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šŸŒ± What six new firefighter-paramedics will mean for Amherst emergency response

Amherst, Massachusetts Patch AM: a 5 min read

Good morning Amherst! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ā˜•ļøļø

In today's newsletter:

  • What six new firefighter-paramedics will mean for Amherst emergency response
  • How could Amherstā€™s new trash plan change your curbside pickup?
  • How a UMass Amherst Ph.D. could reshape hospital tech design

Also on today's calendar: Kane Hodder Live "Friday the 13th Part VII" Screening and Q&A. and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? šŸ¤” (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 71 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Sunday: Rather cloudy, temps: high: 64, low: 50.
  • Monday: Breezy with a stray shower, with a high of 69 and low of 42 degrees.

šŸ“° News we're reading

1. Amherst Fire Department receives $888K grant to boost staffing levels (gazettenet.com) ā€” Amherst is receiving an $888,000 FEMA grant to hire six new firefighter-paramedics, helping the Fire Department reach 55 full-time members and fully staff three ambulances and a fire truck around the clock. The town is also getting a separate $52,000 grant for new firefighting nozzles, while planning ahead to absorb long-term salary and benefit costs once federal funding ends.
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2. Amherst TSO Moves Waste Hauler Proposal Nearer RFP (amherstindy.org) ā€” Amherst officials are finalizing details of a new townwide waste-hauling contract, including curbside composting and how customer service and education will be handled. The Town Services and Outreach Committee wants flexible bidding so Amherst could use different haulers for trash, recycling, and organics, and expects a near-final RFP draft by mid-October after more public input.
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3. Gina Georgadarellis Successfully Defends Ph.D. on Nurseā€“Engineer Collaboration for Healthcare Technology (umass.edu) ā€” A newly minted Ph.D. at UMass Amherst, Gina Georgadarellis, has developed methods to better integrate nursesā€™ expertise into the design of hospital robotics and medical devices. Her work identified dozens of real-world barriers to technology use, tested a nurseā€“engineer-designed defibrillator handle, and created nursing-focused benchmarks, and sheā€™s continuing this research at UMass Amherstā€™s Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation.
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4. Cornell investigation renews questions about campus safety on college campuses (wwlp.com) ā€” A renewed investigation into a Cornell University sexual assault case is prompting fresh scrutiny of campus safety at UMass Amherst, where students recall protests over 2021 fraternity allegations. Local students say they worry about sexual violence and feel campus resources are poorly publicized, even as UMass offers confidential support and a 24-hour hotline.
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5. Former Governor's Aide Lamar Cook appears in court for motion hearing (westernmassnews.com) ā€” A former deputy director for Governor Maura Healey is facing drug trafficking and gun charges, with prosecutors alleging some cocaine shipments were sent to Hotel UMass in Amherst, where he once worked. At a Springfield hearing, lawyers scheduled future dates to argue motions to suppress evidence and possibly dismiss charges, with another court session set for November 12.
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šŸ“ø Around Amherst

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šŸ—“ Upcoming Events in Amherst

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šŸ’¬ Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Approached a tree to check the mushroom growing near the trunk, stayed for the view.
    Turn on the volume - hear the porcupette stomping! (Nextdoor Echo Hill)
  • Can someone recommend local company for roof repair of small leak?
    JP Carroll told me they have a $2500 per job minimum and I thought that was insane! (Nextdoor Amherst)
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Hadley. Apply here.
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service/Sales in Hadley. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Amherst here.

Ok Amherst! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" ā€” A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Amherst

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Amherst

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.