Amherst
League of Women Voters book sale returns to Amherst this month
AMHERST — The longstanding giant book sale spearheaded by the League of Women Voters of Amherst is returning to the Fort River Elementary School at 70 S. East St. at the end of this month.
Cultural District working to bring back Amherst Arts Night
AMHERST — The Amherst Center Cultural District is looking for feedback from the community on bringing back Amherst Arts Night which ended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey is open to the public until July 29 and seeks information on previous arts nights and suggestions for its return.
Superintendent Herman meets residents during ‘Cuppa Joe’ event
AMHERST — On July 12, Town Manager Paul Bockelman was joined by Dr. Ericilda Xiomara Herman, the new superintendent of schools for the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, during its monthly “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” event.
Dickinson Museum named state’s number 1 celebrity pilgrimage site
AMHERST — An online poll has named the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst as the No. 1 celebrity pilgrimage site in Massachusetts, coming in ahead of the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston and in 10th place for the country.
MassTrails grant to explore mixed-use path from Whately to Amherst
Thanks to a recently awarded MassTrails grant, the town of Sunderland will soon begin exploration of a mixed-use path from Whately to Amherst.
Amherst BID searching for new executive director
AMHERST — The Amherst Business Improvement District, or BID, has launched a search for a new executive director and are looking for candidates that can provide dynamic and visionary leadership for a community they are passionate about and want to see continued growth and success in development.
Holyoke, Amherst receive federal funding for electric school buses
Electric school buses will soon start phasing into Western Massachusetts roads after Holyoke and Amherst were two of 17 districts in the state to be awarded portions of $42 million in federal funding that will enable districts to replace fossil-fueled school buses with cleaner electric models.
Amherst Planning Board discusses overlay district for University Drive
AMHERST — After many months of discussion, the Planning Board is on the verge of officially submitting its recommendation for an overlay district on University Drive between Amity Street and Northampton Road.
Western Mass. senators push priorities in budget debate
Following a vigorous May 23 debate session, the nearly $60 billion budget reached unanimous approval by the Massachusetts state Senate. Members adopted more than 400 of the 1,100 amendments filed, resulting in close to $90 million of additional spending with Western Massachusetts lawmakers maintaining the regions stake in funding.
Amherst town manager floats idea of using ARPA money for regional school budget
AMHERST — During the Finance Committee meeting on May 28, Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman floated the possibility of using $1 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools fiscal year 2025 budget.