Wheeler Memorial basement level still closed pending basement floor repairs

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE – The Wheeler Memorial Library’s basement level remains closed to the public following a mid-July flooding, and the director said it will stay that way until the floor is restored – a project that cannot begin until an accessibility ramp is...

Clean energy groups issue new appeal on siting reforms

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — More than a month since House and Senate Democrats failed to compromise on clean energy reforms that the industry and many advocates agree are essential to the transition the state wants to make, key trades associations have urged...

Phillipston CPC plans informational meeting on application process

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will hold an informational meeting for residents interested in securing funding for projects in fiscal year 2026.The meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Phillipston...

Phillipston Board comes to agreement on Fire Department overtime

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – The Selectboard decided at its Wednesday meeting to approve a revision to Phillipston’s personnel policy relative to paying overtime to town employees.The change, however, affects only members of the Fire Department.Some town officials...

Sportsman’s Corner: Poults galore this season

By Mike RocheIt seems like this year, the production of wild turkeys was good in the Mount Grace region.Conversations with several other folks seem to point towards abundant broods of wild turkeys being hatched and most are now nearly as big as the...

Healey answers questions about AG speculation

By SAM DRYSDALE

After speculation surfaced on a national TV show last weekend, Gov. Maura Healey resolutely denied having any interest in serving as attorney general under a potential future President Kamala Harris administration.Healey has been actively promoting...

Bronze medal winner to speak at Athol Library

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

ATHOL—Paralympic bronze medal recipient Lo Nigrosh is bringing her story to the Athol Public Library.Nigrosh, who took home the bronze in the 2004 Athens Paralympics as a member of the women’s sitting volleyball team, is hosting a free event at the...

Work on Canal, Lumber streets in Athol will begin this month

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski this week issued an order to proceed on infrastructure improvements along Canal and Lumber streets, just west of Lord Pond Plaza.The town has contracted with A. Martins & Sons Construction of Ludlow to do the work at...

Report: Legalization didn't undercut illegal sports betting in Massachusetts

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON – In the first year after sports betting was legalized in Massachusetts, the state made inroads but didn’t substantially redirect much of the revenue from illegal sports wagering into its coffers, according to new research from the University...

Racing pigs, fried dough and more at 175th Franklin County Fair

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI and DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — As the Franklin County Agricultural Society gears up to entertain an estimated 25,000 people from across the region at its 175th Franklin County Fair, society President Michael Nelson said the event is sticking to its agricultural...

No injuries result from ATV fire in Orange

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ORANGE — An all-terrain vehicle caught fire behind a home at 130 Bartlett Lane on Tuesday, though the fire did not spread to the home itself and no injuries were reported.The fire was called in at around 12:30 p.m. by an occupant of the home....

Thompson wins race for Royalston Selectboard in Special Town Election

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – Mark Thompson was victorious in a three-way race to fill a spot on Royalston’s Selectboard.In a special election held on Tuesday, Thompson – who also serves on the town’s Planning Board – garnered 162 votes, while former board members...

A slow day at the polls in Athol for the state primary

By MAX BOWEN

ATHOL – Voter turnout for the primary election held at Athol Town Hall on Tuesday was similar to the rest of the state, with 11% of registered voters taking part, though many did so ahead of time.Town Clerk Nancy Burnham said that the most of the...

PHOTO—“Johnny King” performs at Quabbin Valley Health Care

Erving School Union 28 Superintendent hopes to create collaborative atmosphere

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING – The Erving School Union 28 district is starting the school year with Shannon White-Cleveland as the new superintendent for K-6 students across New Salem, Wendell, Erving, Leverett and Shutesbury.White-Cleveland has around 30 years of...

Camper describes run-in with vehicles on Athol trails as a ‘scary situation’

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – An Amherst family was abruptly awakened at 2:30 a.m. the morning of Sunday, Aug. 25, to see several vehicle driving in their direction as they slept in the Bearsden Conservation Area.“We had reserved one of the campgrounds in Bearsden, called...

Damage to Athol trails under investigation by state Environmental Police

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – A series of trails have been badly damaged by off-road vehicles and required significant repair work, according to the Conservation Commission.Over the weekend of Aug. 24, the persons involved – ignoring a prohibition on ATVs and side-by-sides...

Local veteran prepares to open North Quabbin Veterans Center

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

ATHOL – Inspired by his friend, John Dodge has helped build a new center with the hopes of bringing veterans organizations together.North Quabbin Veterans Center, is opening in Athol in the hopes of remedying declining membership in local veterans...

Athol seniors celebrated at North Quabbin picnic

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Comfortable temperatures and a slight breeze complimented perfect weather Friday for the annual event honoring the area’s senior citizens.Seniors, volunteers, a local official or two, and hundreds of other people gathered at Silver Lake Park...