PHOTO: Trio of trees
Legislature gives state school funding a boost
UMass student, congressional intern from Granby killed in D.C. shooting
Mass cannabis regulators order testing lab to suspend operations
Massachusetts Legislature sends $61B budget to Healey, mindful of storm clouds
Franklin County residents push Legislature to adopt sexual abuse prevention bills
Velis, Domb lead new state commission tackling xylazine crisis in drug supply
Sportsman’s Corner: A student’s Alaska observations
By Mike Roche
Battery energy storage facility proposed for Erving’s Poplar Mountain
ERVING — Town officials and residents got a first look this week at preliminary plans for a battery energy storage facility being proposed by Spearmint Energy.
Most Read
Petersham to hold Fourth of July parade Friday
Battery energy storage facility proposed for Erving’s Poplar Mountain
Sportsman’s Corner: A student’s Alaska observations
Repairs at Turners Falls dam prompt drawdown
Local officials respond to Healey infrastructure bill
Mass Audubon loses record $25M grant, vows to push on with its conservation efforts along Conn. River
Editors Picks
Athol survey calls for downtown dining
PHOTO: Beating the heat
‘Generational damage’: The fallout of cutting climate science research
UMass climate scientists reeling as Trump administration slashes funding for research
Sports
Western Mass. set to host 117th Mass. Amateur at GreatHorse this week
For the first time in nearly a decade, Western Massachusetts will play host to the state’s biggest amateur golf tournament.
Keeping Score with Chip Ainsworth: Mt. Soxmore, Who joins Teddy Ballgame, Yaz and Big Papi?
On The Run with John Stifler: Eminem or Saint-Saëns? The playlist that powers your run
Bulletin board: Registration ongoing for Montague Mug Race on Aug. 16
Community classics return: A look at Franklin County’s summer sports staples
Opinion
The World Keeps Turning: Follow the money
In the movie dramatizing the Watergate scandal, a secretive informant meets a reporter in a dark parking garage and advises him to “follow the money” in order to unravel the mystery involving a botched robbery directed by Richard Nixon’s White House. The actual events (testimony from White House lawyers, a mysterious 18-minute gap in the Oval Office tapes when the crisis was discussed) might have been even more sensational than the movie, but the movie phrase had legs. It is now a directive for understanding controversial government and business actions.
My Turn: Dalai Lama an inspiration at 90
Guest columnist William Lambers: Celebrate America by saving our humanitarian tradition
My Turn: We’re so much better than this
Charlie Hale: The cost of cutting science — empty shelves
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.
Athol Police Logs, April 16 – April 26, 2025
Athol Police Logs, March 1 – March 17, 2025
Athol Police Logs: Feb. 6 – Feb. 27, 2025
Athol Police Logs Jan. 16 to Feb. 2, 2025
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Sounds Local: Shows galore planned for July 4
The long Fourth of July weekend is upon us, and if you are looking to enjoy some live music as you celebrate America’s birthday, you will have plenty of options — and some of them are even free!
Speaking of Nature: The most beautiful local butterfly? The Question Mark is a species of forests and forest edges
‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’: A crackerjack of a recipe in honor of July 4
Life’s a drag! A day in the life of producer and queen, Magnolia Masquerade
Of rapids and rainbows: LGBTQ outdoors enthusiasts enjoyed Pride Day on the RiverObituaries
Christian G. Walker
ORANGE, MA - Christian G. Walker, 17, of Eagleville Road, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, June 25, 2025 in Keene, New Hampshire. Born in Gardner on February 10, 2008, he was the son of Ashley Walker and had just completed th... remainder of obit for Christian G. Walker
Ethel M. McCarthy
Ethel M. (Englehard) McCarthy ORANGE, MA - Ethel May (Engelhard) McCarthy of Marjorie Street, died in her sleep Monday, June 30, 2025, at Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol, MA. Ethel was born in Turners Falls, MA, October 19, 1933, to Jo... remainder of obit for Ethel M. McCarthy
James R. Aldrich
NEW SALEM, MA - James R. Aldrich, 64, of New Salem, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Holyoke, MA on May 13, 1961, he was the son of the late Harry and Barbara (McDonnell)... remainder of obit for James R. Aldrich
Helen L. Andrzejczyk
Helen L. (Hitchcock) Andrzejczyk ORANGE, MA - Helen L. (Hitchcock) Andrzejczyk, 97, of Main Street, died peacefully at hom on June 24, 2025. Born in North Orange on November 21, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Geddis and Irma (Mo... remainder of obit for Helen L. Andrzejczyk
