Longtime "Nightline" host Ted Koppel told 5,000 graduating seniors at the University of Massachusetts Amherst May 11 to demand "more substance" from today's news media.

By BOB DUNN Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - A Sunderland woman has been indicted on seven charges, including motor vehicle manslaughter, in connection with an April 14 accident that claimed the life of University of Massachusetts senior Daniel J. Haley one month before he was to graduate.

Police officers met with school officials May 8 to discuss an altercation that drew a crowd of 50 to 100 young people downtown the previous day, said Detective David Foster.

Lincoln Apartments, long home to University of Massachusetts graduate families, staff and visiting faculty, will transition into housing exclusively for graduate and undergraduate students over the next year to meet increasing demands for beds on campus.

By SCOTT MERZBACH Staff Writer

The Town Common will be buzzing with amusement park rides, food booths and games of skill and luck when the Amherst Rotary Town Fair returns May 18 and 19.

By SCOTT MERZBACH Staff Writer

Residents who want to learn more about the trees in front of their homes now have that data at their fingertips.

The town has welcomed three firefighters home after tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Thomas Messer, William Messer and Reed Frailey recently returned to work after serving since last summer with their Army National Guard units.

By NICK GRABBE Staff Writer

The Regional School Committee's long-awaited vote on later starting times is likely to take place at its meeting next Tuesday. The committee has had two discussions about Superintendent Maria Geryk's proposal to flip the starting times of the secondary and elementary schools in the fall of 2013.

SHUTESBURY - Supporters of a new Shutesbury library are appealing a Franklin Superior Court judge's decision that left the town without money needed for the $3.5 million project.

Police are seeking the public's assistance following break-ins to three homes and attempted forced entries to two other residences during the weekend.

Detective David Foster said the department is asking residents to report anything suspicious or out of order they see in their neighborhoods by calling police at 259-3000.

Arrests and Summonses

Amherst Police

# Brenda L. Anderson, 54, of Gromacki Avenue, South Deerfield, was arrested May 13 at 5:18 p.m. on Pine Street on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and failure to stay within marked lanes, police said.

MONDAY, MAY 7

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

# 8:38 a.m. - A North Whitney Street woman told police someone may have entered her home and stolen a heating pad and a part from her fish tank while she was walking her dog. Police found no signs of forced entry.

A road race and walk to support the Jimmy Fund and the Amherst Police Relief Association takes place Sunday at 10:30 a.m. from Rafters Sports Bar and Restaurant on University Drive.

Runners can participate in either a five-mile race or a five-kilometer race/ walk. Prizes will be awarded for various age groups.

The following marriage intentions were filed with the Amherst town clerk.

Ainsley Brooke Bokor, 31, registered polysomnographic technologist, Belchertown, and Todd Michael Palmisano, 43, bartender, Belchertown.

Hee-Tae Jung, 32, student, Amherst, and Danbi Yoo, 29, student, Amherst.

When Emmy-award winning newsman Ted Koppel takes a step back and looks at the industry he has been a part of for over a half century he is dismayed. Where lengthy investigations were once prized, speed is now emphasized. Accuracy and concern for facts, he says, have been replaced by bias, carefully packaged to build an audience. Even the media by which much of the news is delivered - through tweets and Facebook posts - seems more important than the information itself. Put simply, Ted Koppel is discouraged about the future of journalism.

Around 25,000 visitors are expected to make their way to McGuirk Alumni Stadium to see 5,000 students graduate from the University of Massachusetts Friday at 4 p.m.

UMass is expected to hire 14 Amherst police officers for traffic control, said Police Chief Scott Livingstone.

Amherst has joined nearly 40 communities across the state in expressing support for a constitutional amendment that would limit the ability of corporations to influence political campaigns.

Rep. John Olver, D-Amherst, will receive an award during next week's Pioneer Valley Bike Week for his legislative advocacy of bicycling over several decades.

The Arthur Swift Memorial Bicycle Commuter Award will be presented to Olver Friday, May 18, at 9 a.m. on the Amherst Town Common as part of a free breakfast for bike commuters. It is one of several events planned for the week.

A second season for the Wednesday Market at Kendrick Park, with an expanded lineup of farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, meats and breads, begins May 16 at 2 p.m.

Market manager Sara Hopps said the dozen or so vendors that were in attendance each week in 2011 at the market will increase to about 20 this summer.

Two people suffered serious injuries in assaults and 19 others were arrested or issued tickets for holding loud parties during the final weekend before the University of Massachusetts undergraduate commencement ceremony.