Here are today's headlines:

Local COVID-19 testing sites see multi-hour wait times as virus surges

HOLYOKE - This week, COVID-19 testing sites like Holyoke Community College's Stop the Spread site have been detecting more than the virus that causes COVID-19. With wait times surpassing the three-hour mark, testers are detecting a high level of patience.Lillian Romaniak left her home in West Spring...

Former state senator Ben Downing exits governor's race

NORTHAMPTON - Former state senator Ben Downing has called off his campaign for governor, citing a lack of funds."Unfortunately, we simply do not have the financial resources to continue," said Downing, in a statement Tuesday. "While it's painful to admit, that reality has brought this chapter to a...

UMass requiring booster shots for students, staff

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts system has announced that all 75,000 students and 18,000 employees across its five campuses will be required to receive a COVID-19 booster shot "in the coming months."The announcement comes after the UMass Amherst campus made a similar announcement earlier...

Frank Martínez López named executive director of Enlace de Familias in Holyoke

HOLYOKE - One of Holyoke's most prominent social service nonprofits has named a new executive director.On Tuesday, Enlace de Familias announced that on Jan. 1, Frank Martínez López will become the organization's next executive director. Martínez currently works at MassHire Holyoke but previously ser...

Girls basketball: Yamaya Perez, Holyoke shake off slow start to handle Palmer

PALMER – The Holyoke girls basketball team looked like it was lagging a step behind when it hit the floor against Palmer on Wednesday night. It had been nearly two weeks since the Purple Knights had seen game action, and it showed in their first quarter of play."We have not played a game in 13 days,...

Guest Columnist Patricia Greene: In praise of the dark

Until my recent move to Greenfield, I lived in the backwoods of New Hampshire on an off-grid solar homestead at the end of a dirt road. It made me appreciate many things, and the arrival of the dark cold time of the year was one of them.On a recent night it was below zero - again. It's been cloudy...

Speaking of Nature: The natural year in review

Well folks, we made it. There are just a few days left in 2021 and if you are anything like me you are thinking that this past year felt like three different years all wrapped up into one. It has been exhausting and I am very happy that I have this week off. I just need to close the front door of my...

UMass hockey notebook: Minutemen will be at full strength for Union series

The gift every UMass hockey fan wanted was waiting under the tree.All of the Minutemen's front line forwards injured during the first half of the season - sophomore Josh Lopina, senior Garrett Wait and juniors Cal Kiefiuk and Eric Faith - are "ready to roll" coach Greg Carvel said on Tuesday.Lopina...