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

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

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

WiredWest looks for role  in state broadband plans

Friday, April 12, 2013

Following a recent meeting with Massachusetts Broadband Institute and area legislators, the 42-town WiredWest cooperative is pledging its support for a proposed $40 million state bond to develop a fiber-to-the-home network for roughly 45 towns that are unserved by cable. “WiredWest remains committed to universally available and fairly … 0

Brush fire season under way: Firefighters busy in Orange, New Salem, Greenfield, Turners, Northfield

Sunday, April 7, 2013

NEW SALEM — Area fire departments responded to numerous brush fires over the weekend as dry conditions and gusty winds fanned flames, the most extensive burn on the border between New Salem and Orange. Angus “Terry” Dun, spokesman … 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

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

Area food businesses change ownership recipe

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

GREENFIELD — From pickles to granola to beverages, a few local food makers are mixing up the recipe for how to own their growing businesses. In each case, spokesmen for the businesses say there are advantages, in taxes … 0