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By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The town is moving ahead with a revised residential rental property bylaw that will replace the current complaint-driven inspection system with a requirement that all rental homes be inspected once every five years, despite objections from a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A special education teacher who previously led the teachers union has filed a federal discrimination and defamation lawsuit against the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, its current interim superintendent and its former leaders.An...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A proposal to bring an electric vehicle charging station to the municipal parking lot between the Hadley Public Library and Hadley Senior Center is being put off by the Select Board until a determination is made on whether reserving spaces...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Mount Pollux in Amherst and The History of Women Mural in Northampton are among area locations visible in the first trailer released for “Janet Planet,” the feature film directorial debut from playwright Annie Baker that is expected to hit...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Hopkins Academy is one of five schools across Massachusetts that will be home to a Clean Energy Innovation Pathways pilot, with students getting hands-on learning opportunities related to the renewable energy sector.On Wednesday, Gov. Maura...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Bill Hairston was one of the first people to greet Cathie McCoy on the day she began attending services at College Church back in 1977.A quiet man who made coffee and stayed at the back of the church, it wasn’t until McCoy and a friend...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — As a proposed energy storage bylaw continues to be refined by the Planning Board in advance of annual Town Meeting next month, some residents are questioning whether it’s appropriate to allow such systems in Hadley.“Sometimes we have to stand...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Often during search-and-rescue efforts, emergency personnel in the field prioritize helping those lost, trapped or otherwise in trouble, rather than focusing on their own safety and well-being.Understanding the risks they take, a group...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Residents of the Echo Village neighborhoods between Pelham and Belchertown roads appear to be mostly supportive of a project that will bring sidewalks, three mini roundabouts and possibly lower speed limits to the streets.At a recent Town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A municipal resettlement commission that would help to find housing for up to 90 individuals who are seeking asylum in the United States is being proposed by an Amherst resident.For the first time in writing, after pitching a similar concept...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HATFIELD — A $12 million upgrade to the town’s wastewater treatment plant is proceeding, but another $1.4 million is expected to be sought from town voters this spring to complete all aspects of the project.The Select Board Tuesday voted unanimously...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Both Chelmsford Police Lt. Todd Ahern and Amherst interim Police Chief Gabriel Ting are citing their lived experiences, as well as their significant service to public safety, as reasons they should become the next police chief of the Amherst...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Construction of a new trail system on portions of the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course, including a loop trail for recreation and a north-south trail that will provide a more direct connection for East Hadley Road residents to Pomeroy...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Parents, educators and members of the Regional School Committee are making direct appeals to the Amherst Town Council to support a $35.75 million fiscal year 2025 budget that is nearly $1 million above the financial guidance provided by...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A University Drive office building will be the temporary location for the Jones Library during the renovation and expansion of the library’s home at 43 Amity St. over the next year and a half.Trustees for the Jones Library and town officials...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — The Zoning Board of Appeals is taking a dim view of a variance requests from a Route 9 Hadley car dealership that would allow the installation of a new business sign exceeding the size limits imposed by town regulations and violating a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A Belchertown resident with experience in promoting economic development, leading community events and building coalitions begins his tenure as executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce this month.Jacob Robinson, most...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Featuring a horn extending from its violet-colored head and a lower body resembling that of a lobster, with elements of a dolphin and turtle thrown in for good measure, the creature is quite a sight in its doll-like form.“It flies. It has...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An Amherst councilor may seek to place some restrictions on how public comments are made at Town Council meetings, such as requiring advance sign-up for those participating remotely, as a way of combating potential hate speech.At a Town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Climate change’s impact on farming, as well as emerging areas like urban agriculture, soil health and pollinators, are a focus for the University of Massachusetts Agricultural Extension Program, which continues to help farmers adapt and...