News

Work on Pinedale Avenue Bridge connecting Athol and Orange to resume

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Closed for a year and a half, work on the Pinedale Avenue Bridge is set to resume next week, according to Public Works Superintendent Dick Kilhart.Kilhart explained that work has been on hold recently as the project’s contractor, Construction...

Bulky waste recycling event set for Saturday

The Franklin County Solid Waste Management District is holding a “Clean Sweep” Bulky Waste Recycling Day on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at three locations, including one new spot this year.Instead of the Northfield Highway Garage, the Erving...

Pair of public servants vying for Selectboard seat in Heath

By DIANE BRONCACCIO

HEATH — Two candidates with years of town service between them are vying for the Selectboard seat of Susan Lively, who is not seeking reelection to another three-year term.Michael Smith, 55, is a lifelong resident. He was the town’s highway...

Lawyer argues Joshua Hart’s 2018 conviction for Orange murder had inconsistent verdicts

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Spurred by a state Supreme Judicial Court opinion that pointed to inconsistent verdicts, the Franklin County Superior Court judge who oversaw Joshua Hart’s murder trial in 2018 has taken under advisement a defense attorney’s motion to set...

New fire engine gets nod at Warwick Town Meeting

By DOMENIC POLI

WARWICK — The Fire Department may be in store for its first new fire engine in 3½ decades after Annual Town Meeting voters gave the nod to two articles authorizing $680,000 for one on Monday. Residents authorized the transfer of $200,000 from the...

Erving voters say ‘no’ to $3.7M debt exclusion

ERVING — Monday’s election saw incumbents reelected to their roles, including Highway Superintendent Glenn McCrory, who fended off Anthony Cunha for a one-year tree warden position, as well as the rejection of a debt exclusion to pay to demolish the...

South County Senior Center opts not to renew church lease after rift over LGBTQ program

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Senior Center Board of Oversight has opted to not renew the center’s lease to use the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church’s function hall after a disagreement over the Rainbow Elders program.With the current lease expiring May 31,...

Moratoriums on large-scale solar, battery storage passed in Northfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

NORTHFIELD — Residents voted in favor of 28 articles, including two citizen’s petitions to place temporary moratoriums on large-scale solar projects and battery storage facilities, during Monday’s Annual Town Meeting.Discussion on the two citizen’s...

Greenfield Notebook: May 8, 2024

Daytime closure of Route 2 westbound ramp continues through ThursdayGREENFIELD — The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has closed the ramp from Route 2 westbound to Interstate 91 southbound through Thursday, May 9. The closure, in effect...

Montague Notebook: May 8, 2024

MassHire staff to talk job searchingTURNERS FALLS — The Brick House Community Resource Center at 24 Third St. will host staff from MassHire on Thursday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to noon. Attendees can learn about how MassHire can help in preparing for a...

New Salem election ushers in new Selectboard member

NEW SALEM — The town has a new Selectboard member following Monday’s annual town election. Mailande DeWitt, a University of Connecticut School of Law graduate who currently serves as a New Salem Public Library trustee, will fill a two-year vacancy on...

Slew of write-ins elected in Hawley

HAWLEY — With only three candidates listed on the ballot, write-ins filled many of the positions during Monday’s annual town election.With no one on the ballot for town auditor or moderator, the incumbents were written in, along with a write-in...

West County Notebook: May 8, 2024

Historical Society program focusing on GriswoldvilleCOLRAIN — The Colrain Historical Society’s May program will be a photographic journey through the village of Griswoldville as it was in 1920.The free program will be held Thursday, May 9, at 7:30...

Gill voters OK road discontinuance, change of 2 positions from elected to appointed

By CHRIS LARABEE

GILL — Voters overwhelmingly approved the seven warrant articles in the first leg of a two-part Annual Town Meeting on Monday, giving the initial go-ahead to change the treasurer and tax collector positions from elected to appointed.More than 30...

Bernardston election ushers in new Selectboard member

BERNARDSTON — While there were no contested races on the ballot, voters ushered in a new Selectboard member at the polls on Monday.Brian Hervieux, 54, who’s lived in Bernardston for roughly 15 years, was elected with 49 votes to fill the seat vacated...

Serious barn fire averted due to quick response in Shelburne

SHELBURNE — What could have been a devastating blow to a local farm was averted Sunday night due to quick reporting and a quick response from area firefighters. The Shelburne Fire and Police departments responded to a fire at Gould farm’s dairy barn...

Employee pay, real estate top Erving Town Meeting warrant

By DOMENIC POLI

ERVING — Employee compensation and real estate transactions are expected to be the most discussed topics at Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, according to Town Administrator Bryan Smith.Articles regarding private property are clumped at the end of the...

Western Mass school leaders rally for funding at State House

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

BOSTON — Western Massachusetts school committee members and educational leaders took to the State House Monday morning to advocate for policy changes and increased funding for the region’s school districts. At the Massachusetts Association of School...

Franklin County reps speak to House budget amendments

By TANISHA BHAT

Franklin County representatives got about half of what they asked for in amendments to the House version of the fiscal year 2025 state budget.After two separate votes, 11 of the 21 amendments proposed by Franklin County representatives were adopted by...