What’s in This Issue?
Photo: Dreamtime. Creative commons
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ANALYTICS
Numbers in parentheses indicate change from the previous week.
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Number of Unique Page Views Last 30 Days: 82,337 (-4751)
Number of Unique Page Views Last Week: 19,207 (+1709)
*Number of Unique Sessions Last 30 Days: 60,538 (-4610)
Number of Unique Sessions Last Week: 13,990 (+1206)
Number of Active Users Last 30 Days: 45,853 (-5003)
Number of Active Users Last Week: 10,854 (+927)
TOP FIVE MOST-READ STORIES LAST WEEK
1. Steel Rising, Endowment Falling? Jones Library Leaders Wrestle with Uncertain Future by Jeff Lee
2. Local Residents Protest Target’s Collaboration with ICE by Ben Pittman-Polletta
3. Updated: Amherst DPW Workers Will Rally for a Fair Contract by Art Keene
4. Resolution to Hold ICE Accountable Will Be Considered at Town Council Meeting, February 23 by Josna Rege
5. First in the Nation, Amherst Town Council Passes Resolution Urging State and Local Officials to Hold Federal Agents Accountable For Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law by Amherst Indy (c/o Free Speech for People)
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
ARTS
- The Drake Announces Transformational $250,000 Gift to Endow Director Position and Secure Long-Term Growth
- PVFS Monthly Song and Story Swap Will Feature Folk Singer Debra Cowan and a Salute to Women
- Auditions for Missoula Children’s Theater’s The Secret Garden, March 23
- What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene
BUDGET
- Town Council Calls for ICE Accountability. Recommends Repair of Entire Middle School Roof by Maura Keene
- Finance Committee Recommends Using Free Cash to Replace Middle School Auditorium Roof. FY27 Budget Outlook Slightly Improved by Maura Keene
- Marathon School Committee Meeting Takes up Elementary School Restructuring, Budget Priorities, and Policies on Restraints by Maura Keene
CAMPUS
- Hampshire College’s Enrollment Dilemma is a Solvable Problem by Jonathon Podolsky
CLIMATE / ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
- Town Plans Puffer’s Pond Restoration by Maura Keene
DEMOCRACY
- First in the Nation, Amherst Town Council Passes Resolution Urging State and Local Officials to Hold Federal Agents Accountable For Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law
- Councilors Move Toward Adopting Small Tweaks To Town Charter by Anita Sarro
- Western Mass Resistance Calendar and Supplemental Reading List by Art Keene
DOWNTOWN
EVENTS
- Updated: Amherst DPW Workers Will Rally for a Fair Contract by Art Keene
- Western Mass Resistance Calendar and Supplemental Reading List by Art Keene
- PVFS Monthly Song and Story Swap Will Feature Folk Singer Debra Cowan and a Salute to Women
- Auditions for Missoula Children’s Theater’s The Secret Garden, March 23
- What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene
- Rally for ICE Accountability Cancelled by Art Keene
FEATURES
- Views on Views: Incidentals in Our Landscapes by Hetty Startup
- Town Manager Report for February 23, 2026
- Photos of the Week: Fire and Ice Festival 2026 by David Jeffway
HISTORY / HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
- East Amherst Local Historic District Proposal Ready for Town Council Approval by Hilda Greenbaum
- Letter: Here’s How To Protest Trump’s Renovation of the White House. We Have Until March 4 by Hetty Startup
- Views on Views: Incidentals in Our Landscapes by Hetty Startuo
HOUSING
ISSUES & ANALYSES
- Hampshire College’s Enrollment Dilemma is a Solvable Problem by Jonathon Podolsky
NEIGBORHOODS
- Beacon Development Update: Process, Timeline, and Opportunities for Public Input by Robin Jaffin
- East Amherst Local Historic District Proposal Ready for Town Council Approval by Hilda Greenbaum
OPINION
- Hampshire College’s Enrollment Dilemma is a Solvable Problem by Jonathon Podolsky
- Public Comment: None of Us Is Safe When We Prioritize the Rights of Some over Others by Leyla Moushabeck
- Public Comment: Four Good Reasons for Amherst to Adopt ICE Accountability Resolution by Josna Rege
- Public Comment on the Resolution Calling for Federal Immigration Agents to Be Held Accountable for Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law by Margaret Smith
- Letter: Amherst’s DPW Workers Have Our Backs, It’s Time We Had Theirs by Julian Hynes
- Letter: Here’s How To Protest Trump’s Renovation of the White House. We Have Until March 4 by Hetty Startup
- Opinion: ICE is the Most Watched Show in America by Rizwana Khan
RESOURCES
SCHOOLS
- Town Council Calls for ICE Accountability. Recommends Repair of Entire Middle School Roof by Maura Keene
- Finance Committee Recommends Using Free Cash to Replace Middle School Auditorium Roof. FY27 Budget Outlook Slightly Improved by Maura Keene
- Marathon School Committee Meeting Takes up Elementary School Restructuring, Budget Priorities, and Policies on Restraints by Maura Keene
- School Committees Approve COLA Increases and Modifications to APEA Contracts by Kiera McLaughlin
SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
- First in the Nation, Amherst Town Council Passes Resolution Urging State and Local Officials to Hold Federal Agents Accountable For Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law
- Updated: Amherst DPW Workers Will Rally for a Fair Contract by Art Keene
- Public Comment: None of Us Is Safe When We Prioritize the Rights of Some over Others by Leyla Moushabeck
- Public Comment: Four Good Reasons for Amherst to Adopt ICE Accountability Resolution by Josna Rege
- Public Comment on the Resolution Calling for Federal Immigration Agents to Be Held Accountable for Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law by Margaret Smith
- Opinion: ICE is the Most Watched Show in America by Rizwana Khan
TOWN GOVERNMENT
- First in the Nation, Amherst Town Council Passes Resolution Urging State and Local Officials to Hold Federal Agents Accountable For Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law
- Updated: Amherst DPW Workers Will Rally for a Fair Contract by Art Keene
- Town Council Calls for ICE Accountability. Recommends Repair of Entire Middle School Roof by Maura Keene
- Finance Committee Recommends Using Free Cash to Replace Middle School Auditorium Roof. FY27 Budget Outlook Slightly Improved by Maura Keene
- Councilors Move Toward Adopting Small Tweaks To Town Charter by Anita Sarro
- Town Plans Puffer’s Pond Restoration by Maura Keene
- New Appointments to Cable Television Advisory Committee and Transportation and Parking Commission by Maura Keene
- Public Comment: None of Us Is Safe When We Prioritize the Rights of Some over Others by Leyla Moushabeck
- Public Comment: Four Good Reasons for Amherst to Adopt ICE Accountability Resolution by Josna Rege
- Public Comment on the Resolution Calling for Federal Immigration Agents to Be Held Accountable for Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law by Margaret Smith
- Letter: Amherst’s DPW Workers Have Our Backs, It’s Time We Had Theirs by Julian Hynes
- Town Manager Report for February 23, 2026
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING