Greenfield and Orange District Court Logs: Oct. 15 to Oct. 18, 2019

Judge William MazanecGreenfield, Oct. 15Kevin K. Smith, 34, of Oak Grove Avenue, Springfield. Charges of resisting arrest, intimidating a witness/juror/police/court official, a marked lanes violation, failure to stop or yield, improper operation of a...

Greenfield and Orange District Court Logs: Oct. 9-15, 2019

Holly A. Boisvert, 49, homeless of Greenfield. Charge of possession of a Class B drug and possession of a Class E drug. Released on personal recognizance. Pretrial conference set for Dec. 6. The counsel fee was waived.Judge William Mazanec III...

Franklin County public defenders sound alarm amid regionally low pay rates

By DOMENIC POLI

Criminal defense lawyers in Franklin County are sounding the alarm on a problem that is reportedly brewing as a result of inadequate compensation from the state.

Public broadcasting faces uncertainty amid $1.1B cut

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Federal funding for public broadcasting is on the chopping block following the Recession Package of 2025’s approval by Congress this week, paving a new path of uncertainty for local public broadcasting in western Massachusetts and nationwide.

Deerfield ZBA approves permits for animal shelter

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — Following five months of hearings, the Zoning Board of Appeals has granted two special permits for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter to construct a new, expanded facility at the end of Plain Road East.

Greenfield’s Crossroads Tree Tour returns for second year

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — For the second year, the Greenfield Tree Committee is partnering with Sugarloaf Gardens Nursery Manager Dan Ziomek, a plant and soil scientist, to lead residents on the Crossroads Tree Tour next week.

North County Notebook: July 19, 2025

BERNARDSTON — The Bernardston Historical Society is celebrating National Ice Cream Day by hosting an open house on Sunday, July 20, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Wendell Country Store intends to appeal $1K fine for underage tobacco sale

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — The Wendell Country Store’s owner plans to appeal a $1,000 state fine after an employee sold cigarettes to an underage customer.

MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center merges with Workforce Board

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center and the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board officially merged this month, as the agencies seek to bring coordinated, comprehensive employment services to the North Quabbin region and Franklin and Hampshire counties.

Greenfield’s Rite Aid closing

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — The Rite Aid location at 107 Main St. is closing its doors as part of the corporation’s latest round of closures following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in May.

PHOTOS: Northfield Police, Rec departments host Bike Rodeo

PHOTOS: Munching on the move at Point 5K fundraiser

Beacon Hill Roll Call: July 7 to July 11, 2025

By BOB KATZEN

Greenfield City Council approves Parking Benefit District

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — City Council voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance to create a Parking Benefit District in the downtown area, to be used to reinvest parking funds into public projects aimed at attracting businesses.

Hope St. lot declared surplus by Greenfield City Council, paving way for development

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — After more than an hour of public comment, City Council voted 10-1 to declare the parking lot at 53 Hope St. as surplus Wednesday evening and to draft a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a developer to build housing on the site.

‘Without us, there is no UMass’: Unions representing staff decry bargaining tactics by administration

By GRACE CHAI

AMHERST — Though the temperature rose to 90 degrees outside on Wednesday, the ire of many staff members at the University of Massachusetts Amherst was arguably fiercer.

Assessment models being prepped for proposed six-town regional school district

By CHRIS LARABEE

While the Six Town Regionalization Planning Board awaits feedback from the state on its proposed regional agreement, it is also preparing assessment models for the potential Great River Regional School District.

West County Notebook: July 18, 2025

ASHFIELD — Attendees of an upcoming workshop can learn how mint is harvested and distilled into oils with Hannah Morano, founder of Sweet Birch Herbals. The workshop will be held Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at her farm, located at 686 Creamery Road.

Leyden approves regs for short-term rentals, ADUs

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

LEYDEN — In just under two and a half hours, 30 Leyden voters approved all nine articles at Wednesday’s Special Town Meeting, including bylaw amendments changing regulations on accessory dwelling units (ADUs).