Belchertown
LATEST NEWS
Matteo Pangallo: Equitable cost-sharing for the ARHS track project
It’s surprising that Amherst CPA Committee Chair Sam Macleod believes that by contributing 80% of the cost for the new Amherst Regional High School track and field facility, Amherst is paying “more than its fair share” (“Town may add $800K more for track project,” Aug. 6). Even setting aside the fact that the town of Amherst has far more financial resources at its disposal than all three of the other district towns combined, and setting aside the fact that the facility is physically located in Amherst and thus is far easier for Amherst residents to access than for residents of the other towns, Macleod’s comment ignores the distribution of student population at the high school. Last year, Amherst Regional High School had 841 students, of whom 620 — or 74% — were from Amherst. Just 82 were from Leverett, 74 from Pelham, and 65 from Shutesbury. It’s only equitable that how we share the costs for a regional resource be determined by considering both the differing means available to the region’s individual communities as well as the question of which communities will be making the most use of that resource.
These 4 Mass. cities made the "Hottest ZIP Codes" list
SALEM - Massachusetts is home to four of the hottest real estate markets in the country this year, a new ranking says. In fact, three cities in the state make the Top 10 in Realtor.com's list of the "Hottest ZIP Codes of 2024." Salem is third on the heat map, behind only top-ranked Gahanna, Ohio and Ballwin, Missouri. Leominster is seventh, Westfield is eighth and Attleboro is 13th. What makes a "hot ZIP"? Realtor.com says it determines its Hottest ZIP Code rankings by looking at how many views a property gets on its website, and how long that listing remains active. The highest-ranked markets...
Rotary bringing Town Fair to Amherst Common: Three-day event helps put bow on summer starting Aug. 23
An annual tradition since the 1950s, the Rotary Club of Amherst Town Fair returns to the Town Common for three days beginning Friday, Aug. 23. Bringing amusements including a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and a climbing wall, food booths with cotton candy and caramel apples and other activities to the Amherst green, the event, previously put on in the spring and in recent years held toward the end of August, is one of two late summer fundraisers organized by the Rotary Club.
State awards millions in flood resilience grants to area communities
AMHERST — Amherst, South Hadley and Holyoke are each getting more than $1 million grants from the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to replace culverts, improve water quality and make the communities more resilient to floods. In Amherst, a $1.18 million grant will go toward the second phase...
Amherst recreation leaders say two pools key for aquatics program
AMHERST — With a pause in plans to rebuild the aging bathhouse at War Memorial Pool, and discussions beginning about whether the town needs two full-size outdoor swimming pools during the summer, Amherst Recreation officials say having both facilities is important to the aquatics program and summer camps. Recreation...
Amherst native Vanessa Chakour brings women’s boxing classes to Franklin County's YMCA
Vanessa Chakour didn’t always want to be a boxer. If you asked the Amherst native what she wanted to be when she grew up, she may have said a National Geographic photographer, an author or an illustrator, but never once did being a professional fighter cross her mind. After...
Massage studio’s sudden closure leaves Hadley customers feeling burned
HADLEY — Some residents are having a hands-on experience with frustration, as the sudden closure of Elements Massage has left customers with unredeemed memberships and gift cards, sparking complaints to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development confirmed the closure of...
Mid-contract deal gives Hadley school paras a boost
HADLEY — Educators who work with the most vulnerable students in the Hadley public schools are getting a pay increase as the result of recently completed mid-contract negotiations between the Hadley Education Association and school and town officials. The 20 or so education support professionals, or ESPs, will see...
Let them run wild: Doc from Hadley-born filmmaker explores the lives of wild horses
Growing up in Hadley, Steven Latham had a wild Chincoteague pony on his family farm, but it wasn’t until he learned about a veterans’ program pairing veterans with mustangs to train that he was inspired to create his documentary. “A couple friends told me about a program outside...
Another prison in Massachusetts is set to close
Massachusetts is closing another prison, this time in Bridgewater. The Department of Correction announced Thursday "plans to conclude housing operations at the Old Colony Correctional Center minimum-security men’s facility," saying the facility would need $2.6 million in capital investments to continue on. There are 70 people incarcerated at the...
Fests to feel good attending: River Roads Festival, Sept. 7, and Arcadia Folk Festival, Aug. 23-24, center on environmental causes
Nature has served as an artistic muse for centuries, so it’s no surprise that music and environmental activism have historical connections. Two music festivals returning to Easthampton this summer embody the relationship between the natural and musical worlds by generating excitement about local conservation and modeling how community events can reduce their environmental impacts. The River Roads Festival and Arcadia Folk Festival are musical gatherings with an environmental edge, both of which encourage attendees to explore new ways to coexist with the planet as they enjoy live music in scenic outdoor settings.
Healthy lunches can benefit students in and out of the classroom
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - As soon as next week, kids will be sent off to school and there are hopes that they get in a well-balanced meal between recess and class, but how do you get your children to eat all five food groups in just a matter of minutes?
Connecticut Sun to honor Springfield Central grad Esther Wallace
The Connecticut Sun announced on Friday that they will honor four women before Friday’s game against the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville at 7:30 p.m. The ‘Women of Inspiration Night’ is presented by Post University from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Cabaret Theatre inside the Mohegan Sun Casino. Connecticut Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti will welcome the Sun’s four Women of Inspiration including Springfield Central graduate and entrepreneur, Esther Wallace.
Hornishes to appeal ruling finding them liable for kennel fees
The Hartford Superior Court ruled last week that Annie and Neil Hornish would be held liable for all kenneling costs in relation to their dog, Dexter, who was involved in the mauling death of 95-year-old Janet D’Aleo in 2019. Despite the ruling, Annie Hornish has already announced her intent to appeal the ruling. “We disagree […] The post Hornishes to appeal ruling finding them liable for kennel fees appeared first on Connecticut Inside Investigator.
WATCH: Large bear spooks family in Connecticut driveway (video)
Watch out! One family in Connecticut had a too-close-for-comfort encounter with a large black bear in front of their home earlier this week. Three children were playing in a driveway in Simsbury, while two seated adults supervised. Unbeknownst to them, another large guest was occupying the same real estate. WATCH...
State agency says Nashoba hospital is ‘essential;’ Select Board weighs effects of Aug. 31 closing
Legislators to Healey: Put up state money to save NVMC. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Rep. Dan Sena, and five legislators who represent towns served by Nashoba Hospital urged Gov. Healey Wednesday afternoon to confirm to potential operators that state money will be available to assist a new owner. Here’s what they wrote:
Mass. State Lottery winner: $100,000 ticket sold at Cape Cod shop
Someone who stopped at a shop on Cape Cod and picked up a lottery ticket came forward to claim a $100,000 prize on Wednesday. The $100,000 prize was from “$15,000,000 Money Maker,” a $30 scratch ticket game released on April 19, 2022. There are just 17 prizes worth...
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.