Lighting addition expands skating opportunities at Unity Skate Park in Turners Falls

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — The Unity Skate Park lights were flicked on for the first time on Friday evening, allowing for skaters’ extended use into the evening hours and for continued wintertime use.Montague Selectboard Chair Richard Kuklewicz was the one to...

Northfield officials ‘re-engage’ state, federal stakeholders on Schell Bridge project

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

NORTHFIELD — Town officials are continuing to push to reinvigorate the Schell Bridge reconstruction project, having recently met with state and federal legislators, key stakeholders from state departments and local groups.The proposed project consists...

Auditor DiZoglio drums up support for Question 1 in visit to Greenfield

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

GREENFIELD — State Auditor Diana DiZoglio ran on the promise of bringing transparency and accountability to the Massachusetts Legislature. Now, after a failed attempt to audit the Legislature last year, she is asking for support from voters. As part...

Communities That Care Coalition survey shows decrease in youth self-harm, suicidal planning

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

This article is the second in a four-part series exploring the results of the Communities That Care Coalition’s 2024 Student Health Survey. The Communities That Care Coalition is co-hosted by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) and...

Greenfield man faces 7 charges in hit and run that left two women injured

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Judge Tina Cafaro set bail at $1,000 for the man accused of driving off after allegedly hitting two women with his vehicle and fleeing the scene on Country Club Road on Friday.Greenfield Police arrested Vladimir Sinigur, 55, of...

PHOTO: Just passing through

‘We’re not going back’: Harris-Walz supporters gather at Greenfield Common

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — A group of 30 demonstrators gathered on the Greenfield Common on Saturday to show their support for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate in the presidential race, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.Chants from demonstrators, some of...

First responders find no hazards after brewing equipment problem at Element Brewing Co.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MILLERS FALLS — Firefighters and a hazardous materials team who responded to Element Brewing Co. on Monday found no presence of hazardous materials after the steam brewing process at the business went awry, setting off the commercial fire alarms.When...

GCC panel explores ways to ‘protect democracy, big and small

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

GREENFIELD — How can you participate in democracy beyond just voting?During a panel at Greenfield Community College on Thursday night, civically engaged community members sought to answer this question, sharing their ideas about the democratic process...

Sunderland partners with elementary school on ‘I voted’ sticker contest

By CHRIS LARABEE

SUNDERLAND — When folks hit the polls in Sunderland, they’ll get an “I voted” sticker, as is tradition, although this time, they’ll have a choice between stickers with an eagle, a boater on water or a raised hand with a sign that says “voting rocks.”...

Question 4: A new chapter for psychedelics?

By SAMUEL GELINAS

Psychedelics enter the spotlight across Massachusetts on Election Day, as voters are set to weigh in on whether to allow people 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances.Question 4 is arguably the most competitive...

Cultural upbringing inspires Greenfield author

By AMALIA WOMPA

GREENFIELD — Although local author Ernie Brill doesn’t owe his work to just one stage of his life, he does pull much of his inspiration from his cultural upbringing.Brill, 79, grew up in Brooklyn, New York, with a Jewish family in a hectic housing...

‘There’s always people you know here’: Bernardston’s Scarecrow in the Park brings community together

By AALIANNA MARIETTA

BERNARDSTON — Longtime Bernardston residents and visitors from across Franklin County flocked to Scarecrow in the Park over the weekend for familiar faces and festival traditions.Attendees of all ages munched on snacks like maple cream funnel cake,...

Roads top of mind for voters at Tuesday’s Buckland Special Town Meeting

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

BUCKLAND — Most of the decisions to be made at Tuesday’s four-article Special Town Meeting pertain to roads, including whether to discontinue a portion of Old Upper Street and borrow up to $150,000 to repair Avery Road.The meeting will be held at...

Independent Cornelius Shea looks to unseat McGovern in 2nd Congressional District

By GREG VINE

Cornelius Shea is quick to admit that his campaign to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern on Nov. 5 would be considered a long shot.Shea, a 20-year Marine Corps veteran, is running as an Independent, though he assisted his father on a number of...

McGovern seeks 15th term in Congress

By GREG VINE

Congressman Jim McGovern is wrapping up his 14th term in the U.S. House, but after nearly 26 years representing the 2nd Congressional District, he hasn’t tired of the job.McGovern, 64, the ranking member of the House Rules Committee, described it as...

Survey shows drop in youth drug, alcohol use in Franklin County, North Quabbin

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

This article is the first in a four-part series diving into the results of the Communities That Care Coalition’s 2024 Student Health Survey. The Communities That Care Coalition is co-hosted by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) and...

Annual Healthy Aging Fair returns to Franklin County’s YMCA

GREENFIELD — Franklin County’s YMCA will host its annual Healthy Aging Fair, a free event dedicated to promoting wellness for adults ages 60 and up, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.This year’s fair will include free functional fitness...

Ideas sought for streetscape improvements in Northfield

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

NORTHFIELD — The town is working with residents to identify ways to improve Main Street in a process referred to as “placemaking.”A flyer explaining the project defines placemaking as “the process of creating quality places where people want to live,...

Goldberg seeking new chair as lawmakers mull CCC changes

By SAM DRYSALE

BOSTON — Treasurer Deb Goldberg is beginning to look for a new chair of the Cannabis Control Commission, despite an upcoming legislative hearing that could redefine how the regulatory agency’s leadership is appointed.Amid a slew of controversies at...