Amherst Ma

Anti-bias training throughout the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools, under the Welcoming Schools Seal of Excellence Track, will soon be getting underway. gazette file photo

AMHERST — Designating new school zones on roads near the Amherst Regional Middle and High schools, and installing associated signs and flashing beacons as has been done for the town’s elementary schools, will require more time to go through a Town Council process.

Darlene Tyus, a member of the District One Neighborhood Association’s Garden Committee, and UMass graduate student Kendrick McDonald put the bench back in a garden in front of the North Amherst Library. CONTRIBUTED

I work as a server at Notch 8 in Northampton, and I, like all of the servers I know, oppose Question 5. When you walk into a restaurant, you’re greeted by the host. This is typically a young person working their first restaurant job. Hosts make minimum wage plus tips, exactly what Question 5 proposes for servers. If someone want minimum wage plus tips, they can find that job today and now, and there are countless restaurants that would be happy to take them. Yet no one is clamoring for this job; it’s an entry-level job you workat before becoming a server or bartender.

The planned entrance to the new War Memorial Pool bathhouse as envisioned by Kuth Ranieri Architects and Berkshire Design Group. The new bathhouse is estimated to cost $4 million. CONTRIBUTED

AMHERST — Amherst’s elementary schools are facing a potential deficit of up to $1.4 million in a $29.06 million fiscal year 2026 budget, as a budgetary freeze in the current fiscal year is being considered by school officials.

Project 2025 provides a detailed description of what a Donald Trump presidency would mean for environmental concerns. Although not yet official policy, Project 2025, put together by the right-wing Heritage Foundation with authors including former high-level Trump team members to guide policy under a Trump presidency.

AMHERST — Halloween celebrations over the weekend led to numerous large parties, fights and assaults, and both underage drinking and public consumption of alcohol, in areas around the University of Massachusetts campus, according to Amherst police. One of the largest parties was reported Saturday at 11:45 p.m. on North Pleasant Street, at a home across from Puffton Village Apartments, where people were screaming and yelling and blocking the road, and at least one guest was urinating in the driveway.

The Constitution and the rule of law are the foundations of our democracy. Vote accordingly. Ed Ryan

The long-awaited Election Day is here, as this sign on Route 10 in Easthampton reminds people where and when to vote. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS