Ashfield

Recorder file photo
A bear goes after a sweet treat by way of a hummingbird feeder in a local back yard.

Bears showing up everywhere

Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Brothers Grimm collected many fine fairy tales illustrating the dangers of antagonizing woodland creatures by, for instance, stealing their porridge. They neglected to mention, however, the dangers of enticing them with birdseed, garbage or undersized pets. The American black bear is native to the area and its local population has been showing up in Greenfield’s “urban” neighborhoods this week. Montague and Sunderland police also logged reports Saturday and Sunday of bears in backyards, singly or in family groups. A Montague Road, Sunderland, resident on Saturday reported a black bear active in the area for almost a month and in a neighbor’s yard almost every … 0

Tornado warning had western Mass. wary Wednesday

Thursday, May 23, 2013

People were forced underground as a tornado warning was issued for areas along and to the south of the Route 2 corridor Wednesday evening. Shortly after 5 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for central Franklin County. It wound up all for naught, but better safe than sorry, as they say. The tornado warning was cancelled at about 6:15 p.m. … 0

Mohawk earns 10-year re-accreditation

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

BUCKLAND — The Mohawk Trail Regional High School has passed muster with its accreditation, which is in good standing for the coming decade. Last fall, a 16-member re-accreditation committee spent four days at Mohawk. They reviewed the self-study documents prepared for them, met with administrators, teachers, other school and system personnel, students and parents. They shadowed students, visited classes, and interviewed teachers to … 0

Prescription  Take Back Day sites  open on Saturday

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

If you have old, leftover, expired or unneeded medications around the house, don’t flush them or throw them in the garbage. Take them to a National Prescription Take Back Day drop-off point instead. The program is a collaboration between the Franklin and Hampshire County sheriffs departments, the Franklin … 0

Workshop taps ‘secrets of the soil’

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

SOUTH DEERFIELD — When you get right down to it, there’s almost nothing as basic and magical as soil. It’s easy to take for granted, but 30 or so farmers and farm agents from around the region took … 0

‘A Dream of Music’

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Joseph Marcello can still recall strumming a guitar at 14 with his older brother and teacher Eugene, when a sound resonated in one of their duets. It changed his life. e_SDLqIt was like a light penetrating the surface … 0

State plugs in electric car program

Monday, April 22, 2013

GREENFIELD — What better day than Earth Day for the state to announce its new grant program to help towns and cities buy electric vehicles and what better place than Greenfield, in front of two recently installed electric … 1

Free legal advice available

Monday, April 22, 2013

Interested residents of western Massachusetts can receive free legal advice on May 21 through the Massachusetts Bar Association’s semiannual Dial-A-Lawyer call-in program. Volunteer lawyers from the MBA will field phone calls from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. from residents of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties who have legal … 0

Neighbors: Intense week, never to forget

Monday, April 22, 2013

Hello neighbor. A very tense, pins-and-needles-type of week is behind us — although I don’t think last week will ever be forgotten. We all heard the news on Monday, whether we were listening to the radio at the … 0

Conway  to consider moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries

Monday, April 22, 2013

BOSTON — State Sen. Stanley Rosenberg was honored recently for his work to benefit children and families of Massachusetts during the Step Up For Prevention ceremony held by the Children’s Trust Fund at the Statehouse. Senate President Therese Murray said “Senator Rosenberg is a leader on many important … 0

Preservation grants available for Civil War monuments, sites

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Applications are being accepted for a Civil War Preservation Grant program, offered by the Massachusetts Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. Funded by the Legislature, the program is designed to preserve objects and sites in the state that are … 0

Area psychologists offer free trauma counseling

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The bombing of the Boston Marathon, and the grisly images broadcast in its aftermath, could have lasting effects for some of those who were there or witnessed it second-hand. “(Traumatized) people may have an overwhelming sense that danger could lurk anywhere,” explained Dr. Amy Kahn, a Northampton psychologist … 0

Tech students earn cosmetology licenses

Monday, April 15, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Four Franklin County Technical School cosmetology students have earned their cosmetology operator’s license allowing them to practice professionally. That includes the first male student to do so. Milton Rock IV, 18, of Shelburne Falls, Leslie … 0