The Sentinel newspaper was founded on April 2, 1915 by Lewis Blackmer. He was editor and publisher of the Sentinel for 50 years. Through those years, Mr. Blackmer reported the news in Belchertown, Amherst and Granby areas and serviced those communities with a strong commitment to the news of the people living and working in those towns.

Turley Publications, printers and publishers of the Sentinel and 14 other local newspapers in the region, continues the tradition with a true community-minded approach and a commitment to the area for over 30 years.

The Sentinel is a 100-percent direct mail publication in Belchertown and Granby, with an additional 1,000 copies available in stores in Amherst, Belchertown, Granby and Hadley. The Sentinel has proven to be the paper of choice in the area. From birth announcements, senior news, local sports, school lunches and school activities, The Sentinel is welcomed in all the homes every week for all the local news and happenings.