What’s in This Issue?

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ANALYTICS
Analytics are back!
Numbers in parentheses indicate change from the previous week.

Number of Unique Page Views:
Last 30 days: 45,92 (-385)
Last Week:12,266 (+ 2,630)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 24,715 (-305)
Last Week : 6,263 (+856)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Repeated Rejections of Library Funding From State Historic Commission Were Hidden From Town Council and the Public by Maria Kopicki
2. No Bidders for Library Swing Space by Jeff Lee
3. School Building Project Expected to be Nearly $5 Million Under Budget by Maria Kopicki
4. Elementary School Building Project Bid Comes in Under Budget by Maria Kopicki
5. Petition Calling for An End to the Jones Library Demolition/Expansion Project Hits 1,000 Signatures.by Amherst Indy

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
ARTS
Bandtoberfest – A Family- Friendly Celebration of Autumn Returns to the Town Common September 29
Canadian Troubadours Scott Cook and Pamela Mae Will Join October 5 Song & Story Swap in Amherst
Amherst Cinema presents FIVE ON FILM. A Month-long Artistic Celebration of Films Made by or Starring Graduates of the Five Colleges
What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

CAMPUS
UMass Amherst Ranked 26th in US News and World Report’s Top Public Universities for 2025
Bandtoberfest – A Family- Friendly Celebration of Autumn Returns to the Town Common September 29
Our Voices, Our Vote: How Women Will Save Democracy in 2024 with Tara Setmayer – Monday, September 30, at UMass
Amherst Cinema presents FIVE ON FILM. A Month-long Artistic Celebration of Films Made by or Starring Graduates of the Five Colleges

CLIMATE / ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
Fort River Cleanup – Saturday, September 28

DEMOCRACY
Our Voices, Our Vote: How Women Will Save Democracy in 2024 with Tara Setmayer – Monday, September 30, at UMass

EVENTS
Community Input Needed to Update Town’s Housing Production Plan 
Fort River Cleanup – Saturday, September 28
Bandtoberfest – A Family- Friendly Celebration of Autumn Returns to the Town Common September 29
Our Voices, Our Vote: How Women Will Save Democracy in 2024 with Tara Setmayer – Monday, September 30, at UMass
Amherst Fire Department Open House – Saturday, October 5
Canadian Troubadours Scott Cook and Pamela Mae Will Join October 5 Song & Story Swap in Amherst
Amherst Cinema presents FIVE ON FILM. A Month-long Artistic Celebration of Films Made by or Starring Graduates of the Five Colleges
What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

FEATURES
A Few Questions for Dr. Xi,  Amherst’s New Superintendent of Schools by Art Keene
Photos of the Week: An Indy September Gallery

HISTORY / HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Public Comment: Proposed Demolition/Expansion Mutilates Historic Jones Library by Hilda Greenbaum
Letter: Section 106 Review Should Be Completed Before Jones Expansion Project Goes Out to Bid by Arlie Gould

HOUSING
University Drive Overlay District Gets Mixed Reviews from Town Council by Maura Keene
First Look at Design for Permanent Shelter and Supportive Housing on Main Street by Maura Keene
Community Input Needed to Update Town’s Housing Production Plan 


LIBRARY
Petition Calling for An End to the Jones Library Demolition/Expansion Project Hits 1,000 Signatures
Jones Library Building Committee Report to Town Council Highlights Expansion Project’s Uncertainty by Maura Keene
Public Comment: Proposed Demolition/Expansion Mutilates Historic Jones Library by Hilda Greenbaum
Letter: Inviting Bids on Jones Library Plans That Are Not Finalized Wastes the Town’s Money by Mickey Rathbun
Letter: Section 106 Review Should Be Completed Before Jones Expansion Project Goes Out to Bid by Arlie Goiuld
Opinion: Jones Library Bidders Beware by Maria Kopicki


OPINION
Public Comment: Proposed Demolition/Expansion Mutilates Historic Jones Library by Hilda Greenbaum
Letter: Inviting Bids on Jones Library Plans That Are Not Finalized Wastes the Town’s Money by Mickey Rathbun
Letter: Section 106 Review Should Be Completed Before Jones Expansion Project Goes Out to Bid by Arlie Gould
Opinion: Jones Library Bidders Beware by Maria Kopicki

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Amherst Fire Department Open House – Saturday, October 5

RECREATION & SPORTS
Funding and Design Progressing for High School Track and Field by Maria Kopicki

SCHOOLS
Update on the Amherst Public Schools’ New Bullying Reporting Platform by Amy Cronin DiCaprio
Funding and Design Progressing for High School Track and Field by Maria Kopicki
A Few Questions for Dr. Xi,  Amherst’s New Superintendent of Schools by Art Keene

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Update on the Amherst Public Schools’ New Bullying Reporting Platform by Amy Cronin DiCaprio


TOWN GOVERNMENT
Petition Calling for An End to the Jones Library Demolition/Expansion Project Hits 1,000 Signatures
Jones Library Building Committee Report to Town Council Highlights Expansion Project’s Uncertainty by Maura Keene
University Drive Overlay District Gets Mixed Reviews from Town Council by Maura Keene
First Look at Design for Permanent Shelter and Supportive Housing on Main Street  by Maura Keene
New Traffic Patterns Planned for South East Street and West Street by Maura Keene
Funding and Design Progressing for High School Track and Field by Maria Kopicki
Community Input Needed to Update Town’s Housing Production Plan 
Letter: Inviting Bids on Jones Library Plans That Are Not Finalized Wastes the Town’s Money by Mickey Rathbun
Letter: Section 106 Review Should Be Completed Before Jones Expansion Project Goes Out to Bid by Arlie Gould
Opinion: Jones Library Bidders Beware by Maria Kopicki
A Few Questions for Dr. Xi,  Amherst’s New Superintendent of Schools by Art Keene

TRANSPORTATION & ROADS
New Traffic Patterns Planned for South East Street and West Street by Maura Keene