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By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Inspired by meals their mothers prepared for them while growing up, the owners of a new restaurant in the Mill District in North Amherst are bringing Caribbean-infused Mexican cuisine to a wider community. “We have the best dishes from...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst, South Hadley and Holyoke are each getting more than $1 million grants from the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to replace culverts, improve water quality and make the communities more resilient to floods.In Amherst, a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Another $800,000 in Community Preservation Act money is being recommended by Amherst officials so the $4.41 million plan to rebuild and reorient the Amherst Regional High School’s track and its interior field can proceed.While Amherst’s...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Planning Director Christine Brestrup, who has helped guide housing and commercial developments and improvements to municipal parks, and spearheaded a project to install signs so visitors can better find their way around town, is retiring...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Fiber-optic upgrades to improve Hadley’s emergency communications network, including enhancing responses to fire and burglar alarms, are nearing completion more than three years after the town solicited bids for the work.Fire Chief Michael...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — In the company of young donkey friends, miniature donkey Franklin has perked up, overcoming the grief of losing his life mate of 20 years.In a similar way, Rosie, another miniature donkey, who had once been left alone and without companions...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A demolition permit could soon be issued for an 1830 farmhouse and barn at the corner of Route 9 and East Street so that a new dentist office and parking can be constructed on site.The Historical Commission at its July 23 meeting was notified...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Giving the Town Council the power to hire its own attorney, shortening the lame duck period for outgoing councilors, and better delineating the powers of the town manager are among League of Women Voters of Amherst recommendations to improve...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Proposed removal and replacement of 65 windows in the 2½-story 1910 rectory building at the former St. Mary of the Assumption Church is beginning the process of redevelopment at the 3 Elm St. site.With Sunwood Builders of Amherst...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Various changes to the plans for the Jones Library expansion and renovation project, aimed at reducing costs before general contracting bids are sought for a second time later this year, are being approved by the Planning Board.With members...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An online petition is appealing to the Town Council to put an end to the Jones Library expansion and renovation project, citing the growing price tag, the possible impacts on the original 1928 portion of the Amity Street building and...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A proposed expansion of a farmhouse at 180 North Whitney St. creating a non-owner-occupied duplex will not move forward after the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals nixed the project, citing potential dangers to pedestrians from adding more...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — University Motor Lodge, a 1960s-era hotel at the north end of downtown near Kendrick Park, could be converted into 16 apartments for college students.Amherst Development Associates, LLC, which owns the 345 North Pleasant St. property, is...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A recent visit to Brookfield Farm gave Bronx, N.Y., teens Emily Robinson and Royale Cash Panchoo an opportunity to see baby pigs, pick blueberries and make flower bouquets, one of their several excursions around town and the region while...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Educators who work with the most vulnerable students in the Hadley public schools are getting a pay increase as the result of recently completed mid-contract negotiations between the Hadley Education Association and school and town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Some of the 134 people arrested at the pro-Palestinian encampment in May at the University of Massachusetts have been prohibited from stepping foot on the Amherst campus for two years, based on trespass notices signed by UMass Chancellor...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — At a time when the Amherst Rotary Club didn’t allow women in its ranks, based on Rotary International’s policy, and the Amherst Jaycees did admit women even though it was in conflict with the junior chamber’s rules, the Amherst Club became a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Faculty members at Hampshire College say that overspending by college leaders, rather than student enrollment projections falling short, is what led to decisions by the administration to cut employee retirement benefits. They also contend...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — New Amherst, Pelham and Amherst Regional Schools Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman sees a student-centered approach to education, including leading with love, as bringing the school district stability following a period of tumult, caused in...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A $4 million research and education regional simulation laboratory for nursing students and $30 million to support the development of a regional food hub, both to be located on the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst, are...