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By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Moments before a Danvers resident appeared ready to end his own life on the morning of Jan. 1, a Shutesbury police sergeant located the man’s vehicle parked off Route 202 and engaged in a conversation that convinced him to remain alive, and then be brought to a hospital for needed physical and mental help.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — University of Massachusetts officials acted reasonably and prudently in breaking up pro-Gaza encampments on campus last spring, but different enforcement tactics might have cut down on the number of arrests, as well as reduced the fraying of trust between students, faculty and staff and the UMass administration, according to an independent review released last week.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A University of Massachusetts campus organization pushing for more socially responsible investments by the UMass Foundation, manager of the university’s endowment, is claiming a small win after the nonprofit made a commitment to invest in fossil fuel-free funds.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A 500-acre section of forested land connected to Mount Toby in Sunderland, west of Route 63, is being returned to the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band as a gift from W.D. Cowls Inc.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A New Hampshire timber company has closed on a massive land buy of nearly 2,400 acres in seven communities in Hampshire and Franklin counties, acquiring five parcels for more than $20 million from Amherst-based W.D. Cowls Inc.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — A lawyer whose earlier professional life included covering land-use boards as a news reporter will be joining the town’s Conservation Commission, despite objections from some residents that the appointment could create complications for...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

WESTFIELD — A U.S. Department of Defense decision to assign at least 18 latest generation Air Force fighter jets to the Barnes Air National Guard Base is an indication of how state legislation supporting service members and military families benefits...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Expectant mothers prescribed medication for substance use disorders can seek prenatal care without risk of being reported to the state’s Department of Children and Families, under the omnibus opioid bill signed into law this week.That...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — A giant wooden cake with hundreds of electric candles, serving as a centerpiece of anniversary celebrations in several area communities, is on its way to another part of Massachusetts.The ceremonial 16-foot tall, 26-foot wide and 1-ton...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Residents, town officials and the legislative delegation are raising concerns about a proposed forest management plan for land at the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir that could involve removing many tall white pines using large equipment...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Already facing a possible $1.26 million deficit in next year’s $37.54 million operating budget for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, officials from the four member towns are divided on the best approach for both closing that gap and...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Kestrel Land Trust is permanently protecting a forest featuring more than 200 acres of white pine and mixed hardwoods on Montague Road, where a centuries-old dam was removed over the summer.A $327,000 grant from the Executive Office of...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — Leverett residents are asking town officials to be skeptical of plans for turning the sprawling, 60-acre estate of Yankee Candle founder Michael J. Kittredge II into a 400-home development reserved for people 55-and-over, even if a portion...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — A general town bylaw creating a licensing process for large-scale battery storage in Shutesbury has been struck down by the state Attorney General’s Office, for both unreasonably regulating renewable energy and improperly regulating...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Appealing to the state Legislature to allow noncitizens who live in Shutesbury the right vote in local elections, becoming a pollinator-friendly town and providing some money to rebuild the Amherst-Pelham Regional High School track will...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Outside a new yoga studio, massage therapy center and meditation space is a busy parking lot, with people bustling into neighboring stores and restaurants to buy groceries, pick up prescriptions or get a meal.Within the confines of Resonance Hot Yoga...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — In preparation for a change in presidential administrations at the federal level, international students, faculty and staff on University of Massachusetts immigration sponsorships, who may be traveling abroad during winter break, are being...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A $100 million fund to support the health and resilience of the Connecticut River watershed, including money that would go toward improving aging flood controls and dikes and upgrading water and sewer systems, is being sought by area...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — Late Yankee Candle founder Michael J. Kittredge II’s sprawling 60-acre estate could be in line for a $200 million development, featuring 400 owner-occupied homes for people 55 and over, with one-quarter of these homes deemed...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Massachusetts’ three resort casinos are largely having a positive impact on the economy, even as a downturn in business for restaurants and bars in and around Springfield may be attributed to the fact that visitors who are playing slot...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Continued efforts to increase the clean energy workforce for offshore wind and “climate tech” in general in Massachusetts are looking to Denmark as a possible model where, even with a smaller population than the Bay State, the wind energy...