Sunderland

Sequestered federal budget prompts possible fish lab furloughs

Friday, May 24, 2013

MONTAGUE — Congress’s inability to pass a budget should make itself felt locally beginning next month with furloughs of Conte fish lab employees. Run by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, at One Migratory Way in Turners Falls, is a branch of the West Virginia-based Leetown Science Center and exists to study anadromous fish to support … 0

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 … 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

Deerfield voters back keeping Baystate services in Greenfield

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

DEERFIELD — Voters here have overwhelmingly supported a resolution calling on Baystate Health System to keep services and resources at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. At its Monday annual town meeting, Deerfield was the first of 10 Franklin County towns to vote on the resolution. It … 0

Sunderland voters return Pierce to selectman post

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

SUNDERLAND — Selectman incumbent David Pierce won his second three-year term to the town’s top board in a landslide vote. He defeated Peter Murphy, a political newcomer who campaigned to bring change and fiscal conservation to the town. Of 545 local ballots cast, a total 321 voters supported … 0

GCC taps Bilodeau as Distinguished Alum

Sunday, April 28, 2013

When former Deerfield police officer Christopher Bilodeau, 39, got the call that he had been selected by the GCC Distinguished Alumni Committee to receive the 2013 award, his first words were “I am honored to have been chosen.” … 0

Sunderland residents come together for balanced budget

Sunday, April 28, 2013

SUNDERLAND —In just over two hours, 83 townspeople approved a $7,075,662 total budget at the annual town meeting Friday night with little debate. But before they delved into town finances, they stood in silence, facing the American flag, to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings on … 0

Sunderland selectman candidates speak on issues

Friday, April 26, 2013

SUNDERLAND — On Tuesday, incumbent Selectman David Pierce will vie for re-election against challenger Peter Murphy for a second three-year term. The annual town election also coincides with the special Senate primary. David Pierce Pierce is the most-recently elected selectman on the board. “I’ve always believed it is … 0

Whately officials support Frontier budget

Thursday, April 25, 2013

WHATELY — The town will recommend to the townspeople on May 9 they support the proposed Frontier Regional School operating budget. The Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee and the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the budget as presented. A day after Whately gave its support, the Frontier … 0

Frontier board cuts budget by $79,395

Thursday, April 25, 2013

DEERFIELD — The Frontier Regional School Committee has cut its operating budget by $79,395. The cut is a result of a teacher retirement and comes in time for the annual town meetings in the four Frontier feeder towns — Deerfield, Whately, Sunderland and Conway. Sunderland will go first … 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