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By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — Despite concerns circulating about the future of Baystate Franklin Medical Center after the passage of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act that cuts roughly $1.1 trillion in health care spending, Baystate Health’s chief financial officer advises the Greenfield hospital is not at risk of closure.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — The town has applied for two state grants that, combined with a recent Town Meeting appropriation, would cover most of Erving’s portion of costs related to construction of the affordable senior and multi-generational housing project called Evergreen Circle at Care Drive.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — Town officials and residents got a first look this week at preliminary plans for a battery energy storage facility being proposed by Spearmint Energy.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — To repair one of the bascule gates at the Turners Falls dam that caused 445 gallons of hydraulic fluid to spill into the Connecticut River last month, FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. will be lowering water levels upstream of the dam during the week of July 7.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — The Green River Festival returned to the Franklin County Fairgrounds for the 39th year, kicking off the summer and showcasing improvements from last year by emphasizing all the Pioneer Valley has to offer in talent — and beer.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — Tari Thomas, former superintendent of the Ralph C. Mahar Regional and Union 73 school districts, has been tapped for the interim superintendent position at the Gill-Montague Regional School District, pending successful contract negotiations and reference checks.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

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.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

In response to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to give FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. a water quality certification for its operations in Turners Falls and Northfield, two environmental advocacy nonprofits have joined others in the Pioneer Valley in filing an appeal with MassDEP’s Office of Appeals and Dispute Resolution.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — The Franklin County Technical School Committee reviewed eight design options on Wednesday for constructing a new school or renovating the existing building.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — The 8th annual Franklin County Pride Parade and Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, and while it is a challenging time for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S., this year’s event is for reflection and joy.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

A Franklin County resident who surrendered 147 animals to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell) in April is now being investigated by MSPCA Law Enforcement.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — On a warm and partly sunny Thursday evening at Franklin County Technical School graduation, Superintendent Richard Martin reminded the Class of 2025 when they kayaked on a pond that formed on the lawn of the school on a cold and icy New England morning.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Federal funding cuts announced earlier this month to National Public Radio and The Public Broadcasting Service would have serious implications for public media viewers and listeners in western Massachusetts, experts in the region say.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — While opponents continue to assert the “overwhelming negative environmental impact” of FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.’s facilities, the state Department of Environmental Protection argues the conditions set through its water quality certification offer “more protections for the Connecticut River than ever before.”

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — In the 28 years since the Franklin Regional Council of Governments’ (FRCOG) charter was first created, no amendments have been made.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

With all Institute of Museum and Library Services having been placed on administrative leave and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners announcing cuts to services and grants on Wednesday, local librarians are anticipating continued uncertainty heading into fiscal year 2026.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — Two Franklin County Technical School seniors recently took a deep dive into their underwater welding education.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — The more than 700 people who attended a town hall event with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern on Tuesday relayed an expansive mandate for him to take back to Congress: defend federal institutions, create a stronger coalition of Democrats and be a voice of resistance to the Trump administration.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GILL — The Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority is applying for $900,000 that would be used to preserve or rehabilitate homes in Gill and New Salem to meet building and sanitary codes, and to improve accessibility.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — A feasibility study is underway through the Massachusetts School Building Authority to explore the possibility of building a new Franklin County Technical School or renovating its existing building.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — Preschoolers at the Central Street Head Start program got an early start on practicing healthy dental habits this week through a free, two-day partnership with the Community Health Center of Franklin County and J&S Smile Pros.