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$5M in CDBG money to help area towns with infrastructure, housing, social services
A handful of Hampshire County communities are in line for nearly $5 million in state grants to help offset the cost of a variety of projects from development of affordable housing to neighborhood infrastructure improvements. The money is part of $3.9 million awarded through the Community Development Block Grant program...
Two More MA National Drug Stores Have Closed their Doors, Permanently!
A new court filing this week announces the number of Rite Aid locations have dwindled as 77 stores have become casualties while the drug chain continues downsizing amid a bankruptcy that was recently filed by the national pharmacy chain. Hundreds of Rite Aid locations have closed since an initial announcement...
8 Massachusetts communities now at high risk of West Nile virus, DPH warns
BOSTON — Public health officials warned Friday that eight Massachusetts communities are now at high risk for West Nile virus. According to the Department of Public Health, this elevated risk level applies to Boston in Suffolk County and Abington, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Whitman in Plymouth County.
Volleyball Chosen LEC Preseason #1 by Coaches
DARTMOUTH, Mass. — The Little East Conference (LEC) has announced the preseason polls for women's volleyball entering the 2024 season and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth – the defending Regular Season and Conference Champions – were named the top team to beat in the coaches' poll with five first-place votes and 61 points.
Herrell’s Ice Cream Is open in North Amherst
Herrell’s Ice Cream opened its new pop location at 83 Cowls Road in the Mill District on Wednesday, August 21. The soft opening drew steady traffic. The store is open from noon to 9 p.m. every day and features the same premium ice cream as the Northampton store. The current location is a temporary one. A larger celebration is planned when the store moves to its permanent location at 69 Cowls Road between the Carefree Cakery and Provisions in December.
Former counselor sues Amherst-Pelham school district, adding to complaints in wake of Title IX investigations
AMHERST — A federal lawsuit brought against the Amherst-Pelham Regional school district, as well as several current and former staff members, by a former middle school counselor contends that she and other counselors were targeted by colleagues and administrators due to their Christian beliefs. In a lawsuit filed in...
Ball Lane affordable housing project in Amherst gets $350K town boost
AMHERST — A $20.5 million development in North Amherst featuring 30 affordable homes, each of which will be owned by families, is getting another influx of money from the town, a commitment that should ensure ground can be broken next spring. The Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Fund voted unanimously...
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...
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...
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