Shutesbury

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

Neighbors: Plenty to do as warmer weather arrives

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Hello neighbor. I’m not going to take up a lot of your time today, because I have a lot of events to tell you about. Many of us got to see the Full Pink Moon Thursday night. I’m writing this before it happens, but I’m sure it’s going … 0

YMCA Healthy Kids Day Saturday

Thursday, April 25, 2013

On Saturday, the YMCA in Greenfield will celebrate YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day with a free community event that encourages children ages 6 to 12 in Franklin County to get moving and learning. The Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and … 0

Hit the pottery trail

Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail is back for its ninth year this weekend, and features nearly twice as many potters as before. With nine stops in Shelburne Falls, Greenfield, Northfield, Northampton, Florence, Hadley and Pelham, the annual event … 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

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