News

Erving voters say ‘no’ to $3.7M debt exclusion

ERVING — Monday’s election saw incumbents reelected to their roles, including Highway Superintendent Glenn McCrory, who fended off Anthony Cunha for a one-year tree warden position, as well as the rejection of a debt exclusion to pay to demolish the...

Lawyer argues Joshua Hart’s 2018 conviction for Orange murder had inconsistent verdicts

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Spurred by a state Supreme Judicial Court opinion that pointed to inconsistent verdicts, the Franklin County Superior Court judge who oversaw Joshua Hart’s murder trial in 2018 has taken under advisement a defense attorney’s motion to set...

More than 130 arrested at pro-Palestinian protest at UMass

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Editor’s note: This story will be updated.AMHERST — More than 130 people were arrested on the University of Massachusetts campus Tuesday night after those who set up a pro-Palestinian encampment on the South Lawn of the Student Union refused to...

Franklin County reps speak to House budget amendments

By TANISHA BHAT

Franklin County representatives got about half of what they asked for in amendments to the House version of the fiscal year 2025 state budget.After two separate votes, 11 of the 21 amendments proposed by Franklin County representatives were adopted by...

Employee pay, real estate top Erving Town Meeting warrant

By DOMENIC POLI

ERVING — Employee compensation and real estate transactions are expected to be the most discussed topics at Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, according to Town Administrator Bryan Smith.Articles regarding private property are clumped at the end of the...

‘Arrive Alive’ shows Athol High School students the dangers of impaired driving

By MAX BOWEN

ATHOL — As the school year winds down, Athol High School students got a realistic look at the dangers of impaired driving. “Arrive Alive” showed a mock two-car crash on Monday, with five Athol High School students portraying the drivers and...

Work on Pinedale Avenue Bridge connecting Athol and Orange to resume

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Closed for a year and a half, work on the Pinedale Avenue Bridge is set to resume next week, according to Public Works Director Dick Kilhart.Kilhart explained that work has been on hold recently as the project’s contractor, Construction...

North Quabbin Notes, May 6

Starrett hosts 14 students from a range of disciplinesATHOL – As a global company with 144 years of manufacturing experience in Athol, the Starrett company is also deeply rooted in the local communities. Over the years, the company has supported...

Rice’s Roots Farm owner plans for community involvement for land’s future

By GREG VINE

PETERSHAM – Lin Chen, the new owner of what was known locally as Rice’s Roots Farm, displays a wide smile when discussing his plans for the 228-acre site in Petersham.Doing business under the name Global Roots Farm, LLC, he hopes to serve the North...

Loan program aims to ease burden of home energy retrofits

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON – Hoping to accelerate the switch to clean energy technologies, the climate bank at MassHousing recently announced a new financing product that aims to make $20 million in loans available over the next two years to help homeowners cover the...

Community Legal Aid expands Disability Benefits Project to Franklin County

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Community Legal Aid, a nonprofit that offers free civil legal support to elderly and low-income residents in western and central Massachusetts, has expanded its Disability Benefits Project into Franklin County, a change that coincides...

PHOTOS: Enchanted Orchard Renaissance Faire at Red Apple Farm

Volunteers repaint Athol gazebo for veterans memorial service

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Several volunteers recently helped with a new paint job for the bandstand on the Uptown Common, in time for the annual “We Remember” ceremony.The gazebo was painted and decorated in preparation for the annual Athol Congregational Church event,...

Office of Travel and Tourism director tours Franklin County, looks to increase presence

By DOMENIC POLI

Looking to increase her department’s presence around the state, the executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism recently visited some of Franklin County’s tourism destinations.Kate Fox was taken on a whirlwind tour around the...

Nature lovers gather at Adams Farm for hawk watch

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Area raptor enthusiasts have been gathering at Adams Farm in Athol since March 11 to take part in the annual hawk watch.The team leader of the event is Mark Morris of Eastern Mass Hawk Watch, who has coordinated the event in recent years with...

Committee forms to oppose psychedelics push in Mass

By CHRIS LISINSKI

A new campaign chaired by a Massachusetts General Hospital surgeon will oppose a potential ballot question seeking to decriminalize some psychedelic substances.After coming together “reasonably quickly” in the past week, as spokesperson Chris Keohan...

Change in federal drug classification could help cannabis shops

By JAMES PENTLAND

In the wake of the Justice Department’s proposal to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug, dispensary owners say the change would help their business, especially on taxes.“The immediate impact would be for the government to treat us like other...

Battery storage bylaw passes in Wendell

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — Town Hall was packed Wednesday night with 102 registered voters eager to have their voices heard on a bylaw regulating battery energy storage systems, which was overwhelmingly approved. The Special Town Meeting warrant article was proposed...

Debt-burdened UMass students, grads rally for relief

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Responsible for $135,000 in student debt, Amherst resident Ian Rhodewalt observes that during the yearslong federal pause in making loan repayments during the pandemic, he and his family were able to get a vehicle, replace a broken-down car...