Here are today's headlines:

Area residents with Russia ties chime in on Putin, invasion

Area residents with close ties to Russia in Franklin and Hampshire counties are expressing great concern, but little shock, over President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade a sovereign Ukraine, causing widespread devastation and sparking Europe's largest refugee situation since World War II."It's...

Mount Holyoke names former dean interim president

SOUTH HADLEY - Mount Holyoke College has named a higher education veteran who is well-versed with the institution to be the college's interim president for the 2022-23 academic year.Beverly Daniel Tatum actually served as acting president of Mount Holyoke in 2002, and was also dean of the college fr...

From Coco to Calico: Restaurateurs, former employees relaunch famed eatery under new name

EASTHAMPTON - A shuttered Main Street restaurant that beckoned national attention has reopened its doors under a new name.Three former employees of Coco and The Cellar Bar and two area restaurateurs have relaunched the 95 Main St. hot spot under the new name, Calico."We're ready to get the family ba...

Feeling like a musical? Area high schools ready to entertain

As COVID restrictions continue to ease, high school performing arts groups across Hampshire County are offering an abundance of spring performances as annual traditions return to the stage.Here is a rundown of some of the shows coming in April.Hampshire Regional: 'Jane Eyre the Musical' The Hampshir...

Column: UMass AD Ryan Bamford gets his man in new coach Frank Martin

In the end, Ryan Bamford got his man.That hasn't always been the case during his tenure as athletic director at the University of Massachusetts - Pat Kelsey says hello - but you'd be hard-pressed to find a negative word written about the person Bamford ultimately secured to be the school's next men'...

Guest columnist Linda Terry: Reframing our thoughts about aging

As our towns have important discussions about sustaining a vibrant quality of life, considerations of the role for older adults are most often storied as a problem or an obstacle. Property tax overrides excessively burden the over 65 population. Reductions in bus routes further limit access to the...

Speaking of Nature by Bill Danielson: Someone is watching - return of the American kestrel

I'm not sure about you, but in the middle of the work week I just started to feel exhausted. Early mornings, long drives and sad self-made lunches can just take some of the fun out of life. Then there is the stop at the grocery store on the way home, which is one of those simple, mundane and excruci...

Package deal: Alumna Anya Martin back 'home' with husband Frank Martin taking over UMass basketball

AMHERST – Anya Martin didn't need to dust, yet she found herself cleaning behind the couch to eavesdrop.Her husband, new UMass men's basketball coach Frank Martin, was on the phone a lot, and she needed to find a way to listen. There's a rule in the Martin household: don't mention a job or job situa...