Linda Manor neighbors raise concerns about added facility in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON - Residents who live along Haydenville Road in Leeds urged the Planning Board Thursday night to shoot down a proposal for a new assisted living facility, saying the structure would dwarf their houses and would be out of harmony with their neighborhood. John Chakalos, of Chakalos Investments Inc. in Windsor, Conn., has proposed a new 90-bed assisted living and Alzheimer's community called Zoe Life Retirement Community, at 331 Haydenville Road, next to the Linda Manor Extended Care Facility. He also wants to expand Linda Manor, at 349 Haydenville Road, by a dozen beds. Most of the focus Thursday centered on the Zoe Life facility.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital, nurses reach agreement on three-year contract

NORTHAMPTON - After 17 months of often contentious negotiations, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and the Massachusetts Nurses Association have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract covering 300 nurses. The agreement, devised with the help of a federal mediator, comes as the hospital is poised to decide in late February whether to merge with Baystate Medical Center in Springfield or Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The new contract was hammered out just before 2 a.m. Tuesday.

President Robert Caret says UMass will help foster innovative industry in region

HOLYOKE - University of Massachusetts is poised to work with communities to attract innovative industry to the region, UMass President Robert L. Caret told local leaders and business owners Thursday. Caret outlined plans to foster the growth of science, information technology and other industries in communities around the Amherst campus, in remarks to the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce's annual Economic Development Breakfast at the Log Cabin. The optimistic tone of the gathering was tempered with realism, however, as Caret and local leaders who spoke recognized economic challenges facing their communities.

Children’s writer, illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka explores secret lives of adults

Back in 2001 Jarrett Krosoczka was visiting his old elementary school in Worcester to talk to students about his first book, "Good Night, Monkey Boy," which had just been published. While he was there, he ran into the school’s longtime "lunch lady," Jean Cargilia, who started chatting about her grandchildren. That chance encounter led to Krosoczka’s signature series: comic graphic novels about a school cafeteria worker who’s secretly a crime fighter, taking on rogue librarians, evil cyborg substitute teachers and a visiting children’s author with his own sinister agenda. The seventh “Lunch Lady” book will be released in March.

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New England Patriots safety James Ihedigbo honored to be in Super Bowl

FOXBOROUGH - For James Ihedigbo, it's always been about just getting an opportunity. Give him an opportunity to walk on and the Amherst Regional standout not only earned a scholarship at the University of Massachusetts, but All-American honors too. Give him an opportunity to participate in training camp and the UMass alum not only made the squad, but first became a special teams standout for the New York Jets and then a starter for the New England Patriots. He'll have another opportunity on Feb. 5 when the Patriots play the New York Giants in Super Bowl 46.

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