Here are today's headlines:

HOLYOKE - Speaking at a virtual City Council meeting on March 2, Police Chief Manny Febo was upset. He accused councilors of "insulting" and "ridiculous" micromanagement."It's like you want to manage the police department," Febo said. "I don't think anyone here is qualified to manage the police depa...

Farming is in their blood: Brothers have kept Howes Family Farm humming through the years

CUMMINGTON - Since the 19th century, the Howes family has farmed land in town, a tradition that Kenneth "Trudge" Howes and Jerry Howes have continued for decades.During this time the brothers have gone from dairy farming, to raising heifers to selling hay. Yet, even in the face of changes and challe...

Fourth candidate emerges in Northampton mayoral race

NORTHAMPTON - A fourth mayoral candidate has stepped forward.Rosechana Gordon, a longtime Northampton resident with a background in social work, announced she is running for mayor."I'm a self-starter. A leader with unconventional wisdom," Gordon, 54, of Conz Street, said in an interview. "My persona...

Amherst registrars meeting again over complaint about Jones Library petition

AMHERST - With an Open Meeting Law complaint filed against the Board of Registrars still not resolved, the panel will meet again Thursday afternoon to discuss how to handle the matter.The board will meet at 2 p.m., its third meeting in the last week, to determine what to do with the complaint filed...

Lippiello pulls out of consideration for District Court

BOSTON - At the eleventh hour of her journey toward a judgeship, the president of the Hampshire County Bar Association asked Gov. Charlie Baker to pull her name from consideration and said she wanted to prioritize family matters over the bench.Lisa Lippiello, a Northampton-based defense attorney and...

Guest columnist Stuart Krantz: The importance of bike lanes

I've been a pedestrian/bike advocate all my life and ridden bicycles for about 64 years. I was riding US1 in Miami when it was six lanes and there were no bicycle lanes. (There still isn't. They put in a trail under the elevated light-rail. It would not be good for commuting because of the "wasted"...

Columnist Karen Gardner: Why is the Loser still loved?

I so wish I could say he is gone, and good riddance. But it's obvious to anyone paying attention that he's not, that he intends to wreak havoc wherever and whenever he can. He no longer has that top spot in the real world or in the nether world of social media, but he still rules over his fervent be...

Book Bag: 'Appointment with the Wise Old Dog' by David Blum; 'A Spiritual Journey of Hope and Healing' by Jacqueline Haskins Engel

Appointment with the Wise Old Dog by David BlumChiron Publications David Blum, who died in 1998 at age 62, was an internationally known conductor, composer, music scholar and writer who wrote about classical music for The New Yorker and other publications. The California native was noted for conduct...

H.S. Softball/Baseball: Morgan Ball leads Smith Vocational softball over Amherst

Morgan Ball went 4-for-5 including a three-run home run in the third inning, and the Smith Vocational softball team defeated Amherst 23-6 in six innings on the road Tuesday. She also doubled and scored four runs.Dalien Murdock had three hits including a lead off home run in the sixth and scored twic...