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Suspect in custody following I-91 pursuit
HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - A suspect was arrested during a police chase on I-91 in Holyoke Thursday night. Around 9 p.m., troopers were involved in a pursuit on I-91 northbound. Mass. State Police confirmed to Western Mass News that a tire deflation device was successfully deployed, ending the pursuit. The...
Springfield and Vermont Residents Arrested in Drug and Gun Trafficking Sting, Face Federal Charges
Early on Wednesday, a coordinated law enforcement effort involving numerous agencies culminated in the arrest of four individuals on the 400 block of Berkshire Avenue. The operation kicked off at roughly 4:50 a.m., with the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU), supported by state and federal teams, making entry to execute a federal search warrant obtained after a careful HSI investigation. This case has begun to paint a startling picture of drug and gun-related crimes.
Vehicle crashes into Westfield pool
WESTFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - The Westfield Police and Fire Departments responded to reports Thursday of a vehicle in a swimming pool with the driver still inside. The incident occurred at Southwood Acres Apartments on Southwick Road. The fire department was able to extricate the driver and take that person to...
Black-owned, woman-owned salon and spa in Springfield receives ARPA funds
Springfield city leaders gathered at a black-owned and woman-owned salon and spa on State Street to highlight the transformational enhancements enabled by the city's 'American Rescue Plan's Small Business Grant'.
Spirit Shoppe creates action plan after selling alcohol to minor
SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Spirit Shoppe will be reducing their hours across all locations after the Deerfield Police conducted a compliance check at the South Deerfield location. An 18 year old Frontier Regional School student working with the police for the compliance check bought a six pack of beer without having their identification checked. As a result of the violation, the store fired the employee and created an action plan including reducing hours and hiring full-time employees only.
Cesar Ruiz, Bernard Spirito Join Board of Springfield Symphony Orchestra
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) announced that local businessman and community activist Cesar Ruiz and Bernard (“Bernie”) Spirito, who recently retired as the Springfield Museums’ chief financial officer, have joined the organization’s board of directors. The addition of Ruiz and Spirito to the...
A pilot program supporting those transitioning out of public benefits
Carolyn Martinez was in a predicament. In 2012, the Springfield native was a 25-year-old single mom to three daughters getting by on public aid. She relied on food stamps, disability assistance and cash assistance to make do. Determined to secure a better life for herself and her daughters, she began working another job.
Pittsfield Housing Trust Digs into ARPA Proposals
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Affordable Housing Trust has stepped toward allocating its $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding. Last week, the trust reviewed five letters of intent for housing projects in the city and will ask the parties to submit a full application. ARPA funds must be allocated by December 2026 and applications will be handled on a rolling basis as they come in.
Pittsfield’s Sibaritas restaurant set to move to bigger digs, former Trattoria Rustica site
Pittsfield — Well, that didn’t take long! In just three short years, Pittsfield eatery Sibaritas has outgrown its 1264 East Street location and is bound for 27 McKay Street (also known as 75 North Street). Since last summer, the popular Italian restaurant has been turning away about 20...
What’s In This Issue?
Welcome to our Table of Contents. You can also receive a listing of all new items in the Indy each week by dropping us a note with your contact information at amherstindy@gmail.com. The subscription is free and will deliver to your inbox a listing of all new content, each Saturday at 6 a.m. We promise that we will not share your email address, nor will we send you any additional emails to clog up your inbox (except in the case of truly urgent breaking news, in which case we’ll send out a special dispatch).
Exhibit at Historic Deefield – Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North
This coming week is the last remaining days to see a special exhibition called “Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North” at Historic Deerfield. I recommend it before it closes Thursday August 4. The show, curated by the American Folk Art Museum, is a “corrective to histories that define slavery and anti-black racism as a largely Southern issue.” It is unknown to me if the curators or interpreters or docents (ours was excellent) know about Ancestral Bridges here in Amherst. However, in just under 100 artifacts that range from paintings to needlework, to photographs and sculpture, the show “offers a new window onto Black representation in a region that is often overlooked in narratives of early African American history. “
Puffers Pond Remains Closed to Swimming
Puffer’s Pond will remain closed to swimming until further notice due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. There are many factors that could be contributing to this ongoing issue and the town is looking into causes and exploring long-term solutions. The town conducts water quality testing weekly with results posted on Wednesdays at www.amherstma.gov/puffers. The most recent results were posted on Wednesday, July 24 and new results will be posted on Wednesday, July 31.
Town Manager Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Town Boards and Committees
Town Manager Paul Bockelman seeks volunteers to serve on Town Boards and Committees. The Town of Amherst has over 30 boards and committees that support and advise the work of town government and each has multiple residents who are members. Terms of service are typically three years; some may be shorter. Members typically serve for two terms. Members with terms expiring who have served one term may be seeking reappointment. Some multi-member groups have vacancies available for students enrolled at Amherst Regional High School (Human Rights Commission and Community Safety and Social Justice Committee).
What’s Happening in Amherst?
You can help us make our events calendar more comprehensive by sending us your listings and including contact information and/or a link for more information. Send events listings to amherstindy@gmail.com. SINGLE DAY EVENTS. FRIDAY JULY 26 THROUGH MONDAY AUGUST 5: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF AMHERST ANNUAL BOOK SALE. Fort...
North Whitney Street Duplex a No-go for Now
Application for Non-owner Occupied Duplex Withdrawn. Report on the Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, July 25, 2024. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. Steve Judge (Chair), Everald Henry, Craig Meadows, David Sloviter, and Philip White. Staff: Christine Brestrup (Planning Director), Jacinta Williams (Planner), and Rob...
Busts lead to 32 arrests, seizure of dozens of guns, thousands of fentanyl bags
HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A week of city-wide drug bust operations in led to dozens of arrests. Hartford police announced on Friday that they arrested 32 people and served 11 search warrants in their city. They said they targeted areas that were under investigation as a result of citizen complaints...
No trespassing for community members arrested at pro-Palestinian protest at UMass in May
AMHERST — The majority of people who were arrested on May 7 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst were students, but the few who are not affiliated with the university have now been issued no-trespass notices, their lawyers say. It is standard for the school’s Police Department “to issue...
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