MassWildlife honors brothers from Petersham as outstanding youth anglers

By HANNAH MORIN

MassWildlife has concluded its 2024 Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program, recognizing anglers across Massachusetts for their accomplishments in freshwater fishing.

Sportsman’s Corner: Honoring veterans and a trip to Maine

By MIKE ROCHE

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day events around the North Quabbin region

ATHOL – Plans are set for this year’s Memorial Day parade in Athol. Brief ceremonies will be held at 8:15 a.m. at Vietnam Veterans of America Park on Main Street, across from the Athol Fire Station. That will be followed by ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. at Phillips Park on the Uptown Common and VFW Park, near the Athol Area YMCA, respectively.

Advocates warn ‘walking wounded’ threatened by cuts

By ELLA ADAMS

Representing their experiences living through the child welfare system, a multi-generational ensemble of performers took center stage Wednesday at the State House as service providers and child welfare advocates called on the state to support key programs.

Winchendon voters back $1.9 million override at Town Meeting

By GREG VINE

WINCHENDON — At their annual Town Meeting on Monday, voters in Winchendon voted overwhelmingly to support a $1.9 million Proposition 2½ override. The margin, 61% to 39%, was a bit of a surprise given that the override passed at the May 5 town election by a mere 12 votes out 1,780 cast. A total of 815 registered voters showed up for the Town Meeting.

PHOTO: Windy day on the water in Warwick

Franklin County librarians detail modern-day challenges

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

GREENFIELD — Library directors from the area gathered on Monday to tell their stories on what it means to be a librarian in 2025.

How Trump’s tariff proposals could hit Massachusetts’ biotech industry

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Rep. Saunders hears concerns about ICE deportations, health care in virtual town hall

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — Residents voiced concerns about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehensions and deportations, and support for a Medicare-for-All system and land conservation, during a town hall-style meeting with the Democrat representing the 7th Hampden District on Monday afternoon.

State board agrees on vocational school admissions reforms

By SAM DRYSDALE

Career technical schools in Massachusetts will use a lottery system to admit students when there are more applicants than available seats, an approach that supporters say will ensure fairness and critics warn will water down education standards.

Fourth Friday events return to downtown Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — This Friday marks the return of the annual series of Fourth Friday promotions in downtown Athol. The event, which runs from 4 to 7 p.m. is held in hopes of encouraging residents and visitors to check out the many offerings available at businesses along Main Street. As a result, Main Street will be closed to traffic between School and Exchange streets to allow pedestrians to amble safely from business to business. A number of vendors also will be on hand.

State plans to close all hotel, motel shelters this summer

By SAM DRYSDALE

The state will close its remaining motel and hotel shelters this summer, Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday, as the governor and lawmakers have imposed restrictions on the emergency housing system over the past year and family enrollment has declined.

‘Spreading love and mindfulness’: Political activist Joshua Jay Dostis remembered during celebration of life

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

WENDELL — Before his death in November, Joshua Jay Dostis, better known locally as the politically charged jester Waffles T. Clown, announced his terminal illness in a fashion typical to him, with a communal gathering at the Full Moon Coffeehouse.

A zombie apocalypse is coming to Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Never seen a zombie up close? Well, here’s your chance. This Friday and Saturday the Athol Royalston Middle School Drama Club is presenting “The 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse.” The play is a light-hearted romp through the end of the world.

Ready to fly: Greenfield Community College graduates 308 in ‘challenging time’

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — As Greenfield Community College’s 308 graduates step out into a tumultuous world, they were urged to stay grounded in their values by a commencement speaker who one time left the world.

Two North Quabbin area veterans honored with Quilts of Valor

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Two more North Quabbin area veterans became Quilts of Valor recipients following a ceremony at the Community Church of North Orange and Tully last week.

Healey urges Congress to reject SNAP cuts

By CHRIS LARABEE

In a letter to Congress, Gov. Maura Healey is urging lawmakers to reject changes proposed by Republicans to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would shift costs to states, which would cost, at minimum, at least $131.4 million annual and potentially up to $650 million.

North Quabbin Food-A-Thon returns to combat regional food insecurity

By HANNAH MORIN

ATHOL — The North Quabbin Food-A-Thon, a 12-hour community fundraiser supporting local food pantries, takes place today, marking its 22nd year. The event will be broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on AOTV Channel 1301 and WVAO 105.9 FM.

Photo: Three’s a crowd

Western Mass legislators urge PILOT formula reform

By CHRIS LARABEE

State Sen. Jo Comerford and Rep. Natalie Blais and are urging the Healey-Driscoll administration to reform the state-owned land payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) formula, which they say “shortchanges” rural counties, while rewarding those in urban and suburban areas.