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By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Weeks of debate over the Northampton school budget neared a conclusion Thursday night after Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra unveiled a nearly $137 million fiscal 2025 budget to the City Council that calls for an 8.5% increase in the city’s...

By GRACE FIORI

AMHERST — At the University of Massachusetts, a passionate team is expanding campus access to Narcan and fentanyl testing strips, and their efforts are being welcomed by students, staff and faculty.At a recent outreach event — one of many initiatives...

Staff Report

SPRINGFIELD — A Michigan man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud a Northampton construction company of nearly $1 million, the U.S. attorney’s office announced Friday.Jonathan McCormack, 39, of...

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Local and state housing advocates, legislators and state agency leaders meeting with seniors earlier this week addressed the acute lack of housing in Massachusetts — especially affordable and accessible housing needed by seniors —...

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — The principal and assistant principal at Michael E. Smith Middle School will both not return for next school year.According to an email sent to the guardians of Michael E. Smith students on April 30, Assitant Principal Anne...

By Emilee Klein

BELCHERTOWN — Two new names running for the two open Select Board seats will appear on the ballot in an election with no contested races on Monday.With current members Peg Louraine and Ron Aponte stepping away from the Select Board, Nina Miner and...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Town Council is likely to determine the scope of renovations to the Amherst Regional High School track and its interior field after the Regional School Committee this week deferred the final decision on the project to Amherst’s elected...

By STEVE PFARRER

Growing up in New York City, Katy Schneider recalls that the New York Times was pretty much sacrosanct in her home. Her late parents read the paper closely, her father often cutting out articles he particularly liked, and both referred to the...

By STEVE PFARRER

When Chris Smither found his live gigs shut down during the worst months of COVID-19, he figured it might at least be a good opportunity to write some new songs — something the veteran folk/blues singer and guitarist admits is not the easiest process...

By STEVE PFARRER

The Valley continues to be a fertile place for music, with a number of groups and artists releasing new albums this spring. Here’s a look at two of the records, with female singers at the forefront.On the WaterLisa BastoniLisa Bastoni has been making...

By THE REV. ANDREA AYVAZIAN

The Northampton Pride March, held on May 4, could not have come at a better time. I have marched with my family since my son was little, and he is now 36 years old. It is a part of our spring tradition. But this year, the march felt especially...

I thoroughly enjoyed Bill Newman’s column “Laurels and the laureate” Gazette, May 11. The lyrical writing allowed me to be in Wyoming, watching the horses, the different styles of riding, the multi-generational love of horses and riding. It was simply...

The Peace Development was founded in Amherst in 1981 by anti-war activists as a means for supporting the peace movement. As an organization rooted in support of grassroots organizing we are deeply troubled by the mass arrest of peaceful protesters at...

I am writing in support of funding to replace the Hadley Fire Department’s 24-year-old ladder fire truck. Treasurer Linda Sanderson gave a thorough explanation at the recent Town Meeting of how the cost of the new fire truck will be absorbed and paid...

There is something really good happening at Holyoke High School. Four young women have qualified for the 4x1 at Nationals in Eugene, Oregon. They are the first ever Holyoke team to qualify for this event. When they were told "no," they problem-solved...

We are writing to express our support for Kyle Dragon who is a candidate forthe Select Board in Hadley. Kyle brings experience in agriculture, public safety and working with town municipalities. He is committed to preserving our farmland, finding...

On behalf of my board, I would like to thank Jesse’s Ride for hosting a fundraiser this past Saturday to benefit the Friends of Easthampton Dog Park. This event was held to honor the memory of Jesse Johansmeyer and to support a cause which undoubtedly...

This Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake was made by Louise Lucht of Northampton, who noted that “the grated lemon (peel and all) that went into the crust and filling made it tart and delicious.”How to enter: Snap a pic of something delicious-looking and send it...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Active service members from Hadley, military veterans who continue to make their homes in town and others who have served the United States from World War I on will be among 82 people whose portraits will be displayed on banners around town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Members of Sunrise Amherst recently uncovered a $2 million discrepancy in the fiscal year 2025 municipal budget when it was released on May 1, showing how the same vehicles for various departments were listed for purchase two years in a row...