Route 9 daytime paving in Hadley underway

HADLEY — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has started paving operations on Route 9 in Hadley, a project that will continue through Friday. Work will be conducted daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Paving will take place from the intersection at Mill Valley Road to the intersection of North/South Maple Street. The roadway will remain open during this time, but lane closures with alternating traffic will be implemented to facilitate the paving work.

Drivers traveling through the affected area should expect delays, reduce speed and use caution. Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.

All scheduled work is weather dependent and/or may be impacted due to an emergency.

Free community college info sessions at HCC

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will be holding virtual information sessions on Thursday and Monday for anyone interested in learning about MassEducate, the state’s new program for free community college.

The two, live online information sessions will be hosted by HCC Admissions staff on Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon, and Monday from 6-7 p.m.

Last month, Gov. Maura Healey signed the state budget bill, which includes funding for MassEducate. Regardless of age or income, Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree can apply to HCC for the free college program, which includes tuition and fees and a stipend for books and supplies for qualified students. The MassEducate program compliments MassReconnect, the free community college program for students 25 and older that was launched in 2023.

The sessions are open to anyone, including prospective students, currently enrolled students, and their family members. To sign up, visit the MassEducate page on the HCC website at hcc.edu/masseducate

Those who can’t make it to the two virtual sessions are encouraged to attend HCC’s Registration Express event on Saturday,Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or visit the HCC Admissions and Advising offices on the first floor of the Campus Center, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Fridays). 

Happy birthday Woodstock party

FLORENCE – Aquarius Exhibitors of Florence is throwing a party to mark the anniversary of Woodstock, the famous 1969 Rock festival that turns 55 this weekend.

The Happy Birthday Woodstock Concert will include an intimate gathering of Woodstock-loving people of all ages enjoying live acoustic music, drumming, dancing, a healing and meditation rooms, crafts, food and more.

The party will take place on Saturday, from noon until past midnight at the Fare-Thee-Well Wholeness Center, 151 Pond Brook Road (Route 66), in Huntington.

Admission is free by requesting a free pass at this email: johnmartine88@yahoo.com. Space in the concert room is limited.

Granby schools land computer science grant

GRANBY – The Granby Public Schools have landed a $31,744 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for digital literacy and computer science education. 

Granby is one of nine school districts statewide, and the only one in western Massachusetts, splitting $265,025 to establish and promote rigorous, engaging and standards-aligned digital literacy and computer science education.

The funds are designed to support implementation that began last year for either grades 3-5 or grades 6-8. The grant will help districts expand the program into an adjacent grade span, with a focus on ensuring that all students in that grade are receiving computer science education.

As part of this three-year grant, district teams will meet and develop an implementation plan, select instructional materials, and select teachers to attend summer professional development that will prepare them to teach computer science in the following school year. Districts will also participate in workshops that will focus on strategies to increase participation rates for traditionally underserved students.