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By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Spurred by a state Supreme Judicial Court opinion that pointed to inconsistent verdicts, the Franklin County Superior Court judge who oversaw Joshua Hart’s murder trial in 2018 has taken under advisement a defense attorney’s motion to set...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Editor’s note: This story will be updated.AMHERST — More than 130 people were arrested on the University of Massachusetts campus Tuesday night after those who set up a pro-Palestinian encampment on the South Lawn of the Student Union refused to...

By DOMENIC POLI

ERVING — Employee compensation and real estate transactions are expected to be the most discussed topics at Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, according to Town Administrator Bryan Smith.Articles regarding private property are clumped at the end of the...

By JAMES PENTLAND

In the wake of the Justice Department’s proposal to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug, dispensary owners say the change would help their business, especially on taxes.“The immediate impact would be for the government to treat us like other...

By DOMENIC POLI

WARWICK — It took nearly 35 years, but the human remains found just off Route 78 in Warwick in 1989 have been identified as belonging to Constance (Holminski) Bassignani, who was 65 years old at the time of her murder.The Northwestern District...

By ALEXA LEWIS

AMHERST — Student protesters at the University of Massachusetts began pitching tents near the W.E.B. DuBois Library Monday morning in solidarity with Palestinians, following the example of many of their peers at campuses across the country who have...

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL – Residents are being summoned to Town Hall on Wednesday to have their voices heard on a bylaw proposed to regulate battery energy storage systems.A Special Town Meeting is slated to begin at 7 p.m., with two articles on the warrant – one...

By JAMES PENTLAND

HOLYOKE — Like many people, Michael Garjian believes global warming is a pressing issue of our times.Unlike most, he’s putting his ideas for reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into practice — and at the same time bidding for a share of the $100...

By JAMES PENTLAND

AMHERST — Federal civil rights officials are investigating the University of Massachusetts for allegedly dragging its feet over complaints of anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian harassment on campus amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.An official...

By CHRIS LARABEE

In 1994, a new movement began to grow out of the Pioneer Valley, Berkshires and Hudson Valley, as a group of organic farmers banded together to form a cooperative educational program for farm apprentices.That year marked the birth of the Collaborative...

By DOMENIC POLI

Early success in the Franklin County Probate and Family Court has spawned a statewide launch of Family Treatment Court sessions to address the needs of families involved in Juvenile Court cases in which substance use is a contributing factor.PATHS...

By CHRIS LARABEE

During the afternoon of Monday, April 8, folks around the Pioneer Valley and throughout the U.S. will be treated to one of the solar system’s most extraordinary events.At approximately 3:28 p.m., the moon will overtake the sun and our celestial...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — The man employed as a licensed practical nurse at Fisher Hill School from Oct. 2 to Feb. 28 did not have a proper license, a matter that is under investigation, according to the Ralph C. Mahar Regional and Union 73 school districts.Robert...

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD – An Erving man says he plans to purchase a house and a car after winning $4 million in the Massachusetts State Lottery last month.Jeremy Bouchard played the “$4,000,000 Jumbo Cash” game with an instant ticket he purchased from the Sandri...

By CHRIS LARABEE

As the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) study of the Northern Tier Passenger Rail project continues, officials and consultants Thursday night collected more feedback and laid out some of its potential funding streams in the final...

By BELLA LEVAVI

When Brolin Winning owned Smokey Bro’s BBQ on the Mohawk Trail several years ago, tons of tourists who stopped at his Shelburne establishment for a bite to eat had the same question for him.“Every single weekend, people would ask us if there was a...

By DOMENIC POLI

It seems people from all over are anxious for spring to arrive as bookings at the three state camping locations in Franklin and Hampshire counties are filling up fast.The state Department of Conservation and Recreation reports that at least 756 total...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE – The director of the Orange Public Libraries has decided to close this chapter of her life and step down following eight years in the position.Jessica Magelaner, who heads the Wheeler Memorial Library at 49 East Main St. and the Moore-Leland...

By CHRIS LARABEE

With two new members on its board of directors, the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding is looking to continue its international work, while also expanding on its mission right here in the valley.In recent weeks, the international and domestic...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE – No, this is not a joke.The Revival Wheeler Mansion’s bed-and-breakfast is slated to open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony slated for 4 p.m. on April 1.“It’s a long time coming,” said owner Cynthia “Sinde” Butler, who purchased the North Quabbin...

By EMILEE KLEIN

HOLYOKE — Sonia Mendez never imagined how writing could give her a second chance.She attended her first creative writing workshop while incarcerated, and spent most of the class clowning around, joking with the class facilitator and poking fun at the...