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By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A union representing teachers, paraprofessionals and clerical staff in the Amherst-Pelham public schools is renewing a call for action, first delivered to the Amherst Regional School Committee more than a year ago, that includes a 10-point plan for addressing racism against Black employees.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A regular presence at Amherst Town Hall for 20 years, Town Clerk Susan Audette recently retired after more than four years overseeing town elections and vital records.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Earlier this year, three Massachusetts artists were chosen to create six wheatpaste murals total to decorate the town of Montague, a public art project funded by a $15,000 grant. The most local of the three – graphic designer and illustrator Sophie Foulkes – recently installed her murals at Montague Town Hall and 20 Masonic St. in Montague.

By BRUCE COLDHAM

Many North Amherst residents are grieving the loss of our local community farmers — Simple Gifts. As folks drive by the farm, they may wonder what happened and what’s going on now. There is activity which you can see from Pine Street, as a local Hadley farmer is growing organic squash this summer. But the farm store and former-CSA pick up remain closed. The Simple Gifts organic vegetable farm, which worked in partnership with the land trust, the North Amherst Community Farm for 18 years, is no longer in business.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Black military service, music, education, artistry, entrepreneurship and civil rights will be part of the fifth annual Ancestral Bridges’ Juneteenth Legacy Celebration on Saturday.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — With the Finance Committee advising the “worst is yet to come” for the town’s aging sewer system, members are unanimously supporting steep increases to the town’s proposed sewer and water rates.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Even with several residential developments in the pipeline or under construction in Amherst, including some aimed at providing homes for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, the town is looking at creating new opportunities for addressing a continued housing shortage.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A tradition for 28 years, the Taste of Amherst for most of its run brought restaurants to the Town Common in mid-June, with select menu items offered from various tents that attendees could enjoy while listening to live music.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A University of Massachusetts student majoring in sociology, Prachi Dayal regularly interacts with survivors of domestic violence as a legal intern at Safe Passage in Northampton, talking to these individuals and ensuring they and their families get the help they need.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A provision for possible full-time remote work for the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools’ finance director, part of a proposed three-year employment contract that includes a $137,700 base salary beginning July 1, is among concerns elected members of the committees are raising with the deal.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Arrests at a May 2024 Gaza solidarity encampment, alleged discriminatory sanctions and reported failures to address anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian harassment is leading the Council on American-Islamic Relations to declare the University of Massachusetts a hostile campus for Muslim and Palestinian students.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A presentation of the Human Rights Commission’s Youth Hero Awards and a picnic will highlight Race Amity Day: A Celebration of the Oneness of the Human Family, taking place Sunday at Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — One resident is suggesting that any time federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents are active in Amherst, town officials should immediately call a hotline that activates a network of immigrant-rights advocates.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — School staff members are calling on the Amherst, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Pelham school committees to bring back the School Equity Task Force following reported anti-Black incidents at the middle school this year and ongoing accusations of inappropriate behavior being made against Black educators in that building.

By JENNY ADAMS

Congratulations, high school seniors! You have graduated! You now have two months to relax before you pack your bags, move to college, and … choose your major!

By JENNY ADAMS

Congratulations, high school seniors! You have graduated! You now have two months to relax before you pack your bags, move to college, and … choose your major!

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — More than 100 people lined the downtown streets Sunday afternoon to register their opposition to actions leading to two people in Amherst being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the morning of May 28.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Juan A. Rodriguez, Amherst Regional Middle School’s interim principal, will become the school’s permanent principal starting July 1.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A ceremonial groundbreaking for the $46.1 million expansion and renovation of the Jones Library, which is already closed to the public to make way for the project, is set for June 18.

Recently, I had an unexpected trip to the emergency department and a stay in the hospital. Throughout the ordeal, I encountered staff — physicians, nurses, nurses assistants, food deliverers, cleaners — who were competent, compassionate, and kind. They made a difficult experience tolerable and they helped get me back on my feet. I’m thankful for their care.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst’s strong financial position and prudent fiscal management are being recognized by S&P Global Ratings, which recently gave the town an AA+ bond rating with a stable outlook, the second highest rating it assigns.