News
William Strickland, a longtime civil rights activist, scholar and friend of Malcolm X, has died
By MICHAEL CASEY
BOSTON — William Strickland, a longtime civil rights activist and supporter of the Black Power movement who worked with Malcolm X and other prominent leaders in the 1960s, has died. He was 87.Strickland, whose death April 10 was confirmed by a...
A Look Back, April 25
50 Years Ago ■For Paul Walker, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, yesterday was a “memorable day.” Walker traveled to Washington, D.C., to present plaques to Congressman Silvio O. Conte, expressing appreciation to three...
Locking up carbon for good: Easthampton inventor’s CO2 removal system turns biomass into biochar
By JAMES PENTLAND
HOLYOKE — Like many people, Michael Garjian believes global warming is a pressing issue of our times.Unlike most, he’s putting his ideas for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into practice — and at the same time bidding for a share of the...
Spilka pledges ‘comprehensive climate bill’ in Senate
By SAM DRYSDALE
BOSTON — Signaling the potential for more change in the transportation and energy sectors, Senate President Karen Spilka revealed Monday that the Senate plans to tackle a major climate bill within the next three months.The Ashland Democrat said at a...
Northampton City Briefing: Council adjust start time for its meetings; Farmer’s Market to begin 49th year on Saturday; CDH blood drive coming up
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
The Northampton City Council is changing its meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, effective for its next meeting on May 2 and for all council meetings going forward.The council recently approved the change, with councilors agreeing that starting...
Photos: Plaque of remembrance
Advancing water treatment: UMass startup Elateq Inc. wins state grant to deploy new technology
By XINYI YANG
AMHERST — In the four years since its founding on the UMass campus, startup Elateq Inc., a water treatment and hardware company, has landed contracts big (think PepsiCo) and small (think town of Amherst).Now the company, which uses advanced...
New Realtor Association CEO looks to work collaboratively to maximize housing options
By ABNER ROJAS
SPRINGFIELD — As the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley’s new CEO arrives to a Massachusetts housing market plagued by high prices and a lack of stock, he aims to work alongside elected officials to maximize the availability of different kinds of...
Northampton man will go to trial on first-degree murder charge after plea agreement talks break down
By JAMES PENTLAND
NORTHAMPTON — A city man will go to trial on a first-degree murder charge with a new attorney after long-running negotiations toward a plea agreement broke down, lawyers said at a brief hearing Wednesday in Hampshire Superior Court.Devin Bryden, 26,...
Area property deed transfers, April 25
AMHERSTTheodore A. Hallstrom and Elizabeth L. Hallstrom to Richard B. Pierce and Elaine R. Pierce, 63 Cherry Lane, $625,000 Bodin D Joseph Est and Kristi A. Bodin to Julius J. Rosenthal, 35 Maplewood Circle, $470,000 JELB...
Report tallies pros of energy retrofit at Hopkins Academy
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — A deep energy retrofit planned for Hopkins Academy, using ground-source heat pumps, would cut more than three-quarters of the building’s greenhouse gas emissions and would significantly reduce estimated expenses associated with the health and...
Belchertown mobile home village getting new water system
By EMILEE KLEIN
BELCHERTOWN — The state has approved funding for a new $6 million water system at Pine Valley Plantation Mobile Home Park to replace the park’s 45-year-old water pipes.Pine Valley Plantation, in the southern part of town across from Cold Springs...
Primo Restaurant & Pizzeria in South Deerfield under new ownership
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After more than a decade in the previous owner’s hands, the Rodas family is taking the reins at Primo Restaurant & Pizzeria with plans to continue the eatery’s legacy.The new owners officially took over the pizza, sub and pasta shop...
A Look Back, April 24
50 Years Ago ■Earth Day 1974 came and went without much fanfare. “I hate to admit I didn’t even know it was Earth Day,” said Bradlee Gage, a former member of the Amherst Conservation Commission. “Every day, especially in Amherst, conservation seems to...
Amherst poised to hire police department veteran as new chief
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Temporary Police Chief Gabriel Ting, who has led the department since last May and been a member of the force for almost 27 years, will become Amherst’s permanent chief, pending approval by the Town Council.Ting’s appointment to serve a...
Contentious dispute ends as Hampshire Regional schools, union settle on contract
By EMILEE KLEIN
WESTHAMPTON — After over a year of contentious negotiations and 224 days without a contract, Hampshire Regional Education Association and the School Committee have agreed to a contract.The tentative contract between the school district and the...
Donating hope: Survivors share stories at Northampton event as part of Organ Donation Month
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — The day before Thanksgiving in 2016, Northampton resident Bob Wood got a life-changing call — literally. A 42-year-old woman in Pennsylvania had recently died, and her liver would be a perfect fit for Wood, now 68 years old, who...
Treehouse, Big Brothers Big Sisters turn race schedule snafu into positive
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — The second annual Runway 5K to support the Easthampton nonprofit organization Treehouse will occur Sunday, after the group turned a scheduling mishap into a positive partnership opportunity.Treehouse officials originally scheduled the...
Shutesbury TM on Saturday will rule on battery storage, lighting bylaws, citizen petitions and hold elections
By SCOTT MERZBACH
SHUTESBURY — Bylaws to regulate large-scale battery storage, limit outdoor light pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new housing construction and control door-to-door solicitors will be considered by residents at annual Town Meeting...
Amherst regional district towns seek middle ground on school increase
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Scaled-back increases in the assessments for the Amherst Regional Schools are expected to be considered by residents when Shutesbury and Leverett hold their annual Town Meetings on Saturday.But the compromise 6% increases over the current...
