Colrain

Money for machines

Friday, May 17, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Manufacturers’ effort to secure $500,000 for new metal-working machines at Franklin County Technical School — to help train 21st century metal workers for local industries desperate for such workers — won another victory Wednesday: a $250,000 proposed allocation from the state’s Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Senate committee’s budget proposal said, “that not less than $250,000 shall be used for a pilot program in Franklin County … 0

West County Notebook

Friday, May 17, 2013

Author to speak at Boswell’s Sunday at 4 SHELBURNE FALLS — Nationally acclaimed novelist Matthew Dicks will be speaking about and reading from his three novels at Boswell’s Books at 10 Bridge St. in Shelburne Falls at 4 p.m. on Sunday. “Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend” was recently released in paperback and will be available for purchase and signing along with his other … 0

Elder services gets boost in Senate budget

Friday, May 17, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Programs that allow poor elders to receive care in their own households, instead of turning to nursing homes, will see increases in funding next year — a much needed step in the right direction, said officials that help administer elder services. “The last four years have been hard for elder services. This year, we are seeing long overdue emphasis on … 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

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

West County Notebook

Monday, April 15, 2013

Energy panel offers two ‘green’ documentaries SHELBURNE FALLS — The Buckland Energy Committee is screening two documentaries on “Green Living.” Today “The Growing Edge” will be shown, free of charge at the Arms Library. The film describes inspiring projects and success stories of regenerative design, as people learn … 0

Neighbors: Montague woman celebrates 100th birthday

Monday, April 15, 2013

Hello neighbor. One of our neighbors in Montague celebrated a huge milestone this past weekend. Stachia Plaza turned 100 on Saturday. From what I hear, her family threw her quite the birthday bash at St. Kaz’s in Turners Falls with more than 100 people attending. Stachia was born … 0