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LATEST NEWS
Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe at Westfield church celebrates 2nd anniversary
WESTFIELD — The Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe, located in the Old Town Hall at 20 Broad St., celebrated its second anniversary in business on July 25. The store is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We are so overwhelmed with the positive reaction to the...
bankESB cashes in, knots Tri-County Baseball League playoff series against Chicopee Falls Tigers, 1-1, with 8-4 win
WESTFIELD – bankESB, the Westfield-based Tri-County Baseball League team, stumbled to a below .500 record in the regular season but in three playoff games quickly became a winning team. bankESB pitcher Joey Calderella earned a complete game victory Thursday night at Bullens Field, striking out three batters as the...
Southwick Select Board approves $2.45M to fund 8 road improvement projects
SOUTHWICK — With a wish list of 28 road improvement projects provided by the DPW two weeks ago, the Select Board spent less than 15 minutes on Monday allocating the $2.45 million at its disposal on eight projects. “We need to get as many projects done as we can...
Two-time Olympian Gabby Thomas made mark at Williston Northampton
The Summer Olympics in Paris begins this week. One high-profile athlete with local ties is Gabby Thomas. The Northampton, Massachusetts, native is one of the United States' best hopes for a gold medal in track and field. She went to high school at Williston Northampton in neighboring Easthampton. We paid...
Spirit of 2026: Westfield historians seek to honor city’s Revolution history
WESTFIELD — As the nation nears the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, many Massachusetts communities are reviewing their own history, including Westfield. Though the famous events of the mid-1770s were mostly in eastern Massachusetts — downtown Boston, Bunker Hill, Concord, Lexington — Westfield was a...
Board of Health’s decision on tobacco sales at Dollar General tabled until future meeting
Great Barrington — The company that operates Dollar General wants to sell tobacco products at its store at 197 Main Street. The store, which is the seventh in Berkshire County, opened earlier this year in the former Walgreens location. According to its website, the company, based out of Goodlettsville,...
Massachusetts Democrats are buzzing ahead of Harris fundraiser in Pittsfield Saturday
Harris’s visit to Pittsfield was planned before President Joe Biden’s decision to end his re-election campaign and endorse her as the nominee, amplifying the already rare spectacle of a high wattage national politico in Berkshire County. “It's very exciting for the region, it's very exciting for the nation....
What’s In This Issue?
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PIttsfield Little League Bows Out at State Tourney
ANDOVER, Mass. – Melrose’s Dylan Cote drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday to give his team a 6-5 win over the Pittsfield Little League All-Stars in an elimination game at the State Tournament. Pittsfield rallied for two runs in the top...
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. “
Beck and The BSO orchestrate entertaining success with eclectic hybrid music event
LENOX, Mass – It was something still a bit new for veteran rocker Beck, and something really different for many Beck fans gathered at Tanglewood Tuesday night. A large, diverse crowd packed the shed and the sprawling lawn areas of the picturesque Berkshire Hills’ venue on a typically warm and humid July evening to witness an unusual musical event that brought together two unlikely camps of musicians.
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.
‘To better our lives on Earth’: NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson of Pittsfield prepares for 6-month mission to International Space Station
NASA astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson and her crewmates completed this week 18 months of training ahead of the planned August launch to the International Space Station. For Wilson, the pathway to orbit really began in Pittsfield. As a student at what was then Crosby Junior High School, she interviewed a Williams College astronomer for her career day project.
Town Schedules Three Public Hearings on Proposed Changes to Jones Library Expansion Design
The Town of Amherst has scheduled three public hearings on proposed changes to the design of the Jones Library expansion. Recent value engineering adopted by the Jones Library Trustees in the hopes of lowering the overall cost of the project have resulted in significant changes to the design from what was originally proposed – requiring re-approvals from both the Planning Board and the Amherst Historical Commission. These changes include the elimination of nearly all sustainability features and many historic features that would impact the historic character of the building.
MA Residents: Catch A Concert In The Heart Of Lenox!
Bay State residents: We bring you Sounds of Summer at The Great Barrington VFW every Tuesday evening as crowds are dancing the night away. Did you know that on the day later in downtown Lenox, the popular weekly Concerts in the Park series is celebrating it's 15th anniversary by offering Wednesday night performances showcasing local and regional bands and you STILL have time to check out a FREE show.
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...
Philip Avila Named New Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced in his July 15 Town Manager Report that former Amherst Human Rights Commission co-chair Philip Avila will be the new Assistant Director of the town’s office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Avila will begin his duties on August 5. Avila is currently a...
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