
Preschool pioneers: State’s early education commissioner shines spotlight on Northampton during ‘road show’ visit
NORTHAMPTON — Some of the most prominent people in early childhood education, including Amy Kershaw, commissioner of the state’s Department of Early Education and Care, descended on Northampton on Wednesday to fete the city’s status as a leader in the field.

Military, families honored at State House
NORTHAMPTON — Service, sacrifice, the commitment of veterans and active military service members from across Massachusetts and support from their families should always be recognized, says retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford.
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Sports

WMass D1 Track: Amherst girls edge out Northampton to take home Western Mass. championship (PHOTOS)
HOLYOKE — It came down to the wire, but the Amherst Regional girls outdoor track team clipped fellow Hampshire County counterpart Northampton to win the Western Massachusetts Division 1 Championship on Friday at Holyoke High School.

Opinion

Columnist Susan Wozniak: The life and death of a cookbook
It was 1976, an election year as well as the first year of my marriage. We were to live in an apartment complex. The apartments had two bedrooms, an overly large living room, a closet disguised as a kitchen and just enough space for a table for four adults. In other words, pretty much the opposite of what I would choose. I visited on a weekend three weeks before the wedding and suggested we look in a neighborhood established during the early years of the 20th century. “But my mother picked this out for us,” he said. “A place for the elderly,” I answered.



Your Daily Puzzles

An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."

A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.

Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.

Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.

Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business

Making News in Business, May 23
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College President George Timmons has joined Presidents for Latino Student Success, a group of college presidents and chancellors committed to making their campuses learning environments where Latino — and all — students thrive.




Arts & Life

Valley Bounty: A growing Good Bunch: Shelburne Falls farm remains optimistic for the future
“It’s usually around April 20 when I plant things in the field that can handle light frost,” says farmer Dan Greene of Good Bunch Farm. “Then there’s about a longer wait until the next big planting date in late May. By then the threat of frost is gone and you can finally plant all the warm-loving crops. After that, you really don’t have any time except for weeding and harvesting.”
Obituaries

Amherst , MA - Married to curiosity, wonder, creativity, social justice, and being a student of the world, Nancy Abdalla was a divine force. Everyone that met her felt changed by her. With her boisterous laugh, fierce independence, open... remainder of obit for Nancy Hinkel Florian Abdalla

Florence, MA - James (Jim) P. Spencer, mostly of Florence, MA died at home on May 20th after a prolonged illness. Jim accomplished a book full of things: Born in Northampton MA in 1945, Jim graduated from Northampton High School in... remainder of obit for James Spencer

Deborah "Dee Dee" Carpenter Niswonger Williamsburg, MA - Dee Dee Niswonger died April 10, 2025, at home with her family. Born to Olive Kimball Carpenter and Norman Carpenter in New York City, Dee Dee grew up in Dobbs Ferry, NY. She spen... remainder of obit for Deborah Carpenter Niswonger

Northampton, MA - Katherine P. Bolduc, born on August 3rd, 1947, in Northampton, Massachusetts, to Robert and Paula Lyons, passed on May 20th, 2025. Katherine grew up in Northampton, attending local schools before earning a degree i... remainder of obit for Katherine P. Bolduc