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By SAMUEL GELINAS

WILLIAMSBURG — Two weeks after residents engaged in a contentious shouting match at annual Town Meeting over easement approval needed for proposed construction of a section of a rail-trail that will eventually connect to Northampton, residents of Haydenville’s South Main Street neighborhood opposed to the project and town officials were equally apologetic at a Select Board meeting on Thursday.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A presentation of the Human Rights Commission’s Youth Hero Awards and a picnic will highlight Race Amity Day: A Celebration of the Oneness of the Human Family, taking place Sunday at Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road.

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Representatives on one legislative committee are not ready to decide whether one of the most controversial proposals on their plate should move forward early in the lawmaking term.

LEVERETT — A final piece of Leverett’s 250th anniversary celebrations, which took place throughout 2024, will be held at the Community Room at the Leverett Library, 75 Montague Road, Saturday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

By ALEXA LEWIS

The Hampshire-Franklin County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls has a unique mission: identifying issues impacting women in their communities and advocating for legislation that could change their lives for the better.

By GABRIEL O’HARA SALINI

Over 50% of small business owners said they were likely to close or sell their business in the next five years, citing high costs across their businesses as a driving factor, a recent study from UMass Donahue Institute showed.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Buried on the grounds of Fort River School in 1994 to mark the 20th anniversary of the school’s opening, a time capsule is being uncovered Sunday afternoon, 11 years after the original scheduled date to dig it up.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College English Professor Elizabeth Trobaugh of Amherst is the recipient of the 2025 Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence Award, HCC’s highest faculty honor.

By AMY NEWSHORE

What do you think is the No. 1 issue couples bring to therapists and relationship coaches? If you guessed communication, you’re right.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — CRESS Connections, a new program of the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service, is bringing together the unarmed public safety professionals with local youths to build more meaningful relationships.

By SAM DRYSDALE

The state will close its remaining motel and hotel shelters this summer, Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday, as the governor and lawmakers have imposed restrictions on the emergency housing system over the past year and family enrollment has declined.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A barn preservation program aimed at protecting iconic and historically valuable barns across Amherst is being introduced by the Historical Commission.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — At least three candidates are making a run for Northampton City Council’s at-large seats, while the School Committee’s Ward 2 member looks to make her position permanent.

By ALEXA LEWIS

Western Massachusetts stands to “greatly benefit” from a $1.33 billion spending plan for education and transportation adopted by the state Senate last Thursday, thanks in part to lengthy debates leading up to a vote on the package that sought to reverse an initial proposal that Sen. Jo Comerford called “skewed” and “wildly unfair” to this region.

HAYDENVILLE — Local artisans are invited to apply now to reserve a table at the annual Haydenville Artisan Show and Collectibles Sale on June 7.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst Recreation Department’s work at expanding accessibility and empowering youth is being recognized through an award presented by the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association.

By LISA GOODRICH

For Kimberly Longey, farmer-florist at Wild Life Flowers in Plainfield, the idea of the slow flower movement began with an appreciation for local food. “As a lover of flowers, I have purchased out-of-season blooms at the grocery store because they brightened my mood in the dead of winter. Even though I was conscious of where my food came from, I wasn’t really thinking about where my flowers came from,” says Longey.

By JIM BRIDGMAN

Coretta Scott King, widow of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, told Smith College women yesterday that they should become part of the “creative, dedicated minority” that is seeking to alleviate poverty, war, racism and other injustices in the world. Speaking at Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Mrs. King told the students that as “privileged women” they had a special obligation to help their fellow human beings.

By CAROLYN BROWN

EASTHAMPTON — The city will bid farewell to its outgoing poet laureate, Carolyn Cushing, and welcome its new poet laureate, Carolyn Zaikowski, this weekend.