• Board to vote on condos
SOUTHWICK - A pending Planning Board decision on a proposed condominium development off Depot Street has become linked with improvements sought for College Highway.

• Children get healthy lesson
WEST SPRINGFIELD - A Big E grant of nearly $2,000 provided about 35 children who utilize the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club with sports equipment and healthy life skills that promote wellness and physical fitness by having fun.

• Church objects to alarm bylaw
SPRINGFIELD - The city is locked in a legal battle with St. George Greek Orthodox Church, accusing the church of installing a new fire detection system at its cultural center that violates city ordinance.

• Defendant ordered screened for drugs
NORTHAMPTON - A Conway woman who twice violated the terms of her release on drug and alcohol charges was released again on her own recognizance Monday after promising to report for drug screenings.

• Festival bear now school mascot
EASTHAMPTON - "Ursa Great Spirit" will henceforth watch over the Northeast Center for Youth and Families. The Gator is out.

• Jobless dip brings word of caution
SPRINGFIELD - The state's unemployment rate fell slightly last month for the first time since June 2007, but experts are warning of a "W"-shaped recovery instead of a straight line out of the recession.

• Legislators OK Soldiers Home funds
BOSTON - State legislators approved $500,000 on Thursday to save the outpatient department at the Holyoke Soldiers Home, even as the governor warned that additional budget cuts may be needed.

• New fire engine added to fleet
EAST LONGMEADOW - Another lime green fire engine has been added to the Fire Department's fleet.

• Overtime wins OK in Holyoke
HOLYOKE - The City Council has approved a transfer of $150,000 to the Police Department for overtime and sent to committee a request for $200,000 for Fire Department overtime.

• Palmer church drops appeal
PALMER - The parish council at St. Bartholomew's Church is no longer moving forward with an appeal to keep the church open.

• Pynchon Award given to 3 for service
AGAWAM - On the day he learned he had been chosen for the William Pynchon Award, Gary L. Fialky thought he was going to be on the committee that selected this year's winners.

• Report raises several housing issues
NORTHAMPTON - The city has slowly been losing population, lags behind the state in median income and needs more affordable rental units.

• Senior center site debated
WESTFIELD - A new administration for the city will bring a fresh look at the needs of seniors and the possibility of a new Senior Center.

• Silversmith's exit leaves questions
GREENFIELD - Lunt Silversmiths' decision to sell its brand of gifts and tableware and shut down manufacturing here after 107 years has city officials searching for a productive reuse of the Lunt complex on Federal Street.

• Uniform survey not a perfect fit
CHICOPEE - The results of a parents' survey about uniforms is leaving School Committee members divided on whether they should continue to pursue the idea.