News
Athol Salvation Army Corps joins Boston Marathon volunteers
By MAX BOWEN
ATHOL — Though they may not have been among the runners, the Salvation Army Athol Corps played an important role in the 128th Boston Marathon.The corps sent two vehicles — their mobile feeding unit, also known as a “canteen,” and a minivan — to help...
Director of Village School in Royalston steps down
By GREG VINE
ROYALSTON – Village School Director Rise Richardson, who has been there since the doors opened in 1989, has announced she has stepped down from the position.Richardson has been the school’s director since 1994, and said she had decided that it was...
Franklin County youth tapped to advise governor’s team
By Xinyi Yang
Orange resident Christiana Dunn is among 60 young people statewide who will advise Gov. Maura Healey and her administrative team on issues important to young people as a member of the newly minted Youth Advisory Council.The council members, ages...
A Page from North Quabbin History: Quabbin Reservoir photo archives
By Carla CharterWhen the work on the Quabbin Reservoir began, photographers began documenting the project – from real estate, to cemeteries, to the construction of the reservoir itself. Their photos, snapshots in time, can be seen at Digital...
Historical society presents history of Nichewaug
PETERSHAM – The Petersham Historical Society presents Kimberly Toney – member of the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmuc and the inaugural coordinating curator of Native American and Indigenous studies at Brown University – as guest speaker at the society’s...
Ryan Zaveral, Shane MacDowell cross finish line first in River Rat Race
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Despite fickle weather conditions, canoeists and spectators alike enthusiastically awaited the start of Saturday’s 59th running of the annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange.From about 11 a.m. until just before boats were put in the water...
Phillipston voters faced with override decision at May 8 Town Election
By GREG VINE
PHILLIPSTON – Acting on the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Selecboard voted at its meeting last Wednesday to include an article on the May 8 Annual Town Meeting warrant which calls for a $175,000 Proposition 2 ½ override.If the article...
Equity, income concerns flagged in free college debate
By SAM DRYSDALE
BOSTON – Moderate-income white students could gain the most under a proposal that top Senate Democrats are weighing to make community college free for all Massachusetts residents, according to a report, which urges lawmakers to make adjustments with...
Activists: Tuition hike wrong tack for UMass
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — As a University of Massachusetts doctoral student in physics, Mark Murdy has seen his wages as a graduate employee decline relative to inflation, meaning he, like others who work on campus, is taking home less money.Amid these financial...
Sportsman’s Corner: Turkey time
By Mike RocheEach April for many years, this writer has traveled to Kansas to “visit my sister.” The annual trip began when she offered to buy my hunting license if I went to visit and that visit became an annual rite of spring.Over the years, contact...
Safety a priority for River Rat Race organizers
By MAX BOWEN
ATHOL — With potentially hundreds of participants in this weekend’s Athol Orange River Rat Race, making sure there aren’t any problems could be a challenge, but it’s one organizers say they are ready for.Jason Rushford is the event’s water safety...
New fed rules may force Mass. action on PFAS
By COLIN A. YOUNG
Nearly 200 water systems across Massachusetts — including towns, schools and hospitals — will likely need to take some action to comply with new federal limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water, state regulators said Wednesday, a potentially...
PHOTO: Learning leather
North Quabbin Notes, April 11
Knights of Columbus top free throw shootersATHOL – On April 6, Athol’s top free throw shooters returned from the Knights of Columbus State Free Throw Championship in Holliston with three trophies. All three boys won their age division at the council,...
Families fume at Orange Elementary School Committee over LPN hire
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — Community members on Monday expressed their disgust with the Orange Elementary School Committee over the hiring of unqualified man as Fisher Hill School’s licensed practical nurse.Robert Davis, who was employed from Oct. 2 to Feb. 28,...
Dennis Carey marks 40 years participating in River Rat Race
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – It might be a stretch to claim that Dennis Carey, 56, of Orange, could paddle the 5.2-mile River Rat Race with his eyes closed – but it wouldn’t be much of one.This year’s race, which takes place on April 13, will mark the 40th River Rat...
Early success in Greenfield prompts statewide launch of Family Treatment Court
By DOMENIC POLI
Early success in the Franklin County Probate and Family Court has spawned a statewide launch of Family Treatment Court sessions to address the needs of families involved in Juvenile Court cases in which substance use is a contributing factor.PATHS...
Blue envelope program offered for Massachusetts drivers on autism spectrum
By ALISON KUZNITZ
BOSTON — Massachusetts State Police have begun implementing a program to improve interactions with people on the autism spectrum, building upon legislation that won Senate approval in January and remains before a House committee.Participating drivers...
Community gears up for River Rat Race weekend
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – While the River Rat Race is the star, there will be plenty more to watch and enjoy this weekend.Things get underway Friday night, April 12, with the drawing of positions in Memorial Hall at Athol Town Hall. Drawings begin promptly at 7 p.m....
New expenses prove a hurdle for Athol’s town budget
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski told last week’s meeting of the Selectboard that he, his financial team and town department heads continue their efforts to craft a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Members of the Finance and Warrant...
