Latest News
Markey says he’d ‘fight Trump’ over National Guard deployment
North Quabbin Notes, June 10
Feds pull $87M grant from Sublime Systems for low-carbon cement plant in Holyoke
Health insurers seek steep rate increases
Water testimony touches on private wells, aging infrastructure
Municipal vehicles, tax plans on agenda for Athol Town Meeting
House passes bill overhauling cannabis laws, CCC
Sportsman’s Corner: Small world, big water
Franklin County Pride parade, festival returns Saturday in Greenfield
Royalston Town Meeting approves overrides for police hires, town administrator
ROYALSTON – With relatively little discussion, voters at Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting approved three Proposition 2½ overrides.
Draft FY26 budgets from House, Senate and governor include increased HIP funding
More funding for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) may be on the way in fiscal year 2026, as Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed budget, along with those put forward by the Senate and House of Representatives, all request more money than in FY25.
Most Read
Athol Police Detective Sergeant receives Grazis Award
Health insurers seek steep rate increases
Storms hamper Silver Lake event in Athol
Mount Wachusett’s Early College programs celebrate 51 graduates
Detours planned in Athol for road work
Senate budget includes more than $1M in local earmarks for western Mass
Editors Picks
Athol High School marks 150th Commencement with a hopeful message
Vigneau to retire as CEO of Franklin County YMCA
Idaho woman arrested on charges in 2023 Orange fraud case
Orange Sewer Commission votes to increase rates
Sports
Bulletin Board: Crumpin-Fox Women’s League opens season
The Crumpin-Fox Club Women’s League opened its season on Wednesday with a Throw Out 3 Hole contest, with Taylor Berry-Schumacher taking first with a score of 1-over.
Turners Falls rallies from 6-run deficit to stun Georgetown, reach MIAA D5 title game
Final Four No More: Pioneer baseball breaks through, routs Hopedale for spot in D5 championship at Polar Park
On The Ridge with Joe Judd: Get outdoors in the month of June!
Bulletin board: Greenfield 9U Ducks take 2nd place at Swanzey Invitational
Opinion
My Turn: When death is the result
One of the main things that separates Republican politicians from Democratic ones these days is that the Democrats seem to still care whether people live or die. Not so much the Republicans. The fact is that the way Donald Trump and the Republicans are slashing vital government programs will inevitably result in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans — and many more abroad.
Elizabeth Kuzdeba: Flag Day
Judith Truesdell: Thoughts on June 14
Barry De Jasu: Midterm election?
My Turn: Invisible connections of the natural world
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.
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
Orange Police Logs: Dec. 31, 2024 to Jan. 10, 2025
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Sounds Local: Returning to their roots: The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow brings annual Mountain Day festival to Berkshire East on Saturday
When the Whiskey Treaty Roadshow performed at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton in April, it was a good old-fashioned foot stompin’ rockin’ dance party complete with plenty of sing-alongs. Everyone had a great time, and it’s guaranteed to be more of the same when the band hosts their fourth annual Mountain Day festival at Berkshire East Ski Resort in Charlemont on Saturday, June 14, at 4 p.m.
Speaking of Nature: The pressures of parenthood: Bird dads, like human dads, deserve a happy Father’s Day
Simple and scrumptious: Welsh Rabbit is neither rabbit nor Welsh, but it’s supreme comfort food
A star is born: Greenfield teen lands starring role first time acting in independent feature film
Pride Day on the River returns: Annual event welcomes LGBTQ nature lovers and allies to kayak, raft and celebrate, June 21Obituaries
Adrian D. Johnson
Adrian D. (Strong) Johnson PETERSHAM, MA - Adrian Johnson (90) of Petersham, passed away peacefully Saturday June 7th, listening to George Harrison, surrounded and held by her family after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born on Febr... remainder of obit for Adrian D. Johnson
Joseph Goodbrake
Baldwinville, MA - Joseph Goodbrake, 46, of Baldwinville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, from his battle with cancer. Born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on August 2, 1978, he was the son o... remainder of obit for Joseph Goodbrake
Donna L. Cole
Donna L. (Sturtevant) Cole ORANGE, MA - Donna L. (Sturtevant) Cole, 80 , of Tully Road, died on Wednesday evening, June 4, 2025 at Boston Medical Center Brighton with family at her side. Born in Gardner on February 28, 1945, she was the... remainder of obit for Donna L. Cole
Molly T. Aitken
Athol, MA - Molly Bennett Aitken Strouse entered eternal peace on Tuesday morning, June 3, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 25, 1943, Molly was the daughter of Mervin Dreux Bennett and Valre Vasilas. Molly was raised in Hol... remainder of obit for Molly T. Aitken
