Montague

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

Third Gill-Montague pre-K programs  installed at Great Falls Middle School

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Chanda Waryas O’Keefe’s room may be the only Great Falls Middle School classroom with a sandbox and no middle-schoolers. The 13 students in the classroom on a Tuesday morning are in the 3-to-5 age range, with two exceptions — both teens. Then-interim superintendent Nadine Ekstrom moved the district’s third preschool … 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

Gill-Montague Notebook

Friday, April 19, 2013

Street sweeping slated for next week GILL — Whether this information prompts relocation of a parked car or the sweeping of winter’s debris from the driveway into the streets for convenient disposal, residents of the Riverside neighborhood should be aware that street sweeping is scheduled for one day … 0

Letter: Warren’s wrong

Thursday, April 18, 2013

I see on the local news that our senator, Elizabeth Warren, stood up in support of criminals recently. I am referring, of course, to her standing up and showing her support and vowing to help illegal aliens. This is direct violation of her vow to uphold the Constitution … 0

Neighbors: Five-year-old’s wish comes true

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Hello neighbor. I wrote a story, which ran on April 12, about 5-year-old Ella Bartlett of Montague and the many physical struggles she has endured throughout her short life. Through the efforts of her many doctors, Ella was … 0

Montague special election set for June 25

Thursday, April 18, 2013

MONTAGUE — The town will hold a special election to fill the unexpired term of Selectman Patricia Allen on June 25, in concert with the state election to fill Senator Kerry’s vacant seat. Allen announced recently she will step down June 24. Residents interested in running for the … 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

Longtime selectman Allen to resign

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Longtime selectman Patricia Allen announced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Montague Board of Selectmen that she will resign her post effective June 24. Allen said she had every intention of completing her term when elected, but circumstances within her family have changed dramatically within the … 0

April showers delay spring parade by a day

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — If you hoped to shake off winter’s grip in the Franklin County Spring Parade this Saturday, hang in there for a day. Citing impending weather, organizers have shifted the parade to Sunday. “It stinks to have to do this, but as the old saying goes … 0