
PHOTOS: Fourth of July in Petersham

Funding freeze threatens Orange summer, after-school programs
ORANGE — Summer and after-school programming appears to be in jeopardy after the U.S. Department of Education announced it is withholding certain funding, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants, for the 2025-2026 school year.
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Sports

From Omaha to the Valley: Blue Sox reap rewards from spring’s hottest college baseball teams
HOLYOKE — Two of the best stories in college baseball this past spring came from two programs about 1,000 miles apart in Murray State and Northeastern.



Opinion

David Parrella: Uninsured?
Remember when we used to worry about the uninsured? Of course you do! It was only 15 years ago and that nice Black man passed a bill that succeeded in reducing the percentage of Americans without health insurance to less than 10%!





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, May 11 - June 9, 2025
2:01 a.m. - Male party in the lobby to speak with an officer about a cable box missing from his apartment. Male also stated he noticed the mat at his door has been moved.




Arts & Life

Sounds Local: Shows galore planned for July 4
The long Fourth of July weekend is upon us, and if you are looking to enjoy some live music as you celebrate America’s birthday, you will have plenty of options — and some of them are even free!



Obituaries

ORANGE, MA - Christian G. Walker, 17, of Eagleville Road, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, June 25, 2025 in Keene, New Hampshire. Born in Gardner on February 10, 2008, he was the son of Ashley Walker and had just completed th... remainder of obit for Christian G. Walker

Ethel M. (Englehard) McCarthy ORANGE, MA - Ethel May (Engelhard) McCarthy of Marjorie Street, died in her sleep Monday, June 30, 2025, at Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol, MA. Ethel was born in Turners Falls, MA, October 19, 1933, to Jo... remainder of obit for Ethel M. McCarthy

NEW SALEM, MA - James R. Aldrich, 64, of New Salem, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Holyoke, MA on May 13, 1961, he was the son of the late Harry and Barbara (McDonnell)... remainder of obit for James R. Aldrich

Helen L. (Hitchcock) Andrzejczyk ORANGE, MA - Helen L. (Hitchcock) Andrzejczyk, 97, of Main Street, died peacefully at hom on June 24, 2025. Born in North Orange on November 21, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Geddis and Irma (Mo... remainder of obit for Helen L. Andrzejczyk