
147 animals surrendered to MSPCA by Franklin County resident up for adoption
A Franklin County resident who surrendered 147 animals to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell) in April is now being investigated by MSPCA Law Enforcement.

Petersham Town Meeting passes budget
PETERSHAM – With very little discussion, the 120 voters who showed up for Petersham’s Annual Town Meeting Monday evening unanimously approved a FY26 town operating budget of $1,979,739.
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Sports

MIAA Softball: Franklin Tech eliminated by West Boylston; Greenfield and Turners Falls both advance to quarters (PHOTOS)
TURNERS FALLS — Over each of the past three years, Franklin Tech and West Boylston have both made a habit of reaching the MIAA Division 5 softball quarterfinals. But the teams never had to face each other to reach that rung on the state tournament ladder until Wednesday.

Opinion

My Turn: Retaining good leaders means fixing the educational foundation
In our county, the superintendent of the largest school district has resigned. The superintendence of the second-largest municipality has also stepped down. This isn’t just a local issue; you can look across Massachusetts and see the same pattern. Public education top leaders are walking away from jobs that have become nearly impossible to sustain.





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, April 16 – April 26, 2025
10:45 a.m. - Report of a party going through a company’s mail. Made contact with the male party who stated he was checking for his own mail. Male party was located in his Mercedes in the back of the building. Party left the property shortly after.




Arts & Life

Sounds Local: 1794 Meetinghouse abuzz with excitement: Christine Ohlman, the ‘Beehive Queen,’ returns this Saturday, June 7
In 2012, the Beehive Queen herself, Christine Ohlman, first performed at the 1794 Meetinghouse on South Main Street in New Salem. She kicked off that season, and since then, she has celebrated more summers at this historic venue than she can remember.
Obituaries

Christine (Baker) Musante New Ringgold, PA - Christine (Baker) Musante, 81, of New Ringgold, PA died May 25, 2025. She was the wife of John L. Musante. She was born May 20, 1944 in Glen Ridge, NJ. She was the daughter of the late Albert... remainder of obit for Christine Musante

Athol, MA - Terry Lynn Burton, born on July 4, 1957, in Athol, Massachusetts, was a beam of fierce love and unwavering dedication, whose bright spirit touched the lives of many. Terry lived life passionately, leaving an indelible mark o... remainder of obit for Terry Lynn Burton

ERVING, MA - Joseph Samuel Bucci, Jr., 78, was born in Honesdale, PA on December 10, 1946. He died after a short bout of cancer on May 23, 2025 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA. He was able to tell us his wishes to ... remainder of obit for Joseph S. Bucci Jr.

ORANGE, MA - Brian M. Haskins, 82, died Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Born in Gardner on November 5, 1942, he was the son of Elmer M. and Bertha (Hume) Haskins. Growing up in the Blissville sectio... remainder of obit for Brian M. Haskins