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Money for machines

Friday, May 17, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Manufacturers’ effort to secure $500,000 for new metal-working machines at Franklin County Technical School — to help train 21st century metal workers for local industries desperate for such workers — won another victory Wednesday: a $250,000 proposed allocation from the state’s Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Senate committee’s budget proposal said, “that not less than $250,000 shall be used for a pilot program in Franklin County … 0

Elder services gets boost in Senate budget

Friday, May 17, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Programs that allow poor elders to receive care in their own households, instead of turning to nursing homes, will see increases in funding next year — a much needed step in the right direction, said officials that help administer elder services. “The last four years have been hard for elder services. This year, we are seeing long overdue emphasis on … 0

Asst. principal named new Frontier boss

Monday, May 6, 2013

DEERFIELD — The assistant principal at the Frontier Regional School will serve as Martha Barrett’s successor. Starting July 1, Darius Modestow will become principal for the 607 students at the regional school. He will succeed Barrett, the current principal who has been named incoming superintendent of schools for the Frontier Regional and Union … 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

Regional ambulance proposal expected May 13

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

SUNDERLAND — On May 13, southern Franklin County towns will have a draft agreement and budget for the proposed tri-town regional ambulance service. On that night, Sunderland Town Administrator Margaret Nartowicz and Ambulance Director Robert Ahearn will present the plans to the Board of Selectmen. Though the specific … 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