News
Franklin, North Quabbin towns to receive increase in road repair funds
By BELLA LEVAVI
Franklin County and North Quabbin municipal highway departments are about to get a lot more state funding, thanks to additional allocations of what state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, dubbed the “rural factor.”The Healey-Driscoll Administration...
Town manager says Bidwell barn demolition not decided on
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – The future of the Bidwell barn – despite what appears to be unanimous support among Selectboard members for its demolition – has yet to be decided, according to Town Manage Shaun Suhoski.“I don’t know about the Historical Society,” he said,...
Athol board considers razing of Bidwell Barn
By Greg Vine
ATHOL – As discussions continue on the future of the 100-acre Bidwell property, the Selectboard looked at potentially adding housing and demolishing the Bidwell Barn.No final plan has been decided on, and a presentation is expected at the Annual Town...
Athol students recognized for art project at Riverbend School
By Greg Vine
ATHOL – Nine Athol students were recognized on Saturday for their role in adding a touch of art to the former Riverbend School.Plans call for Riverbend and the nearby former Ellen Bigelow School to be transformed over the next few years into 54 units...
Parking enforcement to resume in Athol’s downtown
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – For years, visitors to downtown Athol have been able to forego feeding the meters along Main Street – and some side streets – without fear of receiving a parking ticket, but that is about to change.Athol has been without a parking enforcement...
Athol Public Library hosts forum on heat pumps
By Greg Vine
ATHOL – A year ago, the Selectboard endorsed a proposal to establish a Municipal Decarbonization Task Force to develop a strategy to substantially reduce community-wide fossil fuel emissions over the next several decades.While the primary goal is to...
Athol Royalston Middle School Honor Roll Term 1, 2023-24
Fifth GradeGold Honor Roll: Natalia Campion, Christopher Davis, Camden DeStefano, Arabella Florence, Colt Gallant, Maya Hamilton, Kaira Hough, Alexandra Letourneau, Luna Luna, Shania Luna, Camila Soto Melendez, Isabella Tarara, Kairi West.Silver...
Farmers faced with new challenges from climate change
By JACOB NELSON
It’s hard to throw water on a burning house while trying to rebuild it at the same time, but that’s exactly what addressing climate change requires. Rising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are already changing the planet. The choice is whether or...
Sportsman’s Corner: Headed up north
By Mike RocheBack in the 60s, during my impressionable youth, the second week of November was a very special time. It was not only special to me, but to many other young men at Mahar Regional who knew that this was the start of deer hunting season in...
A Page from North Quabbin History: The White Drum
By Carla CharterThe building known as the White Drum, located at Warwick Road and the Mohawk Trail was recently demolished. The building had become a landmark over the years and was often featured on postcards. Many have memories of the beloved...
Otter River Pub owner plans to reopen after fire
By MAX BOWEN
TEMPLETON — Following a devastating fire at the Otter River Pub & Red Onion Pool Hall, owner Matt Black has been hard at work to open the doors once again.In late September, a fire caused significant damage to the historical building’s second and...
A Page From North Quabbin History: Petersham Poor Farm
By Carla CharterWork is being done to preserve the site of the Poor Farm in Petersham. The cellar holes of the building and barn still exist, as does the paupers cemetery and monument to the indigent buried there.“We have gone out once with the...
New cupola installed at Athol Town Hall
By MAX BOWEN
ATHOL — The massive renovation project at Town Hall took a step forward last weekend when the new cupola was installed.The 13-foot-tall spire and copper cupola arrived last week and were placed over the weekend, according to Town Manager Shaun...
Athol Housing Production Plan IDs sites for affordable housing
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – The town’s Housing Production Plan, now in its final draft form, outlines different ways to improve its housing stock.Completed by Karen Sunnarborg Consulting and Abacus Architects & Planners, the 134-page document can be viewed at...
DA Sullivan presses for legal drug-use sites at State House hearing, saying need has never been more urgent
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
BOSTON — Stressing that the need for legal drug consumption sites would save hundreds of lives and that there wasn’t a moment to waste, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan implored lawmakers on Monday to muster up the courage to pass...
Classical music fan bequeaths $3M to NEPM: Systems engineer, TM member died a year ago
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A late Amherst resident who spent overnights listening to classical music has bequeathed $3 million to New England Public Media, the largest gift ever received by the nonprofit organization based in Springfield.Walter J. Wolnik, who died at...
Two injured in New Salem rollover accident
By Max Bowen
NEW SALEM—Two people were hospitalized following an accident Wednesday evening.According to New Salem Fire Chief Joe Cuneo, the accident occurred on Route 202, south of the center of town and was reported at 6:26 p.m. Cuneo said that two vehicles had...
Athol Selectboard ends agreement with Elev8 Cannabis
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – The Selectboard has voted to terminate the Host Community Agreement between Elev8 Cannabis and the town.The vote was taken at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and followed months of discussion after the retailer’s license was suspended...
Sportsman’s Corner: A trip to Vermont
By Mike RocheEarlier this week the dogs joined me in the Silverado on a long trek up through New Hampshire and ultimately to Jay, Vermont. The plan was to check out a couple of covers in New Hampshire and then spend the night in Jay at the home of a...
Following 84 years, Winchendon Furniture prepares to close
Staff Report
WINCHENDON — After serving the community and surrounding area for 84 years, Winchendon Furniture is going out of business.The family-owned home furnishings store will permanently close its flagship location following a liquidation sale which begins on...
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