Erving

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

Union 28 supt. tapped for new job in eastern Mass.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

ERVING — Joan Wickman, the seven-year superintendent of Union 28 schools, is in contract negotiations to take a new job as superintendent-principal of a public PreK-grade 8 school in Carlisle. The Carlisle School Committee voted unanimously late last week to appoint Wickman to the post, according to a notice on the school’s website. If contract negotiations are successful, she is expected to start … 0

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

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

Give me a (spring) break!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Around the county, people looked out of their windows Friday, and uttered an all-too-familiar four-letter word. Snow. Friday’s wintry weather came as a shock to many, and kept emergency workers busy as cars slid off the road, one … 0

No races set for Erving election ballot

Friday, April 12, 2013

ERVING — There are no new names on the ballot for the annual town election May 6. Thirteen candidates are seeking re-election and three seats, for a three-year term on the board of library trustees and one-year terms on the School Committee and Planning Board drew no candidates. … 0

Franklin County Register of Probate Merrigan endorses Lynch for Senate

Friday, April 12, 2013

GREENFIELD — Franklin County Register of Probate John Merrigan has endorsed Congressman Stephen F. Lynch in the U.S. Senate race to replace John Kerry. “I had the pleasure to serve with Congressman Lynch in the Legislature,” said Merrigan. “He is a dedicated public servant who puts his heart … 0