NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO ENDORSE THE FAIRNESS FOR FARMWORKERS ACT
The Council also reviewed the new redistricting map
JULES MARSH
OCTOBER 12, 2021
WALKING AWAY FROM PRISONS AND JAILS IN MASSACHUSETTS
Group marches across state to stop new prison and jail construction
SIERRA DICKEY
OCTOBER 10, 2021
HIRING COMMITTEE NAMED FOR NORTHAMPTON DOCC IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR
The Mayor’s appointees will begin the process of selecting an applicant to build the new department from scratch.
BRIAN ZAYATZ
OCTOBER 7, 2021
"I'M AN APOLITICAL PERSON"
The Gazette covers David Murphy as “apolitical” while insinuating left-wing candidates have an agenda.
WILL MEYER
SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
HOLYOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING PROVOKES HEATED DEBATE ON ARPA FUNDS
The Council also discussed dispensary buffer zones, dirt bikes, and more.
BELLA LEVAVI
SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
JAMILA GORE RUNS FOR AT-LARGE NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCILOR
In a Q+A, Gore talks about her vision for Northampton and her historic campaign
JULES MARSH
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM STRUCK DOWN
An in-depth look at the current state of protections against eviction in MA.
MOLLY KELLER
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
FEDERAL PPP LOANS DISTRIBUTED UNEQUALLY ACROSS VALLEY
A lawsuit alleging anti-white male bias slowed distribution to minority-owned businesses until little aid was left.
AVERY MARTIN
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO STAY REMOTE IN RESPONSE TO DELTA VARIANT
The Council also signalled support for a state housing bill at August’s meeting.
MIKE HANSON
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
COMMUNITY GROUPS COLLABORATE ON FLORENCE FREEDGE
The new community refrigerator is now open for donations and pick-ups along the Northampton Bikeway.
MOLLY KELLER
AUGUST 30, 2021
JESSE HASSINGER KICKS OFF CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN AT PULASKI PARK
The Belly of the Beast owner and Arts Council member says he wants to ask tough questions.
BRIAN ZAYATZ
AUGUST 27, 2021
MOUNT HOLYOKE STUDENTS GET HOUSING AFTER PRESSURING SCHOOL
The college again overenrolled itself, leaving students to fend for themselves during a statewide housing crunch.
BELLA LEVAVI
AUGUST 25, 2021
HOLYOKE POLICE CHIEF DAVID PRATT REQUESTED $478,000 IN FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING FOR NEW EQUIPMENT AND BONUSES
“Just like a kid on his Christmas list, I’m trying to pick the best toys that I can.”
AVERY MARTIN
AUGUST 14, 2021
EMILY “LEMY” COFFIN IS RUNNING FOR WARD 1 CITY COUNCILOR
The social worker and community organizer wants to bring systems level thinking to Northampton city government.
MOLLY KELLER
AUGUST 12, 2021
"STERN AND KIND"
Northampton mayoral candidate Shanna Fishel talks with The Shoestring about participatory budgeting, policing, and a grassroots path to victory.
JULES MARSH
AUGUST 7, 2021
NORTHAMPTON DPW REMOVES WARFIELD PL. CHERRY TREES IN MASSIVE SHOW OF FORCE
The city may have violated a temporary restraining order filed by neighbors.
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JULY 31, 2021
FOXES AND HEDGEHOGS AND PIGS, OH MY!
NPD Twitter account likes and follows sexual cartoon content
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JULY 21, 2021
DISTRICT ATTORNEY DECLINED TO PROSECUTE DRIVER WHO RAMMED THROUGH PROTEST
AVERY MARTIN
JULY 21, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS HYBRID MEETING FORMAT
The Council also voted to begin the process of banning broker fees at July’s meeting
AVERY MARTIN
JULY 17, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CONSTRUCTION DISPLACES UNHOUSED RESIDENTS
The city towed one couple’s RV before the parking ban took effect and has asked residents living in tents to pack up their encampment.
MOLLY KELLER
JULY 16, 2021
GOV. BAKER'S POST-EVICTION MORATORIUM PLAN FOR RENTERS FAILS TO DELIVER
The state spent millions on Covid consultants to rationalize letting the moratorium expire
DAN ATKINSON
JULY 15, 2021
NORTHAMPTON NEIGHBORHOOD RALLIES TO SAVE BELOVED CHERRY TREES
The Mayor and DPW Director won’t budge on plans to chop trees for repaving
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JULY 13, 2021
SOCIAL JUSTICE CHARTER SCHOOL STAFF HOLD PICKET AFTER MASS LAYOFFS
“These teachers helped us during the hardest year of school and now they’re getting laid off.”
R. NICHOLAS
JULY 5, 2021
GREENFIELD POLICE DENIED 1.3 MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION
Budget activism results in new scrutiny on Greenfield police spending
SIERRA DICKEY
JUNE 27, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL PASSES FY2022 BUDGET IN SECOND READING
Despite hours of public testimony about the police budget, the Mayor's budget passed as planned.
MOLLY KELLER
JUNE 24, 2021
LT. ALAN BOROWSKI WAS HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEE IN NORTHAMPTON
The Lieutenant has sued the city and has been sued for misconduct, costing taxpayers more than his salary.
MOLLY KELLER & WILL MEYER
JUNE 17, 2021
PROTESTORS BLOCK TRAFFIC TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE POLICE BUDGET
One driver drove slowly through the crowd, no one was seriously injured.
AVERY MARTIN
JUNE 16, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL PASSES BUDGET IN FIRST READING
The heavily criticized budget faces a second reading on June 17th
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JUNE 12, 2021
EASTHAMPTON'S AKINE SAYS CITY COUNCILORS ARE STIFLING ACTIVIST VOICES
In a recent letter, the activist group addresses councilors who also serve as moderators of online community forums
AVERY MARTIN
JUNE 3, 2021
ONE YEAR LATER, COMMUNITY STILL DEMANDS ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING AT BUDGET HEARINGS
Northampton City Council heard (or didn’t) department heads and the public in two special meetings
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JUNE 1, 2021
IF PIGS COULD FLY PART II
This is what it looks like when the NPD surveils their critics
WILL MEYER
MAY 30, 2021
CITY DESTROYS GEORGE FLOYD MEMORIAL
Narkewicz described the public art installation as vandalism
AVERY MARTIN
MAY 29, 2021
SHABBAT IN THE STREETS
Northampton Jewish community gathers to pressure Rep. Jim McGovern on Palestine
JULES MARSH
MAY 27, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL ENDORSES WAGE THEFT BILL, POSTPONES ZERO LOT LINE VOTE
The latest zoning change is the densest yet
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MAY 27, 2021
MAYOR NARKEWICZ SUBMITS FY22 BUDGET PROPOSAL
The budget funds level services across departments and a Department of Community Care
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MAY 24, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL ENDORSES GAZETTE UNION AND DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY CARE
In the last meeting before budget hearings begin, Councilors expressed tepid support for NPRC recommendations
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MAY 20, 2021
“IS THERE A WAY OF BREAKING FREE OF THE CAPITALIST LOGIC?”
Northampton residents are tired of thinking inside the housing box
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MAY 14, 2021
MASS PAID THESE COVID CONSULTANTS MORE THAN $20 MILLION
Tasks have included advising on vaccine rollout and making a “playbook” for “high-risk” communities
DAN ATKINSON
MAY 9, 2021
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #19
The Greenfield Recorder deleted an Op-ed calling for a military coup
THE SHOESTRING
APRIL 28, 2021
PUBLIC TELLS CITY COUNCIL ITS “TIME TO ACT” ON POLICING
The ordinance review committee presents findings on systemic racism; City Solicitor questions reviewers’ intent
BRIAN ZAYATZ
APRIL 25, 2021
AN INTERVIEW WITH GINA-LOUISE SCIARRA
The Northampton City Council President is running for Mayor
THE SHOESTRING
APRIL 19, 2021
NPD MISCONDUCT TRADING CARD #5: CLAY DELANO
An officer awarded by NPD for de-escalation has a history of violently arresting houseless Northampton residents for nonviolent activity.
MOLLY KELLER
APRIL 15, 2021
PEACE ACTIVISTS PRESSURE MCGOVERN’S OFFICE TO TAKE A STAND ON US POLICY IN VENEZUELA
Celina della Croce & Michael Kowalchuk
APRIL 13, 2021
LAST OF NORTHAMPTON'S MARIJUANA IMPACT FEES TO BE ALLOCATED
City Council approved an order allocating the fund’s $2.6 million, among many other financial orders
BRIAN ZAYATZ
APRIL 10, 2021
PERMIT REVOKED FOR SPRINGFIELD BIOMASS PLANT THANKS TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING
After a decade-long battle, environmental justice advocates celebrate a major victory, but the fight isn't over
SARAH ROBERTSON
APRIL 6, 2021
NORTHAMPTON POLICING COMMISSION RELEASES REPORT
The City must ask: What will the upcoming budget include, and what does that say about what Northampton prioritizes?
LUIS FIELDMAN
APRIL 5, 2021
DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE PUBLISHER BLAMES PANDEMIC FOR NEWSPAPER'S DOWNTURN
Says advertising revenue will rebound once “we get the economy rolling again.”
SARAH ROBERTSON
APRIL 1, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL INDICATES SUPPORT FOR FULL DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION
A resolution calls on NPD to limit drug enforcement, particularly for psychedelic plants
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MARCH 27, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL PASSES PACKAGE OF ZONING AMENDMENTS OVER PUBLIC OUTCRY
Proponents and opponents alike distraught over the seemingly runaway prices of homes in Northampton
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MARCH 25, 2021
AN UNREASONABLE ASSESSMENT
How Massachusetts policymakers’ commitment to administering the MCAS is failing our students.
SARAH FIELD
MARCH 25, 2021
SANCTUARY LEADER LUCIO PEREZ RELEASED, IRIDA KAKHTIRANOVA REMAINS INSIDE
SIERRA DICKEY
UPDATED MARCH 17, 2021
EL LÍDER DEL COLECTIVO SANTUARIO LUCIO PÉREZ ES LIBERADO, IRIDA KAKHTIRANOVA CONTINÚA CONFINADA
SIERRA DICKEY y ELENA IGARTUBURU
MARCH 17, 2021
OP-ED: WHEN 'CHECKING A BOX' IS NOT ENOUGH
How Easthampton is not living up to its promises on racial justice.
AKINE
MARCH 15, 2021
“FOREVER CHEMICAL” PFAS DETECTED IN SWIFT RIVER SCHOOL WATER
An elementary school on the Wendell-New Salem border found dangerous levels of a manufactured chemical in its tap water.
SARAH ROBERTSON
MARCH 14, 2021
THE SHOESTRING COVID TRACKER
COVID-19 information updated every Friday at noon.
JOE PATER
MARCH 12, 2021
NORTHAMPTON MOVES TO EXPAND TWO-FAMILY ZONING TO WHOLE CITY
Proponents say it could increase affordable housing stock in the city
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MARCH 11, 2021
ACLU TELLS HOLYOKE CITY COUNCIL TO DROP ANTI-PANHANDLING ORDINANCE
Holyoke City Council looks for loophole to criminalize panhandling, despite court ruling
SARAH ROBERTSON
MARCH 9, 2021
WHO DOES SERVICENET SERVE?
As current ServiceNet shelter workers bargain for better wages, high turnover and staff burnout raise questions not just about the non-profit’s labor practices but how they serve the unhoused community.
R. NICHOLAS
MARCH 8, 2021
THE STATE OF SURVEILLANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS
The police reform bill Baker signed in December watered down regulations on facial recognition technology. Local ordinances can help fight back.
KATE NADEL
MARCH 5, 2021
PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND TEACHERS RALLIED AGAINST HATE AT JFK MIDDLE SCHOOL
LUIS FIELDMAN
MARCH 3, 2021
A BAD RAP
How a Smith College Employee Became a Right Wing Culture Warrior
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MARCH 2, 2021
CLASH OF IDEALS AND CONVENTION OVER NEW GAS STATION
Public hearing on gas and diesel storage at Big Y’s North King St. location
BRIAN ZAYATZ
FEBRUARY 28, 2021
NORTHAMPTON AND AMHERST TO BECOME MASS VACCINATION SITES
Mayor Narkewicz explained vaccination hiccups to City Council
BRIAN ZAYATZ
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
NPD MISCONDUCT TRADING CARD #4: ANDREW KOHL
“Raising One’s Middle Finger is Not a Crime”
MOLLY KELLER
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
ABOLITION ACTIVISTS LEFT VALENTINES FOR MAYOR NARKEWICZ
The life-sized cards, created by Northampton Abolition Now, advocated divesting from policing and investing in community services.
LUIS FIELDMAN
FEBRUARY 24, 2021
GAZETTE WORKERS TO HOST “SAVING OUR LOCAL NEWS” PUBLIC FORUM ON WEDNESDAY
Jim McGovern and Lindsay Sabadosa will be there, but not the newspaper’s CEO
SARAH ROBERTSON
FEBRUARY 23, 2021
RECENT FIRE EXPOSES THE STRUCTURAL FAILURES FACING UNHOUSED PEOPLE IN NORTHAMPTON
SARAH ROBERTSON
FEBRUARY 22, 2021
NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL REBUKES COMCAST'S NEW DATA CAPS
City to conduct marketing study on public interest in municipal internet
BRIAN ZAYATZ
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
LEVEL SERVICES BUDGET POSSIBLE IF CITY IMPLEMENTS PROP 2 ½ OVERRIDE, SAYS NARKEWICZ
Mayor presented to City Council and School Committee on city's finances
BRIAN ZAYATZ
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
WHOSE VOICES WILL THE NORTHAMPTON POLICING REVIEW COMMISSION UPLIFT?
The next few weeks will be critical in answering this question.
NORTHAMPTON ABOLITION NOW
FEBRUARY 7, 2021
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #43
Policing Review Commission presentation, plastics reduction ordinance, financial orders, expanding the franchise
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JANUARY 27, 2021
POLICE COMMISSION’S REPORT OFFERS TEPID INTEREST IN BOLD IDEAS
Commissioners explored reforms that would reduce violence and improve services. Now they should commit to advocating for them.
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JANUARY 22, 2021
EMPLOYEES AT CURRAN, BERGER & KLUDT MOVE TO UNIONIZE WITH UAW LOCAL 2322
R. NICHOLAS
JANUARY 13, 2021
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #18
Media Criticsm From The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
JANUARY 8th, 2021
A BRIEF HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON'S POLICING REVIEW COMMISSION
The Commission’s first report is due tomorrow. How well was it set up to deliver strong recommendations?
BRIAN ZAYATZ
JANUARY 6, 2021
DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE SACKS LEAD EDITOR, OTHER STAFF IN LATEST CONSOLIDATING MOVE
SARAH ROBERTSON
DECEMBER 30, 2020
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #42
Election reforms, Community Preservation Act funds,upcoming zoning bylaw changes
BRIAN ZAYATZ
DECEMBER 28, 2020
“A KALEIDOSCOPE OF MADNESS”
Talking visual confrontations of power and bringing art to journalism with war photographer Ben Brody
BRIAN ZAYATZ
DECEMBER 16, 2020
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #41
COVID-19 update, fireworks, additional funding for Health Dept.
BRIAN ZAYATZ
DECEMBER 12, 2020
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #17
Media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
DECEMBER 9, 2020
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #40
Tax classification, police misconduct allegations, municipal newspaper boxes
BRIAN ZAYATZ
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
“I’M NOT GOING TO PAINT THE WHOLE [STATE POLICE] AS RACIST, EVEN THOUGH THEY MOSTLY ARE.”
Antone Wilson and The Struggle of Promising Black Cops
CHRIS FARAONE
NOVEMBER 25, 2020
