Here are today's headlines:

Skate park plans get some air in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON - The city may "kick-flip" its recreational offerings now that funding has been secured to design a skate park on Payson Avenue.For nearly three years, a group of skateboarders have been working to carve out a space in the city to create a public skate park. Through fundraising efforts...

Lawmakers press bill on funding police alternatives

NORTHAMPTON - State lawmakers in favor of alternatives to law enforcement are pushing for passage of the ACES Act, a bill before the Legislature's Public Safety and Homeland Security joint committee that would provide funding for new community-based unarmed response programs.Sen. Jo Comerford and Re...

Panel airing options for new Amherst elementary school

AMHERST - Where a new elementary school building should be built and what its education program will look like are among decisions looming for Amherst school officials in the coming months.As the Elementary School Building Committee continues to work with project architects DiNisco Design, the publi...

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...

Girls basketball: Hot-shooting Holyoke holds off Hampshire (PHOTOS)

HOLYOKE - Heading into Monday's contest against Hampshire Regional, the Holyoke girls basketball team was on a three-game skid and looking for anything that could get it trending in the right direction. The Purple Knights found the boost they needed, relying on their strong outside shooting in the...

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...

'Last Cuentista,' 'Unspeakable' win children's book awards

NEW YORK - Donna Barba Higuera's "The Last Cuentista," a post-apocalyptic tale of a young girl who must preserve the memory of Earth's history, has won the John Newbery Medal for the year's best children's book. Another story of memory was awarded the Randolph Caldecott Medal for outstanding childre...

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...