Daily Hampshire Gazette

2 days ago | gazettenet.com | Madison Schofield

E-Edition Advertise Newsletters Subscribe Home News Opinion Sports Business Arts & Life Obituaries Classifieds Calendar Puzzles Sen. Jo Comerford and Rep. Natalie Blais welcomed representatives from school districts across western Massachusetts to speak to state legislators on the unique challenges rural communities face in funding education.

4 days ago | gazettenet.com | Bob Katzen

The Massachusetts State House in Boston THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from recent sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

5 days ago | gazettenet.com | Alexander MacDougall

EASTHAMPTON — The City Council passed the $62 million fiscal year budget put forward by Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, although not without some controversy regarding reduced hours for several city employees. The budget managed to avoid any cuts or funding gaps, and represents an 8.4% increase in city spending.

1 week ago | gazettenet.com | Alexander MacDougall

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra has appointed Katie Deppen, the city’s current superintendent of engineering in the Department of Public Works, as the next Central Services director. If confirmed by the City Council, Deppen will be the first woman to hold the position, succeeding retiring Director Pat McCarthy in mid-July. Deppen brings extensive experience in facilities management, including collegiate sports facility operations with the NFL, NCAA and international venues.

1 week ago | gazettenet.com | Alexander MacDougall

A view of some of the individuals who took down the pride flags from the awning of Thornes Marketplace before setting them on fire early Thursday. NORTHAMPTON — Thornes Marketplace is offering a $250 gift card to anybody who can identify several young men who set fire to pride flags hanging from the department store’s awning on Thursday.