Phillipston Selectboard confirms no interest in dam

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – At its meeting on Wednesday, May 28, Phillipston’s Selectboard reaffirmed a vote taken in October 2024 to disavow any interest in a previous offer from the Town of Athol to purchase the Bates Powers Dam for $1.

Protesters oppose Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts as Thomas Aquinas College commencement speaker in Northfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

NORTHFIELD – Around 80 protesters gathered outside Thomas Aquinas College Saturday in opposition to the school’s selection of Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts as its 2025 commencement speaker.

PHOTOS: One hundred flags in Phillipston

Citizens group asks court to overturn AG decision on battery-storage bylaw in Wendell

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — The citizens group that formed in 2023 in opposition to a since-withdrawn proposal for a battery storage facility has filed a motion asking the Land Court to overturn the state Attorney General’s rejection of the group’s proposed bylaw.

Athol to hold Silver Lake celebration on June 7

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – As the last Ice Age was coming to an end and the glaciers that covered North Quabbin receded about 14,000 years ago, they left behind depressions in the landscape that eventually filled with water.

PHOTO: Petersham Grange celebrates 150 years

Senate votes to let regulators cap some drug prices

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — The Senate agreed last week to add a major prescription drug price control measure to their fiscal year 2026 budget, drawing the ire of the influential life sciences sector and adding another major topic to House-Senate negotiations on the horizon.

Anthony Brighenti, longtime Athol public servant, dies at 80

By DOMENIC POLI

ATHOL – Anthony A. Brighenti, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and retired state Environmental Police officer who served many years on the Athol Selectboard and School Committee, died earlier this month. He was 80.

Royalston holds Memorial Day ceremony recognizing those who served

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – Residents gathered on The Common Monday afternoon, joining communities throughout North Quabbin in celebrating Memorial Day.

Athol Memorial Day services honor ‘fallen heroes’

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – The region’s long string of rainy days broke just in time to provide the perfect setting for Monday’s Memorial Day services throughout North Quabbin.

Athol, Phillipston, work to determine future for Bates Powers Dam

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – The towns of Athol and Phillipston are continuing to explore options for what to do with the Bates Powers Dam

Anthony Brighenti, longtime Athol public servant, dies at 80

By DOMENIC POLI

ATHOL – Anthony A. Brighenti, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and retired state Environmental Police officer who served many years on the Athol Selectboard and School Committee, died earlier this month. He was 80.

Rising costs push small businesses to closure as they demand sweeping reforms from legislators

By GABRIEL O’HARA SALINI

Over 50% of small business owners said they were likely to close or sell their business in the next five years, citing high costs across their businesses as a driving factor, a recent study from UMass Donahue Institute showed.

Farmers eye ‘forever chemical’ legislation

By CHINANU OKOLI

Some local farmers hope bills to mitigate PFAS contamination in Massachusetts could safeguard their work and protect their lives.

Royalston Policing Committee recommends override to fund full-time police officers

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – About two dozen people attended the public information meeting held Wednesday night by the Royalston Policing Committee. The panel was formed earlier this year to study what steps need to be taken to provide the kind of police coverage the town’s residents need and deserve.

‘It was as if an asteroid hit’: $6M federal grant terminated for UMass energy transition program, leaving researchers in limbo

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — UMass doctoral candidate Shannon Callaham had initially planned to spend last week analyzing interview data between Holyoke community members and energy industry professionals as part of a grant-funded project that centered around environmental justice in Holyoke’s transition to renewable energy.

Photo: Making Connections

Making Connections

Guard Chief: Constitution binds us ‘no matter how crazy things may get’

By ELLA ADAMS

BOSTON – To the tune of the 215th Army Band, families of Massachusetts veterans who lost their lives during or as a result of service gathered with state leaders last week in anticipation of Memorial Day and in recognition of their loved ones’ sacrifices.

Photo: North QuabbinFood-A-Thon celebrates 22 years