News

Shea Theater mural artist chosen out of 354 applicants

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

MONTAGUE — After reviewing submissions from 354 applicants, a steering group has selected North Carolina-based muralist Darion Fleming to paint a 3,200-square-foot mural on the east exterior wall of the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls.The...

Healey weighs in on campus safety, protests

By COLIN A. YOUNG

As tensions simmer around college campus protests and university responses, Gov. Maura Healey gave a mostly muted response Tuesday to the proliferation of pro-Palestinian encampments, saying “there has to be” space for both protest and Jewish student...

Man allegedly steals $100K worth of items from Northampton, South Deerfield businesses

By JAMES PENTLAND

NORTHAMPTON — A South Hadley man pleaded not guilty in Hampshire County Superior Court on Monday to charges stemming from thefts from businesses in Northampton and South Deerfield.Steven Skea, 64, is accused of breaking into two businesses and making...

Building conversion, battery storage bylaws up for vote at Sunderland Town Meeting

By CHRIS LARABEE

SUNDERLAND — Bylaw proposals concerning battery storage facilities and converting existing buildings into multi-family dwellings will come before voters at Friday night’s Annual Town Meeting.Residents will decide on the 18-article warrant at...

Greenfield man arrested in New York on murder charge

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Law enforcement in Albany, New York, arrested a Greenfield man on a murder charge Tuesday after police found the body of an unidentified man inside an apartment on lower Chapman Street on Monday night.Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, a former...

Longtime moderator facing challenger in Ashfield election

By DIANE BRONCACCIO

ASHFIELD — Longtime Town Moderator Stewart “Buz” Eisenberg is facing competition to retain his seat this year, with Evan Barth throwing his hat in the ring for the role’s one-year term.All other candidates are running unopposed in the May 4 town...

Regional Notebook: April 24, 2024

Rachel’s Table and Teen Board hosting Outrun Hunger 5K SPRINGFIELD — Rachel’s Table and its Teen Board will host Outrun Hunger, a 5K race and a 1-mile fun walk to raise money for Rachel’s Table’s hunger relief efforts across Hampden, Hampshire and...

PHOTO: Flowing falls

Northfield appeals to Warren, Markey for Schell Bridge aid

By LIESEL NYGARD

NORTHFIELD — In the town’s latest effort to secure funding to replace the Schell Bridge, the Selectboard has sent a letter to U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey seeking their support.The letter, which was recently sent to the senators’...

Spilka pledges ‘comprehensive climate bill’ in Senate

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Signaling the potential for more change in the transportation and energy sectors, Senate President Karen Spilka revealed Monday that the Senate plans to tackle a major climate bill within the next three months.The Ashland Democrat said at a...

Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday in 15 communities in Franklin, Hampshire counties

GREENFIELD — Communities in Franklin and Hampshire counties have signed on to the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day planned for Saturday, April 27, to offer residents a chance to safely dispose of unwanted and unneeded drugs.People are...

Leverett Town Meeting voters will decide cease-fire call, budgets

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — Money for continued restoration of the North Leverett Sawmill, a citizen’s petition calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, and a $7.56 million budget for fiscal year 2025, which adds a fourth police officer to the Police Department,...

PHOTOS: Artsy and informative

Judge dismisses case against former Buckland police chief

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — A former Buckland police chief’s court case on charges of indecent assault and battery has been dismissed by a judge one year after it was continued without a finding.James T. Hicks, 57, last May admitted the prosecution had sufficient...

Greenfield’s Court Square to remain open year-round for first time since 2021

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — For the first time since 2021, Court Square will stay open to motorists year-round, closing only for special events that require pedestrian access.The city began seasonally closing Court Square to vehicles in 2021 when it adopted a pilot...

Millers Meadow idea would ‘completely transform’ Colrain Street lot in Greenfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — The environmental nonprofit Greening Greenfield is seeking the city’s approval to plant a small forest and meadow along the perimeter of the former site of the Wedgewood Gardens mobile home park on Colrain Street.If approved, the group...

$10K grant to build on Erving Public Library’s work with neurodivergent patrons

ERVING — The Erving Public Library is one of 310 libraries chosen to participate in the second round of “Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities,” an American Library Association initiative that provides community...

Former Leyden police chief Daniel Galvis charged with larceny

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Former Leyden Police Chief Daniel Galvis was in Greenfield District Court on Monday to answer to larceny charges involving town-owned police equipment.Galvis pleaded not guilty to two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts of...

Greenfield Police Logs: April 9 to April 17, 2024

Tuesday, April 9 11:50 a.m. — Report of a past hit and run at Stop & Shop on the French King Highway involving a gray 2010 Toyota RAV4. Report issued.2:02 p.m. — Attempted hit and run reported at Dollar Tree on the Mohawk Trail involving a gray 2005...