Search Results

Keyword search: Westhampton

By GARRETT COTE

WESTHAMPTON — A dozen Western Massachusetts titles – including 15 Western Mass. final appearances – in 18 seasons, and two state championships (2015 and 2016) to go along with it. That’s the Hampshire Regional softball program’s resume since head coach Brian McGan took over in 2008. Raiders players of the past two decades only know what it’s like to play in high-leverage games. That’s all they have done under McGan.

By Lily ReAvis

WESTHAMPTON — Hampshire Regional High School graduated 103 seniors Friday evening in its 53rd annual commencement ceremony, an unexpectedly indoor event that celebrated the class’s school spirit, perseverance, and unity despite differences.

I am an alumna of Smith College. On May 21, I saw this headline in the Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Musician Evelyn Harris returns honorary degree to Smith College after plagiarized speech.” On May 22, I saw this headline on the back of the Smith Alumni Quarterly: ”Cancelling Cancel Culture.” There are surely as many viewpoints on what constitutes plagiarism or “cancellation” as there are possible paths forward now. I graduated 25 years ago and chose to stay in the Valley largely because of its culture of inclusivity and care. I think Smith is an important contributor to that culture and has an opportunity to reconsider this situation now with an ethic of care at the center.

Smith College apparently awarded Evelyn Harris an honorary degree because she is a positive force in our community (which she most certainly is). They didn’t give her an award for speechifying or writing essays. Evelyn is a singer of note and a tireless and dedicated music professional. It seems perverse to me, that Smith now accepts withdrawal of this honor after their own bungled editing of her speech. Nothing in what she did with her speech changes the good she has done with her own art. Smith would do well to restore the honorary degree.

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — A motocross event set to come to town in late June has raised concerns from residents who worry that the noise and traffic generated will disrupt their weekend plans.

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — At a five-hour Town Meeting last weekend, Westhampton voters approved a $7.6 million operating budget, gave the town permission to acquire and preserve more than 200 acres, approved borrowing for a solar array on the public safety complex and more.

By JONATHAN KAHANE

My teachers all told me throughout my 22 years as a student in academia that I’m a slow learner. After 80 years I’m still trying to learn how to tie my shoes so they remain fastened for more than an hour at a time.

On the same day (May 6) columnist J.M. Sorrell declared that “Anti-Zionism is antisemitism,” the Guardian reported that Zionist leader Bezalel Smotrich announced “that ‘Gaza will be entirely destroyed’ as a result of an Israeli military victory, and that its Palestinian population will ‘leave in great numbers to third countries,” raising fears of ethnic cleansing in the occupied territory.” The same day, the Times of Israel also quoted Smotrich: “The Gazan citizens will be concentrated in the south. They will be totally despairing, understanding that there is no hope and nothing to look for in Gaza, and will be looking for relocation to begin a new life in other places.”

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — At the annual Town Meeting this Saturday, voters will be asked to approve a $7.6 million operating budget, give the town permission to acquire and preserve 235 acres, borrow $230,000 for a solar array on the public safety complex and more.

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — When Joseph Shrand visited Hampshire Regional High School this week, he wasn’t trying to scare kids away from using drugs. Instead, he sought to change their perceptions around drug use, and give them knowledge they might use one day to save a life.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — As he fought to swim to the shore along the Oxbow of the Connecticut River Tuesday afternoon, his lungs taking in heavy amounts of water, thoughts of his own mortality began to enter the mind of James Roberts.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — The city announced this week that construction is set to commence on the Manhan Rail Trail — the first updates to many sections of the trail since it was first constructed over 20 years ago. 

I'm sorry but there's no other way to say that, and I'm surprised the Gazette ran the editorial cartoon with the label “leftist judges” on the skeet shooter [opinion page, April 14].  This follows the latest ruling against Trump by SCOTUS 9-0. Many of the judges on these cases were appointed by Reagan, Trump himself and others as well as by Democrats. Back in the day would you have printed a cartoon supporting the idea that rogue gunners were firing at innocent Japanese fighters? Or that on the day of integration of Birmingham schools the children arrived with their gang of federal troops? The judiciary is under siege not the idea of executive orders, those are everywhere, everyday.

By JONATHAN KAHANE

For 238 years, the Gazette has been informing Pioneer Valley residents of the news of the day, and while doing so has provided the medium for readers to share their earth-shattering (and not so earth-shattering) opinions concerning the pressing affairs affecting them. For years now during the modern (and not so modern) era, I have enjoyed participating in this exercise.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — The town’s 2025 municipal election ballot is taking shape, with interested candidates putting their names forth both through nomination papers and the Annual Town Caucus.

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — The Hampshire Regional School District’s newly approved $18.2 million budget for next fiscal year presents a 4.5% increase in spending from the current year — but it carries with it the elimination of two full- and one part-time positions, which has raised concern from the district’s union.

By ALEXA LEWIS

Northampton and Westhampton have been awarded Green Communities competitive grants that they plan to put toward enhancing the energy efficiency of school buildings.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — Nomination papers are now available in the Town Clerk’s office to those interested in serving in an elected position in town. The deadline for returning a nomination is March 31 by 5 p.m.

WESTHAMPTON — Three teachers have been selected by the Hampshire Regional School District as the 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award winners.

By KURT HEIDINGER

By ALEXA LEWIS

Paul Zononi was shocked to find that when he started tapping trees for the 2025 sugaring season at Paul’s Sugar House in Williamsburg, the sap came at a trickle — and with only half of its typical sugar content.