Latest News
UMass Foundation chided for small step on fossil fuel investment
AMHERST — A University of Massachusetts campus organization pushing for more socially responsible investments by the UMass Foundation, manager of the university’s endowment, is claiming a small win after the nonprofit organization made a commitment to invest in fossil fuel-free funds.
Amherst Regional school board warned that schools face 2026 deficit, job cuts
AMHERST — Up to 24 staff positions would be eliminated at the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, including four teachers and three paraprofessionals at both the middle and high schools, based on a possible deficit of $1 million or more in the schools’ $37.7 million fiscal year 2026 budget.
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Sports
High School Basketball Notebook: Hampshire Regional girls shining under first-year coach
Some high school basketball teams have reached 10 of their 20-game schedule already, and now at about the midway point of the regular season, it’s safe to say there has been some high-level basketball across Hampshire County so far this winter.
Opinion
Guest columnist Karen Kauschen: The true cost of underfunding our schools
Funding our schools isn’t just about supporting our children today — it’s about lowering Northampton’s long-term costs associated with crime, social services, and lost tax revenue. The narrative that restoring $2 million to the school budget will take $10 million away from future capital improvements over five years overlooks a crucial truth: every dollar invested in education generates significant returns.
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
Ten Thousand Villages in downtown Northampton to close at end of March
NORTHAMPTON — After a quarter century downtown, Ten Thousand Villages is preparing to close its Main Street store for good on March 31.
Arts & Life
Speaking of Nature: The bird that changes outfits in the winter: The adult male American goldfinch opts for a less showy plumage
Anyone who makes a regular habit of watching birds will recognize that there is a predictable rhythm to the seasons. Winter is the harshest time of year and as a result there are fewer species to look for. At my house, in the month of January, I have managed to see a maximum of 31 different species. Different people living in different places will probably see a smaller number than that, but there may be the occasional yard that has more species to offer.
Obituaries
Easthampton, MA - Bonnie Jill (Rusterholz) Robbins passed away on January 5, 2025, at the age of 82. Bonnie was born to Jack Rusterholz and Norma (Greiner) Dunker in Connersville, Indiana, where Bonnie was lovingly raised by her materna... remainder of obit for Bonnie Jill Robbins
Florence, MA - Stephen Jeffrey Gable of Northampton, MA passed away on January 10, 2025. Born August 31, 1968 in Brockton, MA to Patricia & William Gable of Harwich, MA, Stephen graduated from Harwich Regional High School in 1986, and e... remainder of obit for Stephen Gable
Amherst, MA - Elizabeth Rolander age 86 died peacefully on January 5, 2025. She is survived by her son David of North Andover and grandson William. Funeral arrangements are private. ... remainder of obit for Elizabeth Rolander
Amherst, MA - Roger A Longto, 86, of Pelham Road, Amherst passed away at home on January 12, 2025 after a long illness. Roger was born on February 5, 1938 in Holyoke. The son of Arthur and Florence (Poudrier) Longto. Roger had been a me... remainder of obit for Roger A. Longto