Tour of Athol High School shows issues with building

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – In an effort to show the need for a new or renovated Athol High School, officials held a tour while outlining the process, which begins with a feasibility study.

Winchendon Winds marks 10 years of music

By GREG VINE

WINCHENDON – Starting this weekend, Winchendon Winds will hold the first of three concerts to mark the group’s 10th anniversary.

Sportsman’s Corner: Live from Vassalboro

By Mike Roche

North Quabbin Notes, June 14

WINCHENDON – Unwind, relax, and celebrate the beauty of yoga with instructor Chantal Froystein from Shadow Alchemy Wellness. Starting on June 17, this class will run on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. All skill levels are welcomed and mats and blocks are available, if needed. These classes are free and are open for adults and teens. Donations are gratefully accepted, but not required.

Erving convenience store sells winning $1M scratch ticket

ERVING — CST Nominee Trust of Greenfield has claimed a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$4,000,000 Gold 50X” game with a scratch ticket purchased at Weatherheads Convenience Store on the French King Highway, which gets a $10,000 bonus for the sale.

Former Athol Selectboard member recognized for years of volunteer work

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – The Margaret Grazis Citizen of the Year Award was first awarded in 1995, and in any year since then, Selectboard member Brian Doge said the 2025 recipient could easily have been honored.

Athol voters give green light to $1.3M capital plan

By GREG VINE

ATHOL –A total of 166 voters completed the 49-article Town Meeting warrant in just under two hours Monday night.

Draft FY26 budgets from House, Senate and governor include increased HIP funding

By CHRIS LARABEE

More funding for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) may be on the way in fiscal year 2026, as Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed budget, along with those put forward by the Senate and House of Representatives, all request more money than in FY25.

Royalston Town Meeting approves overrides for police hires, town administrator

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – With relatively little discussion, voters at Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting approved three Proposition 2½ overrides.

Markey says he’d ‘fight Trump’ over National Guard deployment

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Days after President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops in California to respond to immigration enforcement protests, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said he would oppose any similar tactics in Massachusetts, which has already come under fire for its “sanctuary” policies.

North Quabbin Notes, June 10

ATHOL – Please come out for the June 21 supper at the South Athol United Methodist Church located at 65 Morgan Ave. Please consider treating “Dear Ole’ Dad” for a belated Father’s Day weekend with a Swedish Meatball supper on Saturday, June 21 served with gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, fresh dinner rolls and, as a change of pace, strawberry shortcake for dessert. All prepared and served family-style by experienced kitchen helpers, many of whom are ServSafe-certified.

Feds pull $87M grant from Sublime Systems for low-carbon cement plant in Holyoke

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HOLYOKE — Recent cancellation of an $87 million federal grant to support construction of a low-carbon cement startup’s manufacturing plant in Holyoke is not expected to derail plans that would have that facility open by 2028, though the company is reviewing backup options.

Senate budget includes more than $1M in local earmarks for western Mass

By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — The state Senate’s approved fiscal year 2026 budget could bring more than $1 million in earmarks to western Massachusetts.

Athol Police Detective Sergeant receives Grazis Award

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – This year’s Margaret Grazis Employee of the Year Award was presented to Athol Police Det. Sgt. Douglas Kaczmarczyk for his hard work and dedication to the department.

Health insurers seek steep rate increases

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Hundreds of thousands of small business employees and individuals could face significantly higher health insurance premiums next year under proposed rate increases that critics warn would add another crushing weight to employers and residents already struggling to manage high costs.

Mount Wachusett’s Early College programs celebrate 51 graduates

GARDNER – On May 30, Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) celebrated the achievements of its Early College program graduates.

Storms hamper Silver Lake event in Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Despite some ominous weather, the “Silver Lake: Our Waters” went on as planned, even if the crowds weren’t what organizers were hoping for.

Water testimony touches on private wells, aging infrastructure

By COLIN A. YOUNG

The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources got its feet wet Tuesday, diving into testimony on bills dealing with water.

Council labels UMass ‘hostile campus’ for Muslim, Palestinian students over handling of 2024 encampment

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Arrests at a May 2024 Gaza solidarity encampment, alleged discriminatory sanctions and reported failures to address anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian harassment is leading the Council on American-Islamic Relations to declare the University of Massachusetts a hostile campus for Muslim and Palestinian students.