
Firefighters partner with Jumptown to practice water rescues in Orange
ORANGE — Jumping out of a plane may sound terrifying to some, but for others it’s a thrill, especially when their landing makes a splash.

Fire chiefs, local officials advocate for new building authority
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, constructing a new fire station can cost anywhere between $412 to $1,171 per square foot.
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Sports

Jesse Morgan, Rachel Snow win Northfield Golf Club’s Club Championship
Northfield Golf Club held its Club Championship over the weekend, with Jesse Morgan taking down River Kuhn in a three hole playoff to win the men’s championship. Both Morgan and Kuhn finished with two round scores of 146 to force the playoff.

Opinion

Bruce Hawkins: Losing empathy
John Paradis describes the alarming ways that empathy is under attack (“How did empathy become the enemy?” Recorder, July 26), including the use of techniques that are used to train soldiers to kill. This “Kill Talk” is being employed to devalue members of our own society, both citizens and non-citizens. As I read this, I realized how tempting it is to fall into the habit myself, devaluing those with whom I disagree. Many who voted differently from me have good reasons for their choices, including trauma in their lives like lost jobs, twice as devastating psychologically as divorce. Let us not contribute to the polarization in our society by assuming that all our political opponents are the same as their worst leaders.




Your Daily Puzzles

An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."

A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.

Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.

Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.

Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Police Logs

Athol Police Logs, May 11 - June 9, 2025
2:01 a.m. - Male party in the lobby to speak with an officer about a cable box missing from his apartment. Male also stated he noticed the mat at his door has been moved.




Arts & Life

Speaking of Nature: Ever heard of an exuvia?: A triumphant use of unexpected science vocabulary
The word was “exuvia” and those of us that heard it were overcome with a mixture of surprise, confusion and skepticism. The person who dished up this scientific morsel was Brian Adams, professor emeritus of environmental science at Greenfield Community College. The setting for such an utterance was a radio studio at WHMP in Northampton, where I was sitting for an interview with Brian, Bill Newman and Buz Eisenberg on their wonderful “Talk-the-Talk” program on July 23.
Obituaries

Kenneth "Scoop" Fish Athol, MA - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a remarkable man, Kenneth "Scoop" Fish, who left us on July 19, 2025. Born on June 23, 1968, in Athol, Massachusetts, Kenneth lived a life that was as vibrant... remainder of obit for Kenneth Fish

ATHOL, MA - Charles W. "Chip" Bachelder, 80, of Chestnut Hill Avenue, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ late Wednesday evening, July 16, 2025 at the Odd Fellows Home in Worcester. Born in Gardner on May 7, 1945, he was the ... remainder of obit for Charles W. Bachelder

LEYDEN, MA - Gordon S. Lawrence ( Buddy), 62, of Leyden Mass., passed away suddenly on July 15th in Greenfield Mass. Gordon Lawrence was born in Fitchburg, Mass. to Clarence R and Charlotte J Lawrence. Buddy loved fishing, attending co... remainder of obit for Gordon S. Lawrence

Athol, MA - Patricia Ploof, 76, died on Saturday, July 12, 2025. She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Timothy Ploof, their son, David Ploof, and his wife, Keila, and her grandchildren, Michel Ploof and Fletcher Sheinheit. She also... remainder of obit for Patricia A. Ploof