Here are today's headlines:

Baystate, Cooley Dickinson filled amid omicron surge

NORTHAMPTON - As COVID-19 cases continue to rise exponentially across the state, those who don't work in hospitals often view that wave of infections as just a line on a graph.For the workers and patients inside local hospitals, however, that graph translates into real-world hardships that can be di...

Icy roads make for messy morning commute

NORTHAMPTON - Numerous vehicles involved in fender-benders and traveling off roads marked the morning commute Wednesday as icy roads plagued the region.On Interstate 91 in Northampton, multiple crashes occurred in the southbound lanes, just past Exit 26 and in the vicinity of the Coca-Cola Bottling...

McGovern, Neal reflect on Jan. 6, warn of ongoing attacks on democratic rights

NORTHAMPTON - Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, was a firsthand witness to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election."It was a coup. An attempted coup. That almost succeeded," McGovern said....

Edwards Public Library expands its hours, on track for certification

SOUTHAMPTON - Edwards Public Library is starting the new year off with expanded hours.The library is now open 38 hours a week after voters unanimously approved an article at Southampton's December special Town Meeting to transfer $9,897 from the town's retirement account to fund the wage, utilities...

2021 Gazette Girls Volleyball Player of the Year: Jillian Apanell, Frontier

Jillian Apanell asked Pioneer Valley Juniors volleyball club director George Mulry for secrecy.The soon-to-be Frontier Regional junior had a goal that she wanted to stay between them. In hopes of moving from her middle hitter position to outside hitter for the Redhawks, Apanell sought to improve her...

Guest Columnist David Gottsegen: Pediatrician: The dangers of COVID for children are real

As a pediatrician who has cared for countless children with COVID-19 for the last two years, I agree with the title of John Montanari's letter in the Dec. 30 Gazette, that "COVID is driving us crazy," and that the tone of discussion about vaccines and mask mandates could be dialed down a notch.But...

Guest columnist David King: Perplexed by climate column

I am sure I wasn't the only reader who was perplexed at the recent column in the Gazette, "Another viewpoint on climate change," Bob Couch, Dec. 29. In it, the author cites a couple of authors who question the extent to which climate change exists, or is responsible for phenomena such as historicall...

Girls basketball: Easthampton relishing undefeated start (PHOTOS)

EASTHAMPTON - The Easthampton girls basketball team has come a long way since a 4-14 season just a few years ago. The Eagles are off to a blistering 7-0 start after besting Smith Academy in dominant fashion with a 55-18 win on Wednesday night. It's hard to find fault in any aspect of the Eagles' gam...