Rowe

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

Iron Man coming to the Iron Bridge?

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

SHELBURNE FALLS — Filmmakers for “The Judge,” which will star Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall and Vincent D’Onofrio, are looking at Shelburne Falls, and could be filming movie scenes here this summer. It is reportedly one of two locations in the state being considered for filming. The Warner … 0

Rowe, Hawlemont sign extension

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

CHARLEMONT — The Rowe and Hawlemont Regional School districts could keep sharing the Hawlemont school building for up to two more years, now that both school committees have OK’d a lease for Rowe that runs through June 2015. … 0

Rowe family seeks stolen painting

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

ROWE — For years, a painting of a young girl reaching up to hug her mother, painted on a plywood sheet, was bolted into the front siding of the JollyWood Farm homestead of Susan Wood and Russ Jolly, … 0

Alleged ‘Pillowcase Bandits’ arraigned

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Two Athol men who allegedly referred to themselves as the “Pillowcase Bandits” pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Northampton Superior Court to 26 counts each in relation to seven burglaries in five towns. A Franklin County grand jury Friday returned identical indictments against Aaron Provencher, 34, of … 0

Heath changes election day to April 30

Sunday, March 3, 2013

HEATH ­­— The town has moved up the date of its annual town election, to coincide with the April 30 state primary for U.S. Senate candidates. This means deadlines for nomination papers are earlier than usual. Wednesday is the last day to obtain nomination papers from Town Clerk … 0

Snow, wind brings down greenhouses

Saturday, March 2, 2013

When blizzard Nemo blew into the region earlier in February, dumping a couple of feet of snow on the county, it left a heavy mark on several farms, causing thousands of dollars of damage by bearing down on … 0

Official calls for 9-town talk on schools

Friday, March 1, 2013

SHELBURNE — Fearing that the Mohawk Trail Regional School District may spend down all its stabilization funds in the next four years, Selectman Joseph Judd is considering a nine-town meeting, so that school and town officials can consider … 0

Mohawk board restores French, Peer Leadership

Friday, March 1, 2013

BUCKLAND — Despite rising school costs for most member towns, the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Committee voted Thursday night to add $80,000 to next year’s budget proposal for high school French and Peer Leadership classes. Their deliberations came just before the vote to adopt an $18.2 million … 0

West County notebook items

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Ashfield voter signup deadline Monday ASHFIELD —Monday is the last day to register to vote if you wish to participate in the March 13 special town meeting. The town clerk will hold special voter registration hours on Monday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 8 … 0

Middle Earth comes to Mohawk

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The old movie term “cast of thousands” comes to mind while watching the choreographed battle scenes and musical numbers being performed during rehearsals for Mohawk’s annual all-school play “The Hobbit,” which opens Friday, March 8. But this year’s … 0