$1M in grants to repair regional dams flow to region

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Repair and removal of existing dams in Hampshire and Franklin counties, along with improvements to Holyoke’s levee control system and repairs to the pump station, are being supported by more than $1.04 million from the state’s Executive...

Hatfield Historical Society to honor longtime curator

By Scott Merzbach

HATFIELD — A final open day for the Farm Museum on Saturday will also serve as a way to honor longtime curator George Ashley, who has overseen the Hatfield Historical Society’s agricultural collection for more than 30 years.From noon to 2 p.m., Ashley...

Photo: Barn protector

A Look Back, Oct. 11

50 Years Ago ■Irving Jacobs, the new superintendent of Northampton State Hospital, assumed his job here on May 1 with little fanfare. A 45-year-old clinical psychologist, he replaced Harry Goodman, the former superintendent who retired last...

Northampton man to go on trial for 2021 murder

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Opening arguments in the trial of a city man accused of murder in 2021 are set to begin on Tuesday, as selection of the 12 jurors for the case wrapped up in Hampshire Superior Court on Thursday.Steven Malloy, 35, of Northampton, was...

Emotional testimony as Easthampton council backs psychedelics ballot initiative

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — At an emotionally charged meeting full of deeply personal stories from community members and officials, the City Council voted to approve a resolution supporting Question 4 on Election Day next month. The proposed law would provide...

Committee on board with Amherst Regional school merger proposal

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The idea of moving seventh and eighth graders to Amherst Regional High School, potentially turning the Amherst Regional Middle School building into an innovation center, is being greeted with cautious optimism by members of the Regional...

The future of aging: Easthampton forums explore how city can help now, in future

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — With help from the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, the Easthampton Council on Aging is reimagining what the future of aging looks like in the city. In a series of three forums this week, community members...

Photos: Preparing early

Green initiatives up for vote at Pelham special TM

By SCOTT MERZBACH

PELHAM — Several initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the town’s sustainability are among 10 articles to be taken up by voters at a special Town Meeting Tuesday.The fall session will be called to order at 7 p.m. at the...

Area briefs: 22nd NEF Spelling Adult Spelling Bee; Rohan award goes to Sheehan; Harvest Festival at Nonotuck Park this weekend

22nd NEF Spelling Adult Spelling Bee coming up NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Education Foundation will hold the 22nd annual Adult Spelling Bee on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, 130 Pine St., in Florence. Doors open at 5 p.m. and...

Amherst Cinema workers press for salary bump

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Employees with the Amherst Cinema Workers United are pushing for salary changes to the existing contract with management of the nonprofit cinema so that the 13 members of the front-of-house staff, who oversee the box office and concessions...

Fresh start for familiar restaurant: Former Taipei and Tokyo reopens in Northampton as Taipei Hibachi

By NAOMI SCULLY-BRISTOL

NORTHAMPTON — Tucked on the steep hill of Crafts Avenue across from City Hall downtown, Taipei Hibachi is trying to make a new name for itself.Inside the newly opened hibachi restaurant, a renovated open floor plan invites customers to a counter...

Shutesbury town administrator offered job in Sunderland

By CHRIS LARABEE

SUNDERLAND — After four consecutive interviews with finalists for the vacant town administrator position, the Select Board has settled on Shutesbury Town Administrator Rebecca Torres.In a unanimous vote, the Sunderland Select Board voted to put...

Making news in business, Oct. 11

Hager joins Market Mentors as PR execSPRINGFIELD — Market Mentors, LLC, a marketing, advertising and public relations agency, recently welcomed Christina Hager of Granby to its team as a public relations account executive. The two-time New England...

A Look Back, Oct. 10

50 Years Ago ■A penny arcade, a pie-eating contest, Russian roulette, a frustration booth and pin-the-bustle-on-Sophia will be some of the highlights of Sophia’s Circus on Wednesday at Smith College. The circus will be held on Burton Lawn behind the...

Question 5: Do tipped workers need a raise? Controversial measure heads to voters

By ALEXA LEWIS

Voters will decide on Election Day whether to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers in Massachusetts, a controversial ballot initiative known as Question 5 that could change the landscape for the restaurant and bar industry and other jobs where...

Leena’s Place in Belchertown faces state alcohol violation for allegedly serving 22 shots of liquor to underage employees

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — A Belchertown restaurant is facing charges for allegedly serving 22 shots of liquor to three underage employees over a six-hour period in early August, one of whom got into a car crash while driving under the influence in Ludlow a short...

Amherst council adopts tougher nuisance property bylaw

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Municipal building inspectors and town police officers will soon have a mechanism for ensuring problem properties that affect the quality of life in Amherst neighborhoods, such as residences holding frequent loud parties with underage...