival in Holyoke, Mojofest in Hadley, and more
Photos: Asparagus prep at Hadley farm
Sports
HS Roundup: Agawam holds off Amherst boys lacrosse (PHOTOS)
AMHERST — For the second time this season, the Amherst Regional boys lacrosse team fell to Agawam, this time dropping a 16-10 decision on Tuesday.
Fit to Play with Jim Johnson: The dark side of sport
HS Roundup: Granby boys volleyball falls to Sci-Tech
On the Run with John Stifler: Chocolatier runs Boston
Opinion
Guest columnist Patrick J. Cahillane: Celebrating Correctional Professionals Week
In the late 1920s, Massachusetts sociologist and prison reformer Howard Gill advanced the idea that correctional facilities must steadily move away from a strictly custodial model toward a human services orientation, one focused on rehabilitation for socio-economically disadvantaged people who have run afoul of the law.
Columnist J.M. Sorrell: Tribe of Radical Allies Against Hate (TORAAH)
Charles Schmid Jr.: Plight of seniors looking for housing
Katherine Hinderliter: Help us in the fight to save right whales

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
Valley Bounty: Wild Life Flowers building community for people and pollinators
For Kimberly Longey, farmer-florist at Wild Life Flowers in Plainfield, the idea of the slow flower movement began with an appreciation for local food. “As a lover of flowers, I have purchased out-of-season blooms at the grocery store because they brightened my mood in the dead of winter. Even though I was conscious of where my food came from, I wasn’t really thinking about where my flowers came from,” says Longey.
Area property deed transfers, May 2
Making News in Business, May 2
Arts & Life
Sew cool: Quilting is more than ‘grandma’s little hobby’ at biennial Hands Across the Valley Quilt Guild show, May 3 and 4
Hands Across the Valley Quilt Guild, an Amherst-based quilting group, will have its biennial show on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hampshire College’s Robert Crown Center Gymnasium. The show will feature more than 200 quilts by local quilters.
The Lehrer Report, May 1, 2025
Obituaries
Steven W. Lytwyn
Easthampton, MA - Steven W. Lytwyn, 70, passed away peacefully at home on April 25, 2025, after a period of declining health. He was born in Manhattan on June 15, 1954, to Stefan and Julia (Wrubel) Lytwyn. The Lytwyn family relocated t... remainder of obit for Steven W. Lytwyn
Marianne LaRochelle
Williamsburg, MA - Marianne LaRochelle, 67, of Williamsburg passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025 after her courageous battle with Inclusion Body Myositis. Marianne was born in Northampton on July 9, 1957 to the late Ralph and Barbar... remainder of obit for Marianne LaRochelle
Barbara Jean Black
Amherst, MA - June 26, 1930 - April 17, 2025 Barbara Jean (Rackleff) Black, 94, of Amherst, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 26, 1930, in Waterville,... remainder of obit for Barbara Jean Black
Patricia Ann Pellerin
Wilbraham, MA - Patricia Ann Pellerin, born September 9, 1958, In Holyoke, Massachusetts to Armand and Ruth (Rys) Pellerin, passed away peacefully at her home in Wilbraham. She was 66 years old. Patricia grew up in South Hadley, she lo... remainder of obit for Patricia Ann Pellerin


Jillian Duclos becomes third candidate to announce run for Northampton mayor
Bishop Byrne: Period of prayer as conclave to find ‘joyful shepherd’ to replace Pope Francis beings
Rocque edges Fritz by 27 votes for Select Board seat in Worthington
Chesterfield voters return Somes to Hampshire Regional School Committee
Smithland Pet & Garden Center shutting down all 13 stores, including in Northampton and Hadley
Internal candidate emerges for South Hadley school superintendent
Amherst councilors float idea of new ‘Four Towns’ task force to develop long-term school funding strategy
Pelham may strengthen Safe Communities bylaw at Town Meeting Saturday; consider 23% hike in regional school budget
Where’s Walnut?: Search in Amherst underway for Nigerian Dwarf goat that went missing
32nd Amherst Ultimate Invitational: Hometown Hurricanes capture Div. 1 girls title
Letter: Thank you to all who support special education and inclusion in our schools
A cleaner, quieter cut: Eco Valley Lawn Care embraces all-electric maintenance from mowing to landscaping
Next Sunderland ZBA meeting on proposed Dollar General planned for May 28
Conway Historical Society to explore ‘forgotten Founding Father’ Joseph Hawley
Book Review: Meeting her where she is: ‘Aperture’ by Wally Swist details the realities of Alzheimer’s caregiving
Speaking of Nature: Climbing out on a limb: The Hartford fern is not your typical fern