In his first address as mayor, Narkewicz said he’ll hold town hall meetings on the city budget, appoint an economic advisory committee, and seek feedback from rank-and-file city workers to help him steer the ship of state through turbulent economic times. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – David J. Narkewicz, sworn in Tuesday as the city’s 44th [...]

The inauguration of elected officials, a public reception at Look Park and an organizational City Council meeting will be held today. JAN. 3, 2012, NORTHAMPTON – Inauguration ceremonies for the newly elected mayor, members of the City Council and School Committee and other officials, will begin at 10 a.m. today at the Northampton High School. City [...]

City assessors are sending the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese new property tax bills of more than $42,000 for shuttered churches here. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – City assessors have begun taxing two more Catholic churches here – St. John’s Cantius on Hawley Street and St. Mary’s on Elm St. – since neither has been actively used [...]

The council’s newest member and highest vote-getter appears to have the council presidency sewn up two weeks before the formal vote on inauguration day.   By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – William “Bill” Dwight, who was elected Nov. 8 to an at-large seat on the City Council, will become that body’s junior member shortly after he [...]

The city’s 1883 charter is broken and antiquated, and needs rewriting to manage 21st century operations. The committee charged with writing a new document wants citizen input, starting with a public forum tonight. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – Should the mayor’s term of office be doubled from two to four years? Should the mayor continue [...]

The New Owners Averted Disaster when a Freak October Snowstorm Knocked Out Power, Almost Ruining their $5,000 Opening Week Food Order By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – The long-awaited opening of Jake’s, the iconic downtown no-frills restaurant, got off to a stumble two weeks ago because of the massive October 29-30 snowstorm that knocked out power [...]

Fourth Candidate Enters Deeds Race NORTHAMPTON – City Treasurer George Zimmerman has thrown his hat into the ring for Hampshire County Register of Deeds, becming the third announced candidate for the $90,000-a-year post vacated Sept. 30 by longtime Register Marianne Donohue. The six-year position will appear on the November 2012 ballot, and Patricia Plaza – [...]

Races for mayor and for at-large city councilor, as well as a referendum question to repeal the Community Preservation Act, headline today’s election ballot. When and where do you go to vote? NORTHAMPTON – Municipal elections are today. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The election ballot features races for mayor, City [...]

  Acting Mayor Dave Narkewicz Raised Almost Twice as Much Money as his Opponent, Former Councilor Mike Bardsley; Former Councilor Bill Dwight Raised $18,800, More than the Other Three Candidates Combined in At-Large Council Race. NORTHAMPTON – Acting Mayor David Narkewicz showed his fundraising muscle this year by raising more than $48,000 in contributions, almost [...]

An emergency shelter is open at the Smith Vocational High School; some city roads remain closed from downed trees; schools and other city offices to remain closed. NORTHAMPTON – Saturday night’s powerful snowstorm has knocked out electrical power throughout the city, officials say, and it may be three or four days before it is restored. Acting [...]

Unanswered questions from Probation Department officials about Christopher Hoffman’s suspension with pay lead to speculation about whether it is an internal matter or linked to a state and federal probe of Probation Department corruption.   NORTHAMPTON (Oct. 6, 2011) – The acting chief probation officer for the Hampshire Superior Court here was reportedly escorted from his [...]

Airing of an anti-Wall Street documentary outside the Bank of America branch draws about 85; Occupy Northampton tents remain in Pulaski Park.   NORTHAMPTON – About 90 people packed onto Main Street Wednesday night to watch the movie “Inside Job,” a documentary about the 2008 collapse of the housing market and the nation’s banking and [...]

Drivers will be encouraged to take Route 9 while the Haydenville-to-Leeds link is closed to through-traffic. NORTHAMPTON – A River Road bridge over the Mill River targeted for replacement will be closed to through-traffic next Tuesday, Oct. 11, and won’t reopen for 13 months, according to the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW). “At the [...]

NORTHAMPTON – High spirits prevailed at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds Tuesday when word spread there that longtime Assistant Register Patricia Plaza will take over when Register of Deeds Marianne Donohue retires tomorrow. Plaza, 70, of Westhampton, has worked in the registry office for 22 years, and has served as the assistant register for [...]

The City’s Public Safety Departments Racked Up $200,000 in Overtime, Equipment and Clean-up Costs, Which Is Eligible for FEMA Reimbursements. NORTHAMPTON – State officials responsible for checking the safety of the city’s bridges and dams in the wake of Hurricane Irene have reported no problems, Northampton Media has learned. Edward Huntley, director of the city’s [...]