News
Local success informs federal guidelines on addiction treatment
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
The federal government is marching to the beat of Behavioral Health Network’s drum in its new methadone treatment regulations, effective Tuesday, April 2.BHN, a mental health service provider in western Massachusetts with methadone clinics in...
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Due to a production issue this morning we were not able to mail today’s Athol Daily News. The paper will be delivered tomorrow with your Thursday edition. We apologize for the inconvenience. Your home delivery subscription includes access to the...
Vacant home in Orange destroyed in blaze
By Max Bowen
ORANGE—A two-story home on Old South Road was destroyed by an early-morning blaze, according to the Orange Fire Department.No injuries were reported and the fire is under investigation.Shelburne Control Regional Dispatch began receiving calls at...
Athol resident survey shows more housing, business development wanted
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – A survey asking residents their opinions on topics such as housing, transportation, economic development and land use garnered more than 240 responses.The survey was put together by the Master Plan Committee with help from BSC Group, the...
North Quabbin Notes, April 3
Property revaluationnoticePHILLIPSTON — The Board of Assessors is working in Vision Government Solutions Inc. for Phillipston’s Fiscal Year 2025 Revaluation. The following are a list of Vision Government Solutions Inc. employees and their vehicles...
OPENING DAY AT WHEELER
State rules governing to-go drinks, outdoor dining expire as politicians figure out next steps
By Chris Lisinski
BOSTON — This week’s dismal weather forecast might actually have a silver lining for some restaurateurs.After nearly four years with a streamlined system in place to permit outdoor dining and permission to sell takeout alcoholic drinks, both practices...
Firefighter override passes by narrow margin at Athol Town Election
By GREG VINE
ATHOL– A Proposition 2 ½ override aimed at increasing staff at the Athol Fire Department passed at Monday’s Town Election.By only 96 votes – 639 to 543 – voters said “yes” to a $286,000 override to fund the hiring of three paramedic/EMT/firefighters....
Larry Lucchino, force behind retro ballpark revolution and drought-busting Red Sox, dies at 78
By JIMMY GOLEN
BOSTON — Larry Lucchino, the force behind baseball’s retro ballpark revolution and the transformation of the Boston Red Sox from cursed losers to World Series champions, has died. He was 78.Lucchino had suffered from cancer. The Triple-A Worcester Red...
Libraries still in the business of books, but embrace growing role as community ‘third space’
By MAX BOWEN
Tilton Library Director Candace Bradbury-Carlin said that in recent years, libraries have grown beyond a place to study or get books and into a “third space,” serving their patrons in new and diverse ways.At the South Deerfield library, this could...
Officials talk funding for, hear feedback on Northern Tier Passenger Rail
By CHRIS LARABEE
As the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) study of the Northern Tier Passenger Rail project continues, officials and consultants Thursday night collected more feedback and laid out some of its potential funding streams in the final...
S&S Appliance celebrates 50 years in Athol
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – After 50 years and a few ownership changes, S&S Appliance remains a strong presence in the town of Athol.When Charlie Shatos first opened the store in 1974, it was located at 454 Main St., currently the site of Pre-K Kidz daycare. A growth in...
Farming challenges aired at state hearing
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Climate change’s impact on farming, as well as emerging areas like urban agriculture, soil health and pollinators, are a focus for the University of Massachusetts Extension Agriculture Program, which continues to help farmers adapt and...
Franklin County lodging managers say a lack of rooms is impacting tourist trade
By BELLA LEVAVI
When Brolin Winning owned Smokey Bro’s BBQ on the Mohawk Trail several years ago, tons of tourists who stopped at his Shelburne establishment for a bite to eat had the same question for him.“Every single weekend, people would ask us if there was a...
Keeping ‘vulnerable road users’ safe: A year after passage of 4-foot law, MassBike advocating for other protective measures
By Xinyi Yang
A year after its advocates played a key role in passage of a law aimed at making roads safer for “vulnerable users” — bicyclists, pedestrians and more — the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition is again pushing for more law changes designed to add further...
Athol Town Manager says next fiscal year may be the ‘most challenging’ in the last decade
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – As he prepares to meet with the Selectboard and Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee to present a proposed town budget, Town Manager Shaun Suhoski said fiscal year 2025 “is shaping up to be among the most challenging (fiscal years) during my...
Proposed charter changes on Athol Town Election ballot
By Greg Vine
ATHOL – In addition to the race for the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee and a $286,000 Proposition 2 ½ override to decide, voters at Monday’s Annual Town Election are being asked to approve 31 changes to the Town Charter.Instead of voting on...
GAAMHA opens new Athol facility for women with substance use, mental health disorders
By MAX BOWEN
ATHOL — Seeking to address a lack of resources for women battling with substance abuse and mental health disorders, Gardner-based GAAMHA has opened a new facility in Athol called Sunrise Ridge.The 32-bed residential treatment facility — which opened...
Planning underway for fifth annual Athol Green Clean
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Earth Day is just around the corner and that means the fifth annual Green Clean Athol event is close at hand.The community cleanup effort is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, with the 54th annual observance of Earth Day to follow on Monday,...
PHOTO: Two by two
