News
Some Franklin County flags don’t fly with vexillological association
By DOMENIC POLI
The designs of municipal flags in western Massachusetts generally did not fare well in a survey conducted late last year, but those associated with the towns made it clear they are proud of the banners they feel encapsulate their beloved homes.The...
Corporate affiliation between Heywood Healthcare, UMass Memorial terminated
By MAX BOWEN
Citing difficulties in the healthcare industry, a potential merger between UMass Memorial Health and Heywood Healthcare has been terminated.According to a joint statement sent by Debora Spano, media and public relations manager at UMass Memorial...
North Quabbin realtor—Housing market, and prices, should stabilize
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – When asked what the North Quabbin real estate market will do in 2023, Hometown Realtors owner Sara Lyman believes prices will decrease, though not by much.“When you follow the economists and you look at what’s happening right now in January,...
PHOTO: Winter moon in Warwick
Ryan Berthiaume named to Assumption University’s Dean’s ListATHOL — Assumption University has announced that Ryan Berthiaume, of Athol, Class of 2024, has been named to the University’s Dean’s List for the spring 2022 semester. Students named to the...
After 35 years, Orange Town Moderator Christopher Woodcock bids adieu
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — When annual Town Meeting convenes in June it will mark the first time in 35 years Christopher Woodcock hasn’t called the session to order.The lifelong Orange resident has opted not to run for another term as the town’s moderator, ending a...
Downtown (and Uptown) Athol scarfbombed
By GREG VINE
ATHOL — Motorists heading through downtown Athol Monday morning may have wondered what was going on as they spied signposts donned with scarves or parking meters topped with knit hats.No, it’s not part of some new winter public works initiative to...
Tracking air quality: State expands Valley monitoring program to 10 more communities in region
By SCOTT MERZBACH
NORTHAMPTON — Smoke drifting into New England from wildfires in the western United States last summer, tracked by sensors in Holyoke, Greenfield and other area communities, gave residents real-time information about its causing poor air quality.The...
Assessment increase noticeWENDELL — Real estate assessments have increased significantly for 2023. The amount of Wendell’s total valuation of real estate and personal property has increased 11% based on real estate market sales data from the 2021...
Gratitude Tree at Athol Library has a new look for 2023
By MAX BOWEN
Have a hope for the new year? Then the Athol Public Library is the place to go and share it.On the large window in the children’s section of the library, the Gratitude Tree has taken on a new form as the Wish Tree. It’s the creation of Children’s...
Year of Kindness kicks off in Athol
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – At the urging of Athol Congregational Church, the town’s Selectboard has officially declared 2023 to be The Year of Kindness in Athol. An event inaugurating the year-long initiative was held on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Memorial Hall at Town...
Selectboard weighs future of old Ahtol fire station
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – The old downtown fire station was on the Selectboard’s minds at the Jan. 3 meeting, when Town Manager Shaun Suhoski asked members to weigh potential options for the future of the aging structure.“The old firehouse downtown is continuing to...
Athol Hospital limits inpatient visitation, citing high COVID count
By MAX BOWEN
Athol Hospital is hoping that a restriction on inpatient visits caused by a spike in COVID cases can be lifted on Monday.According to a post on the hospital’s Facebook page, the restriction on inpatient visits was put into effect on Friday, Dec. 30....
State to forgive part of Orange infrastructure improvement loan
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE – The state is forgiving 17% of a $1.4 million loan it gave to Orange so the town can replace gravity sewer mains and water mains located under North Main Street prior to a road reconstruction project in the same location.State...
North Quabbin Notebook: Jan. 6, 2023
Ad hoc committee formed to review candidates ORANGE — The town has formed an ad hoc committee to review candidates the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management recommends for final interviews for the job Town Administrator/Treasurer Gabriele...
School superintendent meets Selectboard as budget season looms
By GREG VINE
ATHOL — While the town is months away from voting on a proposed operational budget, Athol Royalston Regional School District Superintendent Matt Ehrenworth met with officials who will weigh in on his portion of the spending plan. Ehrenworth met with...
Spreading his wings: Former WRSI radio host Monte Belmonte heads to New England Public Media
By STEVE PFARRER
SPRINGFIELD — Last month, when he stepped down from WRSI 93.9 The River after nearly 17 years of hosting a morning show at the station, Christopher “Monte” Belmonte said he was not stepping away from radio. But the popular radio personality wasn’t...
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 6, 2023
ATHOL 2036 Pleasant St. $330,000. B: Lori J. Warner. S: Angelina L. Nelson Estate and Pamela M. Anzaldi.DEERFIELD 4 Evans Lane, Lot A. $290,000. B: Michael A. Costa and Susan A. Costa. S: Alison Bartlett-O’Donald and George Trenholm. Mill Village...
Royalston resident leads Winchendon Police as new chief
By GREG VINE
WINCHENDON–The town has begun the new year with a new police chief. Daniel Wolski, who most recently served as a sergeant in the department, was appointed to the leadership role on Jan. 1. Wolski, 37, has been acting chief since October, following the...
Sullivan sworn in for fourth term as district attorney
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — In the old courtroom at the Hampshire County Superior Court, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan took the oath of office Wednesday for the fourth time after being reelected to the position. As in the previous two elections for...
