DUI Dishonor Role

 The rate of drunk driving is highest among 21 to 25 year olds (23.4 percent)

Pretty much back to "normal" with Amherst Police arresting three (alleged) drunk drivers over the weekend: Travis A Thomspon, Katherine K Mullane,  and Alexander J McCarthy , all of them age 22.  And two-out-three of them UMass students.

Amherst: Pickup Truck vs Cyclist

 Pickup truck alongside ambulance pointing eastbound towards Amherst center

A pickup truck heading east on Rt 9 collided with a 20-year-old cyclist (UMass student) at the intersection of University Drive and Snell Street around 7:29 this evening.

The victim was transported by AFD to Baystate Critical Care Unit in Springfield by ambulance with 3 first responders on board.  She had serious injuries but is expected to survive.

 Two Hadley cruisers assist Amherst police at Snell/University Dr/Rt9 intersection

At one point six cruisers (Amherst and Hadley) were on the scene with an AFD ambulance and Fire Engine.  Mass State Police accident reconstruction team was called in and were still on the scene at 10:20 PM.

Amherst towing was en route to transport both the pick up truck and crumpled bicycle.

Another cyclist was also at the scene at the time of the accident with the victim, but was not involved or injured. 

Other bike at the scene, but not involved in accident

Winterfest Fun

Maybe it was the subfreezing conditions, or a lack of major marketing, or just a normal 7th year slump -- but this year's attendence for Winterfest at the Cherry Hill Golf Course in far flung North Amherst definitely seemed a tad muted. 

 

Cardboard Classic race 

 Although, the hundreds who did brave the weather enjoyed the family oriented entertainment.

 

Final run of Cardboard Classic included a dog in the box

Carol Hepburn cooking hot dogs & burgers (yes, they had veggie burgers)

Winner of the very first Cardboard Classic 2008

Look! Up In The Air! Black Hawks!

Smoke marks the spot for Barnes Air National Guard Blackhawk to set down

Amherst Fire Department practiced an emergency hand off of potential patients to a pair of Blackhawk helicopters from Barnes Air National Guard Base stationed in Westfield.  

 Almost down

A Black Hawk is a tad better equipped to fly in inclement weather, so if the usual Lifeflight unit out of Worcester Medical couldn't fly, these helicopters could be a lifesaver.  They are also far larger and can handle up to 6 patients, which is 5 more than Lifeflight.

The Black Hawks are also equipped with a winch system which would allow for extrication of a patient from rough terrain such as The Notch, or a Hampshire College roof.

Kicking up a snowstorm

Touchdown!

Hand off complete

Pregame huddle

Downtown Shuffle

Now even easier to spot:  Antonio's new sign

Moti Restaurant will be leaving its prime 25 North Pleasant Street downtown location (next to Antonio's)  June 1st to combine operations with Club Lit, a sister business located behind the row of downtown storefronts in the (41) Boltwood Walk Parking Garage plaza.

Meanwhile just around the corner, behind Bart's Ice Cream, Pita Pockets has opened in the former Captain Candy location.  The Captain relocated to Thorns Market in Northampton.

At last week's Select Board meeting while issuing a "Common Victuallar" license for Pita Pockets, the Town Manager noted how building owner Barry Roberts was very pleased with the speed and efficiency of the Amherst Building Department in getting Pita Pockets inspected and permitted for operation.

Pita Pockets, 103 North Pleasant Street



Antonio's with ye old sign

You Can Always Go ... Downtown!

Follow Friday is a perfect day to check in on the goings on in beautiful downtown Amherst.  But you may not want to do it by car as the entire apron in front of Central Fire Station is a construction nightmare.

A coupling in the main water pipe broke so the DPW is in "all hands on deck" mode to get it fixed.

AFD has moved all personnel and the equipment (except for one Engine) up to North Station.  Which is fine getting to UMass next door, but not so hot getting to deep South Amherst.

UPDATE 8:00 PM  AFD "Back in quarters"

 Meanwhile directly across from the Central Station, Stacker's Pub is gearing up

 

Dead in the center of town (probably not delivering to Town Hall)

We're Number 29!

Welcome to the former jungle

So it will be interesting to see how the UMass PR flacks handle this one.

On the one hand, you want to play down anything pertaining to the "Zoomass" image -- especially on a Friday. But on the other hand it could be worse -- far worse -- as in Umass could have made the (coveted by some, dreaded by others) Top Ten.

And a generation ago UMass would have topped that list.

Although the flaw in this survey is it only covers "on campus" incidents and in Amherst -- a unique "college town" -- the major problem is the off campus rowdyism fueled by alcohol.

But it is getting better.