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PHOTOS: Fourth of July in Petersham

Funding freeze threatens Orange summer, after-school programs
ORANGE — Summer and after-school programming appears to be in jeopardy after the U.S. Department of Education announced it is withholding certain funding, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants, for the 2025-2026 school year.
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Sports

The 92nd Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship to kick off Monday at Crumpin-Fox Club
The top amateur girls golfers in the state will be heading to Bernardston this week.
Opinion

From Global to Local: Our human-made problems can and must be unmade
In the summer of 2023, researchers “binge-watched 250 of the most-rated movies” of the past 10 years for climate research purposes. A mere 13 percent of films made mention of climate-related disasters, some more seriously and others “offhandedly” in dialogue. In contrast, since the rise of Hollywood as the center of entertainment over a century ago, more than “2,500 war-themed movies and TV programs have been made with Pentagon assistance.” Why does the Pentagon partner with Hollywood? And why does Hollywood glamorize war at the expense of the planet?





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

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!



Obituaries

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

Marina C. (Duguay) Cegiel ATHOL, MA - Marina C. (Duguay) Cegiel, 78, of Athol, died early Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025 at home with loved ones at her side. Born in Gardner on April 23, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Lester J. a... remainder of obit for Marina C. Cegiel

Kathleen M. (Consigli) Burke ORANGE, MA - Kathleen "Kathy" Mary (Consigli) Burke passed away peacefully June 24, 2025. She was born September 20, 1945 to Joseph and Katie (Chaplin) Consigli of Medway Massachusetts. A graduate of Med... remainder of obit for Kathleen M. Burke

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