Western Mass. legislators call for changes in Healey housing bill to meet region’s needs

By MADDIE FABIAN

As the state considers the governor’s proposed $4.13 billion Affordable Homes Act — a comprehensive roadmap for affordable housing across the Commonwealth — a group of 16 western Massachusetts legislators are advocating for amendments to meet housing...

Crush of testimony reflects seriousness of state’s housing crisis

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — The Healey administration’s plan to supercharge housing production with billions of dollars of investment won some degree of praise from almost every corner of the state Thursday, but influential voices are at odds over some of the more...

Athol Royalston school officials say absenteeism levels have met state goals ahead of time

By Greg Vine

ATHOL – In the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, absenteeism in schools has hit levels never seen before.While school districts across the country works to bring these numbers down, Athol Royalston Regional School District officials say...

Massachusetts tourism officials eye historic opportunities

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Last month’s Boston Tea Party anniversary celebration was “just the tip of the iceberg” as Massachusetts prepares to leverage a series of upcoming historical anniversaries to market the state and draw in millions of tourists, the state’s top...

Athol Royalston recognizes December Students of the Month

ATHOL — At its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Athol Royalston School Committee recognized those students named as Student of the Month for December at each of the schools. Students were nominated by their teachers, who provided comments on why...

Franklin County exploring changes to town accountant positions

By CHRIS LARABEE

Seven towns around Franklin County are re-examining their town accountant positions due to a change in policies with the current software system contracted through the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).For nearly 20 years, FRCOG has...

Smaller number proposed for Athol Fire Department hires

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Another override for new firefighters appears to be in the town’s future, but the number could look very different.At its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Fire Department Staffing Advisory Committee met to compare options for how best to...

A wintry walk

Sportsman’s Corner: Cape sea duck caper

By Mike RocheOne of the really unique hunting experiences in Massachusetts is hunting for sea ducks. It is special because it is not something which can be undertaken without considerable investment in specialized equipment, and it involves a...

MEMA chief: Weather delivering more ‘gap disasters’

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — The climate crisis is fueling a steady growth in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather, and Massachusetts cities and towns face an increasingly common conundrum trying to respond to those emergencies.Many of the disasters that have...

“Hoops for Hunger” game to benefit Athol High School Food Pantry

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – The girls basketball teams have created an event called “Hoops 4 Hunger” with the goal of raising money and collecting non-perishable food items for the Athol High School Food Pantry.Lonnie Bonenfant, a member of the ARRSD School Committee and...

Petersham Fun-to-Fund Auction to benefit nonprofits

PETERSHAM — A community-wide Fun-to-Fund Silent Auction to benefit Petersham nonprofit organizations is planned for next week to help non-profits to thrive and offer a way to join communities together to help others.Everyone, from any town in the...

Bike path, livestock bylaw on Orange Special Town Meeting warrant

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Pedestrians and cyclists could eventually get from Riverfront Park to the Daniel Shays Highway intersection via a shared-used path if Orange voters give the nod to hiring a consultant for project design and development.One of the 19 articles...

Healey going big with early care investments

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey will press for major investments into the long-strained early education and care sector despite her administration’s muted forecast for state finances, pitching the spending as an economic and competitive necessity.Healey on...

North Quabbin Notes, Jan. 18

Petersham Congregational Church to hold to-go braised beef dinnerPETERSHAM – The Orthodox Congregational Church of Petersham will be holding a braised beef dinner as a to-go meal, with pick-up starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the church,...

Warming stations available this week

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – With temperatures no warmer than the mid-20s expected over the next few days, arrangements have been made for people who may need a place to stay warm.A total of eight warming centers have been set up at several locations throughout Athol....

McGovern files bill to aid victims of scams, disasters

By JAMES PENTLAND

WASHINGTON — Pushing for action at the federal level to assist homeowners afflicted by crumbling foundations, Rep. Jim McGovern has filed legislation dubbed the Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams and Disasters Act.Co-sponsored by Rep. Jamie...

Working around Mother Nature: Ski mountains cope with mild, wet start to winter

By EMILEE KLEIN

The final clumps of melting snow in the backyard are no indication of snow on the slopes.With the power of snowmaking, gone are the days when winter sports relied on Mother Nature to provide powder for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Ski resorts in...

A Page from North Quabbin History: Willie Strong’s paper

By Carla CharterMany of us who are involved in the newspaper industry came to it at different times and in different ways. None though may have begun their career at such an early age as Willie Strong—editor, publisher and printer of the Erving...

A warmer winter