Despite two-year closing, Winchendon Rod & Gun Club remains active

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the Winchendon Rod & Gun Club’s demise are greatly exaggerated.In fact, according to Club President Glenn Ruschioni, the organization is doing quite well, despite the fact that the clubhouse on...

Orange Police Log 7/31-8/13

Orange Police LogMonday, July 317:53 p.m. – Caller from W Main Street area reported a female (description provided) that was yelling and screaming and throwing belongings on the sidewalk. Police responded and located the female party who was...

Rat reports highest in 17 years, says health agent

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – A map of Athol in the Health Department is covered with dozens of red push pins—each one representing at least one call complaining of rats.Health Agent Deb Vondal said this has been the worst year for rodent calls, in her memory.“These are...

New walkers help make rougher Mass Audubon trails accessible

By MADDIE FABIAN

EASTHAMPTON – Flora Majumder, age 88, enjoys taking a 20-minute walk every day. Where she lives — at Lathrop Retirement Community in Easthampton — paths, trails and exercise classes that accommodate the use of a cane or walker are plentiful.But, due...

Sportsman’s Corner: Owls give a hoot

By Mike RocheOne recent evening this writer heard the unmistakable call of a Great Horned Owl shatter the silence of the night. It is a sound that never grows old. It has always been an irresistible temptation for me to call back at both Great Horned...

Athol takes ownership of York Theater building

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – In a short section on Athol’s old York Theater, the Massachusetts Haunted Houses website states, “Children’s laughter has been heard, along with footsteps, and objects that move on their own.”As far as anyone knows, the only footsteps heard in...

They’re like ‘vampires:’ Heavy rains, warm temperatures cause mosquito excess

By MADDIE FABIAN

NORTHAMPTON — On a cloudy and humid Thursday morning, John Briggs was doing the same thing he has done since 2014: placing mosquito traps and collecting them for testing in the lab.But this time, recent prolonged heavy rains and heat meant that he was...

Athol launches Bidwell Farm survey

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – In May, several dozen residents attended a public meeting to give their opinions regarding the future of the 100-acre Bidwell property located off of South Athol Road.Now, town officials want to expand that conversation through an online...

Awards for heroism given out at annual memorial service

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Blue skies and warm temperatures greeted those who attended the annual firefighters memorial held on Sunday morning at the Athol Fire Station.The event is held each year to remember those firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty or...

Bills look to ensure ‘sustainable future’ for rural schools

By CHRIS LARABEE

Legislators, education association representatives, and school and town officials were briefed Thursday morning on bills proposing to codify numerous recommendations to ensure the long-term sustain ability of rural schools.Bills H.3567 and S.2388,...

Sportsmans Corner: Antlerless permit deadline nears

By Mike RocheThis is your last reminder to get your antlerless deer permit, AKA Doe Tag, application in by July 16. In Massachusetts, Antlerless Deer Permits (ADP) are required to take a deer that does not have at least one antler a minimum of three...

Winchendon receives nearly $500K for bike path upgrades

By MAX BOWEN

WINCHENDON—The town’s bike path is set to receive a significant upgrade, courtesy of a $466,840 grant through MassTrails.The grant, according to Town Manager Justin Sultzbach, will be used to clean a half-mile section of an abandoned rail line, then...

Overdose deaths decline in region in 2022, bucking state trend

By JAMES PENTLAND

While numbers for Massachusetts as a whole show 2022 was the worst year on record for opioid-related deaths, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties saw significant declines in fatalities last year. Officials with the Opioid Task Force of Franklin...

Erving Elementary School principal resigns

By JULIAN MENDOZA

ERVING — Erving Elementary School Principal Lisa Candito has resigned following an administrative leave that lasted more than four weeks, Acting Superintendent Corrina Wcislo announced Friday.“Lisa Candito informed the School Committee that she has...

Sportsman’s Corner: Turkey happenings

By Mike RocheMassWildlife annually involves the public in gathering data on the turkey population in Massachusetts. Each year, from June 1-Aug. 31, wild turkey reports from members of the public help MassWildlife biologists determine productivity,...

Bags remain at center of battle against plastic

By Sophie Hauck

BOSTON—Time’s up for single-use plastics.Or at least that remains the hope of representatives from 10 environmental organizations who gathered this week on Beacon Hill to promote bills that would ban the distribution of plastic shopping bags at retail...

Report shows towns not meeting CPA guidelines

By MAX BOWEN

A report done by the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University shows that several municipalities which have adopted the Community Preservation Act (CPA) haven’t spent money they’ve put aside for...

A message to subscribers

The Athol Daily News will not publish a print edition on Monday in observance of Juneteenth Independence Day but news will be updated online at atholdailynews.com and customer service is available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (413) 586-1925.

North Quabbin Notes, June 17

Community Band rehearsing for summer seasonORANGE — The Orange Community Band will open its summer concert Friday, June 23, with a 7 p.m. concert on the Bandstand in Butterfield Park. The free outdoor concerts have been happening in Orange since the...

Sportsman’s Corner: Antlerless permit application deadline nears

By Mike RocheThose planning to hunt deer in Massachusetts should be aware that the deadline for applying for an antlerless deer permit is July 16. All three Massachusetts deer hunting seasons—archery, shotgun and primitive arms, are ‘bucks only’ if...