From Other Sources: News for and about Amherst.  This Week: Local News Roundup, Government Shutdown and COVID-19

Here are some local stories from the last few weeks that we were unable to cover in the Indy as well a mix of interesting news and commentary that is worth checking out.

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AMHERST NEWS

An Exhibit That Flows Like Water: “Boundless” at Amherst College Showcases over Three Centuries of Native American Art and Writing by Steve Pfarrer (9/29/23). From the pages of a 17th century Algonquin-language Bible, to a 2021 painting that celebrates the majesty of whales, a new exhibit at the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College devoted to Native American art is built around the theme of water. “Boundless” features work by more than 150 Native American artists and writers — sculpture, prints, paintings, basketry, historic and contemporary writing — with some materials in the exhibit going back over three centuries. Designed to recognize “Indigenous creativity, resistance and persistence,” as exhibit notes put it, the show also represents a close collaboration between the Mead Museum and Amherst College’s Archives & Special Collections, which has an extensive collection of Native American literature. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Opinion: Moms for Liberty, Banned Books and Parents’ Rights by Susan Tracy (9/28/23). Over the summer, I have been encouraged to see our local independent bookstores display “banned books,” so I was heartened by the idea that the Northampton area chapter of the League of Women Voters will include a special banned books section in its annual book sale on Sept. 30 Although this corner of Massachusetts has been largely overlooked by the MAGA book banning frenzy, as a recent article notes, in the last year, led by their respective governors, Florida (300 titles) and Texas (800 titles) have been plagued by bigots banning books in school curricula and in town libraries. [“Get your banned books here,” Gazette, Sept. 23]. These book bans have been led by Moms for Liberty, formed in Florida in January 2021, after many of them had protested COVID mask policies. They then turned their self-righteous wrath on school curricula that mention “LGBT rights, race and ethnicity, critical race theory, and discrimination” (quoted from their website). (Daily Hampshire Gazette).

Hazel’s Blue Lagoon Shuts Down In Amherst by Scott Merzbach (9/27/23). An Amherst restaurant and nightclub at the center of controversies over the town’s disbursement of American Rescue Plan Act money and requirements that it install an accessible ramp before its dance floor could be opened to the public is losing its space at 39-41 Boltwood Walk. Hazel’s Blue Lagoon was recently evicted from the location, based on a court order, according to Kathryn Chiavoroli, a representative of property owner Lincoln Real Estate. The Board of License Commissioners was informed by owners Junior Williams and Patrick Chapman last week that they are surrendering the all-alcohol license for the business that opened in December 2021 in space previously occupied by Lit Amherst nightclub, as well as an adjacent area used by Fire and Water Yoga Studio and Juice Bar. Hazel’s described itself as a “taste of the Caribbean.” (Amherst Bulletin)

Amherst Police Chief Search Extended To Allow Residents More Input by Scott Merzbach (9/27/23). A search for a new police chief will be extended deeper into the fall as more input is sought from the public.“This is longer because we have to have more engagement,” Town Manager Paul Bockelman told the Town Council on Monday.  “More listening sessions, more transparency, [a] better sort of connection with the public,” Bockelman said.  As part of the continued process, Bockelman will request an extension in the service of Capt. Gabriel Ting as the temporary police chief, a position he has been in since Police Chief Scott Livingstone retired at the end of May.The town charter limits these interim appointments under the town manager’s jurisdiction, stating that “no temporary appointment shall be for more than 150 days, unless an extension of time is approved by the Town Council.” (Amherst Bulletin)

White Lion Brewery Opens In Downtown Amherst by Bill Zito (9/19/23). White Lion Brewing Company cut the ribbon on its second Western Massachusetts home with a grand opening ceremony at 24 North Pleasant St. in downtown Amherst. A large gathering of community members, town and state officials took the street and sidewalk as owner Ray Berry was joined by Brewmaster and partner Mike Yates and University of Massachusetts Amherst and NBA great Marcus Camby for the event that attracted the crowd on the busy Thursday afternoon. (Amherst Reminder)

AMHERST ADJACENT NEWS AND BEYOND
State Research Project Aims To Study Bear Population Size, Distribution by Domenic Poli (9/27/30). Experts say that if you encounter a bear it is important to immediately make yourself look big, talk very calmly and slowly back away.But after that, if you saw one in the woods or your backyard in Massachusetts, you can go to bit.ly/3raabc8 to report the specifics of your sighting so professional and citizen scientists can learn about the population size and distribution of black bears in the state. MassBears is a research project in collaboration with the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This project, which includes an interactive website, aims to estimate population size and distribution and provide other information about bear movement and conflict with humans. (Amherst Bulletin)

Judge: Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Northampton Police Can Proceed by Dusty Christensen (9/26/23). A judge has ruled that a civil-rights lawsuit brought against Northampton by Eric Matlock, who city police pepper-sprayed and arrested in 2017, can proceed to trial. Hampshire Superior Court Judge Jane Mulqueen’s Sept. 19 decision came after the city of Northampton filed for “summary judgment” — a typical motion that either side can make during a lawsuit, asking a judge to make a ruling without a full trial. Lawsuits against law enforcement officials often fail during the summary judgment process if a judge rules that those officials are entitled to “qualified immunity,” which is a legal doctrine that protects government employees from personal liability in civil lawsuits.Northampton police arrested Matlock in August 2017, alleging that he was blocking the doors of City Hall, resisted arrest and hit an officer. Matlock was there holding a sign as an act of protest. He was ultimately charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest. (The Shoestring)

New Life On Horizon for Iron Horse: The Parlor Room Buys Entertainment Venue From Eric Suher by Alexander MacDougall (9/27/23). At long last, the Iron Horse Music Hall has a new owner, and music could be emanating from the venerable Center Street location as soon as February. The Parlor Room, a nearby music venue run by a nonprofit organization, announced Wednesday that they have signed an agreement with Eric Suher, the current owner of the Iron Horse, for a transfer of business assets, including the venue’s liquor license, and a 15-year lease to operate the music venue, which has been shuttered since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

The State Of Solar: Experts At Forum Discuss Challenges Of Increasing Solar In Marginalized Communities, Weigh In On Community-Owned Solar by Maddie Fabian (9/24/23). At Joe Czajkowski Farm in Hadley, not only does the broccoli field produce fresh vegetables, but rows of solar panels also generate electricity. That use of land is known as agrovoltaics, or dual-use solar. And in this case, not only does it create energy savings and an additional revenue source for the farm, but it also provides discounts on electric bills for local low-income solar subscribers. Community-owned solar projects, like the one at Joe Czajkowski Farm, were at the forefront of discussions at the third Western Massachusetts Solar Forum, a series being held remotely by UMass Clean Energy Extension each Tuesday this September.The forums — organized in conjunction with Sen. Jo Comerford, Rep. Mindy Domb, and other solar stakeholders and specialists — have so far delved into the potential for solar in the state and nation, climate goals and energy needs, land use and other solar-related issues. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
CNN: Tracking The Impending Government Shutdown by Clare Foran (9/29/23).
Congress remained on track Friday to trigger a government shutdown, as Speaker Kevin McCarthy suffered another high-profile defeat when the House failed to advance a last-ditch stopgap bill to extend government funding beyond Saturday.The failed vote will ramp up pressure on McCarthy who is facing the most significant challenge to his leadership to date. The speaker is locked in a conflict with hardline conservatives who oppose passing a short-term extension to avert a shutdown, arguing Congress should instead focus on passing full-year spending bills.After the House failed to pass the stopgap bill, McCarthy told Republicans at a closed-door conference meeting there aren’t many options to avoid a shutdown, according to sources in room. Live Updates here. (CNN)

Where Would a Government Shutdown Be Most Felt? by Zach Montague (9/29/23). Washington braced for a government shutdown over the weekend as Congress remained mired in dysfunction on Friday. Federal agencies planned to send home hundreds of thousand workers, who would not be paid until the shutdown ended. Hundreds of thousands of others deemed essential, like air traffic controllers, would be ordered to work. They, too, would not be paid until Congress reached a deal.The nation’s capital always feels the effects of shutdowns most acutely, but Americans beyond Washington also face consequences. Here is where they would notice them most immediately. (New York Times)

What Would a Government Shutdown Mean for Me?  SNAP, Student Loans and Travel Impacts Explained  by Wyatte Grantham-Philips (9/29/23). With gridlock persisting in Washington, a government shutdown is looking all but inevitable ahead of this weekend’s deadline.While the Senate pushes forward with bipartisan approach aimed at keeping the government open, the Republican-controlled House has made little progress — most recently with Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s last-ditch plan collapsing Friday. If spending measures aren’t passed by Saturday night, millions of federal employees will be furloughed and many others will be forced to work without pay until the shutdown ends. A handful of federal safety services that people rely on everyday are also in jeopardy. From dwindling funds for critical food assistance programs to potential delays in customer service for recipients of low-staffed Medicare and Social Security offices. The ripple effects would come down to how long the shutdown lasts and varying contingency plans in place at impacted agencies. (AP)

Looming Government Shutdown Puts Food Assistance at Risk In Western Massachusetts by Kayleigh Thomas (9/28/23). With a shutdown of the federal government looming, the risk of those in need of food assistance is rising.

 How a shutdown would impact key health care programs

Lawmakers in Washington D.C. have yet to agree to a spending plan ahead of the September 30 deadline. Nearly 7 million low-income women and children could lose access to food and nutrition assistance from programs like WIC. Governor Healey has said there would not be an immediate impact for families on WIC, if the shutdown doesn’t last too long. A spokesperson from WIC sent 22News a statement about the impact, which said in part, “in the event of a federal government shutdown, there will be no immediate impact to WIC families in Massachusetts. WIC families will be able to continue to attend appointments and receive benefits.” (WWLP)

The House Republican Wrecking-Ballers Are About to Shutter the U.S. Government by Robert Reich (9/29/23). The U.S. is on the cusp of a government shutdown for no reason except that some two dozen House Republicans — under the bonkers influence of Donald Trump — want to create chaos. All past shutdowns have pitted the party in control of the House against the president. But the one we’re now facing pits two parts of the House Republican caucus against each other — House Republicans who are merely conservative against this small group of House Republicans who want to take a wrecking ball to government. It’s not surprising that Trump is supporting and encouraging the wrecking-ballers. That’s been his MO all along — create as much chaos as possible. These wrecking-ballers are the same people intent on impeaching Joe Biden with no evidence of wrongdoing. The same people who continue to claim that the 2020 election was “stolen” with no evidence of electoral fraud. And they don’t want to support Ukraine against Putin’s aggression. This isn’t governance. It’s nihilistic destructiveness. (Substack)

What Does a Government Shutdown Mean?  Seven Things You Should Know by Robert Tait (9/26/23). Thousands of federal government employees are put on furlough, meaning that they are told not to report for work and go unpaid for the period of the shutdown, although their salaries are paid retroactively when it ends. Other government workers who perform what are judged essential services, such as air traffic controllers and law enforcement officials, continue to work but do not get paid until Congress acts to end the shutdown. Depending on how long it lasts, national parks can either shut entirely or open without certain vital services such as public toilets or attendants. Passport processing can stop, as can research – at national health institutes. The Biden administration has warned that federal inspections ensuring food safety and prevention of the release of dangerous materials into drinking water could stop for the duration of the shutdown. About 10,000 children aged three and four may also lose access to Head Start, a federally funded program to promote school readiness among toddlers, especially among low-income families. (The Guardian)

COVID-19

What to Know as Fall Vaccinations for COVID-19, Flu and RSV Get Underway by Lauren Neergaard (9/29/23). Updated COVID-19 vaccines may be getting a little easier for adults to find but they’re still frustratingly scarce for young children. Health officials said Thursday the kid shots have started shipping — and reminded most everyone to get a fall flu shot too. About 2 million Americans have gotten the new COVID-19 shot in the two weeks since its approval despite early barriers from insurance companies and other glitches, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. For the first time, the U.S. has vaccines to fight a trio of viruses that cause fall and winter misery. But health officials worry that shot fatigue and hassles in getting them will leave too many people needlessly unprotected. (AP)

2,745 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases And 28 Deaths Last Week in Massachusetts by Peter Bailey-Wells, Ryan Huddle, Daigo Fujiwara and Amanda Kaufman (9/28/23). Massachusetts on Thursday reported 2,745 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 28 deaths in the last week. The state also reported that 381 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19. The seven-day percent positivity was 10.06 percent.As of April 1, 2023, the state has changed its classification of COVID-19 deaths. Deaths recorded before that date were classified as COVID-19 deaths if a person had COVID listed as a cause of death on their death certificate or if a person had a COVID diagnosis within 30 days even if they did not have COVID listed as a cause of death on their death certificate.  (Boston Globe)

Free at-home COVID Tests from the US Government Are Back. Here’s How to Get Them by Mary Kekatos (9/27/23). The Biden administration this week relaunched the website where Americans can once again order free at-home COVID tests. The website had been shut down since June but came back online just as updated COVID vaccines rolled out across the country.How to order free COVID test kits through USPS: Visit COVID.gov/tests and you will see instructions directing you to a website run by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to order a kit that comes with four tests. You don’t have to pay for shipping. Just provide your name and address to place the order. (ABC News)

Here’s What You Need to Know about Respiratory Virus Season In Massachusetts by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey (9/25/23). The start of fall marks the beginning of respiratory virus season. COVID has been on an upswing for much of the past couple months — and other viruses, including flu and RSV, are still to come. Experts are hopeful that vaccines and treatments could help prevent the level of illness and death seen the past few winters. One key difference this year is there are vaccines for all three of the major viruses that tend to make people sick: COVID, flu and RSV.Here’s what you need to know about this season of fevers, coughs and runny noses: For much of the summer, COVID was steadily rising in Massachusetts and across the country. The level of virus in Boston-area wastewater increased for a couple months through early September. And the number of COVID patients hospitalized in Massachusetts increased four-fold in about that time. (WBUR)

Vaccine Guide for Western Mass.  Who Should Get What and Where to Find It. (Public Health Insititute Of Western Massachusetts)