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By RUSS VERNON-JONES

I have often been frustrated that Donald Trump and Fox News combined have been able to get huge numbers of USers to believe things that aren’t true. Misinformation seems to have played a big role in getting many voters to choose Trump in last November’s election.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The Conservation Commission is poised to discuss a range of options for addressing hunting on town conservation land, from prohibiting the activity entirely to placing more restrictions on some of the public sites where hunting is currently allowed.

By Staff Report

AMHERST — After several weeks with Puffer’s Pond being open for swimming, town officials announced Thursday morning that the North Amherst site would be closed immediately due to high levels of E. coli bacteria.

By Grace Chai

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A former guidance counselor at the Amherst Regional Middle School, removed from her position for alleged anti-trans actions during the 2022-2023 school year, was wrongfully terminated and must be reinstated to her previous role, according to a ruling by an arbitrator.

By JOHANNA NEUMANN

On a recent work trip to New Orleans, I visited a lighthouse. But, if you’re imagining a structure on the cliffs of Cape Cod, I need to clarify that this lighthouse was a little different. Here’s its story.

Dear Hampshire County pet owners: I am Ramona Sirois, 10 years old, and I want to talk to you about an issue in our community and worldwide: animal abandonment. You can help prevent it! Animal abandonment is when a pet owner stops caring for an outdoor pet or releases an indoor pet into the wild. The owner does this because they cannot care for the pet, do not want them, or think the pet will be better off in the wild. This is a problem for the pets and the habitat they are released into.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — When restoration on an authentic white dress worn by Emily Dickinson is complete, the public might get the chance to see a textile expert place the garment on a modified mannequin, which will be displayed inside a protective cabinet in a prominent spot inside the Amherst History Center at 45 Boltwood Walk.

By GRACE CHAI

AMHERST — Though she much prefers to work behind the scenes as a volunteer to make her community a better place to live, longtime Amherst resident Jan Eidelson couldn’t avoid the spotlight entirely late last month.

This Sunday in Amherst, I saw my first spotted lanternfly. I wanted to share this news, because we can rally to protect our beloved ecosystem. Here are some ways I’ve found helpful to stay active about ecosystem protection: learn identifications. When you see a lanternfly, or another dangerous species, act as the planet’s immune system. Strengthen our bat population with those boxes. In other parts of the state, there are reports that bats are eating spotted lanternflies! The leading resource on the construction and maintenance of safe, healthy bat boxes is merlintuttle.org.

By GARRETT COTE

Ian Waite fell to the floor, his body numb and his surroundings suddenly still.

Increased temperatures due to climate change are negatively impacting our health, our environment, our infrastructure, and our economy. Yet corporations and governments aren’t doing nearly enough to cut climate-warming emissions, even when they know that the economic cost of inaction in the long run will be significantly greater than making the needed investments now.

President Donald Trump does not care about you or me. It’s not like rooting for the Red Sox, who have no idea who you are, because if they did know, they would care. But Trump is not a normal human being. You will never hear him say, as Barack Obama did, after the Marathon bombing, “You will run again.” Trump will never “feel your pain.” He will just never care. And that’s the kind of person we have running the whole show of governing our country, making decisions that affect our lives, deciding who lives here and who does not, all while not knowing or caring who anybody is. Just one heart beats in the world of Trump: his own.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A mix of incumbents and newcomers are taking out nomination forms to run for office at the November election, where all 13 seats on the Town Council, five seats on the School Committee and six library trustees positions will be decided.

I write in strong support of the proposed mixed-use housing project near Atkins Corner. As a progressive town that values sustainability, inclusion, and smart planning, Amherst should embrace this opportunity. Opponents cite environmental concerns, but three- to four-story mixed-use buildings are proven to be the most environmentally friendly forms of development. They reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and support walkability and public transit. This is exactly the kind of density we need to meet our climate goals.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

ASHFIELD — An Amherst native is continuing to put himself in the record books as one of the world’s fastest speedcubers, taking first place in an event at the recent Rubik’s World Cubing Association World Championship in Seattle.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Plans for a mixed-use development on Hampshire College-owned land in the Atkins Corner village center are being revised due to uncertainty that the Conservation Commission will allow wetlands intrusions beyond what the town wetlands bylaw allows.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A mixed-use redevelopment at the corner of Amity Street and University Drive, already approved as a five-story building, could add a sixth floor as a result of a new zoning overlay district.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A Pelham resident and Hampshire College graduate who brings extensive experience as a leader of nonprofits is Amherst Media’s new executive director.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Several residents concerned with Amherst’s government, featuring an elected 13-member Town Council and an appointed town manager, are asking the Charter Review Committee to recommend revisions to the town charter that might include adding a mayor as part of enhanced checks and balances.