
Royalston Music Fest expands with two dates
ROYALSTON – Royalston Music Fest 2025 is offering music fans two opportunities to enjoy some popular local bands this year. The lineup includes a number of familiar favorites as well as some new entertainment.

Food assistance agencies brace for SNAP cuts
GREENFIELD — With the approval of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act last week, which includes $1.2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), regional food assistance agencies say they are anticipating negative impacts that will sprawl across many aspects of society.
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Sports

Downes does it again: 19-year-old from Longmeadow makes Mass. Am history at GreatHorse
HAMPDEN — After shaking hands with his opponent, Woodland Golf Club’s Patrick Kilcoyne, on the 12th green, Ryan Downes hopped on the back of a golf cart and took the long ride up toward the clubhouse with his caddie — the two all smiles.

Opinion
My Turn: Tell EPA: No rollback on air pollution regs





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

World of wonder: Walter Wick’s dynamic photographic illustrations at Norman Rockwell Museum
STOCKBRIDGE — The dynamic images of photographic illustrator Walter Wick can be viewed through Oct. 26 in four galleries at Stockbridge’s Norman Rockwell Museum.
Obituaries

San Marcos, TX - Eugene Richard Rice of San Marcos, TX passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the age of 96. Born in Islip, NY, he was the son of the late Erwin and Alice (Glassett) Rice. Gene grew up in Athol, MA and graduated f... remainder of obit for Eugene Richard Rice

Phillipston, MA - It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Donald Robert Schlicke on July 3, 2025. Born on May 10, 1953, in Gardner, MA, and a lifelong resident of Phillipston, MA, his presence will be deeply missed. His... remainder of obit for Donald R. Schlicke

BARRE, MA - Richard (Dick) Hamel, 75, of Barre passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. He was born December 3, 1949 in Lawrence, MA, second son of Margaret (Connors) Hamel and Raymond Hamel. He graduated from Central Cath... remainder of obit for Richard T. Hamel

ORANGE, MA - Mark S. Hurt, 69, of Putnam St, died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at home after being stricken ill. Born in Athol on December 2, 1955, he was the son of the late William and Phyllis (Fisher) Hurt. He is surv... remainder of obit for Mark S. Hurt