Northampton football coach Ken O'Brien expected to resign

NORTHAMPTON - After 40 years, including 12 as the head coach, Ken O'Brien has decided to end his run on the Northampton football team's sidelines.

Athletic director Jim Miller confirmed Wednesday that O'Brien has informed the school's administration of his decision to resign and will do so officially when he returns from vacationing with his family next week.

Valley reaction positive to President Obama's support of gay marriages

NORTHAMPTON - Shortly after Gina and Heidi Nortonsmith won the landmark case that led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts in 2004, then President George W. Bush called for a constitutional amendment banning such unions."When we won, President Bush's remarks really stood out for creating a divisive political atmosphere around this," Gina Nortonsmith said. But Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after President Barack Obama's declaration that he supports same-sex marriage, Gina Nortonsmith said she was elated to hear the president utter an opinion so contrary to Bush's.

• Related story: President Obama declares support for gay marriage

Rollover crash on Ryan Road in Florence injures woman

NORTHAMPTON - A 38-year-old woman who was injured when the vehicle she was driving went off Ryan Road in Florence and rolled over Wednesday night may face charges, police said.

Dollars for Scholars award in Northampton honors politician's mother

NORTHAMPTON Before she married and began raising five children in Florence, the late Dorothy Kocot thought seriously about attending medical school.

Shed sent away for the paperwork, said her daughter, Mary Lania, a Florence native who now lives in Westwood. She just never got around to doing anything with it.

Longtime Easthampton Savings Bank president William S. Hogan Jr. to retire

EASTHAMPTON - After 42 years at Easthampton Savings Bank - including 20 at the helm - President and CEO William S. Hogan Jr. has announced plans to retire next year.

Florence man sentenced to year in jail in assault case

NORTHAMTPON - Hakam McCoy, 29, of Florence, will serve about 80 days in the Hampshire Jail and House of Correction following his sentencing on assault and destruction charges Monday.

Puppet show stops by Cup and Top Cafe

The Cup and Top Cafe is hosting an hour of stories from around the world, told through the puppetry skills of Anna Sobel of Shutesbury.