Huntington

Over 280 people took on the Westfield River Wildwater Races in western Massachusetts over the weekend. Hundreds more were cheering them on as theypaddled canoes and kayaks or tried to keep their balance on stand-up paddle boards, known as “SUPs.”Organizers tell WAMC that, no matter how they took on the waters, all took part in a long-flowing tradition on a river that’s only been getting cleaner and healthier over the years.

In less than two weeks, a couple hundred paddlers of all kinds will take on one of the country’s oldest whitewater races, found right in western Massachusetts.But before that, some of them are dusting off their watercraft and hitting the Westfield River early.

After a year of seeing need for their services only rise, a nonprofit in western Massachusetts is nearly done collecting toys for its annual gift giveaway. Serving rural western Mass. and beyond, “It Takes a Village” is still taking gift donations this week – all part of an effort to connect families in need with gifts for young ones.

Plenty of toys, clothing and other goods are making their way through the Hilltowns of western Massachusetts. WAMC spoke with the group behind the effort, and how their mission goes well-beyond the holidays.

Voters in Huntington, Vermont, are being asked to approve a school bond issue of up to $1.26 million for a geothermal heating and cooling system for the…