GCC nursing students talk single-payer health care, workplace safety concerns with legislators

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Four women representing western Massachusetts in the state Legislature visited Greenfield Community College on Monday for a panel discussion about health care with second-year nursing students.State Sen. Jo Comerford was joined by state...

Report: Tourism brings $1.3B to three-county region

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Tourism contributes more than $1 billion in annual economic impact across Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties, according to a recent study released by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.The study was the first of its kind...

Tracking the path of totality: In a visit to Mount Holyoke, astrophysicist talks about upcoming total solar eclipse

By JAMES PENTLAND

SOUTH HADLEY — On April 8, as the earthbound jostle to find a spot to see the total solar eclipse, Jenna Samra will be 45,000 feet above the crowds in a Gulfstream 5 jet, aiming to stay in the moon’s shadow just a couple of minutes longer.An...

UMass to lead $11.9M offshore wind center 

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — UMass Amherst will lead a new $11.9 million center on offshore wind education, research and outreach to expedite development of offshore wind energy and train a national workforce to install and maintain the clean energy...

North Quabbin Notes, Feb. 13

Noted organic farmers and activists to speak in RoyalstonROYALSTON — On Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. in the Royalston Town Hall, 13 The Common, Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson will talk about their journey from community activists to farmers and farming...

McGovern, House group seek help for unhoused in Biden budget

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A call for an increase in federal money to support homeless services and programs related to substance use disorders, and for keeping unhoused individuals from being targeted by federal law enforcement agencies, is coming from the House...

Senate chamber to honor Douglass with new bust

By Alison Kuznitz

BOSTON — Nearly 130 years after abolitionist, orator and newspaper publisher Frederick Douglass addressed state lawmakers, the Senate plans to unveil a bust in the branch’s chamber honoring his legacy during a ceremony this week.An empty pedestal...

Report examines migrant jobs, earnings prospects

By COLIN A. YOUNG

Immigrants who settle and find work in Massachusetts provide “a direct economic benefit to the region in which they are working in both the value of work produced and in added local spending power,” according to a new report that lands as...

North Quabbin Notes, Feb. 12

PumpernickelPuppets at the Winchendon LibraryWINCHENDON — Join the Beals Memorial Library this February vacation for a fun, free puppet show with Pumpernickel Puppets.On Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m., join professional puppeteer John McDonough and his...

Sober Housing Summit talks providing ‘a solid foundation’ for those in recovery

By MAX BOWEN

GREENFIELD — Representatives from area sober houses and residential recovery services, along with those who faced addiction themselves, shared stories and raised awareness about treatment options during the Sober Housing Summit on Friday.The sixth...

Young kids aren’t immune: Mental health issues at crisis point amid lack of specialized therapists

By MADDIE FABIAN

Local child therapist Alice Barber says that she could discharge all 45 of her clients — children as young as 2 or 3 years old — and her practice would fill back up within a couple of weeks, “no questions asked.” Barber has colleagues who get 10 calls...

Warwick officials mapping out plan for Route 78 tree removal

By MAX BOWEN

WARWICK — Town and state officials are in the last leg of the planning process to remove dozens of trees from Winchester Road (Route 78) that are deemed a threat.According to Selectboard member Keith Ross, the plan is to remove an estimated 80 to 100...

Athol, Phillipston among departments to receive state grant funding

By GREG VINE

Fire departments in Athol, Petersham, Phillipston and Royalston are among the 321 statewide to share in a $5 million Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants.Gov. Maura Healey recently awarded the grant monies, saying, “Every single day, firefighters...

Lions Clubs hosts blood drive, others planned in March, May

Staff Report

PETERSHAM — The Petersham Lions Club, in partnership with the Grafton MA Lions Club, sponsored the recent Massachusetts General Hospital Blood Drive, and more are planned in the near future.In response to a nationwide shortage and a constant need for...

Healey names director for east-west rail

By James Pentland

NORTHAMPTON — The dream of east-west rail service in Massachusetts came a step closer to reality this week with the appointment of a director for the project.Gov. Maura Healey’s office announced Tuesday that Andy Koziol, currently the state’s rail and...

Rhode Island couple purchases Royalston Country Store

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – After nearly a year of searching for someone to re-open the Royalston Country Store, the South Village Revitalization Committee has announced that Winter and Helder Vieira of Bristol, Rhode Island, have purchased the business.It has been...

Sportsman’s Corner: Ice fishing

By Mike RocheThe recent run of colder nights has produced some ice, and fishermen and women have begun doing some ‘hard water’ fishing locally. This writer first ventured out last Friday and found about four inches of ice. That is OK for ice fishing...

Liberty Taphouse to open in Athol

By MAX BOWEN

ATHOL — The site of the former Flat Rock Tap House will soon reopen, and the new owners have big plans for the location.The Liberty Taphouse at 73 Traverse St. is the newest venture of co-owners Teresa Hisman and Scott Chambers, two longtime friends...

Judge denies O’Brien appeal in Cannabis Control Commission case

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — An Appeals Court judge on Tuesday rejected suspended Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien’s petition, once again clearing the way for Treasurer Deborah Goldberg to schedule a meeting that could lead to O’Brien’s firing.Superior...

A case for ditching natural gas

By EMILEE KLEIN

The influential lobby group Mothers Out Front took aim at the natural gas industry this week, using its monthly climate action call to encourage people to push for a future without gas.Each month, the statewide group with local chapters in Pioneer...