Study assesses ridership, costs of Northern Tier Rail

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Running consistent passenger rail service for 140 miles through northern Massachusetts communities to connect North Adams and Boston could attract hundreds of riders per day, but would also require hundreds of millions of dollars in up-front capital...

Deadline nears for Phillipston CPA funds

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – With the deadline for Community Preservation Act funding applications less than a month away, only one party has expressed interest.According to Community Preservation Committee Chair Peter Travisano, the Congregational Church is seeking...

Data shows a historically dry fall for western Mass

By CHRIS LARABEE

With bodies of water receding and brush fires throughout the state, it was clearly a dry fall for the Pioneer Valley and new data analysis confirms the season was historically dry for western Massachusetts.Preliminary National Weather Service data...

Tax trends, federal shift have budgeteers pausing

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON – Facing softening non-surtax revenue collections, spending demands inflated by pandemic-era initiatives and a mountain of uncertainty about the direction of key federal policies, state budget managers and economic analysts agreed Monday that...

Changing Lives Though Literature program aims to reduce recidivism

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Changing Lives Though Literature, an alternative sentencing option that offers those on probation reduced sentences upon completion of a 10-week literature program, is inspiring many of its graduates to pursue higher education.The program aims to...

Home on Winter Street rendered uninhabitable following two-alarm fire

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE – There were no injuries resulting from a fire caused by the ignition of combustible materials near a pellet stove’s flue pipe early Sunday morning, the town’s fire chief said.James Young said his department was dispatched to a reported...

North Quabbin Notes, Dec. 2

Art and science of digital infrared photographyATHOL – Join an exploration into the world of digital infrared photography, where art meets science, to reveal an invisible spectrum. This event will be held at the Athol Public Library on Tuesday, Dec....

SAPHE 2.0 to modernize local health care

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Gov. Maura Healey signed the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community (SAPHE 2.0) bill in late November on the coattails of a $4 billion economic development bond bill. Now roughly four years in the making, local health officials say...

Governor's Council certifies electors for U.S. President

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON – The Governor’s Council on Wednesday certified the results of Massachusetts’s electors for the U.S. offices of president, vice president, and U.S. senator and representative.All 50 states had to certify their votes in the federal election and...

ABNC to hold Christmas Bird Count, release new ‘Birds and Nature of the North Quabbin’ calendar

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Between releasing its annual “Birds and Nature of the North Quabbin 2025” calendar and preparing for the yearly bird count, the Athol Bird & Nature Club has had a busy December.The cover of the calendar features a striking image of a barred...

Nicotine pouch ban would hurt business, Athol convenience store owners say

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Multiple convenience store owners showed up for a public hearing Tuesday afternoon to express their opposition to a ban on the sale of nicotine pouches.New tobacco regulations under consideration by the town’s Board of Health would prohibit...

Ed board chair: Lawsuit anticipated in wake of MCAS vote

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — The head of the state’s K-12 education board expects the state will be sued for failing to assure there’s adequate and equitable learning taking place in schools, after voters overwhelmingly supported a new law this November that got rid of...

With third location in Turners Falls, Community Health Center to serve another 4,000 patients

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — Local and state officials gathered alongside health care workers on Monday afternoon to celebrate the return of a community health center to town.The first community health center in western Massachusetts was founded in 1997 in Turners...

Athol Chief Joseph Guarnera reflects on six years with Fire Department

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Parents have long claimed that television has a great influence on children. In the case of Athol Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera, that couldn’t be more true.Speaking with the Athol Daily News on Wednesday, Nov. 27, his last day on the job,...

In address at UMass, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib cheers on those who faced consequences for supporting Palestine at flagship last spring

By SAMUEL GELINAS

AMHERST — “Don’t breathe. Be invisible. We don’t want trouble.”As a woman who grew up under legal occupation in Palestine, these words became mantras for Fatima Alabed out of necessity. Her daughter, however, Michigan congresswoman and...

2 water tower articles top Orange Special Town Meeting warrant

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — A Special Town Meeting is asking voters to address two warrant articles pertaining to land acquisition for a crucial water tower, which officials believe will take up the bulk of public discussion on Monday.Town Administrator Matthew Fortier...

Home heating help on tap: Residents urged to apply for fuel assistance

By SAMUEL GELINAS

A week after warm weather led to warnings of fire danger statewide, homeowners are starting to turn their thermostats up as temperatures drop.But for many, the extra expense to heat their homes is a tough ask. That’s why state and local agencies are...

PHOTOS: Breaking bread together

Push for Rent Control Board renewed in Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Al Dernalowicz, president of the Millers Woods/Riverbend Homeowners Association, went before the Nov. 19 Selectboard meeting in an attempt to revive the stalled effort to establish a Rent Control Board to oversee the manufactured housing...