News
Remaining submissions for Memory Tree fundraiser
ATHOL — Listed below are some late submissions of memorial names contributed as part of the Athol Woman’s Club’s annual Memory Tree fundraiser held in December.For a $1 donation, residents submitted a name. Each light on the memorial tree, located on...
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 20, 2023
ATHOL 238 Beacon St. $380,000. B: Dylan J. Boissoneau and Joshua R. Boissoneau. S: Beacon Central LLC. 84 Grove St. $205,000. B: Michael Vorce. S: Cindy W. Mertzic. 1545 Main St. $40,000. B: Sergio A. Reis. S: 1545 Main St. LLC. 135 Oak Ave....
Jan. 6: A protest or insurrection?: Latest UMass poll splits along party lines
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
AMHERST — Two years after the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of former President Donald Trump forced their way into the U.S. Capitol, the views of what happened that day remain firmly entrenched along partisan lines, according to a new...
PHOTO: A busy Millers River
A Page from North Quabbin History: The Raymond and Estabrook Ledger
By Carla CharterA ledger donated to the Royalston Historical Society has opened a window to the hat-making industry in the town in the 1800s. “Hatmaking was a huge industry in Massachusetts from the early 1800s to the 1930s,” said Kathy Morris,...
‘She was worth knowing’: Ann Hamilton, longtime Chamber of Commerce leader, dies at 82
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Ann Hamilton, the woman whose decades of contributions to Franklin County earned her the Greenfield Recorder’s Citizen of the Year award in 2016, died on Monday morning, 10 days shy of her 83rd birthday.Hamilton, who served 32 years as...
North Quabbin Notes, Jan. 19
Mass Cultural Council supports creative learning programs in North QuabbinMass Cultural Council announced the 274 recipients of the Fiscal Year 2023 STARS Residencies grants. This $1.4 million investment into creative learning opportunities will bring...
Quaker Drive Bridge in Petersham to be replaced
By GREG VINE
PETERSHAM – At its meeting on Jan. 12, Petersham’s Selectboard awarded the contract for reconstruction of the Quaker Drive Bridge to a Westfield firm. The bridge was ordered closed by order of the state Dept. of Transportation. The low bid to replace...
Area lawmakers acclimate to redrawn districts
By DOMENIC POLI
The region’s state legislators are getting acclimated to their newly redrawn districts but say their day-to-day lives won’t change much, as they were elected to represent the people, regardless of political affiliation, and who share similar...
PHOTO: Eighth-graders create government scenarios
Suhoski: Athol a leader in green communities effort
By GREG VINE
ATHOL — The town of Athol, according to Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, was an early convert in the campaign for municipalities to operate in a way that causes less harm to the environment, both locally and regionally.Recently, the town has begun...
Fire station design costs on ballot for Winchendon special Town Election
By MAX BOWEN
WINCHENDON — With a revised proposal, officials hope that a Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion override will be approved at Thursday’s special Town Election.The ballot question asks voters to exempt the town from the provisions of Proposition 2½, which...
Chauvette to step away from Athol School Committee
By GREG VINE
ATHOL — After serving in a variety of capacities for much of his adult life, Lee Chauvette has announced plans to step back from public service and not seek re-election to the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee this April.Chauvette, 57,...
PC Doctor: Protecting sensitive emails
Dear PC Doctor:I’m sending an email that has sensitive information in it. Is there a way to make it so that the recipient can’t forward it to anyone else? I do trust this person, but mistakes happen. I’m using Gmail.Thanks,Private Dear...
Consultants update Athol Selectboard on Lord Pond planning
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Representatives of BSC Group, the Boston-based consulting firm developing plans for the greening of Lord Pond Plaza, recently brought Athol’s Selectboard up to speed on that effort.An assessment of the plaza was undertaken in 2020 under the...
PHOTO: Welcome to Wendell
Lack of funding brings end to local Upward Bound program
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — The local Upward Bound program that moved in 2021 from Northfield Mount Hermon School to Greenfield Community College announced on Tuesday that a lack of federal funding is forcing its closure after 55 years of serving college-bound...
Climate activists celebrate new leaders, highlight work ahead
By MARY BYRNE
On her fourth day in office on Wednesday, Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer joined legislators and climate activists from across the state, including many from western Massachusetts, who gathered to celebrate the efforts of the new administration and...
Academic supports, ELA curriculum among Athol school budget priorities
By GREG VINE
ATHOL—A preliminary version of the FY24 school budget shows a focus on curriculum improvements to all grade levels, as well as a look ahead. Superintendent Matt Ehrenworth and Business Manager Leah Jack met with the Finance and Warrant Advisory...
Public health needs assessment shows little progress since 2019
By MARY BYRNE
GREENFIELD — Filling public health needs in Franklin County and North Quabbin communities saw little progress over the past three years, as evidenced by the recent Community Health Needs Assessment showcasing much of the same needs that were...
