What’s In This Issue?

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ANALYTICS
Numbers in parentheses indicate change from the previous week.

Number of Unique Page Views:
Last 30 days: 50,383 (-3640)
Last Week: 13,793 (+1104)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 21,649 (-1,370)
Last Week: 6313 (+660)

TOP FIVE MOST READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Library, Historical Society at Odds over Easement by Jeff Lee
2. Letters: Six Letters and Public Comments in Support of Fired ARMS Science Teacher Erin Lawler by Amherst Pelham Education Association, Greta Biagi, Jenny Franz, and Aline Gubrium.
3. Opinion: The Selective Silencing of Campus Speech by Kevin Young
4.. Issues & Analyses: Amended Agreement Leaves Town on the Hook by Toni Cunningham
5. Public Comment: School District Needs New Leadership by Ali Wicks-Lim

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

ARTS
Artists from Art for the Soul at Gallery A3 in January 2024
What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

CAMPUS
From Other Sources: News For And About Amherst.  This Week: Local News Roundup, The Assault on DEI on Campus,  Gaza, and Police Reform by Art Keene

ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT / CLIMATE / NATURE
Almanac: Winter Colors by Stephen Braun
From Other Sources: News For And About Amherst.  This Week: Local News Roundup, The Assault on DEI on Campus,  Gaza, and Police Reform by Art Keene
Photo of the Week: Solstice by Tracy Zafian

EVENTS
Where Can You Dine Out in Amherst over the Holiday?
Amherst Hosts Public Forums on Public Safety Experiences and Police Oversight
Artists from Art for the Soul at Gallery A3 in January 2024
What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

FEATURES
Almanac: Winter Colors by Stephen Braun
From Other Sources: News For And About Amherst.  This Week: Local News Roundup, The Assault on DEI on Campus,  Gaza, and Police Reform by Art Keene
Photo of the Week: Solstice by Tracy Zafian

HISTORY / HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Town Dedicates Westside National Historic District by Maura Keene

HOLIDAYS
Where Can You Dine Out in Amherst over the Holiday?

HOUSING
Should Amherst Residents Get Priority for Purchase of Ball Lane Affordable Homes? by Maura Keene
East Gables Supportive Studios Near Full Occupancy by Maura Keene
Amherst Affordable Housing Trust to Receive Intensive Technical Assistance
Opinion: Leverett Is Not Florida by John Varner

LIBRARY
Trustees Reward Library Director with Extended Severance in New Contract by Jeff Lee
Council Approves Costliest Library Project in Massachusetts by Jeff Lee
Plenty of Misgivings, But No Votes Against Additional Jones Library Borrowing by Maura Keene
Letter: With New MOA, Town Assumes All of the Risks Plus Additional Costs for Jones Expansion by Art Keene
Letter: New Revelations Suggest A No Vote Is the Reasonable Choice on Further Jones Borrowing by Rob Kusner
Opinion: Library Vote Shows Town Council Not Representative by Toni Cunningham

OPINION
Public Comment: Much Work Remains to Address Bullying in Amherst Schools by Megan St. Marie
Letter: With New MOA, Town Assumes All of the Risks Plus Additional Costs for Jones Expansion by Art Keene
Letter: New Revelations Suggest A No Vote Is the Reasonable Choice on Further Jones Borrowing by Rob Kusner
Opinion: Library Vote Shows Town Council Not Representative by Toni Cunningham
Opinion: Leverett Is Not Florida by John Varner

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Town Councils Renew Sister City Friendship Agreement.  Town Manager Goals and Budget Guidelines Approved by Maura Keene
COVID and Respiratory Illness Update and Health Tips
Amherst Hosts Public Forums on Public Safety Experiences and Police Oversight
Public Comment: Much Work Remains to Address Bullying in Amherst Schools by Megan St. Marie
From Other Sources: News For And About Amherst.  This Week: Local News Roundup, The Assault on DEI on Campus,  Gaza, and Police Reform by Art Keene

SCHOOLS
School District Seeks Community Members for ARPS Superintendent Search Committee
School Superintendent Search Q & A by Jennifer Shiao
Public Comment: Much Work Remains to Address Bullying in Amherst Schools by Megan St. Marie

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Amherst Hosts Public Forums on Public Safety Experiences and Police Oversight
From Other Sources: News For And About Amherst.  This Week: Local News Roundup, The Assault on DEI on Campus,  Gaza, and Police Reform by Art Keene

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Trustees Reward Library Director with Extended Severance in New Contract by Jeff Lee
Council Approves Costliest Library Project in Massachusetts by Jeff Lee
Plenty of Misgivings, But No Votes Against Additional Jones Library Borrowing by Maura Keene
Town Councils Renew Sister City Friendship Agreement.  Town Manager Goals and Budget Guidelines Approved by Maura Keene
Town Councilors Pay Tribute to Four Ending Their Terms by Maura Keene
Should Amherst Residents Get Priority for Purchase of Ball Lane Affordable Homes? by Maura Keene
East Gables Supportive Studios Near Full Occupancy by Maura Keene
School District Seeks Community Members for ARPS Superintendent Search Committee
School Superintendent Search Q & A by Jennifer Shiao
Amherst Affordable Housing Trust to Receive Intensive Technical Assistance
Amherst Hosts Public Forums on Public Safety Experiences and Police Oversight
Letter: With New MOA, Town Assumes All of the Risks Plus Additional Costs for Jones Expansion by Art Keene
Letter: New Revelations Suggest A No Vote Is the Reasonable Choice on Further Jones Borrowing by Rob Kusner
Opinion: Library Vote Shows Town Council Not Representative by Toni Cunningham