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By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Enhancing the commercial tax base on Route 9 and protecting farmland throughout Hadley are goals shared by both candidates running for a one-year term on the Planning Board at town election Tuesday.

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — Mount Holyoke College’s proposed site for a new Energy Center on Woodbridge Street — a key piece of a long-range plan to install a new geothermal heating and cooling system to serve campus — is drawing criticism from residents who worry that noise and potential gasoline fumes from the power plant will impact their health and quality of life.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A three-way race for two, three-year seats on the Select Board pits political newcomer Philip Shumway against incumbents Molly Keegan and Randy Izer at town election Tuesday.

By EMILEE KLEIN

“Reset!”

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — Town Meeting members on Wednesday overwhelmingly supported the formal creation of the town’s first historic district, declared the town a “welcoming community,” and established an affordable housing trust.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — A new jury trial has begun for a former physical therapist from South Hadley previously convicted for indecent assault and battery on a patient, who is now facing two counts of rape after another alleged victim came forward.

In my January letter to the editor, I promised I would not write another Trump letter for four years if he or she would publish that one. Since then, I have sent two others. The Gazette is forcing me to consider whether I am a habitual liar. Oh, well. Perhaps I am, but nowhere near our 100-day super-president. Today, I am thinking about the “real” effects of this man’s economic fantasies, his vaunted worldwide tariffs. We will feel them at the end of May, because by then the number of ships of Chinese goods in American ports will have declined by 30%-40%.

Having called Hadley home since my family moved from Connecticut in 1988, I'm proud to announce my candidacy for the Planning Board. As a Hopkins Academy graduate and lifelong community member, my connection to our town runs deep — from working at my family's former Spruce Hill Motel to managing current business ventures on Russell Street (Route 9). Over the years, I’ve worked closely with Hadley’s Fire, Police, DPW, Building, Conservation, and Finance departments. These collaborations, along with my experience as a business owner navigating local zoning bylaws, have given me a practical understanding of how our town functions — and where it can improve. I’ve also had the opportunity to serve on Hadley’s 40R committee, gaining hands-on experience with planning and smart growth strategies designed to guide thoughtful, community-driven development.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A sprinkler system, renovated bathrooms and a freshly painted exterior at the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Florence, a rebuilt outdoor performing arts venue at Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley and theatrical lighting and sound equipment for the Northampton Community Arts Trust’s Hawley Street building are projects being supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — On Wednesday, Town Meeting members will contemplate approval of the town’s first historic district, reduction of speed limits on thickly settled roads and a citizen petitioned ordinance declaring South Hadley a welcoming community.

By CAROLYN BROWN

The shows “Broad City” and “Hacks” take place largely in New York City and Las Vegas, respectively, but they have a local connection: each show’s executive production team includes Lucia Aniello, a producer, writer, director, and showrunner who grew up in Hadley.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Plans for bringing a 7 Brew Coffee drive-thru shop to the edge of the Mountain Farms Mall parking lot continues to move forward, with a main worry from Planning Board members centered on the possible impacts on the shopping center’s perimeter road.

At the annual Town Meeting on May 14, Town Meeting members will vote on a citizen’s petition for a Welcoming Community ordinance. This ordinance asks town officials and employees to welcome all people in our community, so that they can live positive and productive lives in South Hadley, without fear of investigation and deportation by local officials. The majority of the proposed ordinance is already aligned with Massachusetts laws and current town and police department policies.

While elements of the Roman Catholic Church may go in different directions, there is a long history of close association between that communion and the state. Of some note, the conservative members of the current U.S. Supreme Court all have had some Catholic formation. This would school them to protect the office of the presidency regardless of who is president, as that is how Catholics are taught to navigate their church hierarchy. This approach can help parishioners to get through it if, for example, their parish priest should have an alcohol addiction.

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — South Haldey Police are investigating a vandalism incident that occurred at South Hadley High School over the weekend.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Smithland Pet & Garden Center is closing all 13 of its locations, including stores in Northampton and Hadley.

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — With Superintendent Mark McLaughlin poised to leave the district at the end of the school year, the School Committee has identified a front-runner to take his place in Jennifer Voyik, current assistant superintendent of finance and business operations.

HADLEY — J.A. Skinner State Park’s upper parking lot and the Summit House wraparound porch are being closed to accommodate deck repair work that was scheduled to start on Monday.

Before our family moves to a new town, and sometimes when we visit, a first stop is the public library. As the heart of the community, the state of the library says much about its priorities: how it values preserving and sharing knowledge, its welcoming of a variety of people and perspectives, how much it fosters conversation and education. Our family lives libraries. They are a source of entertainment (movies, TV series, crafts), education (books, programs, online and in person language courses), computer literacy, to name a few. They have provided social connections and part-time employment for our grandchildren, guidance through consumer reports, ancestry and grant writing programs.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Denser housing developments in apartment-style buildings, with the units reserved for people age 55 and over, will be allowed along Route 9, after residents supported revisions to the original senior overlay district at annual Town Meeting Thursday.