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LATEST NEWS
Massachusetts officials want to transform Boston Government Service Center by Paul Rudolph into housing
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced a new direction for the Charles F. Hurley and Erich Lindemann Buildings, known colloquially as Boston Government Service Center (BGSC). The Brutalist superblock in downtown Boston was completed in 1971 by Paul Rudolph. Instead of state office space and life sciences laboratory facilities, as...
Williamstown Select Board Pushes for Better Communication About Emergencies
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday discussed how the town communicates to residents during an emergency and whether residents unaffiliated with Williams College should have access to the same information as college students and staff about incidents on campus. The topic came up in response to a...
Anderson Leads SteepleCats Past Danbury
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Aedan Anderson went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double Friday to lead the North Adams SteepleCats to a 12-8 win over Danbury, Conn., Westerners in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The SteepleCats broke a 7-7 tie with a five-run seventh inning on the...
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...
To reduce racist bullying, Mass. attorney general steps in with action plan for Southwick schools
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is stepping in with an action plan at the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District. This comes after complaints of racist bullying, including when Southwick Regional School students held a mock slave auction on Snapchat in February. The district will follow a 12-step plan to ensure...
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).
Holyoke police asking for the public’s help in locating missing 14-year-old girl
Holyoke police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 14-year-old girl. According to police, 14-year-old Laila Caniglia Sing was last seen on Sunday, July 21st with a gray Adidas duffle bag and is described as weighing 110 pounds and 5 foot 2 inches. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to […]
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.
‘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.
Teacher of the Month: Frani Miceli
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Frani Miceli has been selected as the July Teacher of the Month. The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, will run for the next 12 months and will feature distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here.
Springfield Mayor Sarno responds to chaotic Thursday afternoon
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - During Thursday’s police through Springfield, Mayor Sarno told us he was listening to police scanners the whole time following along. He commended the work done by the city’s police officers, however, between that arrest and the shooting where a 16-year-old is charged, he’s concerned for public safety.
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...
IRS reinstates Holyoke Public Library’s nonprofit status
HOLYOKE — The Internal Revenue Service has reinstated the tax-exempt status of the Holyoke Public Library. The 501(c)(3) reinstatement took effect on June 27 and applies retroactively to November 2022. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive...
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...
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