February 6, 2012
Capsized iceboat leads to search of Whately pond; no victims found
WHATELY - Massachusetts State Police are seeking information about an abandoned iceboat on a pond in Whately discovered Saturday afternoon. The discovery of the capsized craft led to an search which lasted for several hours and involved emergency personne
February 6, 2012
GOP race turns to Colorado, Minnesota
LAS VEGAS - Now it's on to Colorado, Minnesota and Maine. With back-to-back victories fueling him, Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney is looking toward the next states that hold GOP nominating contests as main rival Newt Gingrich brushes asi
February 6, 2012
Rivals running out of options after Mitt Romney's Nevada win
LAS VEGAS - Mitt Romney's big win in Nevada four days after his breakthrough victory in Florida spells big trouble for his remaining rivals. Simply put: Is there any way to stop Romney now? read mor
February 6, 2012
Mitt Romney rolls to easy win in Nevada caucuses
LAS VEGAS - Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney cruised to a decisive victory in the Nevada caucuses Saturday night, notching a second straight triumph over a field of rivals suddenly struggling to keep pace. read mor
February 6, 2012
Finding a financial adviser who’s a good fit
Local consumer experts cite two essentials that people in search of a financial planner should bear in mind before they sign one up: fees and fit. When it comes to the former, beware of free offers, warns Michele Morris, homeownership director for the Val
February 6, 2012
Two charged in alleged Childs Park drug deal
NORTHAMPTON - Police arrested two men following an alleged drug deal in Child's Park on Friday after receiving a tip about activity scheduled to take place there that afternoon. read mor
February 6, 2012
Minutemen withstand foul trouble for Terrell Vinson, Raphiael Putney
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Foul trouble for Terrell Vinson and Raphiael Putney has spelled trouble for the University of Massachusetts basketball team in recent games. So when the two Minutemen each picked up two fouls in the second half, there was reason for con
February 6, 2012
Easthampton helps family who lost home in January fire
EASTHAMPTON - A displaced family that lost almost all their possessions in a Jan. 22 fire has received more than $600 in assistance from city employees and residents. read mor
February 6, 2012
South Hadley plans to expand landfill
SOUTH HADLEY - Plans are under way to expand the town landfill onto a 13-acre parcel bordering the town's industrial park off New Ludlow Road, a move that could extend the life of the dump and generate cash for the town. read mor
February 6, 2012
Division 1 wrestling: Nate Kane of Amherst Regional earns second place
Amherst Regional's Nate Kane earned second place in the 138-pound weight class at the Western Massachusetts Division 1 individual wrestling tournament Saturday in Westfield. Kane lost to Central's Jonathan Viruet 12-0 in the title bout. read mor
February 3, 2012
Software extras ease do-it-yourself taxes
It's never been easier to prepare your own tax return. The software available for the 2012 tax season has been both expanded and made easier to use, making the annual chore quicker and reducing the chance of missing big deductions and tax credits. Whether
February 3, 2012
US Sen. Scott Brown embraces bipartisanship
BOSTON - During the 2010 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, then-candidate Scott Brown vowed to be the "41st" vote against President Barack Obama's sweeping health care overhaul. read mor
February 3, 2012
US stocks flat ahead of unemployment report
Investors coasted on Thursday, leaving stocks unchanged while they looked ahead to Friday for a major jobs report. U.S. government bonds hardly moved, and neither did European stocks. read mor
February 3, 2012
Amherst school board seat attracts nine candidates
AMHERST - A senior at Amherst Regional High School, the head of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts and longtime activist Vincent O'Connor have joined six other residents in seeking to serve for the next two months on the Amherst Scho
February 3, 2012
Facebook surrenders its privacy in IPO documents
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Facebook is baring its business soul. The unveiling came late Wednesday when the company that depends on people to share their lives online filed its plans to raise $5 billion in an initial public offering of stock. It's a revelatory
February 3, 2012
Donald Trump endorses Mitt Romney after a puzzling day in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS - With his trademark flair for spectacle, Donald Trump endorsed Mitt Romney for president Thursday on the famed Las Vegas strip - just hours after Newt Gingrich's advisers were spreading the word that The Donald would be anointing him instead. r
February 3, 2012
Northampton City Council eyes future loss of trash revenue
NORTHAMPTON - The city's Public Works chief assured the City Council Thursday night that there is enough money to cover the costs associated with the pending closure of its landfill. "We're trying to ensure to the community that existing debt service
February 3, 2012
Having it all: Modern, cozy, indoor-outdoor living
By LISA BOONE Los Angeles Times Megan Schoenbachler is distracted. While giving a tour of her family's Marmol Radziner-designed house in Venice, Calif., she notices the light and the angle from the second-floor master bathroom, looking over the courtyard
February 3, 2012
Billionaire Donald Trump inserts himself into GOP contest, again
LAS VEGAS - For an event so politically fraught, it flashed by in what seemed like a New York minute. Donald Trump endorsed Mitt Romney for president Thursday in a brief joint appearance at Trump's Las Vegas hotel, an occasion more notable for its odd bre
February 3, 2012
Amherst, UMass police preparing for Super Bowl Sunday
Two weeks of hype leading up to the Super Bowl, which this year includes talk of revenge for the New England Patriots against the New York Giants team that kept them from an undefeated season four years ago, helps to fuel interest in the championship game
February 1, 2012
Stock indexes have best January since 1997
NEW YORK - It's the best start for stocks in 15 years. In what was mostly a slow and steady climb, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 3.4 percent in January and the Standard & Poor's 500 gained 4.4 percent, the best performances for both indexes to
February 1, 2012
Mitt Romney routs Newt Gingrich in Florida
TAMPA, Fla. - Mitt Romney routed Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary Tuesday night, rebounding smartly from an earlier defeat and taking a major step toward the Republican presidential nomination. Gingrich vowed to press on despite the one-sided setback
February 1, 2012
Five seek vacant seat on Amherst school board
AMHERST - Five residents have expressed an interest in filling the seat on the Amherst School Committee that was left vacant when Steve Rivkin resigned in December. read mor
February 1, 2012
UMass, Rhode Island men's basketball teams riding momentum
AMHERST - Both the University of Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be trying to build off the momentum of their best wins of the season when they meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the Ryan Center in Kingston, R.I. read mor
February 1, 2012
Colorado and potentially Wisconsin in UMass football's future
The University of Massachusetts football program is about to announce a football series with one marquee opponent and a game with another could be on the horizon. According to a source close to UMass, the Minutemen are expected to announce shortly that th
February 1, 2012
Facebook set to go public, in its own way
NEW YORK - Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg turns up at business conventions in a hoodie. "Cocky" is the word used to describe him most often, after "billionaire." He was Time's person of the year at 26. So when he takes Facebook publi
February 1, 2012
Easthampton High students show their mettle in statewide civics contest
EASTHAMPTON — Preparing for a statewide civics competition in Boston last weekend, Easthampton High School sophomore Willow Ross kept hoping she’d be asked about the Republican presidential candidates. "I watched all of the debates," said Ro
February 1, 2012
President Obama highlights auto industry success story
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama hailed the rebound of the U.S. auto industry on Tuesday, trumpeting an economic story he hopes to use to his political advantage in key Rust Belt states such as Michigan and Ohio. read mor
February 1, 2012
Eurozone unemployment ends 2011 at record high
BRUSSELS (AP) - Unemployment in the 17-nation eurozone ended 2011 at 10.4 percent, a new record high for the single currency since its launch at the start of 1999, official figures showed today. Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, said the rate in Decem
February 1, 2012
Police explain use of 'robo-call' Monday to Northampton residents
NORTHAMPTON - Some city residents were unsettled by a late-night automated phone call Monday from the police department about a missing 18-year-old who was found shortly afterwards near his home on Ryan Road. read mor
January 30, 2012
US Sen. Scott Brown releases military service record
BOSTON - U.S. Sen. Scott Brown released his military service record Saturday documenting the more than three decades he has served in the Army National Guard. The records include his promotions, awards and officer evaluation reports, which offer high prai
January 30, 2012
Largest Mullins Center crowd since 2007 sees Minutemen beat Billikens
AMHERST - When Saturday's game ended, University of Massachusetts men's basketball coach Derek Kellogg went to the far sideline for his postgame radio interview that is broadcast over the Mullins Center public address system. With many of the 8,399 fans s
January 30, 2012
School Superintendent Gus Sayer says his retirement is for real this time
SOUTH HADLEY - Asked why he decided to retire as the town's school superintendent, Gus Sayer paused for a moment, then said, "I'm quite old." "The bottom line is, I've been doing this for 45 years," said the 69-year-old educator. "
January 30, 2012
B2B ID: Ted Barber, founder of Prosperity Candle in Florence
NAME: Ted Barber JOB TITLE, COMPANY: Founder, Prosperity Candle, Florence WEBSITE: www.prosperitycandle.com AGE: 44 WHEN THE BUSINESS STARTED: Began thinking about it in 2004, talked about it in 2006, conceived it in 2008, launched the pilot in Iraq in 2
January 30, 2012
iPhone, iPad app rewards being a couch potato
LOS ANGELES - Want to earn stuff by watching TV? There's a free app for that. When you tap the screen, Viggle's software for iPhones and iPads listens to what's on, recognizes what you're watching and gives you credit at roughly two points per minute. It
January 30, 2012
Viola Davis, Jean Dujardin honored at Screen Actors Guild Awards
LOS ANGELES - Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were the maids of honor at Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards, where their Deep South drama "The Help" won them acting prizes and earned the trophy for overall cast performance. read mor
January 30, 2012
Mitt Romney opens double-digit lead in Florida polls
ORLANDO, Fla. - Mitt Romney opened a commanding lead in Florida Sunday, driving his rivals to start shifting their sights to other states as more suitable battlegrounds to keep challenging him for the Republican presidential nomination. read mor
January 30, 2012
Former St. Mary of the Assumption Church members file new appeal
NORTHAMPTON - Members of the former St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Northampton will press on in an effort to reopen their Elm Street institution, two years after its final service. read mor
January 30, 2012
Time short for Newt Gingrich to close gap with Mitt Romney in Florida
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. - Newt Gingrich slammed GOP rival Mitt Romney on Sunday for the steady stream of attacks he likened to "carpet-bombing," trying to cut into the resurgent front-runner's lead in Florida in the dwindling hours before Tuesday's
January 30, 2012
Amherst Town Manager John Musante named PVTA board chairman
AMHERST - Public transportation is vital to getting workers to their jobs, students to their classes and serving to reduce congestion on area roads, says Town Manager John Musante. As an advocate for services provided by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authori
January 30, 2012
Newt Gingrich makes play for evangelicals, tea partiers
LUTZ, Fla. - Facing the possibility of a stinging defeat, Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich combined sharp attacks on Mitt Romney with unspoken appeals for support among the state's evangelicals on Sunday, two days before the pivotal Florida
January 30, 2012
Profile subjects sought for February business section
On Feb. 27, the Gazette will publish a special section profiling people who are new to Valley business or are established business people doing dramatically new things. The section is the concluding installment of Pioneer Valley Business 2012, which will
January 28, 2012
Orange crush: Get to know and love citrus
By SUSAN M. SELASKY Detroit Free Press Orange you glad it's January? If you eat and shop for food in season, check out the citrus aisle. Now is peak time for oranges, and most stores are loaded with them. Not only is the fruit a bright spot in winter, it
January 28, 2012
Genevieve Keller, clerk magistrate
EASTHAMPTON - Genevieve Pauline (Lapointe) Keller, 83, of Teaberry Lane, passed away on Jan. 24, 2012, at Overlook at Northampton in Leeds. She was born in Easthampton, the daughter of the late Archie and Marie (Boulanger) Lapointe. read mor
January 28, 2012
Editorial: The longest election
Since November, people in Shutesbury have made their way through an electoral thicket. They've learned how hard it can be to make a decision without dividing a community. Three months in, it isn't over yet. People on both sides of a question whether to bu
January 28, 2012
Twitter's censorship plan rouses global furor
NEW YORK - Twitter, a tool of choice for dissidents and activists around the world, found itself the target of global outrage Friday after unveiling plans to allow country-specific censorship of tweets that might break local laws. read mor
January 28, 2012
Report: Mass. economic growth slows in 4th quarter
BOSTON - The Massachusetts economy grew at a slower clip than that of the U.S. during the final three months of last year, marking the first time in six quarters that the state's growth failed to outpace the nation's, according to a new report. read mor
January 28, 2012
UMass hockey outplayed by Lowell, suffers first loss at Mullins Center
AMHERST - The return of student fans to the Mullins Center wasn't enough to save the University of Massachusetts hockey team's home streak. The Minutemen entered the game as the nation's only undefeated team at home, but UMass-Lowell scored three unanswer
January 28, 2012
Manly confections: Cupcakes fit for the Super Bowl
By ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press These are not your girlfriend's cupcakes. There is no frilly pastel frosting piped on top. They are not delicate. They are not pretty. They are big, bold, manly and totally down for a Super Bowl spread. read mor
January 28, 2012
Charles Sadoski, proud veteran, family man
SOUTH DEERFIELD - Charles Frank Sadoski II, 90, of 342 River Road, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Hampshire County Dialysis Center in Northampton. Charles was born July 29, 1921, in South Deerfield at the family farm, the son of the late Charles and Jul
January 28, 2012
Clare Higgins: Beyond 'food stamp' buzzwords
NORTHAMPTON - I have been glued to the coverage of the Republican primary debates over the last few weeks. It has been fascinating to watch the candidates try to differentiate themselves from each other by coming up with even more new and exciting ways to
January 28, 2012
Vt. Yankee refuses call for more tests in well
MONTPELIER, Vt. - The Vermont Yankee nuclear plant once again is refusing the state's request that it conduct more tests for radioactive tritium in a former drinking water well on the plant grounds. read mor
January 28, 2012
GOP insiders rise up to cut Gingrich down to size
ORLANDO, Fla. - Republican insiders are rising up to cut Newt Gingrich down to size, testament to the GOP establishment's fear that the mercurial candidate could lead the party to disaster this fall. read mor
January 28, 2012
UMass basketball game plans for Saint Louis' unique style
AMHERST - The preparation has changed from game to game.Against Duquesne on Jan. 18, the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team had to be ready for an opponent that wanted to push the tempo, run and press almost as much as the Minutemen do. Thr
January 28, 2012
Barbara Parker, devoted caretaker
HANOVER, N.H. - Barbara Anne (Helstowski) (Banford) Parker, 67, died Jan. 19, 2012, with her family by her side at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, N.H. Barbara was born June 28, 1944, in Brattleboro, Vt., to Edward G. and Eleanor D. "D
January 28, 2012
Roundup: Hampshire girls basketball holds on for big win
The Hampshire Regional girls basketball team held on for an important 49-43 win Friday night at Belchertown as it attempts to qualify for the postseason. Sarah Kober had 13 points and 19 rebounds, while Anna Dziok added 11 points for the Raiders (6-7, 3-1
January 28, 2012
Alyssa Klepacki hits 1,000-point milestone for Smith Academy
HATFIELD - For all the double and triple teams Alyssa Klepacki has seen this season, her 1,000th point came on one of the most wide open shots she's ever had. The Greenfield defense lost the Smith Academy girls basketball senior center for a moment on the
January 28, 2012
AMHERST - Shirley J. (Sanders) Moores, 81, a lifelong resident of South Amherst, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst. read mor
January 28, 2012
Patriot offensive line preparing to keep Tom Brady upright
FOXBOROUGH - Tom Brady felt the power of the New York Giants' pass rushers when he was sacked five times in their first Super Bowl confrontation. read mor
January 28, 2012
NORTHAMPTON - Services for Steven Kunda, who passed away Jan. 12, will be held Sunday, Jan. 29, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Ahearn Funeral Home, 783 Bridge Road, Northampton.
January 28, 2012
Roundup: Smith Voke boys basketball within a win of postseason berth
Smith Vocational 54, Westfield Voke 50 - Allan Rivera had 20 points, while Jordan Castillo chipped in with 14 and Sam Sharpe added 11 as the Vikings (8-2, 5-2 Tri-County) won on the road Friday. Smith pulled within a victory of qualifying for the postseas
January 28, 2012
Roundup: Amherst swimming beats Holyoke Catholic
The Amherst Regional girls swimming team won two events, but outpointed Holyoke Catholic 91-85 at Chicopee High School Friday. Joslyn Sullivan won the 500 freestyle (5 minutes, 45.03 seconds) and the Hurricanes team of Emma Thibault, Sullivan, Corey Gerbe
January 27, 2012
Dow opens near post-crisis peak but ends lower
A brief morning rally Thursday pushed the Dow Jones industrial average above its highest close since the financial crisis of 2008, but disappointing economic data tempered traders' optimism later in the day, and stocks finished lower. read mor
January 27, 2012
Community college consolidation proposal questioned
GREENFIELD - Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal for centralizing the state's community college administration is causing some concern among local officials. read mor
January 27, 2012
Minutemen, Lowell meet in home-and-home hockey series
AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts hockey team will try to extend one streak and end another when it begins a home-and-home series with UMass-Lowell tonight at the Mullins Center. The teams will play Saturday at Tsongas Arena. Both games are at 7 p
January 27, 2012
Mitt Romney the aggressor in final Florida debate
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - An aggressive Mitt Romney repeatedly challenged Republican rival Newt Gingrich Thursday night in the final debate before next week's critical Florida primary, demanding an apology for an ad saying he harbors anti-immigrant sentiments
January 27, 2012
President Obama courts Latino vote on economic tour
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - President Barack Obama is courting Hispanics in politically important states, setting himself up as a champion of the crucial Latino voting bloc and as a foil to Republican candidates fighting for a share of support from th
January 27, 2012
Rise in number of people seeking unemployment benefits
WASHINGTON - The number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to a seasonally adjusted 377,000, up from a nearly four-year low the previous week. But the longer-term trend is pointing to a healthier job market. read mor
January 27, 2012
Friction between President Obama, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer evident on tarmac
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says she meant no disrespect when she pointed a finger at President Barack Obama during an intense discussion on an airport tarmac. But the Republican governor says the Democratic president showed disrespect for h
January 27, 2012
Column by Clare Higgins debuts Saturday
On Saturday, the Gazette's Opinion page adds former Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins as a regular columnist. In her debut column, Higgins examines the background and current use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP, as it is known, has be
January 27, 2012
Federal government says taxpayers still owed $133 billion from bailout
WASHINGTON (AP) - Companies that were bailed out during the financial crisis still owe U.S. taxpayers nearly $133 billion. Treasury's plans to recoup that money have been slowed by the volatile stock market and weakness among smaller banks. Some of the mo
January 25, 2012
UK could send military assets to Strait of Hormuz
LONDON (AP) - Britain could send further military assets to the Strait of Hormuz to deter any attempt by Iran to block Persian Gulf oil tanker traffic.
January 25, 2012
Greece hopeful of debt deal despite interest cap
BRUSSELS (AP) - Greece is still hopeful that it will be able to reach a deal with private bondholders to cut its massive debt.
January 25, 2012
'Hugo,' 'Artist' lead nominations for Oscars
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - American master Martin Scorsese journeyed to France, putting Hollywood's newest technology to work for his dazzling 3-D re-creation of 1930s Paris in "Hugo." French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius came to America, reviving
January 25, 2012
Stocks mixed over worries about Greece, earnings
NEW YORK - Investors on Wall Street fretted Tuesday that a deal to keep Greece from triggering a financial crisis might fall apart, and a slew of corporate earnings reports at home didn't make them feel much better. read mor
January 25, 2012
Amherst superintendent gets positive review
AMHERST - Superintendent Maria Geryk has received a positive evaluation from the Regional School Committee, with none of the dissension that marked her selection a year ago. read mor
January 25, 2012
Democrats to hold caucuses in February
Democrats will hold caucuses in their communities during February to elect delegates and alternates to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on June 2, where a candidate for U.S. Senate is expected to be endorsed.
January 25, 2012
John Robinson of Springfield commits to UMass football
New University of Massachusetts football coach Charley Molnar's latest recruit will have the shortest trip to campus of all his current commitments. Springfield native John Robinson, who played linebacker and running back at Worcester Academy this year, c
January 25, 2012
Apple doubles iPhone sales in fourth quarter
NEW YORK - After uncharacteristically tepid sales in the July-to-September quarter, Apple came back with a vengeance in the last three months of 2011, vastly exceeding analyst estimates and setting new records. read mor
January 25, 2012
John Sheirer: Ron Paul not the go-to liberal?
NORTHAMPTON - The supposed liberal dissatisfaction with President Obama has been greatly exaggerated in the mainstream media. Unfortunately, that exaggeration has led to speculation that Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Paul could be an alternative candidate for
January 25, 2012
South Hadley names Christine Sweklo interim superintendent
SOUTH HADLEY - Assistant Superintendent Christine Sweklo will head the public schools starting Feb. 1, when Superintendent Gus Sayer retires. The School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Sweklo, who works side-by-side with Sayer in the superi
January 25, 2012
Hopkins girls basketball moves into first with win over Smith Academy
The Hopkins Academy girls basketball team completed its season sweep against rival Smith Academy and moved into first place with a 59-41 win at home Tuesday night. After a close first two quarters, the Golden Hawks (9-4, 9-2 Franklin South) used their ful
January 25, 2012
South Hadley to ask personnel officer to lead town after administrator quits
SOUTH HADLEY - After Town Administrator Paul Beecher's abrupt resignation on Friday, the Select Board decided Tuesday to ask the town's personnel officer to step in as acting administrator. Members of the board were closemouthed Tuesday about the reasons
January 25, 2012
War of words over Greek debt heats up
ZURICH - The war of words between Europe and private investors heated up Tuesday as talks to reduce Greece's massive debt burden hit an impasse. read mor
January 24, 2012
Mitt Romney paid $3 million in federal income taxes in 2010
TAMPA, Fla. - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney paid about $3 million in federal income taxes in 2010, having earned more than seven times that from his investments. Those earnings, $21.7 million, put him among the wealthiest of American taxpa
January 24, 2012
John Engel: What a father needs - Love, support ... Google?
At 11:15 p.m. I am rocked out of bed by our Jetta wagon's blaring security alarm. I stumble into the kitchen, my wife and kids apparently oblivious to the noise. I know the locked car in the locked attached garage is in no danger of theft. I grab the key
January 24, 2012
Massachusetts US Senate candidates agree to curb attack ads
BOSTON - Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and his chief Democratic rival, Elizabeth Warren, have signed a pledge to curb political attack ads by outside groups in their Massachusetts Senate race. Under the terms of the deal, each campaign would agree to d
January 24, 2012
Stocks end mixed as Greece negotiates to cut debt
NEW YORK - The S&P 500 index eked out a tiny gain Monday while traders kept an eye on talks in Europe to cut Greece's crushing debt load and prevent a global financial crisis. Other indexes ended slightly lower. The S&P added 0.62 of a point to cl
January 24, 2012
Newbery, Caldecott winners announced
NEW YORK - Jack Gantos' "Dead End in Norvelt" has won the John Newbery Medal for the best children's book of 2011. Chris Raschka's "A Ball for Daisy" won the Randolph Caldecott award for best illustrated story. read mor
January 24, 2012
Editorial: Amherst's banner day
The headlines sum up the progress on one of Amherst's ongoing projects: "Amherst keeps plugging away on its first-ever town flag" (December 2010) and "Amherst gets bogged down over town flag" (March 2011). Monday, the Select Board vote
January 24, 2012
Northampton boys basketball rallies to beat Longmeadow
The Northampton boys basketball team held Longmeadow to 11 points in the final 11 minutes to pull out a 50-45 victory Monday in Northampton. read mor
January 24, 2012
Big banks eye changes to settle suit
WASHINGTON - The nation's five largest mortgage lenders have agreed to overhaul their industry after deceptive foreclosure practices drove homeowners out of their homes, government officials said Monday. A draft settlement between the banks and U.S. stat
January 24, 2012
Don Catlin: Consider the casino tourist
AMHERST - Since the Legislature approved casino gaming and Gov. Deval Patrick signed it into law, there has been a lot of posturing by proponents using phrases like increased revenue, job creation and "keep the money in Massachusetts." Guess who
January 23, 2012
Chesterfield sculptor aids Springfield revitalization
SPRINGFIELD - One afternoon last week, a man got up from his chair outside the downtown Springfield offices of the Internal Revenue Service, tucked his accordion-style file folder under his arm and walked a few feet to a large assemblage of rusted metal a
January 23, 2012
B2B ID: Ruth Griggs of RC Communications in Northampton
Name: Ruth Griggs Job title, company: Principal, RC Communications, Northampton Age: 57 read mor
January 23, 2012
Mitt Romney still has strong organization, money
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Republican presidential nomination race is momentarily in turmoil. But Mitt Romney, who long ago prepared for a long, methodical slog, is still in strong shape. read mor
January 23, 2012
Rashida Jones unveils her rom-com at Sundance
PARK CITY, Utah - Rashida Jones was almost upstaged by her famous father, Quincy Jones, at the Sundance premiere of her film, "Celeste and Jesse Forever," but the actress and screenwriter didn't mind. read mor
January 23, 2012
Mitt Romney to release tax returns as he tries to right campaign
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Mitt Romney is pressing reset. After a crushing loss to Newt Gingrich in South Carolina, the former Massachusetts governor made clear Sunday that he plans to attack his chief rival's character, release his tax returns this week and tr
January 23, 2012
Nora Turriago: I learned to live, really live, without a cellphone
AMHERST - There are those who, at the mere whisper of the word cellphone, will be quick to shrivel their noses and shake their heads, dismayed at the increasing importance bestowed upon these devices. read mor
January 23, 2012
Northampton girls indoor track wins high jump relay at state Division 3 meet
Adrienne Pascucci, Leah Tompkins and Mariel Lutz combined to high jump 14-feet, 6-inches and place first at the State Division 3 Relays at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston Sunday. Pascucci was the last jumper and cleared 5-1 with her final attempt. The t
January 23, 2012
Northampton mayoral win cost David Narkewicz nearly $55,000
NORTHAMPTON - Newly elected Mayor David J. Narkewicz spent nearly $55,000 during last year's campaign, a figure that almost mirrors the amount of money spent by former Mayor Clare Higgins in her final r-election campaign in 2009, also against Michael R. B
January 23, 2012
Alleged theft of roses leads to arrests of three men after chase near I-91
NORTHAMPTON - Police arrested three Holyoke men on a slew of charges Saturday, one whom they pepper-sprayed after he became uncooperative during a traffic stop on Interstate Route 91 south. read mor
January 23, 2012
Northampton girls basketball crushes Westfield
Samantha Barnes led all scorers with 19 points as Northampton girls basketball cruised to an easy 74-29 win over Westfield Saturday. Barnes also had 14 rebound, while Anna Walther had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils (8-3). Susan Bell had 15
January 23, 2012
Amherst Regional hockey edges Easthampton
Corey Deres scored two goals, including the game winner, as the Amherst Regional hockey team beat Easthampton 4-3 Saturday at Orr Rink in Amherst. Deres also added two assists for the Hurricanes (4-6-1, 1-1 Fay). Joseph Gazaille and Jason Sloat each score
January 20, 2012
Popular file-sharing website Megaupload shut down
McLEAN, Va. - One of the world's most popular file-sharing sites was shuttered Thursday, and its founder and several company officials were accused of facilitating millions of illegal downloads of films, music and other content. read mor
January 20, 2012
US Sen. Scott Brown kicks off campaign re-election bid
WORCESTER - U.S. Sen. Scott Brown officially kicked off his re-election campaign Thursday, casting his chief Democratic opponent Elizabeth Warren as an ideologue and pledging to be an independent voice in a deeply partisan Congress. read mor
January 20, 2012
Stocks add to steady January climb
NEW YORK - Strong corporate earnings reports and the lowest unemployment claims in almost four years gave investors more reasons Thursday to take risks on stocks, and the market continued its quiet but solid January climb. read mor
January 20, 2012
UMass hopes to climb Hockey East standings against Vermont
AMHERST - There won't likely be as much attention on this hockey matchup between the Universities of Massachusetts and Vermont as there was on the last one. But in terms of the Hockey East standings, Friday's 7 p.m. game at the Mullins Center means every
January 20, 2012
Google Docs, the perfect bridesmaid
For do-most-of-it-yourself brides, wedding planning means lists, lists and more lists, with some spreadsheets thrown in for good measure. There are also the long, endlessly pored-over documents of vows, readings, even toasts. Did I mention lists? read m
January 20, 2012
Fewer layoffs, lower inflation give economy a lift
WASHINGTON - The economy is off to a fast start in 2012. The outlook for hiring has brightened as applications for unemployment benefits near a four-year low. Adding to the optimism, inflation remains low, business travel is up and the home market is sho
January 20, 2012
Fiery debate ends bizarre GOP campaign day in South Carolina
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The race for the Republican presidential nomination took a turn toward the South Carolina surreal Thursday as Rick Perry dropped out, Newt Gingrich faced stunning allegations from an ex-wife and Mitt Romney struggled to maintain a
January 20, 2012
Kodak files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Photography icon Eastman Kodak has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as it seeks to boost its cash position and stay in business. read mor
January 20, 2012
It's time for a fresh crop of gardening catalogs
Garden catalogs are more than pages and pages of pretty pictures for casual enjoyment. They inspire you to improve or reinvent your yard. They describe each plant down to the number of petals on the flowers or how the leaves are arranged on stems. They al
January 20, 2012
Rick Perry endorses Newt Gingrich who faces allegations by ex-wife
BEAUFORT, S.C. - In an up-and-down campaign day, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich picked up an endorsement Thursday from former rival Rick Perry but also faced explosive accusations from one of his former wives the he had asked her for perm
January 20, 2012
South Hadley boys basketball rolls over Holyoke Catholic
The South Hadley boys basketball team played tremendous man-to-man defense and pulled away from a four-point halftime lead to beat Holyoke Catholic 70-43 Thursday at Chicopee Academy. South Hadley (3-5) outscored the Gaels (2-7) 20-5 in the third and led
January 20, 2012
Hair-stylist's English cottage mixes tradition, glam
By LISA BOONE Los Angeles Times In the last five months, hair stylist Robert Vetica has traveled to San Francisco, New York, Mexico City, Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro, working with actresses Cate Blanchett, Jessica Simpson, Naomi Watts and Hilary Swank.
January 18, 2012
Race crowded for Massachusetts 4th Congressional District
ATTLEBORO (AP) - The race for the newly redrawn 4th Massachusetts Congressional District is getting crowded. Republican Sean Bielat, who lost to Democratic U.S. Rep. Barney Frank in 2010, has jumped into the contest. He made the announcement official Tues
January 18, 2012
Wikipedia editors question site's planned blackout
NEW YORK - Can the world live without Wikipedia for a day? The planned shutdown of one of the Internet's most-visited sites is not sitting well with some of its volunteer editors, who say the protest of anti-piracy legislation could threaten the credibili
January 18, 2012
Amherst for first time allows out-of-town students in elementary grades
AMHERST - The Amherst School Committee for the first time voted Tuesday to allow children who live in other towns to attend its elementary schools. The schools will advertise their willingness to accept out-of-town students at the end of the month and sta
January 18, 2012
THE OLD FIREHOUSE: Michael Hoberman reads from and discusses his new book, "New Israel/New England: Jews and Puritans in Early America," Sunday, 2 p.m., 7 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield.
January 18, 2012
Margaret L. Couchon, bookkeeper
EASTHAMPTON - Margaret (Ledoux) Couchon, 91, formerly of Easthampton, passed away Jan. 12, 2012, at Mount St. Vincent Care Center in Holyoke. She was born Feb. 24, 1920, in Westhampton, the daughter of the late John and Rose Anna (Dauphinais) Ledoux. read
January 18, 2012
Xin Xin Tarren steps in to help Amherst girls basketball beat West Springfield
AMHERST - When Xin Xin Tarren heard teammate Victoria Stewart wasn't suiting up for Tuesday night's game against West Springfield, the Amherst Regional sophomore point guard knew she might see some extra time on the court. read mor
January 18, 2012
Mitt Romney says he pays federal taxes at 15 percent rate
FLORENCE, S.C. - His wealth and taxes suddenly a campaign focus, Mitt Romney said Tuesday he pays an effective federal tax rate of about 15 percent. That's far less than if his earnings were wages rather than gains from investments and dividends, and the
January 18, 2012
Workbook, CD by Sarah Pirtle take aim at school bullying
SHELBURNE - Sarah Pirtle of Shelburne Falls has been working with teachers and children's groups on bullying since the 1980s. But when she learned how 15-year-old Phoebe Prince of South Hadley was driven to suicide a few years ago, after harassment by cla
January 18, 2012
Brooke Darden, manager at Judie's Restaurant
AMHERST - Brooke A. Darden passed away quietly in the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at her home in Amherst after a long and remarkably brave struggle with cancer. read mor
January 18, 2012
When values go down, the tax rate goes up
So if my home drops in value, why don't my taxes go down? If only it worked that way. Property taxes are typically based on two pieces of information: a community's tax rate and the assessed value of a property. read mor
January 18, 2012
Hopkins girls basketball edges Athol
Emma Konieczny made 4-of-5 free throws in the closing minutes as Hopkins Academy knocked off Athol 53-51 in Hadley on Tuesday night. Konieczny shots came with under two minutes left to seal a nail biter between the Golden Hawks (7-4, 7-2 Franklin South) a
January 18, 2012
Mitt Romney tries to finesse tax issue
FLORENCE, S.C. - Mitt Romney tried Tuesday to defuse a growing controversy dogging his front-runner campaign for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination by saying that he "probably" pays a tax rate of 15 percent, far lower than the 35 percen
January 18, 2012
William Hazelett, psychologist, sports dad
PELHAM - After five months of illness, Dr. William Hazelett, 64, died in his Pelham home Jan. 15, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born in Punxsutawney, Pa., on Dec. 28, 1947. read mor
January 18, 2012
Some other ways to save on property taxes
In addition to abatements, Massachusetts cities and towns offer another form of property tax relief: exemptions. The exemptions vary by community, and applicants must own and occupy the property. Exemption requests are due at assessors' offices within th
January 18, 2012
Northampton girls indoor track and field tops Longmeadow, West Springfield
The Northampton girls indoor track and field team put its best lineup on the field and beat Longmeadow 49-46 Tuesday night at Smith College. The Blue Devils also beat West Springfield 91-4 in the third Pioneer League meet of the season. read mor
January 18, 2012
Newt Gingrich calls Mitt Romney, Bain Capital 'exploitive'
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Republican candidate Newt Gingrich on Tuesday leveled a forceful new attack on Mitt Romney, calling the GOP front-runner's former private equity firm "exploitive." read mor
January 18, 2012
State gaming chief urges casino owners to 'think big'
BOSTON - The head of the state's nascent gaming commission has some advice for would-be casino developers lining up to cash in on Massachusetts' new gambling law. Be creative. Think outside the box. read mor
January 18, 2012
Michael T. Hurley, formerly of Hatfield
NAPLES, Fla. - Michael T. Hurley, 50, passed away Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, following a battle with cancer. Formerly of Hatfield, he moved to Naples, Fla., from Claremont, N.H., several years ago. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joanne Guerrin Hurley,
January 17, 2012
L.L. Bean celebrates 100th anniversary with a boot on wheels
FREEPORT, Maine - Back in the days before retailers like Gap, J. Crew or American Outfitters, there were guys like L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch.
January 17, 2012
With flu season looming, still time to get inoculated
NORTHAMPTON - The flu hasn't had a significant impact in the area yet this winter, but health officials are still urging residents to get vaccinated against it.
January 17, 2012
Amherst school union ratifies two-year contract
AMHERST - About 550 school employees expect to see bigger paychecks next month after their union ratified a new two-year contract Thursday. The Regional School Committee has scheduled a special closed session tonight at 6:30 at Town Hall to vote on the co
January 17, 2012
Wikipedia going dark over anti-piracy bill
Wikipedia will black out the English language version of its website Wednesday to protest anti-piracy legislation under consideration in Congress, the foundation behind the popular community-based online encyclopedia said in a statement Monday night. read
January 17, 2012
Granby boys basketball falls at Hoophall Classic
The Granby boys basketball team couldn't keep up with St. Joseph's up-tempo offense and fell 66-52 at the Hoophall Classic at Springfield College Monday night. Corey Baker had 12 points to lead the Rams (6-3). Aaron Gaj added 10 points and 11 rebounds, wh
January 17, 2012
Zumba in, Pilates out: Top health and fitness trends for 2012
It's that time again. People all over the region woke up on Jan. 1 determined that 2012 will be the year they will finally [insert fitness goal here]. read mor
January 17, 2012
Norma Akamatsu: 10 years and counting
NORTHAMPTON - On Jan. 11, 2002, the first "enemy combatants" were brought to the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. On Jan. 23, 2009, newly inaugurated President Obama signed his first executive order closing the facility, which remains open
January 17, 2012
South Hadley, Greenfield hockey teams remain undefeated
Two undefeated hockey teams remained unbeaten with big wins Monday. South Hadley cruised to an 11-2 victory over Turners Falls to improve to 8-0-1 on the season. Greenfield, meanwhile, handed Easthampton a 7-0 defeat and is now 9-0-1. read mor
January 17, 2012
Hadley will owe departing school superintendent $90,000 to $100,000
HADLEY - The town will owe Superintendent of Schools Nicholas D. Young between $90,000 and $100,000 in compensation for unused vacation time when he leaves to take the same position in South Hadley later in 2012, the chairwoman of the Hadley School Commit
January 17, 2012
Northampton girls swimming splits three-way meet
Freshman Kerry Fleming and junior Miranda Wingfield each earned a victory and three second-place finishes as Northampton went 1-1 in a tough double dual meet against Wayland and Longmeadow at JFK Middle School on Tuesday. read mor
January 17, 2012
Fall-proof: Senior exercise classes boost balance, improve muscle mass
For seniors, staying strong and active doesn't just impact their health; it can also impact their safety. Ashlee Cancio-Bello, program coordinator for the Northampton Senior Center, said it's important for seniors to maintain a sense of balance, physicall
January 17, 2012
Northampton charter panel wants mayor to serve four years
NORTHAMPTON - A special committee overhauling the city's charter is poised to recommend a four-year mayoral term, rather than a two-year term as is the case now. read mor
January 16, 2012
City officials, developers dig in at site of I-91 professional park
NORTHAMPTON - Despite rain, sleet and snow, city officials gathered with private developers last Thursday to celebrate one of the city's more notable economic development projects. read mor
January 16, 2012
Consumer tips on monitoring, and moderating, health-care costs
NEW YORK - Few things make me feel as clueless as a bill from my doctor's office. I don't recognize the abbreviations or understand the jargon. I cant tell when I'm being charged too much. And there's no screen on the wall, at least not at my doctors off
January 16, 2012
Vondell Langston of Everett gives verbal commitment to UMass football
Vondell Langston of Everett reportedly has verbally committed to the University of Massachusetts football team, the start of what new coach Charley Molnar predicted last week would be an avalanche of commitments coming soon. Langston, a 6-foot-1, 210-pou
January 16, 2012
'Artist' and 'Descendants' score top Golden Globe wins
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - The black-and-white silent film "The Artist" led the Golden Globes with three wins Sunday at a show that spread Hollywood's love around among a broad range of films, including best drama recipient "The Descendants&qu
January 16, 2012
Seeking relief on cell phone tax pinch
People in Massachusetts, unhappy with unexpected amounts of sales tax when purchasing cell phones with a service contract, may have friends in an unexpected place: the state Legislature. read mor
January 16, 2012
UMass hockey, men's basketball undefeated at Mullins Center
AMHERST - Moments after the University of Massachusetts hockey team finished off its 4-0 win over No. 4-ranked Boston College on Friday night, the Mullins Center crew began to transform the arena from an ice rink to basketball gym. read mor
January 16, 2012
Grybko family adds third generation to Deerfield bus company
DEERFIELD - It all started with one yellow school bus and $500 in savings. Eighty-two-year-old Leonard Grybko Sr. recalls reading the local newspaper one morning in 1957 when he came across an advertisement that changed his life. "Deerfield was looki
January 16, 2012
Newt Gingrich disavows film attacking Mitt Romney's Bain years
WASHINGTON - It's become a case of the unsubstantiated vs. the discredited. Mitt Romney's never-supported boast to have created more than 100,000 jobs as a venture capitalist has been countered by an attack film so flawed that the Republican presidential
January 16, 2012
Rivals say split conservative vote in SC aids Mitt Romney
COLUMBIA, S.C. A splintered conservative vote in South Carolina could pave the way for Mitt Romney to win this weeks pivotal primary, some rivals said Sunday, acknowledging an outcome that prominent state lawmakers suggested could end the nomination fight
January 16, 2012
Brian Desrochers leads Belchertown hockey over Chicopee
Brian Desrochers scored a hat trick as the Belchertown hockey team beat Chicopee 9-1 in Holyoke on Saturday. Sean Kennedy (one assist) and Austin Duhaime each scored twice, while Alex Bachand (one goal, one assist), Keean Bell (one goal, one assist) and T
January 16, 2012
Business profile: Bruce Frankel, owner of SpitJack in Easthampton
Name: Bruce Frankel Job title, company: Owner: SpitJack, Easthampton Age: 59 When the business started: 2004 What you do: SpitJack is a retail business selling cooking equipment and accessories to the consumer. Our products are manufactured by us, bought
January 14, 2012
Deerfield man denies hunting while intoxicated
GREENFIELD - A Deerfield man faces charges of firing a weapon while drunk after police responded to an early morning report of shots being fired on Pine Nook Road in October. read mor
January 14, 2012
26 bald eagles counted in yearly state survey
WESTBOROUGH (AP) - Massachusetts wildlife officials say bad weather has caused experts and volunteers to spot only 26 bald eagles during the annual midwinter survey of the coast and major rivers, lakes and reservoirs. read mor
January 14, 2012
Amherst principal aims to resolve discipline gap to cut racial disparities in discipline
AMHERST - Latino and African-American students at the Amherst Regional Middle School are cited for behavior infractions more frequently than white students, according to data Principal Michael Hayes presented to the Regional School Committee this week. re
January 14, 2012
Tensions high, US warns Iran not to block shipping
WASHINGTON - Tensions rising by the day, the Obama administration said Friday it is warning Iran through public and private channels against any action that threatens the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf. read mor
January 14, 2012
Long live the cupcake! Tuck in to these 2012 food trends
By LISA ABRAHAM Akron Beacon Journal It's the time of year when all of the prognosticators put on their thinking caps, shuffle their tarot cards and try to predict what's in store for the food world in 2012. Often, these predictions have the accuracy rate
January 14, 2012
Hadley roof repair project advances
HADLEY - The Select Board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a $67,400 bid to replace a portion of the roof at the Senior Center. read mor
January 14, 2012
Russia space agency: 13-ton satellite may hit Indian Ocean
MOSCOW - A failed Russian Mars probe weighing 13.5 tons is most likely to strike earth somewhere in the Indian Ocean near Africa, officials at Russia's national space agency has said read mor
January 14, 2012
Songs in the key of King: Northampton students honor rights leader
NORTHAMPTON - It wouldn't be a birthday party without a lot of singing and dancing. That's what Noa Miller, a fifth grader at R.K. Finn Ryan Road School in Northampton, said she was thinking, as her class prepared a performance for the school's annual Mar
January 14, 2012
Easthampton moves to force retirement of injured police officer
EASTHAMPTON - A city police officer may be retired from the department against his wishes, according to city officials, after an injury he sustained while on duty has prevented him from working for over two years. read mor
January 14, 2012
Judge delays Edwards trial after doctor's letters filed
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Ex-presidential candidate John Edwards has a life-threatening heart condition that will require surgery next month, his doctor told a judge presiding over Edwards' upcoming court case over possible campaign violations. read mor
January 14, 2012
Area police news: Slick roads cause accidents
AMHERST - Five one-car accidents within a two-hour period Thursday beginning late morning are being attributed to slick road conditions caused by mixed precipitation. read mor
January 14, 2012
Belchertown swimmer Bryanna Veroneau breaks school record
In the Belchertown girls swimming and diving team's 123-47 victory over Monson Friday, Bryanna Veroneau broke teammate Ashley Chumbley's school record in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:32.84. Chumbley's previous mark of 5:36.93 was set in December of
January 13, 2012
For 46 years, Gordon Daniels has had his lens on the Valley
Gordon Daniels took his first photo for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in January 1966. The assignment was to get a shot of the newly elected Northampton City Council.
January 13, 2012
Amherst's new energy chief rolls up her sleeves
Amherst's streetlights could switch to energy-sipping light emitting diode (LED) technology if the town gets a state grant under the Green Communities Act.
January 13, 2012
Budget planning begins: No service cuts expected at town level
By SCOTT MERZBACH Staff Writer A municipal budget that preserves existing positions and programs, covers the salaries in settled union contracts and ensures the War Memorial Pool will reopen was scheduled to be unveiled by the town manager Friday afternoo
January 13, 2012
Candidates sought for elected offices in Amherst
Nomination forms for all 240 Town Meeting seats and town-wide elected positions are available at the town clerk's office. The ballots for the April 3 elections are expected to have an unusually long list of candidates as the town conducts its first electi
January 13, 2012
Hopkins girls basketball loses in overtime
Kate Sullivan's buzzer-beating 3-pointer forced overtime, but the Hopkins Academy girls basketball team fell in the extra period 44-41 to Easthampton at home Monday night. Mackenzie Sullivan scored a season-high 12 points along with five rebounds, while O
January 13, 2012
'Tinker Tailor' is a top-notch thriller
The most deliciously satisfying quality of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is hidden in plain sight: it is set in the 1970s. read mor
January 13, 2012
Acting building commissioner begins work in Amherst
David Waskiewicz, a building inspector for the town, began serving as acting building commissioner last week. Town manager John Musante said that Waskiewicz will be in the position until he hires a replacement for Bonnie Weeks, who left her job at the end
January 13, 2012
Frontier boys basketball nears tourney berth
The Frontier boys basketball team qualified for the postseason last year with a win in its very last regular season game. By this time next week, the Red Hawks could be postseason bound, and with a month left in the season to spare. read mor
January 13, 2012
Are we programmed to pack on the pounds?
When Cindy Baceski, 63, stepped on the scale last week at Curves, the Northampton gym where she works out almost every day, she discovered that she'd lost a half-pound since Thanksgiving - despite all the chances to gorge during the holidays. "That f
January 13, 2012
Amherst selects Moser design for town flag
By SCOTT MERZBACH Staff Writer A town flag designed by renowned Hatfield illustrator Barry Moser could soon be flying in the Great Fall of Flags at the statehouse in Boston. read mor
January 13, 2012
School choice slots added to Amherst secondary schools
The Amherst secondary schools will enroll 41 more students who don't live in the regional district next fall, and the elementary schools are likely to accept "school choice" students for the first time. read mor
January 13, 2012
TVs you can talk to; a new controller for Xbox
Talking to the TV is usually a sign of extreme agitation, mental instability or loneliness. LG Electronics is set to make it a more rational behavior this year, with a range of TVs that respond to speech. read mor
January 13, 2012
Elizabeth Warren paid nearly $430,000 teaching at Harvard
WASHINGTON - Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren was paid $429,981 as a Harvard law professor from 2010 to 2011 and got nearly $134,000 in consulting fees on legal cases in 2010. read mor
January 13, 2012
Stocks finish higher after oil prices drop
NEW YORK - A drop in oil prices and strong bond auctions in Europe drove stocks to a slightly higher close Thursday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose for the fourth straight day. read mor
January 13, 2012
Waste hauler cleans dump sites in Northampton, still owes $35,000
NORTHAMPTON - City officials say a waste-hauling firm that was operating without permits for nearly a year has cleaned up properties that were deemed illegal transfer stations and a public health nuisance. read mor
January 13, 2012
Nora M. Arbuckle, worked for October Co.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- Nora M. Arbuckle, 89, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, in Jacksonville, surrounded by her daughters Lynn and Noreen, who, along with the staff at Palm Garden nursing home, were her care
January 13, 2012
Like Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, we eagerly await the ruling of a Hampshire Superior Court judge related to the mayor's choice for city solicitor. Mayor Narkewicz needs the decision to know whether attorney Alan Seewald will be able to serve as the
January 13, 2012
UMass hockey opens critical stretch against fourth-ranked Boston College
AMHERST - There are no bells and whistles left for the University of Massachusetts hockey team. The nonconference slate, the trip to Florida, the game at Fenway Park are all in the rearview mirror. Tonight's game against fourth-ranked Boston College at 7
January 13, 2012
Mount Holyoke's Talcott Greenhouse getting the credit it deserves
The recent frigid weather has finally given gardeners and flower lovers a taste of real winter. As we peruse seed catalogs and study gardening books we yearn for a bit of color and fragrant flowers to brighten the dark days. read mor
January 13, 2012
Russian spacecraft turned space junk to crash soon
MOSCOW - A Russian spacecraft designed to burnish the nation's faded space glory in a mission to one of Mars' moons has turned into one of the heaviest, most toxic pieces of space junk ever. It will come crashing down to Earth in just a few days. read mor
January 13, 2012
Despite weak December, retailers have record 2011
WASHINGTON - America's retailers enjoyed a record 2011 and their first $400 billion sales months ever. But the final month of the year was a dud. Sales eked out a 0.1 percent increase in December, to a seasonally adjusted $400.6 billion. read mor
January 13, 2012
Republicans rally around Mitt Romney after attacks on jobs record
GREER, S.C. - An array of Republicans and conservatives - including some of Mitt Romney's sharpest critics - rushed to the GOP presidential front-runner's defense Thursday to counter efforts to paint the former venture capitalist as a job-killer. read mor
January 13, 2012
Northampton Conservation Commission delays Montview parcel decision
NORTHAMPTON - The Conservation Commission Thursday delayed a decision on whether to turn day-to-day management of a small piece of land in the Meadows Conservation Area over to a neighborhood coalition. read mor
January 13, 2012
Irene Cronin, librarian, historian
SOUTH HADLEY- Irene Cronin died suddenly on Jan. 2, 2012, at the age of 91. read mor
January 13, 2012
Hampshire boys basketball falls to Mahar in Hoophall Classic
The Hampshire Regional boys basketball team struggled in the first and third quarters and fell 69-43 to Mahar in its debut at the Spalding Hoophall Classic at Springfield College Thursday. read mor
January 13, 2012
Get Growing: Winter time is seed time
Winter hasn't truly arrived, but still it's time to think about spring planting. Local garden centers have racks and racks of tempting seeds and catalogs are arriving daily in the mail. For best selection, get organized soon and buy your seeds. read mor
January 13, 2012
John Paradis: Ending veteran homelessness
NORTHAMPTON - Malcolm started a new job this week with the city of Northampton. Robert is a student at Holyoke Community College and is a veterans' advocate in West Springfield. read mor
January 13, 2012
Check out stored bulbs, rhizomes, roots, corms, etc. of Canna, dahlia, gladiolus and other summer-flowering favorites and cull any that are rotting or have shriveled beyond recognition. Check stored potatoes, onions and apples for signs of decay. The old
January 13, 2012
Mitt Romney defends record at Bain Capital
COLUMBIA, S.C. - After enduring days of blistering attacks from his rivals, Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney on Thursday defended his record at Bain Capital, a private equity firm that sometimes laid off workers while attempting to turn co
January 13, 2012
sOUTH HADLEY- John Joseph Cronin died on Jan. 8, 2012, at the age of 92. He was born in Holyoke, the son of Mary and Martin Cronin. He attended Rosary School and Rosary High School and was proud to have come from "The Flats." read mor
January 13, 2012
South Hadley names Nicholas Young new school superintendent
SOUTH HADLEY - A town resident who is a former state superintendent of the year will become the new superintendent of schools in South Hadley. The School Committee Thursday night voted unanimously to offer the position to Nicholas D. Young, who has been
January 12, 2012
School board re-elects Gunn as chairman
EASTHAMPTON City School Committee members have opted for continuity in leadership, voting in Peter Gunn as chairman of the seven-member board for the second year in a row. Members elected Gunn to the chairmanship by a vote of 5-0 at a special meeting Jan.
January 12, 2012
City swears in new, returning officials
EASTHAMPTON The mayor, City Councilors and School Committee members elected in the Nov. 8 election were sworn in last week at the Municipal Building without much fuss. "This will be a simple ceremony because we all have to get back to work," sai
January 11, 2012
Bidding begins this week as Internet addresses expand
NEW YORK Bidding will begin this week for words and brand names such as .sport, .NYC and .bank to join .com as online monikers. Up to 1,000 domain name suffixes the .com in an Internet address could be added each year in the most sweeping change to the do
January 11, 2012
Statewide high school football tournament proposals debated
The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association is working on yet another proposal for a statewide football tournament. After repeated past attempts have failed, the MHSFCA expects to present a plan at the MIAA state football committee meeting
January 11, 2012
School regionalization topic of Amherst forum
AMHERST - The public will get a chance Feb. 29 to comment on the pros and cons of several scenarios under which the elementary schools in Leverett, Shutesbury and Pelham could share an administrative structure with Amherst. The forum will be at 7 p.m. The
January 11, 2012
The following author appearances, readings and book events are planned for the coming week in the Valley: ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP: Reading and performance of poetry and prose with Janet Aalfs ("Bird of a Thousand Eyes") and Sally Bellerose ("The G
January 11, 2012
Company announces low-cost DNA decoding machine
NEW YORK - A biotechnology company announced it has developed a machine to decode an individual's DNA in a day for $1,000, a long-sought price goal for making the genome useful for medical care. read mor
January 11, 2012
Northampton man gets state prison term for knife attack
NORTHAMPTON - A man who admitted to slashing two men with a knife during a domestic dispute was sentenced Tuesday to seven to nine years in state prison. read mor
January 11, 2012
Joseph Larson: Save UMass trolley station
AMHERST - The most visible remaining evidence of the electric trolley car system that once served Amherst, Sunderland and West Pelham, with connections to Holyoke and Northampton, is in danger of demolition by the University of Massachusetts. read mor
January 11, 2012
South Hadley boys basketball upsets Minnechaug
Trevor McKenna knocked down a pair of free throws with nine seconds left and Kevin Garbacik added another as South Hadley knocked off Minnechaug 56-54 at home Tuesday. McKenna went to the line with the score tied 53-53 and made both shots. read mor
January 11, 2012
SOUTH HADLEY - Police are investigating a housebreak in which guns and ammunition were reported stolen. Police Sgt. Steve Parentela said Tuesday that the crime occurred Monday at a single-family home on Spring Street Extension. A handgun, rifle and ammuni
January 11, 2012
Northampton, Belchertown swimming records fall
Two school records went down Tuesday. Joel Bierwert of Northampton established a new program mark in diving with a point total of 253.6 in the Blue Devils' 71-30 loss at Minnechaug. Belchertown's Bryanna Veroneau, meanwhile, broke her own school mark in t
January 11, 2012
Holyoke schools' chief favors later start
HOLYOKE - When asked what advice he would give to colleagues in area school districts who are considering a later start time for their high schools, Holyoke schools Superintendent David Dupont said, "Try it!" read mor
January 11, 2012
Marion L. Nolan, avid horsewoman
BELCHERTOWN - Marion Leora (Hatch) Nolan, 89, passed on peacefully Friday evening, Jan. 6, 2012. read mor
January 10, 2012
Amherst girls basketball wins fifth straight
The Amherst Regional girls basketball stepped on the pedal in the second quarter and pulled away to beat Minnechaug 61-47 Monday in Amherst. The Hurricanes outscored the Falcons 26-7 in the second en route to their fifth straight victory. Brianna Leonard
January 10, 2012
Amherst may fill school board vacancy
AMHERST - Town officials are investigating whether the seat of former Amherst School Committee member Steve Rivkin must be filled before the town election April 3. read mor
January 10, 2012
Friendly's closes 37 stores, including the one at Holyoke Mall
WILBRAHAM (AP) - The Friendly's restaurant chain is closing 37 stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and elsewhere as it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Among the stores being closed are the one at the Holyoke Mall, two in
January 10, 2012
Elton John to write book about the AIDS crisis
LONDON (AP) - Elton John is writing his first book, a personal account of the AIDS crisis. The musician says "Love is the Cure: Ending the Global Aids Epidemic" will include memories of friends who died of AIDS-related illnesses, including Queen
January 10, 2012
Mitt Romney draws criticism over 'fire people' remark on eve of NH primary
NASHUA, N.H. - Republican front-runner Mitt Romney stumbled down the homestretch of the New Hampshire primary on Monday, declaring, "I like being able to fire people who provide services to me" as his rivals intensified already fierce criticism.
January 10, 2012
Leslie Walker & Lois Ahrens: 'Three strikes' bills ill-considered
NORTHAMPTON - Unless recent legislation that fast-tracked both the Massachusetts House and Senate is slowed down and reconsidered, Massachusetts prisons will rapidly move into the ranks of the most overcrowded and expensive in the nation. read mor
January 10, 2012
Kevin Banson, 11-year veteran, named fire captain in Easthampton
EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Fire Department has a new captain to replace John Phillips, who retired as captain after 32 years on the job. Capt. Kevin Banson, 34, of Southampton, is now one of the department's five captains after serving as a full-time
January 10, 2012
Amherst Regional hockey gives up four-goal lead in tie with Chicopee
The Amherst Regional hockey team couldn't hold on to a four-goal lead and tied Chicopee 6-6 Monday at Orr Rink in Amherst. The Pacers (3-5-2) scored on a 6-on-5 situation with eight seconds left in the game to net the equalizer. The Hurricanes (3-4-1) wer
January 10, 2012
GOP rivals turn Mitt Romney's jobs record against him
NASHUA, N.H. - Mitt Romney's Republican rivals accused him Monday of exaggerating his successes and coldly laying off thousands of workers while heading a profitable venture capital firm, an effort to turn the presidential front-runner's biggest asset int
January 10, 2012
The Granby wrestling team earned six pins as the Rams defeated Athol 60-24 in Athol Monday. Chad Coderre earned the quickest pin. He put down Kencaid Stafford in 32 seconds at 285 pounds. Colin Mick (106), Josh Kozak (132), Griffin Imelio (138), Dalton Re
January 10, 2012
Super political action committees playing role in GOP campaign
WASHINGTON - Dubbed "super PACs" and flush with millions of dollars, outside groups backing and attacking Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich include a hotel magnate, a casino mogul and former partners at Romney's private equity firm. They're all over
January 10, 2012
Assault charges dropped against Hadley officer
HADLEY - Charges against a Hadley police officer, who was charged in connection with an alleged assault on his brother, have been dropped, according to a spokeswoman at Eastern Hampshire Division Court. The spokeswoman for the Belchertown court said a cha
January 10, 2012
Belchertown seeks waiver in frozen meals for seniors dispute
BELCHERTOWN - The Select Board unanimously agreed Monday to go to bat for the Council on Aging in its effort to resume preparing and delivering frozen meals to seniors. read mor
January 9, 2012
Animated Web series by Tom Hanks to stream on Yahoo
NEW YORK - Tom Hanks' long gestating Web series is coming to Yahoo. "Electric City," an animated futuristic series Hanks has been developing for years, will premiere on Yahoo this spring. The series includes 20 episodes, each three- or four-min
January 9, 2012
Kathryn Grandonico leads Amherst Chamber
AMHERST - A woman responsible for managing several downtown commercial properties will become the youngest president of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce when she assumes the leadership role Wednesday. Kathyrn Grandonico, 31, was elected to the positio
January 9, 2012
Derek Kellogg sees Minutemen playing more zone defense
PHILADELPHIA - The combination of foul trouble, dwindling depth and La Salle's success against the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team's press and man-to-man defenses led Minuteman coach Derek Kellogg to switch to a rarely-used zone that hel
January 9, 2012
GOP rivals target Mitt Romney two days before NH primary
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Mitt Romney's Republican presidential rivals piled on the criticism Sunday, two days before New Hampshire's primary, with a combative Newt Gingrich leading the aggression by accusing the GOP front-runner of "pious baloney" an
January 9, 2012
B2B ID: A business profile of Susana Byers
NAME: Susana Byers JOB TITLE, COMPANY: Licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbalist in Easthampton, Northampton and Amherst WEBSITE: www.susanabyers.com AGE: 50 read mor
January 9, 2012
Front-runner Mitt Romney brushes off rivals' barbs in NH debate
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Mitt Romney brushed aside rivals' criticism Saturday night in the opening round of a weekend debate doubleheader that left his Republican presidential campaign challengers squabbling among themselves and unable to knock the front-runner
January 9, 2012
Hockey at Fenway in January is quite a spectacle
BOSTON - If you spend too much time thinking about it, the whole idea is almost absurd. It would be hard to explain to a non-sports fan why you'd play a hockey game on a baseball field in early January, especially with dozens of perfectly good indoor clim
January 9, 2012
Novartis recalls some over-the-counter pills
Novartis said it's voluntarily recalling some over-the-counter products in the U.S., including its Excedrin headache pills and NoDoz medication, because they may contain broken or stray tablets from other products. read mor
January 9, 2012
Deerfield company plans rooftop solar
SOUTH DEERFIELD - A local plastics recycling company has landed a nearly $760,000 loan to design, purchase, and install a solar-electric array on its roof. Pro Pel Plastech, at 378 Long Plain Road in South Deerfield, hopes the solar panels will provide a
January 9, 2012
Susan Essig: A library's value measured not only in dollars
SHUTESBURY - I have been a resident of Shutesbury for approximately 20 years. My son is now at college and my husband and I live in a very rural location - connectivity with others in town has been based on connections through the school system - as child
January 9, 2012
NH debate raises issues, but Romney's lead largely untouched
GOFFSTOWN, N.H. - The Republican presidential candidates squabbled over spending, leadership, national security and military service here Saturday night, with Rick Santorum thrown on the defensive over his record in Congress and front-runner Mitt Romney g
January 9, 2012
Bigger propane storage area OK'd for Deerfield rail yard
DEERFIELD - Pan Am Railways has secured approval to expand its propane storage at the East Deerfield rail yard. Deerfield Town Administrator Bernard Kubiak said that approval was granted by the board last week and approval from Old Deerfield Fire District
January 9, 2012
Steve Fox: Sifting for vital facts in Shutesbury library debate
SHUTESBURY - Just before the 2000 election cycle, legendary Washington Post columnist David Broder wrote a column about the growing blue-red political divide in the United States. The results of the 2000 election did nothing to lessen that divide. Conserv
January 6, 2012
Luthier's wins liquor license, poised to expand live music offerings
The shop currently hosts live music two evenings a week, and co-owner Steven Baer said the sale of alcohol will mean the venture can afford to host more shows.
January 6, 2012
Fried Oppenheim case nears trial date
udge Mary-Lou Rup ruled Wednesday that lawyer David Hoose, who represents David Fried Oppenheim, 38, should be given access to July 2010 Facebook postings from a witness in the case, and that AOL instant messages to the alleged victim also be released.
January 6, 2012
Shenkman Sentenced To 70 Years In Prison
Shenkman claimed he was a prisoner of war and told a bizarre tale of hiring an "assassin" to kill [his wife] Tyler.
January 6, 2012
Stamford Energy Trading Company To Cut 129 Jobs By June
A Stamford-based energy-trading company is planning to eliminate 129 jobs between March and June as it closes its Connecticut office and retreats from the physical energy-trading business in North America.
January 6, 2012
Online Gambling Broke UConn Poker Addict — Now We Want To Make It Legal?
Joe Turbessi couldn't put his laptop down, let alone stop the poker-playing.
January 6, 2012
CT Delegation: Pentagon Strategy Shift Is Good News
Connecticut congressmen responded Thursday to what they called "a historic turning point" and "a groundbreaking change of direction" in defense priorities.
January 6, 2012
Springfield residents pack meeting to suggest ways to revitalize city following tornado
Officials involved in the “Rebuild Springfield” effort, their consultants and city officials praised the turnout.
January 5, 2012
Northampton firm disputes Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray's account of accident
At least two accident reconstruction firms don't buy that explanation, based on their own reviews of "black box" data from Murray's state vehicle.
January 5, 2012
Amherst zoning back to drawing board
At the semi-annual forum of the Zoning Subcommittee Wednesday, residents had the opportunity to express priorities for amendments to the town's zoning. Much of the focus centered on how to move forward with rezoning proposals for the North Amherst and Atkins Corner village centers without creating significant impact from new off-campus student rental properties.
January 5, 2012
Man's Life Saved After Treatment Reinstated
Robert Durkin has written his 14-year old granddaughter, Angela, a personal note every day of her life, including each Christmas.
January 5, 2012
Windsor Man, 82, Charged With Killing Black Bear
Police were called to the area of Marshall Phelps Road and Poquonock Avenue Wednesday afternoon after reported sightings of a bear and cub.
January 5, 2012
Pendergast Won't Be Permanent Athletic Director At UConn
"This is one of the most important positions at the university, given our tremendously successful athletic programs and the challenges ahead in college sports," UConn President Susan Herbst said in a statement.
January 5, 2012
Eight more Reardon victims settle lawsuits against St. Francis
Dispute among hospital's insurers complicate 39 child sex abuse suits still pending.
January 5, 2012
Southwick special Town Meeting to consider $72 million school construction project
In all, townspeople will consider seven articles on the special Town Meeting warrant, but the one with the heftiest price tag is the one expected to generate the most interest, officials said.
January 3, 2012
Customers have been flocking to tiny Amherst Pharmacy from as far away as Greenfield and Enfield, Conn., to get their prescriptions for Adderall filled, said owner Yianni Nikitas.
January 3, 2012
Exploring Brushy Mountain's wilds in Leverett
Though human activity today surrounds Brushy Mountain, up on its broad slopes, in its wetlands and birch groves, it remains nearly as wild today as in the 18th century.
January 3, 2012
Returning students in Amherst find unfriendly welcome
During New Year's weekend, three thefts at North Amherst homes were reported to police, said Detective Greg Wise.
January 3, 2012
Secretary of State William Galvin to file statewide ballot questions
Secretary of State William F. Galvin is moving forward four proposed statewide ballot questions including measures to allow terminally ill patients to self-administer drugs to take their lives and another to create a new system for evaluating teachers.
January 3, 2012
Pastor, Members Of Congregation Expect Historic Somers Church To Be Rebuilt
While investigators tried to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a 170-year-old church late Sunday night, hundreds of congregants jammed into the town hall auditorium across the street Monday afternoon to pray, sing and plan the church's future.
January 3, 2012
Crime Drama Set In Hartford Coming To TV In 2012
A fictional television series about gangs and cops in Hartford is scheduled to air in the fall of 2012, according to the show's creator, Hartford Police Officer Mark Manson.
January 3, 2012
Graves Of Connecticut Sea Captains Discovered In South America
The graves of the New England seafarers were uncovered on Oct. 29 in the Dutch colonial cemetery of Nieuw Oranjetuin in Paramaribo, Suriname's capital city, by researchers who used machetes to hack away the vines covering the old headstones.
December 29, 2011
Amherst 'quality-of-life' disturbances set record
Arrests, summons to court and tickets for what Amherst police call "quality-of-life" offenses were at record highs this fall.
December 29, 2011
Newcomers bring fresh ideas to school panel
On Jan. 3, Blue DuVal and Andrew Shelffo will be sworn in as the new faces on the committee.
December 29, 2011
Hartford Chief Roberts leaving job he's always wanted
"I'm a son of the city," said Roberts, a Bulkeley High School graduate. "I'm just thankful the community accepted me and allowed me to serve."
December 29, 2011
New Britain resident, 19, heading to Afghanistan
When Joseph N. Rapisarda found out that his mother had contacted the media about his upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, he was reluctant to be in the spotlight.
December 29, 2011
Springfield city councilor proposes closing Worthington Street to cars on weekends
City Councilor Thomas M. Ashe is proposing shutting down Worthington Street between Main and Dwight streets or possibly Chestnut street as a way of minimizing some of the violence.
December 27, 2011
Madison Granger of Belchertown runs to glory
Her health problems were originally thought to have been linked with her dopamine deficiency. Medication was changed or altered, but the results stayed the same.
December 27, 2011
Green Street Cafe to go out on top after recovery from Smith College skirmishes
In its time, Green Street Cafe developed a reputation in Northampton and beyond for its dressed-down elegance.
December 27, 2011
Stamford House Torn Down After Christmas Morning Fire
A Stamford house severely damaged in a Christmas morning fire that killed three children and two grandparents has been torn down.
December 27, 2011
Largest-Ever Solar Projects Approved by State
The largest commercial solar projects ever approved in Connecticut have won the backing of state regulators and could provide more sources of renewable energy to electricity distributors Connecticut Light & Power Co. and United Illuminating.
December 27, 2011
$202 Million for Pratt from Pentagon
Pratt and Whitney will be paid $202 million next year for sustaining F119 engines, the engines on the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. According to the Pentagon, the contract's fulfillment is out of East Hartford.
December 27, 2011
Gyrocopter crashes at Simsbury landfill
Simsbury Airport Manager Bill Thomas said the gyrocopter, a rotor-type aircraft similar to a helicopter, had just taken off from the airport at about 12:45 p.m. when it hit a rough patch of wind.
December 27, 2011
Vernon Church Wins Recognition For Envionmental Efforts
While some faith groups decry the notion of global warming, St. John's recently received a $1,000 grant from Interfaith Power and Light, a San Francisco-based national multi-faith organization that promotes religious groups' responses to global warming.
December 26, 2011
Belchertown rallies around Fleurent family
Townspeople are pulling together to help a local family that was displaced after a fire destroyed their home.
December 26, 2011
Easthampton police caution about fundraiser
The Easthampton Police Association is not working with a regional organization on a fundraising campaign and advises residents that money they donate might not stay local.
December 26, 2011
This group shares 'line of baloney' every morning
You will see them in the morning, but not exceptionally early. After a lifetime of dragging themselves out of bed at the crack of dawn, they're now retired; let someone else answer the damn alarm clock - arriving by 8:30-9 will do just fine.
December 26, 2011
$8.8 million deal preserves 3,486-acre forest tract in Leverett, Shutesbury
A tract of Valley forestland will be permanently protected from development but remain open for public recreation under the largest conservation deal in the state's history.
December 26, 2011
$8.8 million deal preserves 3,486-acre forest tract in Leverett, Shutesbury
A tract of Valley forestland will be permanently protected from development but remain open for public recreation under the largest conservation deal in the state's history.
December 23, 2011
Hadley eyes new home for historical society
Select Board members sought a resolution Wednesday to an ongoing dispute between the Hadley Historical Society and the Board of Library Trustees over the use of space at Goodwin Memorial Library.
December 23, 2011
PVTA rolls out new buses with different design
The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is rolling out 28 new fuel-efficient buses - including 10 diesel-electric hybrids.
December 23, 2011
CT Innovations lures Boston tech firm with $1M investment
A company that designs surveillance cameras for the military has moved from the suburbs of Boston to Putnam, winning $1 million in venture funding from Connecticut Innovations, the state's quasi-public authority that invests in technology firms.
December 23, 2011
Former Travelers Center at Constitution Plaza in foreclosure
The 132,000-square-foot building at 200 Constitution Plaza near the clock tower has been empty for about a year.
December 23, 2011
Is Webster Bank's Jim Smith a modern George Bailey?
At a time when bankers are the country's favorite villains, Connecticut's Webster Bank got some very positive coverage from ABC World News for its mortgage modification program.
December 23, 2011
Palmer ice carver defies unseasonably warm weather
It's no accident that Michael E. Rondeau chose a snowman surrounded by palm trees for his annual holiday ice sculpture.
December 23, 2011
Massachusetts will receive additional $21 million in home heating aid
States got more than $845 million in federal home heating aid, but the latest round of government funding won't take the chill from the fuel assistance program, which is being cut by about a quarter this winter.
December 22, 2011
Northampton probation officer faces obstruction charges
Christopher J. Hoffman, 39, of 119 Main St., Hatfield, faces one charge each of intimidating and harassing a witness in an attempt to obstruct a federal investigation, according to U.S. District Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.
December 22, 2011
Defense lawyer claims illegal search in Florence kidnap case
The lawyer for a man accused of kidnapping and assaulting his former fiancee in Florence wants evidence in the case thrown out because he says his client was not properly informed of his legal rights when arrested and the search of his residence was illegal.
December 22, 2011
Officers Collect Donations For Military Dogs
Members of the Simsbury, CT police department collect donations to help protect dogs working military duties.
December 22, 2011
Two state residents remain advisors to insurance regulators
Peter Kochenburger, executive director of the Insurance Law Center at the University of Connecticut School of Law, and consumer advocate Sonja L. Larkin-Thorne of Avon will be two of 18 representatives to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
December 22, 2011
CT1Media purchases Hartford Magazine
"It was an offer I couldn't refuse," said the magazine's former owner Chris White, who is also the publisher of Life Publications, a chain of small weekly papers.
December 22, 2011
Downtown Hartford landlord adding apartments in two buildings
PMC Property Group already has approval to add nine units, at 1,000 square feet apiece, to the former American Airlines building at 915 Main Street.
December 22, 2011
Springfield entertainment curfew has Mayor Domenic Sarno and nightclub officials clashing
Law enforcement concerns about late-night violence and disturbances triggered his proposal for a 1 a.m. curfew on entertainment in bars and restaurants.
December 21, 2011
Seniors reflect on lessons gleaned from Christmases during Great Depression
"Gift giving has changed a lot, and I don't know if it's for the better," said Esther Williams, 80, shaking her head at the thought. "Everyone gets too much stuff."
December 21, 2011
Easthampton planner Stuart Beckley gets town manager's job in Ware
Longtime Easthampton City Planner Stuart Beckley was named town manager in Ware on Tuesday night.
December 21, 2011
Judge rules Fairgrounds Redevelopment Corp. emails are public records
The city earlier claimed that many of the emails were exempt from public scrutiny because they are private records of the Fairgrounds Redevelopment Board as well as trade secrets, which is one of several exemptions in the Public Records Law.
December 21, 2011
They've paid off the balances on layaway accounts, spreading a surprise bit of holiday cheer.
December 21, 2011
Pratt Wins Japanese Military Contract
Japan's decision to buy four Joint Strike Fighters next fiscal year and another 38 planes in years to come is welcome news for Pratt and Whitney, which makes the engines for the Lockheed Martin military jets.
December 21, 2011
Timber-Hauling Chopper Clears Hockanum River Area
To save time and protect fragile wetlands, the CL&P utility is using a contracted helicopter to haul cut trees from a riverside construction zone.
December 21, 2011
Tolland Taking Up Hookah Lounge Proposal
Owner Of One In New Haven Hopes To Draw UConn Students
December 20, 2011
Judge ponders issues in Phoebe Prince settlement terms lawsuit
A Hampshire Superior Court judge heard arguments Monday on whether the town of South Hadley should reveal how much money was paid to the parents of Phoebe Prince, who killed herself in 2010 after being bullied at South Hadley High School.
December 20, 2011
Police remind college students to take valuables when leaving for holiday break
s college students prepare to leave town for winter break, both the town and University of Massachusetts police departments are reminding them to take as many valuables home with them as possible.
December 20, 2011
Dakin Humane Society to expand adoption center in Leverett
Leslie Harris, Dakin executive director, said the organization is making "modest renovations" to the building in order to improve its housing for cats and dogs while simultaneously allowing for expanded office, storage and community meeting space.
December 20, 2011
UConn Trustees Approve 6% Tuition Hike
Will Be 5.5% If State Increases Funding; Increases OK'd For Each Of The Next Four Years.
December 20, 2011
CT Unemployment Falls to 8.4 Percent As Some Long-Suffering Job-Seekers Find Jobs
For a full year after he was discharged from the U.S. Marines, Ryan Hackett looked for a job that would put him on a path to a career. Three weeks ago he landed a finance assistant position at Yale University.
December 20, 2011
Unions Battle Over Right To Represent 6,000 State Workers
Two unions that don't represent any Connecticut state employees are fighting for the right to take over six state bargaining units with 6,000 members, claiming thousands of affected workers have signed cards seeking to throw out their current unions.
December 20, 2011
Unions Battle Over Right To Represent 6,000 State Workers
Two unions that don't represent any Connecticut state employees are fighting for the right to take over six state bargaining units with 6,000 members, claiming thousands of affected workers have signed cards seeking to throw out their current unions.
December 19, 2011
UMass under fire over search records
The University of Massachusetts is under fire again for poor record keeping during its search for a new president.
December 19, 2011
Florence luminarium a time to 'relax with friends and celebrate the season'
"We lead such busy lives these days, it is nice to just relax with friends and celebrate the season."
December 19, 2011
A Tough Week For Unions Reflects The Bad Economy
Thousands of service workers in areas as different as a nursing home, a call center and janitorial staffers in office buildings either learned they were losing their jobs or faced the rock-and-a-hard-place choice of accepting concessions or the potential of going without a paycheck for months.
December 19, 2011
Connecticut Children's Medical Center Takes Rocky Hill Office Space
The Center has leased 22,071 square feet of office space at Corporate Ridge, 500 Enterprise Dr.in Rocky Hill
December 19, 2011
After a Big 2011, Aetna To Slow Pace Of Acquisitions Next Year
Aetna will slow the pace of acquisitions in 2012 after aggressive growth this year in which the health insurer spent $1.6 billion to buy other companies.
December 16, 2011
Plush Promoted To President Of Webster Financial Corp.
Gerald P. Plush, who joined the parent of Waterbury-based Webster Bank in 2006, was promoted to president Thursday, solidifying succession plans that could eventually make him the top executive at the company.
December 16, 2011
AT&T Cuts 100 Operator Jobs In State, Drawing Union's Ire Over Timing
Operators who work at the company's Old Saybrook, Waterbury, Hamden and New London customer service centers received a buyout offer, giving them until Jan. 11 to make a decision. Technology improvements have made the 100 targeted jobs expendable, AT&T said.
December 16, 2011
Property taxes in Easthampton rose from $12.69 to $13.27 per thousand dollars of value, said Principal Assessor Mark Dimauro. The average home in the city is valued at $229,000, Dimauro said.
December 16, 2011
According to Deerfield Police Chief Michael Wozniakewicz, at about 10:30 a.m., an employee of Pelican spotted a man they didn't recognize apparently checking doors of cars parked in the lot, which holds scores of cars.
December 16, 2011
Five Hampshire, Franklin towns named 'Green Communities'
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. praised western Massachusetts Thursday as a "real leader" in the renewable energy field, saying the region has helped spur the expansion of a state program aimed at reducing municipal energy usage.
December 16, 2011
Holyoke officer suspended after losing rifle
A veteran Holyoke police officer has been suspended for five days and ordered to repay the city $2,000 for losing a department-issued sniper rifle.
December 16, 2011
Holyoke officer suspended after losing rifle
A veteran Holyoke police officer has been suspended for five days and ordered to repay the city $2,000 for losing a department-issued sniper rifle.
December 15, 2011
Amherst investment firm owner faces accusation of defrauding clients
Daniel McKenna, owner of Principle Profits Asset Management Inc. based in Amherst, promised clients the chance to invest in "socially responsible companies," according to one of three complaints of alleged investment fraud.
December 15, 2011
Voters OK new library in South Hadley
The town will move forward on building a new library, now that Town Meeting voters have approved borrowing up to $4.2 million to finance the new structure.
December 15, 2011
Southwick church gets pledge of up to $1.5 million Christmas gift
Christ Lutheran Church has received an anonymous $500,000 donation in addition to a pledge to match up to $1 million raised by the congregation over the next three years.
December 15, 2011
New England governors say they can't fill heating aid gap
Top state officials say the issue must be resolved soon because temperatures are dropping and low-income residents need help now.
December 15, 2011
Hartford 2012 Tax Bills: Big Hikes For Apartments, Wide Swings For Some Homeowners
The 2012 tax bills, based on values the city assigned as of Oct. 1, will bring an unpleasant surprise to many owners.
December 14, 2011
WMECo escapes from Greenfield hearing relatively unscathed
Although frustrated after going days without power, speakers at a public hearing arranged by the state Department of Public Utilities had mostly words of praise for Western Massachusetts Electric Company.
December 14, 2011
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. was misled on $300 million mortgage investment
Defendants in a lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. have asked a judge to throw out claims that the Springfield-based company was duped into buying $300 million in mortgage-backed securities before the housing market collapsed four years ago.
December 14, 2011
Kollmorgen sold to L-3 Communications
Union as well as local officials assured defense contractor staying in Northampton, MA.
December 14, 2011
Charles Neville to headline Oct. 15 concert to aid Huntington nonprofit 'Mom's House'
Saxophonist Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers will bring his music to a concert at Gateway Regional High School that will raise funds for a new community service venture.
December 14, 2011
Downtown Hartford Landlord Adding Apartments In Two Buildings
More one-bedroom apartments — one of the most sought-after residences in downtown Hartford — are coming to the city's central business district.
December 14, 2011
Nursing Home Locks Out Workers In Rare Labor Tactic
A company that runs six unionized nursing homes in Connecticut locked out workers at its Milford facility, unnerving hundreds of others at the remaining five homes, who could also be thrown out in the holiday season after months of failed contract talks.
December 13, 2011
December has brought an explosive mix of news for workers at the Colt firearms plant in West Hartford, who had a good year but are suddenly feeling less secure with contract talks coming up.
December 13, 2011
UConn Economist: CT Is No. 2 In Quality of Life
Or, depending on how it's measured, Connecticut could be No. 14, with North Dakota first and Wyoming as No. 2.
December 13, 2011
Three Charged In Scam At J.C. Penney At Westfarms
Three Hartford residents suspected of conspiring to steal about $2,000 worth of merchandise from J.C. Penney at Westfarms mall have been arrested.
December 13, 2011
For Some Big CT Lottery Winners, A Mundane Life
"They told us we were too boring," said Seitz, who was a Torrington factory worker making lightning rods when he and his wife took home $2.1 million after taxes.
December 13, 2011
Hartford School Board May Vote On $100 Million-Plus Weaver Renovation
The board of education is expected to vote on the proposed Weaver High School renovation in February — after Mayor Pedro Segarra has appointed a potentially new majority to the board.
December 13, 2011
FLN-MAR Rubber and Plastics, Inc., of Holyoke boosts Toy for Joy
FLN-MAR Rubber and Plastics, Inc. of Holyoke honors both its customers and needy children in Western Massachusetts with an annual gift to the Toy for Joy campaign.
December 13, 2011
UMass offering grants to professors to help them save students money on textbooks
In the spring semester of 2011, two University of Massachusetts offices launched a program to help professors help students save money in textbook costs.
December 12, 2011
More than 4,000 families in Greater Springfield have signed up for Toy for Joy
This marks the 89th annual Toy for Joy campaign; jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Republican.
December 12, 2011
Smith & Wesson reports positive quarter
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. reported net sales of $92.2 million during the three-month period ending October 31, up 10 percent from the $83.5 million in net sales recorded during that same period in 2010.
December 12, 2011
Congressman Neal to discuss federal cuts with New England Council
Neal, a Springfield Democrat, is expected to talk about his recent work in Congress and ongoing discussions about federal cuts, among other issues.
December 12, 2011
Jones Library to step up effort to hire new staffer
n effort to hire someone for a vacant post that coordinates adult programming at the Jones Library, ensures homebound residents have access to materials, and recruits volunteers, is being given priority.
December 12, 2011
William Bisbee honors his wife's memory with Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund donation
The dedication from Chesterfield resident William H. Bisbee in his donation to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund this year is spare in words, but big in meaning.
December 12, 2011
Trooper Who Earned $124,000 A Target Of Food Stamp Probe
A 13-year state police trooper who earned more than $124,000 last year is among the state employees — including three other troopers — under investigation for allegedly filing a fraudulent food stamp application following Tropical Storm Irene.
December 12, 2011
Carla's Pasta in South Windsor Takes Delivery of Fuel Cell
Carla Squatrito's recipe for ravioli includes flour, eggs, ricotta cheese, basil and a 300 kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell made by FuelCell Energy Inc. of Danbury.
December 12, 2011
Activist Walked Line Between Good And Evil
Beatrice Codianni spotted the young man at a recent violence-prevention forum in New Haven. There are a lot of those forums these days, as the cops and community grapple with a city homicide rate reminiscent of the gang-crazed early 1990s.
December 9, 2011
Police: Bristol Building Evacuated After Bomb Threat
n employee working in the building told police she received a call about a bomb in the building at 240 Stafford Ave. around 2:40 p.m. The building was immediately evacuated.
December 9, 2011
15 Suspected In Food Stamp Case Are Highly Paid
The investigation began when an official recognized the name of a fellow state employee who had applied for assistance under the one-time, emergency benefits that were awarded under the food stamp program for those suffering losses from Tropical Storm Irene.
December 9, 2011
Greenwich Priest Pleads Guilty To Stealing From Church
Former Pastor At St. Michael The Archangel Parish Took About $300,000 To Pay His Credit Card Bills
December 9, 2011
Cost-Cutting At The Hartford Will Increase In 2012, Company Says
The property-casualty and life insurer has cut $140 million in expenses this year, and had planned to cut a remaining $60 million next year. The new goal is to cut another $160 million in 2012 and $150 million in 2013.
December 9, 2011
UnitedHealth's CEO-to-Worker Pay Ratio Tops List
Stephen J. Hemsley, the UnitedHealth CEO, received nearly $102 million in total compensation last year, according to Payscale.com, which uses Forbes as its source of CEO pay, based on federal filings. The worker in the middle of the pay scale at UnitedHealth, which has 4,000 Connecticut employees, makes $58,700, Payscale.com says.
December 7, 2011
Springfield casino plan draws 450 to hear Ameristar Casinos preview
Ameristar officials told a standing-room-only crowd in the Mary Mother of Hope Church gymnasium that their $500 million project will bring 2,800 permanent jobs and another 2,000 construction jobs to the area.
December 7, 2011
Associated Industries of Massachusetts survey shows uptick in business confidence
AIM says most employers surveyed last month believed the economy would improve slowly rather than deteriorate further.
December 7, 2011
LUXE Burger Bar named preferred developer for Information Center building
The development team chosen, Lustra LLC, includes local lawyer and developer Raipher D. Pellegrino and partners from Providence, R.I., with experience in the restaurant industry.
December 7, 2011
CityPlace Tower In Hartford Is Soon To Have New Owner
artford's CityPlace office tower — the tallest building in Connecticut — is close to getting a new owner.
December 7, 2011
Nearly Half of CT Individual Health Plans Would Have Failed Spending Standards In 2010
Individual health plans in 2010 covering more than 60,000 people in the state would have met the standard while health plans covering more than 48,300 people, or 45 percent, would not have met the standard, according to a Hartford Courant analysis.
December 7, 2011
An Awkward Battle Over Right To Pre-School
Early childhood education advocates say state's legal maneuver in landmark lawsuit would hurt children
December 7, 2011
Group Exploring Ways For Environmental Protection
The future of environmentalism in Connecticut just might be economic development.
December 7, 2011
Group Exploring Ways For Environmental Protection
The future of environmentalism in Connecticut just might be economic development.
December 6, 2011
An Old Fashioned Holiday Celebration' to bring Victorian-era feel to Franklin County
Visit Northfield on Saturday, Dec. 10, and be transported back to the mid-19th century as Victorian carolers stroll along Main Street and horse-drawn hayrides carry visitors from stop to stop.
December 6, 2011
WMECO customers complain about slow response
Residents at a Monday night Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities public hearing at Duggan Middle School complained about the slow response and lack of communication following the Oct. 29 snowstorm.
December 6, 2011
Springfield postal workers brace for impact of processing center closure
With the U.S. Postal Service planning to eliminate more than 250 processing centers, the president of the local postal workers union is assessing the impact on area employees.
December 6, 2011
West Hartford Man Wins NPR's Sunday Puzzle With Quick Wit
Despite the obvious intensity of a national audience listening, Jim Liddle of West Hartford remained calm and gave quick answers, slipping in some humor at one point.
December 6, 2011
Farmington Bank Parent Announces First Shareholder Dividend
First Connecticut Bancorp Inc., the bank's holding company, said shareholders will receive a 3-cent dividend for each common share, payable Dec. 19 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 5.
December 6, 2011
Farmington Bank Parent Announces First Shareholder Dividend
First Connecticut Bancorp Inc., the bank's holding company, said shareholders will receive a 3-cent dividend for each common share, payable Dec. 19 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 5.
December 5, 2011
Thousands pack Northampton for annual Hot Chocolate Run
Thousands of runners, walkers and watchers packed Northampton on Sunday for the Eighth Annual Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage, a community event to combat domestic violence.
December 5, 2011
Ana Frasco receives Freedom Credit Union President's Award
Frasco was nominated by a colleague who recognized her exemplary attitude in her service to members and fellow employees, and her contributions to the success of the credit union.
December 5, 2011
Cigna Finalizes Acquisition Of British Travel Insurer
The Bloomfield-based health insurer bought FirstAssist Insurance Services from Barclays Private Equity for 71 million British pounds in cash, or about $110 million.
December 2, 2011
Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant proposed in East Springfield
A hearing officer is recommending that the state give final approval to an air permit for the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy wood-burning plant in East Springfield, and dismiss an appeal filed by opponents.
December 2, 2011
Massachusetts sues banks over foreclosures
Massachusetts sued five major banks Thursday over deceptive foreclosure practices such as the "robo-signing" of documents.
December 2, 2011
Defense contractor ITT Exelis employees in West Springfield facing layoffs
Defense contractor ITT Exelis will be laying off an untold number of employees at the West Springfield, Virginia and California facilities in 2012.
December 2, 2011
UConn Hopes To Create Tradition With Pledge Of Allegiance Before Games
UConn interim athletic director Paul Pendergast said he was impressed with the way that the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce begins its functions with the Pledge of Allegiance and how Hartford radio icon Brad Davis uses it on his WDRC show.
December 2, 2011
Personal Income Improving in Connecticut
The amount of money that people in Connecticut earned from their jobs and investments, and receive in government benefits such as Social Security, rose rapidly in the first half of this year, a new report shows.
December 2, 2011
Court To Northland: Money By Mid-January Or You Lose CityPlace II
Northland Investment Corp. is dangerously close to losing a second office tower in downtown Hartford to foreclosure.
December 2, 2011
Wallingford council again votes to sell former American Legion building
The council voted 5-3 Tuesday night to sell the historic building to Jeanine Connelly for $125,000. The decision comes almost five months after the council voted to sell the building to local businessman Rick Termini, but the deal fall through.
December 1, 2011
Republican Party chairman Bob Maginn vows to get Sen. Scott Brown re-elected
Bob Maginn has been chosen to lead the state party into the upcoming election season.
December 1, 2011
Mohegan Sun hosts event on business opportunities in Western Massachusetts
The Connecticut-based casino operator, which wants to build a resort casino in Palmer, will discuss how businesses can benefit from expanded gaming in Western Massachusetts.
December 1, 2011
Western Massachusetts Electric Co. rates expected to rise
An average residential customer, defined as using 700 kilowatt-hours of power a month, pays $109 a month now, spokeswoman Sandra Ahearn said Wednesday. Under the new rate structure, that will increase to about $114 a month.
December 1, 2011
Phoenix's Quarterly Annuity Sales Are Seven Times Last Year's Performance
The Hartford-based life insurer reported third-quarter net income of $31.8 million, or 27 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $25 million, or 22 cents per share, during the same period a year ago.
December 1, 2011
Regulators Say Construction Industry Abuse of Workers 'Pervasive'
Federal and state regulators are cooperating on investigations into abuse of workers in the construction industry in Connecticut.
December 1, 2011
Former Friendly's Restaurant To Become Movie Set
The empty restaurant in West Hartford, CT will be used for a segment of a movie called "Pawn," town officials said. Filming will take place mostly in the evening.
November 30, 2011
Tax Increases Kick In To Create Budget Surplus
With the largest tax increase in Connecticut history kicking in, the state is projected to generate a surplus of more than $100 million in the current fiscal year — finally pushing the state back into the black.
November 30, 2011
ale Undergrads Develop Skin-Imaging Device
They Hope To Make Their Award-Winning "3Derm System" A Household Medical Item
November 30, 2011
NU Raises Post-Storm Fund to $30M
If you're a residential customer of Connecticut Light & Power and you were plunged into darkness for seven days or more by the pre-Halloween nor'easter, you're eligible for a credit on your electric bill of at least $100.
November 30, 2011
Toy for Joy registrations continue in Western Massachusetts
“We have probably had over 50 calls about it already,” said Cathy Codling, a Salvation Army member and volunteer at the Greenfield Service Center.
November 30, 2011
Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech to sell bulk of Northampton campus
Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech plans to sell 11.2 acres of its Round Hill campus to OPAL Real Estate Group of Springfield in a deal that will free up money for the school to invest in its programs.
November 29, 2011
University Officials Say They Need Feedback To Assess Teacher Preparation
How well do the state's universities prepare future teachers? Central Connecticut State University professors and administrators said it would help to have some evidence on how their graduates go on to perform in the classroom.
November 29, 2011
State On Pace For Decades-Low Home Construction Year
No one expected Connecticut's new home construction market to come roaring back this year, but there was some hope that a five-year decline had bottomed out in 2010.
November 29, 2011
Greenwich Wealth Managers Win Powerball Jackpot
Three Greenwich asset managers have considerably more assets to manage after claiming the $254 million Powerball jackpot at CT Lottery headquarters, the largest payout by a long shot in state history.
November 29, 2011
Springfield City Council temporarily blocked from new vote on wood-burning biomass plant
The council had just voted 10-3 against asking for a Law Department opinion related to the appeal and was preparing to vote on the appeal itself when Walsh invoked Rule 20.
November 28, 2011
DNC ad targets Mitt Romney over flip-flops
Democrats are using humor to try to undermine Republican Mitt Romney, pushing a movie trailer-style ad that portrays his candidacy as a "the story of two men trapped in one body."
November 28, 2011
Springfield leaders travel to Grand Rapids for hints on how to energize a city
In Grand Rapids, Mich., business and government leaders, arts organizations and educational institutions all seem to be working together to create one of the most prosperous and livable cities in the upper Midwest.
November 28, 2011
Judge rejects Salvatore DiMasi request to delay prison
A federal judge rejected a request from former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi to postpone the date he's scheduled to report to prison.
November 28, 2011
CT's Median Household Income Fell By 2nd-Largest Amount In U.S. In 2010
The state is behind only Nevada, where the economy was devastated by its place at the epicenter of the housing bubble.
November 28, 2011
Cool New Ideas Flourish At Yale Institute For Young Entrepreneurs
There's a lesson here for all of Connecticut, a state with a rapidly aging population: Listen to young entrepreneurs because among all their ideas might lie the next billion-dollar company.
November 28, 2011
Sen. Blumenthal Seeks Federal Review of Rental Truck Safety Standards
"Recent reports of rental truck safety violations are revealing and alarming…Most recently, a fatal accident in Connecticut has raised serious concerns about safety and reliability of rental trucks,'' Blumenthal wrote in a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
November 25, 2011
Western Massachusetts shoppers embrace an early Black Friday
As the Christmas Tree Shop's slogan rhetorically asks, "Don't you just love a bargain?"
November 25, 2011
Inventory liquidation at Nassau's Furniture in Enfield to begin
The Enfield Nassau's Furniture store will be closed by Feb. 22, 2012.
November 25, 2011
Western Massachusetts energy prices, at a glance
Current prices on propane, gas, heating oil...
November 25, 2011
State Police Step Up Traffic Enforcement For Holiday Weekend
Lt. J. Paul Vance said troopers will focus on drunk drivers and aggressive drivers. Stepped up patrols will continue through the Sunday night, he said.
November 25, 2011
Advocates For Medicare Patients To File Lawsuit Against Federal Government
Residents in Connecticut will be among the named plaintiffs in a case that seeks class-action status.
November 25, 2011
Trucking Business Has Veteran On Long Road Back From His Troubles
In July 2010, Ed Young finally snapped. He threatened to hurt his live-in girlfriend and their toddler and infant. He put a gun to his own head.
November 25, 2011
Photographer Battles Yale Over Machu Picchu Image
It's an intriguing case of a photographer of some renown, who is outspoken but perhaps overmatched, against a formidable university.
November 23, 2011
Connecticut Spring Antiques Show relocates to Eastern States Exposition
As many as 70 dealers and 15,000 visitors will travel next spring to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., home of the Big E.
November 23, 2011
Pioneer Valley unemployment rate falls slightly
The city’s unemployment rate fell by less than a percentage point in October to 11 percent from 11.6 percent in September.
November 23, 2011
Small Business Saturday: Why it matters
Last year, American Express launched Small Business Saturday®;, designating the Saturday after Thanksgiving as a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods across America.
November 23, 2011
Class action lawsuits filed against Charter, Comcast for response to recent service outages
A local law firm on Tuesday filed a class action suit in Hampden Superior Court against two major cable companies, Charter Communications and Comcast, charging each with “gouging” their customers by not automatically giving credit or refunds for lengthy service outages following the recent snowstorm.
November 23, 2011
Massachusetts could lose 38,200 military-related jobs in wake of debt-limit 'supercommittee' failure
Massachusetts could lose 38,200 military-related jobs in wake of debt-limit 'supercommittee' failure according to report.
November 23, 2011
Massachusetts could lose 38,200 military-related jobs in wake of debt-limit 'supercommittee' failure
Massachusetts could lose 38,200 military-related jobs in wake of debt-limit 'supercommittee' failure according to report.
November 23, 2011
Yale-Harvard Fatality Puts Spotlight On Rental-Truck Safety
U-Haul's more than 100,000 trucks are not controlled by the rigorous federal inspection policies applied to commercial truck fleets.
November 23, 2011
MetLife Announces Major Restructuring, Searches For Two Top Level Executives
New York-based MetLife, which has major operations in Bloomfield, will have an Americas division, a Europe-Middle East-Africa division and an Asia division.
November 22, 2011
G. Fox Developer Defaults On Mortgage
According to Trepp, a mortgage research and analytics firm, Hartford Downtown Revival has been unable to refinance the mortgage on the portion of the 960 Main St. building not owned by Capital Community College.
November 22, 2011
Sikorsky Targeting 525, Mostly White-Collar
Sikorsky Aircraft said it's targeting another 3 percent, this time mostly salaried employees.
November 22, 2011
Funding for New Britain/Hartford Busway
Plans afoot to broaden public transportation in metro Hartford area.
November 22, 2011
Comcast policy on credits for interrupted service after snowstorm displeases Springfield City Counci
James J. Ferrera III told Comcast Cable officials Monday that he disagrees with the company’s policy of requiring customers to call Comcast if they are seeking a refund for interrupted service related to the major snowstorm on Oct. 29.
November 22, 2011
Protestors face off against BofA downtown
Protesters angered by ongoing mortgage foreclosures shut down the Bank of America branch in downtown Springfield’s Monarch Place.
November 22, 2011
Protestors face off against BofA downtown
Protesters angered by ongoing mortgage foreclosures shut down the Bank of America branch in downtown Springfield’s Monarch Place.
November 21, 2011
Bankruptcy Court Approves Liquidation Sales at Syms and Filene's Basement
Liquidation sales for Syms and Filene's Basement stores, including locations in Berlin and Fairfield, CT have been approved by U.S. Bankuptcy Court in Delaware.
November 21, 2011
CL&P Executive Pensions Jumped As Tree-Trimming Budget Stagnated
Connecticut Light & Power's tree-trimming budget has remained fairly stagnant while the company has used millions in ratepayer money to upgrade the supplemental pensions of its top-tier executives.
November 21, 2011
Convicted Ex-Mayor's 'Last Victims' Still Seeking Justice
When former lawyer, ex-Middletown Mayor and longtime Councilman Stephen Gionfriddo pleaded guilty in 2006 to defrauding law clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, he made a statement to the federal judge.
November 21, 2011
Western Massachusetts cities and towns race to clear tree debris
“We are trying to get the streets cleaned up before the snow starts,” said Sean Kelley, director of special projects for the East Longmeadow Department of Public Works.
November 21, 2011
Steel frame taking shape for Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center
When completed in late 2012, the center will feature numerous computers with the high-speed, high-capacity computing ability to process oceans of data.
November 21, 2011
Steel frame taking shape for Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center
When completed in late 2012, the center will feature numerous computers with the high-speed, high-capacity computing ability to process oceans of data.
November 18, 2011
CL&P Chief Jeffrey Butler Resigns After Storm Of Controversy
The resignation was announced by parent company Northeast Utilities, which also reported other management changes it hopes will improve the utility's emergency preparedness and performance.
November 18, 2011
Simsbury Bank To Make Quick Loan Decisions For Storm Victims
The bank is also offering a faster, 3-day loan decision for businesses, who will be allowed to borrow up to $25,000 in that program.
November 18, 2011
Aides for former Mass. govs say no computer sales
Officials in Gov. Deval Patrick's administration say in addition to the hard drive sales, the Romney administration's emails were all wiped from a server.
November 18, 2011
New Haven-to-Hartford-to-Springfield high-speed rail line project manager remains confident
John Bernick said Thursday that Connecticut is "still in good shape" and has already received enough money to launch service from New Haven to Windsor in 2016.
November 18, 2011
Northampton keeps single tax rate; to rise by 3 percent
Property taxes would rise by 3 percent next year under a proposal presented Thursday to the City Council, climbing from $12.96 per $1,000 of assessed value to $13.35.
November 18, 2011
Easthampton Planning Board appointee under fire from businesses
One of two vacancies on the Easthampton Planning Board will soon be filled by a former Zoning Board of Appeals chairman and sign enforcement officer for the city
November 17, 2011
State Releases 'Big List' Of Unclaimed Money
There are more than 49,000 new names of Connecticut residents listed.
November 17, 2011
CT and 11 Other States Will Sue EPA Over Soot Rules
"Connecticut citizens cannot afford to wait any longer for EPA to do what is required to do by law and by court order," Jepsen said in a written statement late Wednesday. "Unhealthy levels of air pollution are threatening people's lives."
November 17, 2011
Heidi Watney trading Red Sox beat to cover Los Angeles Lakers
Multiple media sources reported that the popular in-game reporter for NESN is returning to her native California.
November 17, 2011
Planned East Springfield biomass plant gets initial building permit
The city’s Code Enforcement commissioner has granted a building permit for initial construction of a $150 million wood-burning plant in East Springfield, triggering a promised appeal from an opposition group.
November 17, 2011
New England fishermen to lawmakers: Don't scrap fishing system
More than a hundred New England fishermen in ports from Maine to Rhode Island are asking lawmakers to back off efforts to kill a new management system.
November 17, 2011
New England fishermen to lawmakers: Don't scrap fishing system
More than a hundred New England fishermen in ports from Maine to Rhode Island are asking lawmakers to back off efforts to kill a new management system.
November 17, 2011
Massachusetts House OKs bill targeting habitual offenders
The Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved a bill denying parole to anyone convicted of a third serious felony.
November 16, 2011
Massachusetts Approves Casino Gambling
Mohegan Sun, with hopes of developing a casino in the Massachusetts town of Palmer, was pleased Tuesday as Bay State lawmakers approved legislation that legalizes casino gambling — but the Connecticut resort has a long, tough road before it could open.
November 16, 2011
Pratt & Whitney Wins 200 PurePower Engine Sales At Dubai
An airplane leasing company and Qatar Airlines have agreed to buy 100 PurePower geared turbofan engines each, Pratt announced Tuesday at the Dubai Air Show.
November 16, 2011
A Pricey Power Outage: People Talk About Personal Expenses
Right as the big retail season was getting started, the October snowstorm knocked out power and hit people with expenses for hotels, spoiled food, generators, insurance deductibles and other items.
November 16, 2011
Mass. middle school teacher charged in armed robbery
School administrators say 27-year-old Jennifer Horton of Worcester has been placed on leave after turning herself in Monday morning in connection with an armed robbery in Worcester on Friday.
November 16, 2011
MassDevelopment issues $45 million in low-interest, tax-exempt financing
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, has issued $45 million in low-interest, tax-exempt financing for Baystate Medical Center’s ongoing, $296 million “Hospital of the Future” project.
November 15, 2011
Jim Koch, founder of Boston Beer Co., tells Holyoke audience about small business struggles
The Boston Beer Company boss discussed the Brewing the American Dream micro-loan program designed to help small businesses grow.
November 15, 2011
Mercy Medical Center in Springfield completes $1.3 million renovation
Responding to growing demand for services, Mercy Medical Center has completed a $1.3 million renovation and expansion of its emergency department.
November 15, 2011
Holyoke to benefit from $250,000 grant for middle school science students
The pending presence of a high performance computing center downtown has led to a $250,000 grant that will help middle-school science students, officials said.
November 15, 2011
Three Of State's Largest Medical Groups Form Alliance
The three medical groups — ProHealth Physicians, Connecticut Multispecialty Group Women's Health USA and Women's Health Connecticut — comprise more than 450 physicians and 500,000 patients.
November 15, 2011
In New Haven Experiment, Shipping Containers Form Prototype House
So architecturally, the house now going up on a vacant lot at 56 Vernon will have plenty of curb appeal, blending perfectly into the neighborhood — with one notable exception: It is about as far as a builder can get from traditional wood frame construction.
November 15, 2011
State Investigating Storrs Center For Worker Violations
State officials are probing potential workplace violations by a subcontractor at the high-profile Storrs Center development near the University of Connecticut, after an inspection that that also revealed that some workers on the site might be undocumented.
November 15, 2011
State Investigating Storrs Center For Worker Violations
State officials are probing potential workplace violations by a subcontractor at the high-profile Storrs Center development near the University of Connecticut, after an inspection that that also revealed that some workers on the site might be undocumented.
November 14, 2011
U.S. Postal Service wants to cut jobs at Indian Orchard sorting center
Letters and postcards mailed in the Pioneer Valley would be processed in either Hartford or Worcester, said Christine G. Dugas, a Postal Service spokeswoman.
November 14, 2011
Occupy Worcester breaks up encampment in Lake Park
The group broke down its camp at Lake Park on Sunday and some protesters moved to Lincoln Square.
November 14, 2011
Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund gets a new name - Common Capital - and expanded mission
Environmental Integrity, LLC of Holyoke grew from two to 20 employees and from 4,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet of space.
November 14, 2011
114,000 Bay State residents have quit looking for work
This year, 31,000 Bay State residents have quit looking for work during this unusually steep recession, according to a report by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University.
November 11, 2011
Sierra Club calls for tougher emission standards at Mt. Tom power plant
“Big coal does make us sick. We are asking that the Mount Tom plant stop making money by making us sick,” the Sierra Club’s Drew Grande said at a press conference.
November 11, 2011
Twelve Massachusetts agricultural groups win $450,000 federal grant
The grant for Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, also known as CISA, is one of 12 U.S. Department of Agriculture grants totaling $450,000 made to a dozen agriculture promotion groups around the state.
November 11, 2011
CL&P Overbills Elderly Berlin Man $12,000 Over 10 Years
Connecticut Light & Power, the company that spent more than $65 million the past few years on customer-service improvement, has finally acknowledged it overbilled an elderly Berlin condo owner thousands of dollars over 10 years.
November 11, 2011
Telecom Firms Should Automatically Credit Customers For Time Without Service
Attorney General George Jepsen said he is asking all providers of telephone, cable TV, satellite TV and Internet access to waive charges for the days when their Connecticut customers were without service following the October snowstorm.
November 11, 2011
Telecom Firms Should Automatically Credit Customers For Time Without Service
Attorney General George Jepsen said he is asking all providers of telephone, cable TV, satellite TV and Internet access to waive charges for the days when their Connecticut customers were without service following the October snowstorm.
November 10, 2011
Windsor-based Vantis Life Saw A 29 Percent Increase In Year-Over-Year Sales
Sales of recurring-premium life insurance products for the year ending Sept. 30 totaled $2.56 million, up from $1.98 million for the same period a year ago.
November 10, 2011
Connecticut Unemployment Falls To 8.9%
The decline was not due to people giving up on a search for work, according to data from the Connecticut Department of Labor.
November 10, 2011
Lawyer Pleads Guilty In Mortgage Scam
New Haven lawyer David Kinney faces more than three years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to participating in a conspiracy that used fraudulent real estate transactions to bilk lenders out of mortgage loans.
November 10, 2011
Chicopee politicians say this was most negative campaign season they have seen
In a city usually known for its toned-down campaign rhetoric and just-the-issues debates, this year's election season was an exception.
November 9, 2011
Web soap pokes fun at politically correct Amherst
The program premiered earlier this month and will run for 12 weeks, with new episodes appearing online on Fridays. It features a group of Pioneer Valley actors and comedians.
November 9, 2011
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo briefed on bill that would extend sales tax to Internet
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said he discussed for the first time Tuesday the details of a bill that retailers say they desperately need to compete with online outlets like Amazon.com.
November 9, 2011
Stolen CL&P Transformer Causes Haz-Mat Spill, DEEP Says
Two men were arrested after a stolen CL&P transformer in the bed of their pick-up truck leaked a highly-toxic chemical, forcing a hazardous-waste cleanup
November 9, 2011
Stolen CL&P Transformer Causes Haz-Mat Spill, DEEP Says
Two men were arrested after a stolen CL&P transformer in the bed of their pick-up truck leaked a highly-toxic chemical, forcing a hazardous-waste cleanup
November 9, 2011
Stories Of Post-Storm Cash Woes
Many elect to defer cash spending.
November 8, 2011
Saying goodbye to WRNX, innovative Western Massachusetts radio station
FM station moves to Hartford market for economic reasons.
November 8, 2011
About 50,000 Connecticut residents still without power 9 days after snowstorm
Connecticut Light & Power indicate a number of customers still without power. Large number of trees and natural debris cause.
November 8, 2011
New Milford Hospital Settles Medicare Overbilling Complaint
Federal authorities say hospital was aware of billing errors but failed to report them or repay excess reimbursements
November 8, 2011
New Milford Hospital Settles Medicare Overbilling Complaint
Federal authorities say hospital was aware of billing errors but failed to report them or repay excess reimbursements
November 7, 2011
State Won't Enforce 1919 Law Barring Some Tree Trimmers
State officials say that in the wake of a story that damaged trees across the state, they won't enforce a 1919 Connecticut law that bars some tree trimmers from pruning or taking down branches
November 7, 2011
Capitol Project Becomes A Concrete Mix-Up
Press releases about government projects are always so positive. Take, for example, the one about last year's $1.3-million project that brought "pervious" concrete walkways and pavements to the State Capitol in Hartford. It also installed a rainwater-harvesting system that flows into an 8,000-gallon underground cistern that is used to water the gardens.
November 7, 2011
Environmental Contractor Cleared Of Financial Fraud Charges
The owner of a environmental clean-up business — once called "Exhibit A" for the need for contracting reform in Connecticut — was cleared of charges Friday that he collected hundreds of thousands of dollars by illegally inflating the cost of removing polluted soil from a shopping mall project.
November 7, 2011
Environmental Contractor Cleared Of Financial Fraud Charges
The owner of a environmental clean-up business — once called "Exhibit A" for the need for contracting reform in Connecticut — was cleared of charges Friday that he collected hundreds of thousands of dollars by illegally inflating the cost of removing polluted soil from a shopping mall project.
November 7, 2011
How Much Does Permanent, Standby Generator Cost?
What if, next time power goes out on your street, a standby generator automatically kicks in and keeps the house warm (or cool), the refrigerator, stove and television running, the automatic garage-door opener churning, the lights on and the neighbors jealous?
November 4, 2011
Kaman Buys Vermont Composites, An Aerospace Firm
Kaman Corp. has agreed to buy Vermont Composites Inc., a maker of composite aerospace components and medical equipment based in Bennington, Vt.
November 4, 2011
Employers Open Doors To Children While Power Outage Closes Schools
Children folded paper into origami frogs, twisted green and yellow tissue paper into flowers, danced on a nearby stage and donned cowboy hats and tiaras during acting lessons by employees of Hartford Stage.
November 4, 2011
Kindness warms chilled neighbors in Western Massachusetts
One offered a stockpile of handmade quilts. Another donated firewood. A third opened a warm home and family-style dinners to mitigate the cold, anxiety-ridden nights.
November 4, 2011
Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton narrows field of potential partners to 2
The Board of Trustees voted Monday to narrow the list of potential partners to Baystate Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, dropping the for-profit Vanguard Health System from the running.
November 4, 2011
Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton narrows field of potential partners to 2
The Board of Trustees voted Monday to narrow the list of potential partners to Baystate Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, dropping the for-profit Vanguard Health System from the running.
November 1, 2011
Massachusetts customers should see power restored by Wednesday or Thursday
The question on everyone’s minds is when they will have heat and lights again and Internet service
November 1, 2011
Wild car chase through Springfield
Multiple injuries and gunfire reported.
November 1, 2011
Criticism rises over Menino's handling of Occupy Boston.
November 1, 2011
Criticism rises over Menino's handling of Occupy Boston.
November 1, 2011
Gasoline, hot water, coffee are commodities in high demand as many wait for power to return.
November 1, 2011
Hot showers, towels, massages and beef brisket
Some shelters might earn Zagat or Michelin ratings!
October 31, 2011
More than 500,000 without power across Massachusetts
BOSTON (AP) — More than 500,000 homes and businesses across Massachusetts remained without power following an October nor'easter, and it could be days before all are back on line.
October 31, 2011
E. Osterman Propane Inc. merges with NGL Energy Partners of Oklahoma
SOUTHBRIDGE – E. Osterman Propane Inc. has merged with the much larger and recently formed NGL Energy Partners LLC based in Tulsa, Okla.
October 31, 2011
Cigna Misses Earnings Projections, Raises Outlook For Annual Profits
Bloomfield-based Cigna Corp. reported an increase in its customer base and revenue, but missed earnings projected by Wall Street analysts
October 31, 2011
MetLife Promotes Marketing Head Who Led Giants, Jets Stadium Deal
MetLife Inc., known for its Snoopy logo, promoted the head of marketing who got the insurer's name on the newly built Rutherford, N.J. stadium of the New York Giants and Jets. Beth Hirschhorn has been named executive vice president of global brand, marketing and communications. She was senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
October 31, 2011
MetLife Promotes Marketing Head Who Led Giants, Jets Stadium Deal
MetLife Inc., known for its Snoopy logo, promoted the head of marketing who got the insurer's name on the newly built Rutherford, N.J. stadium of the New York Giants and Jets. Beth Hirschhorn has been named executive vice president of global brand, marketing and communications. She was senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
October 28, 2011
Massachusetts towns and cities to get additional aid on October 31. Report.
October 28, 2011
Whirlpool reports workforce reduction
The company, whose brands include Maytag and KitchenAid, has been squeezed by soft demand since the recession and rising costs for materials such as steel and copper.
October 28, 2011
Oil dealers shy away from winter contracts
Concerned with fluctuating prices, heating oil dealers opt for COD.
October 27, 2011
Specialty Music Store to Close
MANCHESTER, N.H. — A 39-year-old music stores business has closed its 12 stores across New England.
October 27, 2011
Govt. study finds income of top 1 percent of Americans increased 275 percent over past 30 years
While the middle class and poor have seen their after-tax household income only crawl up in comparison, according to a new government study.
October 27, 2011
Pittsfield Mayoral Candidate to Focus on Job Creation
Mayoral candidate Peter M. Marchetti on Wednesday night claimed voters’ biggest concern heading into next month’s election is job creation and Pittsfield’s ability to deliver a highly skilled labor.
October 27, 2011
Aetna Cutting More Than 400 CT Jobs Through Early Retirement
Early retirement proves attractive to some Aetna employees.
October 27, 2011
Aetna Cutting More Than 400 CT Jobs Through Early Retirement
Early retirement proves attractive to some Aetna employees.
October 25, 2011
New head of commerce to meet commercial fisherman
BOSTON (AP) - Newly-confirmed U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson plans to visit Massachusetts to hear the concerns of local fishermen.
October 25, 2011
UMASS alum could be next Bosox GM
University of Massachusetts professor Lisa Pike-Masteralexis remembers Ben Cherington sitting in her office when he was a graduate student in the sport management department, talking about his aspirations.
October 25, 2011
Police arrest man, 21, who allegedly pulled gun on Pub bouncer
Jamie A. Adames, 21, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. outside The Pub on East Pleasant Street on charges of disorderly conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, police said
October 25, 2011
Remembering A Tyrant: Gadhafi's Personal Interpreter
A professor at Western Connecticut State University talks openly about his former work as an official translater for the dictator.
October 25, 2011
DOD submarine research to go to Electric Boat
The Department of Defense has awarded $90 million for advanced submarine research and development to the Electric Boat and Newport News shipyards, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said late Monday, most of which will be spent in Connecticut.
October 25, 2011
NCAA academic rules could hurt UCONN programs
The NCAA is aiming to implement stricter academic standards, the final touches of the plan to be voted upon this week.
October 25, 2011
Has Boston's mayor gotten soft...?
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the Boston police have drawn criticism – unfair, by early indications – over the arrest of 100-plus protesters who refused to leave a portion of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.
October 25, 2011
Junior Achievement ready for Stock Market Challenge
Annual fund-raising event is a go at on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College. Area schools and companies to compete for glory and trophies.
October 25, 2011
PITTSFIELD -- The second robbery this year at Berkshire Hills Country Club struck a personal blow when thieves stole not only two golf carts from the barn, but the custom-fitted clubs owned by a disabled golfer whom many at the club consider an inspiration.
November 4, 2010
Emerging Market Countries Criticize Fed Decision
Officials from Brazil to South Korea threatened more measures to curb the flood of money that has pushed up currency values and fueled concerns that asset price bubbles might be in the making in their countries.
November 4, 2010
Obama calls midterm elections a 'shellacking' for Democrats
President Obama calls the elections a 'shellacking' for Democrats after a massive midterm Democratic defeat.
October 8, 2010
Nobel Peace Prize Given to Jailed Chinese Dissident
Mr. Liu, 54, perhaps China’s best known dissident, is currently serving an 11-year term on subversion charges.
September 14, 2010
Liberty Mutual sets IPO for unit
The Boston-based company said in a regulatory filing that it would sell 64.3 million class A shares in the unit that sells personal and commercial insurance.
September 13, 2010
Middle class tax cuts gain support
House GOP leader would vote for bill
September 10, 2010
Harvard Business School dean is bent on change
Nitin Nohria, a professor at the school for the past 22 years, said he intends to open Harvard Business School to wider influences, a job for which he feels particularly well suited.
September 10, 2010
US funding for stem cells gets reprieve
The new order suspends a federal judge’s ruling, issued last month, that halted federal funding for such research.
August 13, 2010
Unica's 500 employees to join IBM's software development group.
July 29, 2010
Subsidies can help the private sector
Unemployed professionals looking to increase their profile in ultra-competitive job market.
July 29, 2010
MA home sales hit an all-time high
Motivated by the looming expiration of a federal tax credit, Massachusetts buyers snapped up 5,726 single-family homes in June, the highest number of monthly sales in four years, according to new data released yesterday.
June 16, 2010
Brookings Institution reports Pioneer Valley in MA managing recession
When compared to other similar metropolitan areas, western MA is weathering the sluggish economy better than others.
June 16, 2010
Genzyme's CEO survives Icahn storm
In what's proving to be a rare occurance in business, this CEO deflects billionaire corporate raider, Carl Icahn.
April 5, 2010
CT manufactureres look to diversify
Diversification applies to more than investment portfolios. Hi-tech manufacturers reinvent themselves in volatile economy.
February 26, 2010
ESPN parent company inks $2.25Bdeal
New credit arrangement by parent company Walt Disney Company used to support commercial paper.
February 26, 2010
ATM president scams $11M from CT-based bank
Federal prosecutors have charged an executive of Mount Vernon Money Centers for stealing from Webster Bank, based in Waterbury, CT.
November 27, 2009
Berkshire County unemployment numbers fall
Unemployment numbers fall to 7.7% from a previous 8.3%. Is the decline significant in such a slow recovery?
October 22, 2009
Swine flu helps area businesses
A handful of regional drug makers are pushing to get H1N1 vaccines to the masses.
August 18, 2009
A restored Plymouth Superbird might fetch a princely sum as the owner attempts to sell his investment.
August 18, 2009
CT biotech firm gets another $5M from investors
Startup Kolltan Pharmaceuticals is poised to continue development on a tumor-fighting drug.
August 6, 2009
Feeling the urge to splurge? Unlimited spending is not the goal, but consumers are ready to hit the stores again.
July 2, 2009
Millionaires don't feel like a million
In spite having upwards of $3.5M in investable assets, close to half of millionaires just don't feel that wealthy. What gives?
June 16, 2009
Governor Deval Patrick signs new bill
Legislation is designed to close loopholes in the state's pension system.
June 16, 2009
AETNA breathes big sigh of relief
Court dismisses two year old case against the Hartford, CT-based insurer accused of using improper pricing strategies.
June 16, 2009
CT legislation shortens bank mergers
Governor Jodi Rell signs law that shortens amount of time a healthy bank can acquire assets of a failed bank.
June 16, 2009
A snapshot of business briefs coming from western New England.
June 16, 2009
Former General RE officer given probation
John Houldsworth, the former chief executive officer of an Irish affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway's General Re, was also fined $5,000 and ordered to perform 400 hours of community service during the probation period.
June 1, 2009
The Travelers Companies, based in Hartford, Connecticut, takes a place onto the Dow Jones stock index displacing troubled CitiGroup.
June 1, 2009
Gas prices rise in time with good weather
For the eighth consecutive week, the average price of regular unleaded has gone up $.08/gallon.
May 19, 2009
CT based mortgage firm to settle
Mortgage Lenders Network is expected to settle employees' suit against them for $2.7M
May 4, 2009
CT state treasurer okay with BofA chairman stepping down
Among shareholders and directors alike, the CT state treasurer is breathing a sigh of relief.
May 4, 2009
Banking activity in western Massachusetts prompts promotion of senior level executives.
May 4, 2009
Overland carriers feeling the pinch of a tight economy.
April 14, 2009
MassMutual layoffs to be permanent
Up to 65 full time employees are expected to lose their jobs.
April 14, 2009
Local marketing firm gets state loan to expand
Suffield, CT-based Windsor Marketing Group is receving a $2 million loan from Connecticut to help with their physical expansion.
March 26, 2009
Liberty Mutual to pay Connecticut big fines
State of Connecticut has ordered Liberty Mutual to pay fines and restitution for over charging customers.
March 20, 2009
What keeps a CT CEO up at night? Read some of their comments.
March 20, 2009
Boehringer Ingleheim Pharmaceuticals plans to grow
Connecticut-based firm plans on expanding their footprint in the towns of Danbury and Ridgefield.
March 11, 2009
Global demands heads south forcing Connecticut's largest employer to make some difficult decisions.
February 25, 2009
CT auto dealers continue meltdown
Auto dealers across Connecticut continue to go out of business as the nation's economy continues its slow burn.
February 25, 2009
The dividend payout scheduled for May 1 will be affected.
February 9, 2009
New jobs, new workers, new thinking
Being inventive taking a second, even non-traditional job can be worth investigating in these troubled times.
February 6, 2009
Crowded job fairs speak volumes
Over 800 individuals show up for approximately 50 positions at this Connecticut job fair.
February 6, 2009
Mortgage restrictions cuff consumers
In Connecticut and throughout New England, new details in the fine print make it more challenging for homeowners to refinance their mortgages.
February 6, 2009
Unemployment benefits extended
Massachusetts residents who have exhausted their unemployment may be eligible for an additional 13 weeks
December 18, 2008
The U.S. Navy has awarded Connecticut based Sikorsky Helicopters a multi-year contract for 42 helicopters.
November 24, 2008
Auto dealers in western MA see a few bright spots.
November 24, 2008
Tool makers & designers needed. Now!
Overall, Connecticut manufacturing may be down, but certain specialty skills in that sector are in need of workers. And the need is "right now."
November 12, 2008
MassMutual standing on its own
Insurance giant is not going to seek Federal bailout money but remains cautious going forward.
November 12, 2008
VBrick Systems, Inc. of Connecticut draws VCs
Creator of special electronic device can stream both live and stored video onto the Internet.
November 12, 2008
Hartford Steam Boiler & Insurance to get aid
Parent company of HSB&I to get Federal aid in exchange for partial ownership.
October 8, 2008
CT nascent fuel-cell technology likely to grow
The Federal bail-out package is likely to help several Connecticut companies focused on energy efficiency.
October 6, 2008
Allianz SE to invest in Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
The giant German financial services firm will invest $2.5b to strengthen financial position in turbulent markets.
October 6, 2008
Residents of the richest state in the U.S. to benefit from the federal plan.
September 30, 2008
Guiliani impresses importance of bail out plan
While campaigning for John McCain in New Hampshire, former NYC Mayor Rudy Guliani espouses the signifiance of the Federal bail out plan.
September 30, 2008
Are CT commercial lenders worried?
According to this report, the Federal bail out will have little if any affect on Connecticut's lending institutions.
September 30, 2008
Small business powers refrigerator in novel way
This Ridgefield, CT gym uses cycle power to keep things nice and chilly. In the 'fridge, that is.
September 26, 2008
Home foreclosures continue to rise
Residential properties continue to suffer foreclosure activity in much of western Massachusetts.
September 26, 2008
The state's turnpike authority discussing ways to reduce debt by raising tolls across I-90.
September 26, 2008
Trendy Northampton vies to keep business alive
Local storekeepers from Main Street to Thornes adapt to the new pressures brought on by the financial crisis.
September 26, 2008
Columnist offers a different take on a Greenwich, CT mansion formerly owned by an indicted securities advisor.
September 23, 2008
Aetna permits review of canceled insurance policies
Aetna allows patients to have their cases reviewed by a panel of independent physicians.
September 23, 2008
MA braces for state-wide program cuts
Citing a reduction in revenues and the fallout from the financial crisis, lawmakers are preparing for worse-case scenarios as the bailout plan takes shape to help troubled investment banks.
September 23, 2008
Falmouth Hospital receives $10M gift
A Cape Cod couple donated $10 million to the local hospital in order to create a new oncology treatment facility.
September 18, 2008
Merrill Lynch and Bank of America deep in CT
Their roots are here in Connecticut, but do these roots run too deep? How will communities tied to these institutions fare in light of the ongoing, ever-changing financial market crisis?
September 18, 2008
There are signs, but you have to know what to look for, where too look and when. Find out here.
September 18, 2008
Ice River Springs gets reprieve
In an effort to promote business, Canda's Ice River Springs is now allowed to build a production plant for their bottled water products.
September 18, 2008
Money markets caught in the turmoil
Experts suggest not to put your cash under the mattress. There may be a "domino effect" but this may be more emotional than actual.
September 8, 2008
Are you a downsizing survivor?
Professionals still left standing at their companies can be just as stressed as those who've been let go. Learn how to survive the changes and expectations of a new order without your colleagues.