Here are today's headlines:

Fyre Ants dispensary opens in old Easthampton Buick dealership

EASTHAMPTON - Cannabis consumers have access to another adult-use retail shop on Northampton Street as Fyre Ants has officially opened its doors in a former car dealership.The city's fifth cannabis retailer to open for business marked the occasion with a grand opening celebration Saturday, complete...

Public forum set for zoning changes in downtown Northampton and Florence Center

NORTHAMPTON - The Planning Board will host a public forum next week on proposed zoning changes in downtown Northampton and Florence Center that would allow for additional multifamily housing, expand the possible uses for existing and new buildings, and set architectural design and form standards tha...

Easthampton's Union Street on the verge of complete rebuild

EASTHAMPTON - One of the city's major thoroughfares is about to get a major overhaul.From a complete underground replacement of gas, sewer and water utilities to the installation of new handicapped-accessible sidewalks, Union Street will soon undergo an extensive facelift with an estimated price tag...

New director assessing Easthampton Media's role in community

EASTHAMPTON - Public access television has evolved significantly over the past few decades although much of the public's perception seems to have remained in the past. Jeff Mastroianni hopes to expand that mindset.Now three months into his role as Easthampton Media's new executive director, Mastroia...

H.S. Roundup: Amherst boys win 8th straight; Hampshire's Willard wins 100th match (PHOTOS)

After an 0-2 start to the season, no one has been able tame the Amherst boys basketball team.The Hurricanes racked up their eighth consecutive victory Saturday, dominating East Longmeadow to the tune of a 64-36 Suburban League South win in Amherst.After a slow first quarter, Amherst (8-2, 3-0) kicke...

Guest columnist Dan Rist: City Space and the future of Easthampton

As a member of Easthampton's City Council for 25 years, I begin this term with optimism for the future of Easthampton and its economic recovery from this pandemic nightmare. I've also chaired the Community Preservation Act Committee for the last few terms, and we have supported wonderful projects ov...

Book Bag: 'Vanishing Points' by Gary Metras; 'Continuing Education' by Lisa Colt

Vanishing Points by Gary Metras; Dos Madres Press Gary Metras, Easthampton's first poet laureate, has long made the natural world a central part of his poems, including the woods, fields and hills of the Valley. It's a place he's often celebrated, noting the change in seasons and his own love of the...

Hockey: Belchertown, Greenfield skate to 2-2 tie (PHOTOS)

AMHERST – Belchertown and Greenfield's draw resembled a Rorschach test for both hockey programs. Both could see what they wanted in the 2-2 Wright Division result Sunday at the Mullins Center Practice Arena.For the Orioles, it was a positive step in their second game back from a three-week COVID pau...