
Royalston Village School expands with yurts
ROYALSTON – Usually, when a school finds itself in need of extra space it will consider building an addition or perhaps renting what are known as “portable” classrooms.

Mosquito sample from Belchertown tests positive for EEE virus
BELCHERTOWN — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that a mosquito sample from Belchertown tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, a rare but potentially fatal viral disease.
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Sports

Path of a champion: Leverett native Glenn Wong Jr. played key role in Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA title run
Just over a month ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to capture the franchise’s first championship since the team moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008. Confetti fell inside the Paycom Center as Thunder players celebrated on stage and accepted the Larry O’Brien trophy.


Opinion

My Turn: A glimmer of hope in the abominable budget
The abomination of a budget bill shoved through Congress offers a glimmer of hope for the environment and efforts to fight climate change. The government will cease providing subsidies to solar industry investors. These subsidies made it profitable for investors in Boston to outbid two farming families for a 182-acre farm in Shaftsbury, Vermont, nestled between Hale Mountain and Harrington Cobble on Holy Smoke Road, a road named for its remarkable scenic view. They intend to cover the land with solar panels, generating 20 megawatts.





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: There’s no place like home: Western Mass turned West Coast country singer Rosie Porter tours old stomping grounds
Rosie Porter understands that there is no place like home. The country singer, a former resident of Greenfield, moved to California in 2024, and while she enjoys the West Coast and the move has positively impacted her career, she is eager to return to western Massachusetts for a three-week tour. The tour kicks off tonight, Thursday, July 24, at Shelburne Springs, 904 Mohawk Trail, from 6 to 8 p.m.


Obituaries

Kenneth "Scoop" Fish Athol, MA - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a remarkable man, Kenneth "Scoop" Fish, who left us on July 19, 2025. Born on June 23, 1968, in Athol, Massachusetts, Kenneth lived a life that was as vibrant... remainder of obit for Kenneth Fish

ATHOL, MA - Charles W. "Chip" Bachelder, 80, of Chestnut Hill Avenue, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ late Wednesday evening, July 16, 2025 at the Odd Fellows Home in Worcester. Born in Gardner on May 7, 1945, he was the ... remainder of obit for Charles W. Bachelder

LEYDEN, MA - Gordon S. Lawrence ( Buddy), 62, of Leyden Mass., passed away suddenly on July 15th in Greenfield Mass. Gordon Lawrence was born in Fitchburg, Mass. to Clarence R and Charlotte J Lawrence. Buddy loved fishing, attending co... remainder of obit for Gordon S. Lawrence

Athol, MA - Patricia Ploof, 76, died on Saturday, July 12, 2025. She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Timothy Ploof, their son, David Ploof, and his wife, Keila, and her grandchildren, Michel Ploof and Fletcher Sheinheit. She also... remainder of obit for Patricia A. Ploof