Baystate Franklin Medical Center not at risk of closure, CFO says
Sportsman’s Corner: Doe permit time
Petersham Art Center opens scratchboard exhibit
Sour taste as state lawmakers unpeel ‘big, beautiful bill’
Local advocates seek removal of Healey provision on new nuclear facilities
Healey signs $60.9 billion budget, vetoes $130 million
Athol man sentenced on 14 drug, firearm charges
State shifting away from effort to build reserves
PHOTO: Trio of trees
Erving seeks state grants for Evergreen Circle at Care Drive
ERVING — The town has applied for two state grants that, combined with a recent Town Meeting appropriation, would cover most of Erving’s portion of costs related to construction of the affordable senior and multi-generational housing project called Evergreen Circle at Care Drive.
Food assistance agencies brace for SNAP cuts
GREENFIELD — With the approval of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act last week, which includes $1.2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), regional food assistance agencies say they are anticipating negative impacts that will sprawl across many aspects of society.
Athol survey calls for downtown dining
PHOTO: Beating the heat
‘Generational damage’: The fallout of cutting climate science research 
UMass climate scientists reeling as Trump administration slashes funding for researchSports
117th Mass. Amateur: Hometown kid Downes survives thriller, sets up title match with Kilcoyne at GreatHorse
HAMPDEN — The hometown kid has a chance to make history at the 117th Massachusetts Amateur Golf Championship — again.
Bay State Games 2025: West softball repeats as champions with 11-7 win over Coastal
Silver finish for West: Local stars battle in Bay State Games baseball final
On The Ridge with Joe Judd: The red ghost of Shelburne
117th Mass. Amateur: Booska family bonds on display at GreatHorse
Opinion
My Turn: In the name of the law
In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was amended to include the Fugitive Slave Clause. This clause made it illegal for enslaved persons to free themselves through escape, and legally required them to be returned to their enslavers. In enshrining this in the Constitution, it also nullified state laws that protected enslaved persons from being returned to their enslaver if they reached a Northern state that abolished slavery. However, as Southern enslavers were unsatisfied with the resistance they encountered when attempting to retrieve their escaped slaves, the U.S. government attempted to mollify them with a stronger law. In 1793, The Fugitive Slave Law was passed by Congress. This law declared that any escaped enslaved person must be returned to their enslaver, regardless of what state in which they were recaptured, and that anyone assisting in their escape would be fined $500 and given a year in prison.
Warren Senders: Activism demands media reform
Laurie Evans: Restore access to Gordon King Estate
My Turn: Thoughts on motonormativity
Bill Lafley: Questioning what makes American great
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Police Logs
Athol Police Logs, May 11 - June 9, 2025
2:01 a.m. - Male party in the lobby to speak with an officer about a cable box missing from his apartment. Male also stated he noticed the mat at his door has been moved.
Athol Police Logs, April 16 – April 26, 2025
Athol Police Logs, March 1 – March 17, 2025
Athol Police Logs: Feb. 6 – Feb. 27, 2025
Athol Police Logs Jan. 16 to Feb. 2, 2025
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Sounds Local: Shelburne Falls Porch Fest to fill village with music
There’s nothing better than strolling through the village of Shelburne Falls and taking in all the sights of this picturesque area. Now, imagine the sound of melodic guitars and sweet, soaring voices drifting through the air from the porches of nearby homes. This would transform an already enjoyable experience into something even more special.
Nature Photo Contest
Speaking of Nature: The big beautiful world —A baby nuthatch ventures out
A basic omelette: perhaps the most French of foods
Fighting back through portraiture: Greenfield exhibit raises awareness about violence against Indigenous womenObituaries
Richard T. Hamel
BARRE, MA - Richard (Dick) Hamel, 75, of Barre passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. He was born December 3, 1949 in Lawrence, MA, second son of Margaret (Connors) Hamel and Raymond Hamel. He graduated from Central Cath... remainder of obit for Richard T. Hamel
Mark S. Hurt
ORANGE, MA - Mark S. Hurt, 69, of Putnam St, died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at home after being stricken ill. Born in Athol on December 2, 1955, he was the son of the late William and Phyllis (Fisher) Hurt. He is surv... remainder of obit for Mark S. Hurt
Marina C. Cegiel
Marina C. (Duguay) Cegiel ATHOL, MA - Marina C. (Duguay) Cegiel, 78, of Athol, died early Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025 at home with loved ones at her side. Born in Gardner on April 23, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Lester J. a... remainder of obit for Marina C. Cegiel
Kathleen M. Burke
Kathleen M. (Consigli) Burke ORANGE, MA - Kathleen "Kathy" Mary (Consigli) Burke passed away peacefully June 24, 2025. She was born September 20, 1945 to Joseph and Katie (Chaplin) Consigli of Medway Massachusetts. A graduate of Med... remainder of obit for Kathleen M. Burke
