Orange department heads speak to need for Proposition 2½ override

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — With a Proposition 2½ override vote coming to the ballot boxes on Monday, roughly 50 people gathered in Town Hall’s Ruth B. Smith Auditorium this week to voice their thoughts to the Selectboard on the budget proposal.

Cooling centers to open Monday in Athol

With temperatures expected to get into the high 90s next week, the town will open several cooling centers, to be active Monday and Tuesday.

Athol Treasurer/Collector to step down on July 2

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – After five and a half years on the job, Athol Treasurer/Collector Patrick McIntyre is vacating his office at Town Hall to take a similar position in Acton.

Local trans advocates in wake of Supreme Court decision: ‘We will not back down’

By EMILEE KLEIN

NORTHAMPTON — In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Wednesday to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming health care for minors, locally-based Transhealth is sending a clear message to its patients and the community: health and community services for trans individuals in the commonwealth will persist as long as trans people exist.

Advocacy continues for rural school aid; level funding expected as FY26 budget moves forward

By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — Rural school aid is likely to stay level-funded in the fiscal year 2026 budget, even after more testimony from local advocates on Beacon Hill this month.

United Way food drive serves 900 area families

FITCHBURG – The United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) has completed its annual April Foods Drive, distributing more than 7,500 pounds of food—valued at $14,625—to local agencies, helping 900 families across the region.

Orange OKs postponing budget until after June 23 override vote

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — A suggestion to postpone a budget vote at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting until after a scheduled Proposition 2½ override vote at the ballot box caused some to speak against the idea, arguing that it was taking the decision out of voters’ hands.

Marine vet gets 24 months of supervised release in stolen valor case, must pay nearly $300K in restitution

By DOMENIC POLI

SPRINGFIELD — A U.S. Marine Corps veteran was sentenced on Tuesday to 24 months of supervised release for stealing benefit payments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and submitting a false Purple Heart application through his congressional representative.

Sportsman’s Corner: It’s all about the fishing

By Mike Roche

Work begins at Lord Pond Plaza in Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – In late March, the town signed a $2.8 million contract with the construction firm of J. Bates & Son to revamp Lord Pond Plaza, a project that includes the daylighting of Mill Brook.

Massachusetts Legislature critics eye ballot campaign

By SAM DRYSDALE

Looking to keep pressure on what they deem an untransparent and ineffective Legislature, a coalition of unlikely allies is considering whether to bring two “good governance” measures straight to voters via the ballot.

Neal sounds off on Trump policies at Holyoke event to discuss housing crisis

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

HOLYOKE — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal on Monday attacked President Donald Trump’s proposed budget bill as well as efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency to remake Social Security, while also criticizing the promotion of inflammatory rhetoric on social media as opposed to regular dialogue.

Tari Thomas tapped for interim super role at Gill-Montague

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — Tari Thomas, former superintendent of the Ralph C. Mahar Regional and Union 73 school districts, has been tapped for the interim superintendent position at the Gill-Montague Regional School District, pending successful contract negotiations and reference checks.

Green River Festival to welcome 40-plus bands, bring back local beer in 39th year

By SHERYL HUNTER

GREENFIELD — There will be music, music and more music when the 39th annual Green River Festival returns to the Franklin County Fairgrounds this weekend.

Orange man arraigned in alleged stabbing

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — An Orange man is being held without bail after allegedly confessing to stabbing his girlfriend during an argument.

Saying ‘no to authoritarianism’: Estimated 600 protesters convene for ‘No Kings Day’ in Orange

By GREG VINE

ORANGE — The nationwide “No Kings Day” protests brought an estimated 600 people to Memorial Park over the weekend as residents came together to voice opposition to a range of policies under the Trump administration.

Royalston Building Committee found to have violated Open Meeting Law, fined by AG

By MAX BOWEN

ROYALSTON — The town’s Building Committee was found to have violated Open Meeting Law when it held a meeting with an incorrect time posted, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Adoption event to rehome 147 animals taken from Orange property proves popular

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ORANGE — An Orange resident is the subject of a Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Law Enforcement investigation after the April removal of 147 animals on the property, many of which have since been adopted.

Reproductive, transgender care bill inches closer to Mass. Senate floor

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — A bill to fortify protections under a 2022 law that shields reproductive and transgender care providers from out-of-state and federal threats received a favorable report from the Senate members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on Thursday.

FirstLight faces appeals to MassDEP’s water quality certification; parties allege river not protected

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

In response to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to give FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. a water quality certification for its operations in Turners Falls and Northfield, two environmental advocacy nonprofits have joined others in the Pioneer Valley in filing an appeal with MassDEP’s Office of Appeals and Dispute Resolution.