Latest News
Orange man arraigned in alleged stabbing
Royalston Building Committee found to have violated Open Meeting Law, fined by AG
Reproductive, transgender care bill inches closer to Mass. Senate floor
FirstLight faces appeals to MassDEP’s water quality certification; parties allege river not protected
TA to suggest tabling budget vote
Athol Police Logs, May 11 - June 9, 2025
Sportsman’s Corner: Live from Vassalboro
North Quabbin Notes, June 14
Green River Festival to welcome 40-plus bands, bring back local beer in 39th year
GREENFIELD — There will be music, music and more music when the 39th annual Green River Festival returns to the Franklin County Fairgrounds this weekend.
Adoption event to rehome 147 animals taken from Orange property proves popular
ORANGE — An Orange resident is the subject of a Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Law Enforcement investigation after the April removal of 147 animals on the property, many of which have since been adopted.
Most Read
Massachusetts educators grappling with suspended high school graduation requirements
Athol Police Logs, May 11 - June 9, 2025
Tour of Athol High School shows issues with building
8 design options aired for new or renovated Franklin County Technical School
How Pioneer baseball’s culture fueled an unbeaten season and dramatic state championship win
Abarua’s extra-inning heroics power Turners Falls past Greenfield for 12th state softball crown (PHOTOS)
Editors Picks
Athol High School marks 150th Commencement with a hopeful message
Vigneau to retire as CEO of Franklin County YMCA
Idaho woman arrested on charges in 2023 Orange fraud case
Orange Sewer Commission votes to increase rates
Sports
Bulletin Board: 44th Annual Montague Mug Race Kicks Off Aug. 16
The 44th Montague Mug Race is right around the corner, with signups ongoing for the race which is scheduled for Aug. 16.
Small school, giant year: Inside Pioneer Valley Regional’s unmatched athletic run 
Bulletin Board: Greenfield Post 81 falls to Pittsfield, 2-0, in season opener
Krasco takes silver at New England Track & Field Championships
1,000 strikeouts, countless memories: Western Mass. pitching greats take their final bowsOpinion
My Turn: Free-ish since 1865
On Jan. 1, 1863, The Emancipation Proclamation became law in the United States. It declared that “all persons held as slaves … shall be … forever free and the …Government of the United States … will do no act … to repress such persons … in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.”
Pushback: Democracy requires more than 3-minute sound bites
Nancy Paciorek: Triad pet food
Jim Reis: Behind and speeding backward
My Turn: Any regrets?
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Police Logs
Athol Police Logs, April 16 – April 26, 2025
10:45 a.m. - Report of a party going through a company’s mail. Made contact with the male party who stated he was checking for his own mail. Male party was located in his Mercedes in the back of the building. Party left the property shortly after.
Athol Police Logs, March 1 – March 17, 2025
Athol Police Logs: Feb. 6 – Feb. 27, 2025
Athol Police Logs Jan. 16 to Feb. 2, 2025
Orange Police Logs: Dec. 31, 2024 to Jan. 10, 2025
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Speaking of Nature: Pressure is on for the spotted turtle: Now is the point in the turtle life cycle when female turtles are most vulnerable
The story of this spring has been the weather; specifically, the rain that just keeps falling. Add in the new arrival of the hazy smoke blowing south from Canadian wildfires and you’ve got a soggy, foggy, smoky, cloudy mess. The grass in my lawn is growing like crazy and the notion of a No Mow May wasn’t even really much of a choice so much as it was foisted upon us by the weather. When I finally get a dry moment to get out into the yard I am going to have to keep my eyes open for tigers and velociraptors in the tall grass.
Something red for Juneteenth: ‘The backbone of Juneteenth festivities has always been the table’
‘Meant to only last the summer’: Amherst artist’s wheatpaste murals among those now decorating Montague
Valley Bounty: New farm with an old-fashioned feel: Moody Family Farm in Bernardston opens their farm stand this month
Move over, Dr. Dolittle: Belchertown resident shares her menagerie and helps heal animalsObituaries
Norma H. Lively
Athol, MA - Norma H. Lively of 68 Harrington Street, Athol, MA died Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Quabbin Valley Health Care with her family by her side after several months of declining health. She was born in Athol, MA on August 25, 19... remainder of obit for Norma H. Lively
Jane Soderman
Jane (Evashousky) Soderman ATHOL, MA - Jane Evashousky "Ersey" Soderman Jane Evashousky "Ersey" Soderman, 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday afternoon, May 17, 2025 at Alliance Health at Baldwinville Nursi... remainder of obit for Jane Soderman
Monica S. Bond
Monica S. (Calluzzo) Bond ATHOL, MA - In Loving Memory of Monica Sophia Calluzzo Bond A force of love, grace, and resilience, Monica passed away peacefully, reunited at last with the love of her life, John. Their love story - one of loy... remainder of obit for Monica S. Bond
Jane Soderman
ATHOL, MA - Jane Evashousky "Ersey" Soderman, 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday afternoon, May 17, 2025 at Alliance Health at Baldwinville Nursing Home in Templeton, Ma. She was born to Paul "Paulie" and... remainder of obit for Jane Soderman
