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By BRUCE M. PENNIMAN

Let’s move on from Jones Library divisions

Regarding the Nov. 21 Gazette story “Council Rejects $1M for sidewalk and road repairs,” why would six members of the Town Council assume a competition between school funding and safe sidewalks and roads? Both need funding. Safety — maintenance of...

Has anyone else noticed how many professional athletes are now doing the “Trump dance” when celebrating? From the UFC to the NFL, people seem to be happy again! People feel a sense of relief to express themselves without fear and the country is in a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Hunting on Amherst conservation lands would be prohibited under rules being considered by the town’s Conservation Commission, which, if adopted as written, would closely mirror land-use regulations related to hunting in the city of...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A series of affordable housing developments in progress, construction beginning on a new elementary school and the possibility that an expanded and renovated Jones Library will get underway are being highlighted by town officials in their...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Town officials will have until the end of March to hire a general contractor to handle the $46.1 million expansion and renovation of the Jones Library.The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to approve a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst came close to a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, earning 99 out of a possible 100 points.The Municipality Equality Index is a nationwide evaluation of cities and towns on how...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — As someone who takes care of and cleans buildings on the University of Massachusetts campus, Sun Chong’s workload doubles when her colleagues call out sick or leave university employment.“They don’t hire people, so then we have to cover each...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A project to update downtown design standards for both public and private properties, as well as determine what the streetscape will look like, is continuing with both an in-person workshop set for Monday evening and an online survey...

By DARCY DUMONT

 It may seem odd not to address the expected reversal of progress on climate and what that will mean at home and abroad, but pardon me while I take a breath. My latest thought is to simply to keep moving in a positive direction, doing whatever we can...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Town Manager Paul Bockelman met or exceeded expectations in all 13 policy and management goal areas set by the Town Council this year, with more than two-thirds of the 13 councilors giving him high marks on climate action, economic vitality...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The Department of Public Works is seeking money to pay for a study to determine if gaseous chlorine should continue to disinfect wastewater, as a growing number of discharge violations at the town’s wastewater treatment plant occur.The Town...

Amherst church to hold St. Nicholas Bazaar on SaturdayAMHERST — Collectibles, food, holiday decorations, wreaths, books and a white elephant room will be part of Grace Episcopal Church’s St. Nicholas Bazaar on Saturday.The annual event runs from 9...

Regarding the article “Bill takes aim at pancreatic cancer” [Gazette, Nov. 23], I fully support Bill H.2182 (S.1330), which seeks, among other things, to ensure that individuals at increased risk for pancreatic cancer, due to family history or genetic...

I am very upset that the state’s Healthy Incentives Program was cut dramatically. The program has been extremely successful in helping hungry people get healthy fresh produce and at the same time benefiting small farmers.News about the large increase...

By CHRIS LARABEE

With bodies of water receding and brush fires throughout the state, it was clearly a dry fall for the Pioneer Valley and new data analysis confirms the season was historically dry for western Massachusetts.Preliminary National Weather Service data for...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A traditional celebration that has been part of Amherst’s holiday season since the 1960s, the Merry Maple lighting is back at its usual location on the North Common on Friday, with a newly lit maple tree.A year after continued construction...

I would like to thank Karen Bercovici for her recent guest column “We need to rethink ‘gender-affirming care’ for our children” [Gazette, Nov. 14]. She offers readers a wealth of research with clarity and conviction.I know it’s hard to believe, but...

In these tumultuous times, it is more important than ever that we safeguard and support our civic institutions. In Amherst, one of our most beloved and democratic institutions is the Jones Library. It is in dire need of renovations and expansion. I...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A recent collection of 758 pounds of nonperishable food for the Amherst Survival Center by members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Massachusetts is part of the ongoing work being done to bring the chapter back to campus...

Recently at the Amherst Farmers Market, we approached people with a sign that said, “Stop the Library Demolition.” We pointed out that their statement is simply not true; the library is not being demolished but renovated and expanded. The person we...