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By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — An open-air gazebo is being proposed to protect the town common’s historic guideboard, an artifact that dates to 1837 and continues to be refurbished and restored at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center.While the Historical Commission...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A longtime pledge by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the state Legislature, contending this will provide more transparency and accountability to legislative proceedings, is coming before voters at the November election, after she was unable to...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A steep drop in the number of Black students in the Class of 2028 at Amherst College compared to the preceding year’s incoming class, and less racial diversity in the first-year class, is likely a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — State education officials have recognized Shutesbury Elementary School’s success in reducing chronic absenteeism with the presentation of a signed, gold-colored basketball from the 18-time NBA champion Boston Celtics at a recent...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Music from centuries-old folk songs and contemporary and classical tunes emanates through the hallway at the Bangs Community Center on a recent morning, as some of the autoharp players hold the instrument upright against their shoulders and below...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The Campus Demonstration Policy Task Force at the University of Massachusetts has released an 11-page report with recommendations for how to best protect the First Amendment rights of campus protesters while also remaining in compliance with...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — The Blueberry Patch, a former Christmas tree farm where beef cattle were raised many years ago, is a popular place to walk, pick blueberries and enjoy nature and birding — and for years visitors have done just that, taking advantage of easy...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — Every child should be able to thrive educationally, develop socially and emotionally and benefit from inclusive practices at Leverett Elementary School, according to the school’s new principal.For Siby Adina, who began her tenure in early...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — After a spring semester that came to a close with the arrests of 134 students, faculty and community members at a pro-Palestinian encampment, and nearly 500 faculty members and librarians subsequently taking a no-confidence in Chancellor...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Invasive and destructive, the growth of Japanese knotweed along town roads and municipal rights of way is an increasing concern for some residents, due to its potential for reducing animal and insect biodoversity, lowering water quality...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Continued staffing challenges for small-town fire departments that depend on on-call and volunteer firefighters to respond to emergencies is prompting officials in Shutesbury, Leverett, Wendell and New Salem to examine ways to potentially...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Dr. Lynnette M. Watkins, who has served as Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s president and chief operating officer for nearly three years, has left the position.Reached by phone last week, Watkins, who began her tenure at the hospital on Sept....

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A University of Massachusetts Amherst union representing 1,500 employees is calling out the administration for “authoritarian” actions and cracking down on free speech after learning that two student leaders of the Students for Justice in...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Lake Wyola State Park’s beach continues to be closed to swimming this week due to high levels of Enterococci bacteria, with red flags placed on the beach and visitors informed about the situation at both the park entrance and by...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — A collision involving two boats that injured one person on Lake Wyola in June is prompting officials to consider forming a committee to examine overhauling a bylaw that governs use of the 128-acre site.But with the Selectboard proposing a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Another $800,000 in Community Preservation Act money is being recommended by Amherst officials so the $4.41 million plan to rebuild and reorient the Amherst-Pelham Regional High School’s track and its interior field can proceed.While...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — In the company of young donkey friends, miniature donkey Franklin has perked up, overcoming the grief of losing his life mate of 20 years.In a similar way, Rosie, another miniature donkey, who had once been left alone and without companions...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — More than 37% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the billions of tons of concrete, asphalt, steel, glass and other construction materials used in buildings and other infrastructure projects, according to U.S....

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Canceled non-urgent surgeries, procedures and medical visits at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, postponed cases in the Massachusetts court system and delayed in-person services at Registry of Motor Vehicles locations are among the impacts...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A Senate-passed bill featuring a streamlined approach to permitting and siting solar and energy storage projects in Massachusetts, with a consolidated permit for approving clean energy infrastructure instead of multiple local, regional and state...