Sheriff asks community to help stop phone scams

NORTHAMPTON — Three months after Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane warned residents of a phone scam in which people were posing as employees of the sheriff’s office in an effort to extract personal information or extort money, the sheriff says the scam is once again active.

Since Sept. 19, the sheriff’s office has received reports of at least six scam calls, not including the five reported on the morning of Sept. 24. The callers claim to be employees from the office’s main facility and its Civil Process Division.

The calls typically begin with the caller making a vague threat that the receiver has missed a court appearance, or some appointment at the jail, and ends with attempts to extract personal information like e-mail addresses and Social Security numbers, while others blatantly demand money. Now the scammers are also delving into bitcoin.

Cahillane reminds residents that his office does not make calls like these, which he says are crimes. He advises people not to answer calls from numbers they don’t recognize. But for those who do answer a call and it seems suspicious, he urges people to call the sheriff’s main office at 413-584-5911 to report it.

Free HCC computer classes start Oct. 9 

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College is offering a free six-week beginner computer training course starting Oct. 9.  The real-time, instructor-led online classes will run Mondays and Wednesdays, Oct. 9 to Nov. 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots for internet access will be provided for students who need them. The program was originally scheduled to start Sept. 30.

The program, run In partnership with the Albany, New York-based nonprofit CanCode Communities, is aimed at helping individuals build essential computer skills for both personal and professional development. Participants will explore the Microsoft Office program, learn how to create resumes, manage calendars, and send email, and be introduced to the world of artificial intelligence.

Funding for the program comes from the Western Mass Alliance for Digital Equity. To sign up for classes, please send an email to admissions@albanycancode.org or call 518-238-6808 (ext. 702).

Haydenville church to host lasagna, baked good sale

HAYDENVILLE — Homemade lasagna and a wide variety of baked goods will be on sale Oct. 13 and 14 at Haydenville Congregational Church.

The lasagna and baked goods will available both Sunday and Monday of the October holiday weekend. Baked goods will include cookies, brownies, quick breads and assorted cake and pasties.

The lasagna will be fully based and ready to heat or freeze. It will be available in either meat or spinach, half-lasagna (4 servings) or quarter-lasagna (2 servings)

All pre-orders will be filled first and remaining lasagna will be sold to walk-ins while supplies last. To pre-order go to haydenvillechurch.org

Sale hours are Sunday, Oct 13 or Monday, Oct 14 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the church at 143 Main St, Haydenville.

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Ohketeau Cultural Center in Ashfield.

Sen. Mark office hours in October

BOSTON — State Sen. Paul W. Mark’s staff will host office hours in Williamsburg for two days in October. Residents of any of the 57 municipalities in the senator’s Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire District are encouraged to share ideas on current or potential state legislation, or to ask for assistance with issues involving any state agency.

The office hours will take place Oct. and Oct. 22, both from 1-3 p.m., at Town Offices, 141 Main St., Haydenville. Appointments are not required.