Athol board approves agreements with cannabis companies

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Host community agreements (HCA) for three cannabis businesses in Athol were renewed by the Selectboard at its meeting on May 6.

‘Devastating’: Cuts to public broadcasting will be felt here

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Federal funding cuts announced earlier this month to National Public Radio and The Public Broadcasting Service would have serious implications for public media viewers and listeners in western Massachusetts, experts in the region say.

Proposal for new six-town regional school district heads to DESE for approval

By CHRIS LARABEE

With its regional agreement sent off to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a technical review, the Six Town Regionalization Planning Board is expecting to bring its new school district proposal to voters in the fall.

Nationwide, beekeepers report loss of 1.6M colonies in 10 months

By CHRIS LARABEE

Across the United States, beekeepers are facing their greatest crisis in decades, with more than 1 million colonies reported lost in the last 10 months.

New members needed for Athol boards

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – In the wake of recent resignations, town officials are seeking residents willing to serve on the Town Energy Committee or the Municipal Decarbonization Task Force.

Nonprofits agree they are worse off under Trump

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Hundreds of workers and leaders at nonprofits across Massachusetts overwhelmingly agreed that the Bay State will fare worse under the Trump administration, voicing concerns about funding cuts and heightened stress on vulnerable populations.

UMass researchers discover rare rabbit ticks in Maine that carry new strain of bacteria

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — University of Massachusetts researchers have uncovered rabbit ticks in Maine that harbor a new strain of bacteria related to pathogens known to cause spotted fever in humans.

Zoning bylaw change stirs discussion at Phillipston Town Meeting

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Voters breezed through Wednesday’s Annual Town Meeting with very little discussion – until they reached Article 32, the final article on the warrant.

Special election to be held for Athol Selectboard

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town Clerk Nancy Burnham went before the Selectboard at its meeting Tuesday, May 6, to speak on plans for the special election that must be held to replace former member Andy Sujdak.

Sportsman’s Corner: Fawn facts

By Mike Roche

Comments on Gardner sludge landfill expansion due Friday

By GREG VINE

GARDNER – Area residents who may support or oppose the proposed expansion of Gardner’s sludge landfill have just a couple more days to respond a draft environmental impact report on the project.

PHOTO: Millers River reaches red line in Winchendon

Protesters to state officials: Change clean energy siting rules in new Climate Action Plan

By ALEXA LEWIS

HOLYOKE — Unperturbed by the rain that pelted their colorful signs, dozens of impassioned community members hailing from cities and towns across the region gathered in song and frustration to protest state clean energy siting practices they think will be more harmful to the environment than helpful.

‘We’ve lost a good one’: Donald R. Dwight remembered as passionate advocate for local journalism

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HOLYOKE — With family roots in the newspaper industry and many years serving as chairman of Newspapers of New England, Holyoke native Donald R. Dwight, who died at the age of 94 on Sunday, is being recalled for a life lived by the same principles that guided his commitment to locally owned, independent journalism.

Athol bridge closed several hours for repairs Tuesday evening

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – One of the two bridges on Chestnut Hill Avenue between Route 2A and Crescent Street was shut down for several hours Tuesday night until Wednesday morning to allow for repairs.

A ‘monumental’ journey: Nearly 200 people become American citizens at naturalization ceremony at UMass Amherst

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

AMHERST — Ten years ago, Angelo Mercado began the lengthy and difficult process of becoming an American citizen. On Tuesday inside the Bowker Auditorium at Stockbridge Hall at the University of Massachusetts, that arduous journey finally came to an end.

Override for library, schools passes at Winchendon Town Election

By GREG VINE

WINCHENDON – One of two Proposition 2 ½ overrides to shore up town finances and maintain services has passed the Town Election, but a second round vote awaits at the upcoming Town Meeting.

Bishop Byrne: Period of prayer as conclave to find ‘joyful shepherd’ to replace Pope Francis beings

By ALEXA LEWIS

As the cardinals in Vatican City prepare to begin a conclave to select a new pope on Wednesday, Bishop William Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield said that local Catholics are in a period of prayer as they eagerly await the election of “a joyful shepherd who will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics in the world.”

Transhealth, others condemn federal report urging therapy as brazen, unscientific attack on trans youth

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Local gender-affirming care clinic Transhealth is condemning a recent review put out by the federal Department of Health and Human Services that recommends against the use of medical treatment for gender dysphoria in youth.