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...

Athol Fire override request to go before Town Election

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – For the second time in less than a year, Athol voters will be asked whether they will support a Proposition 2 ½ override to provide additional personnel for the town’s Fire Department.Supporters of the proposal are hoping voters will find the...

PHOTOS: Drum classes, performance, held at Athol High School

January tax slump in Massachusetts creates new budget pressure

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — Having already made mid-year budget cuts and dimmed the outlook for tax collections through June based on six consecutive months of underwhelming receipts, the state reported Monday that tax revenue came in below even downgraded expectations...

Athol Royalston Middle School Honor Roll Term 2

Fifth Grade Gold Honor Roll: Jordan Bosley, Abigail Butler, Natalia Campion, Camden Destefano, Colt Gallant, Kairi Hough, Justin Kasuba, Luna Luna, Brielle McCorquodale, Aerilyn Perez, Camila Soto Melendez, Angelina Spinelli-Plaza and Isabella Tarara...

Smith wins re-election in Orange; Davis joins Selectboard

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE – Newcomer Julie Davis will join the re-elected Andrew Smith on the Orange Selectboard following Monday’s Town Election.Davis was the contest’s top vote-getter, with 384, and Smith accumulated 304. The two competed against Sandra Fawn Weinstein...

Erving town planner to leave in March

By LIESEL NYGARD

ERVING — Mariah Kurtz never thought she’d work a government job after graduating from college.Having just obtained her bachelor’s degree in sustainable community development at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Kurtz was searching for a local,...

US growth lifts confidence of Massachusetts employers

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Massachusetts businesses kicked off the new year with a sunny disposition.Business confidence among employers surveyed by Associated Industries of Massachusetts rose in January to an 11-month high. The business trade group attributed the boost to...

Energy efficiency workshop to be held for small business owners

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Local business owners are encouraged to attend the Small Business Energy Efficiency & Electrification Workshop which takes place at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Athol Public Library.The event is meant to highlight the benefits of the Mass Save...

PHOTO: Firefighters undergo ice rescue training

Neal, McGovern: $78B tax bill a win for families

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL and CHRIS LARABEE

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal touted a new tax relief bill passed by the House of Representatives this week, and shared his views on U.S. foreign policy during a gathering with the press on Friday morning.Speaking at the atrium inside the...

DA’s office launches animal welfare task force in region

By JAMES PENTLAND

Looking to strengthen and better coordinate the work of animal welfare professionals in Hampshire and Franklin counties, the Northwestern district attorney’s office is launching a task force to share information and provide training.A primary goal is...

Royalston Selectboard awards contract for King Street Bridge assessment

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – The Selectboard has awarded the contract for an engineering study of the King Street Bridge to Ellena Engineering.Board Vice Chair Rick Martin said he will meet with representatives of Ellena Engineering to finalize a timeline for...

Senate passes gun law reforms, 37-3

By Sam Drysdale

BOSTON— The Senate on Thursday night approved a sweeping overhaul of state firearms laws, setting up talks with the House that could lead to a major new law later this spring or summer.The Senate bill seeks to rein in untraceable ghost guns, bans...

A Page from North Quabbin History: A history of quilts

By Carla CharterThe New England Quilt Museum in Lowell has many different quilts, ranging from the 1800s to contemporary creations. Among those is a 78 x 71 coverlet made by Rebecca C. Ayers Mack Heywood of Winchendon.This coverlet was created by Mack...

Athol housing project receives $600K as part of state program

By Greg Vine

ATHOL – NewVue Communities, the Fitchburg-based non-profit leading the redevelopment of the former Bigelow and Riverbend schools, has been awarded a $600,000 predevelopment loan by the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC).The...

Otter River Pub to reopen Feb. 5 following devastating fire

By MAX BOWEN

TEMPLETON — After four months of extensive renovations, the Otter River Pub & Red Onion Pool Hall will officially open for business on Monday, Feb. 5.It was on Sept. 27 that a fire ravaged the historical building, causing significant damage to the...

Royalston receives Green Communities Grant for weatherization projects

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON — The town has received a Green Communities Grant of nearly $169,000 to pay for weatherization projects at five town-owned buildings.The awarding of the competitive grant was announced in a letter to Selectboard Chair Deb D’Amico sent by...

Outgoing Orange Selectboard member raises issue with Armory access

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — The Selectboard this week settled an outgoing member’s grievance about Armory Commission members being unable to access the brick building they have been tasked with maintaining and protecting.Richard Sheridan has vowed to save the...