News
North Quabbin Notes, Feb. 14
Energy Assistance availableATHOL—For residents of Athol needing assistance with heating fuel, the town has provided funds to help with electric heat, oil, propane, and kerosene. Resients can call 978-249-8111 to find out if they qualify. Those who...
A Page From North Quabbin History: Starrett Museum shows an array of inventions
The L.S. Starrett Museum located on Crescent Street in Athol is a time capsule into the company’s past. The museum is housed in the location of the Gerry Textile Machinery Shop purchased by the L.S. Starrett Company along with five acres of land in...
Athol’s Hatchet Hunt returns for 101th anniversary
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – One of Athol’s most enduring traditions celebrates its 101st anniversary next week.February vacation week kicks off with the annual George Washington Hatchet Hunt on President’s Day, Feb. 20 at Athol Community Elementary School. Children,...
Monday, January 23 4:55 p.m. – Caller from New Athol Road area reported her husband hadn’t returned home and left around noon. He was supposed to be going to Hannaford’s and Workers Credit Union. Police checked areas, negative contact. Orange and...
New Salem officer faces OUI charge
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD – A New Salem police officer faces a charge of operating under the influence of liquor after he was arrested at a town official’s home late January.Charles J. Brooks, 39, of Amherst Road, Belchertown, pleaded not guilty in Greenfield...
Coalition wants $20 minimum wage in Massachusetts by 2027
By CHRIS LISINSKI
The $15 minimum wage that kicked into effect Jan. 1 was years in the making and took more than five more years to be implemented. Now, with the new rate just setting in, key power players have set their sights on making Massachusetts the first state...
$6.44M redesign looks to improve Route 2 intersection in Erving
By JULIAN MENDOZA
ERVING — A proposed redesign of Route 2’s problematic intersection with the east side of Holmes Street looks to improve safety in the Farley village area.The intersection has been the subject of safety concerns for decades and last discussed for...
Owner, officials at odds over Wheeler Revival Mansion in Orange
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — The California transplant who bought the North Quabbin region’s only Gilded Age mansion in July 2020 is at odds with her town over requirements to open the structure she is trying to bring back to its former glory.Cynthia Butler has expressed...
Report finds fewer students heading to college; pols call for more investment
By SYDNEY KO
BOSTON — The number of students choosing to attend post-secondary education in Massachusetts has dropped significantly in recent years, a trend that started nearly a decade ago and has only been exacerbated during the pandemic.“The pandemic’s impact...
North Quabbin Notes, Feb. 11
North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing to Adams Farm and SlaughterhouseATHOL — The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of...
Athol Selectboard votes to endorse CDBG application
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Residents appear satisfied with initial plans for improvements to the neighborhood bordered by Main and South streets to the north and south, and Canal and Freedom streets on the east and west. No one from the public attended a public hearing...
Suspect in 2022 Athol shooting deemed too dangerous to release after arraignment
Staff Reports
ATHOL – An Athol man charged in connection with a November 2022 shooting has been determined to be too dangerous to release.Yamil C. Nunez, 47, of Athol, was ordered held without bail on Friday, Feb. 10, in Orange District Court after Judge Laurie...
Real Estate Transactions: Feb. 10, 2023
ASHFIELD 171 Barnes Road. $179,000. B: Laura George and Jonathan F. George Sr. S: Suzanne E. Connell and Wilfred Connell.ATHOL 41 Auburn Place. $155,000. B: Paul G. Bachelder. S: Danielle M. Krzyszczyk and Jennifer A. Krzyszczyk. 8 Main St....
Town officials: SoulFest music festival not coming to Northfield
By DOMENIC POLI and BELLA LEVAVI
After months of controversy, the 2023 SoulFest Christian music festival will not be held in Northfield, town officials announced this week.The proposal had been heavily scrutinized by the Northfield Selectboard and the organization is now in...
Traveling Smithsonian exhibit, now in Turners Falls, shining spotlight on rural America
By JULIAN MENDOZA
TURNERS FALLS — Due to its association with the nation’s capitol, a Smithsonian exhibit, in some ways, may feel out of place in small-town Montague. In other ways, though, it feels just right.“This is about the small-town vibe,” said Caitlin Kelley,...
State offers coyote hazing tips
By MICHAEL P. NORTON
Coyotes are present in every Massachusetts city and town, according to state wildlife officials, who are out Tuesday with new tips to prevent rare “negative coyote encounters” during their ongoing mating season.“Whenever you see a coyote in your yard,...
Village School in Royalston holds open house
Staff Reports
The Village School is hosting an open house on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m.-noon. Families can see classrooms, meet teachers, talk to current parents and students, meet alumni and learn about the curriculum.Information will be available about the...
Heywood Hospital commits to working with Phoenix on collections
By MAX BOWEN
Following an initial announcement stating that a collections agency used “aggressive” tactics, Heywood Hospital now plans to work collaboratively with Phoenix Financial Group.In its original announcement made last week, Heywood Hospital responded to...
Over $100,000 raised by Reid Landry Garrant Foundation
By MAX BOWEN
After her son Reid passed away on June 1, 2018 from leukemia, Paula Garrant promised she’d find a way for her son’s name and legacy to live on.That led to the launch of the Reid Landry Garrant Foundation, which over the last five years has raised more...
COVID remains a concern for Ahtol-area health officials
By GREG VINE
ATHOL — Health Agent Deb Vondal updated members of the Board of Health on the status of COVID in the community and how it still remains a presence. “Our active cases, which are reported through the state and that are lab verified, it’s been running in...
