Public input sought to inform creation of Road Safety Action Plan for Franklin County

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — Backed by a federal grant, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) is in the process of developing its own Road Safety Action Plan to serve as a guide for future traffic safety investments.To inform the plan’s creation,...

PHOTOS: Merry crafting at Historic Deerfield

North County Notebook: Dec. 6, 2024

Families invited to build gingerbread houses NORTHFIELD — The Recreation Commission invites Northfield families to make their own gingerbread houses in the Northfield Elementary School cafeteria on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.CPA...

Montague and Erving Notebook: Dec. 6, 2024

Franklin Tech holding open house for eighth graders TURNERS FALLS — Franklin County Technical School’s open house for Franklin County eighth graders will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Attendees can tour technical programs; learn...

$301K in grants funding upgrade at Western Mass Food Processing Center

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — More products and facility upgrades will be coming to the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center, as the Franklin County Community Development Corporation has reeled in two separate grants.The Franklin County CDC was awarded a...

Wendell resident explores mysteries of life with new poetry book

By AMALIA WOMPA

WENDELL — A local actor, director and writer hopes to capture the mysteries of life with his new book of poetry.Court Dorsey, 74, was born in Rome, New York, before living most of his young life in the suburbs of Chicago. Now a Wendell resident,...

Greenfield’s All Souls Church hosting reparations film screening

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — All Souls Church is participating in the statewide Spirit of Reparations Film Series, hosting a screening of “The Cost of Inheritance” on Sunday.Residents are invited to the church at 399 Main St. from 5 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 4:45 p.m...

Jacobs back at helm of Newton School in Greenfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Two decades after leaving the school district, former Newton School Principal Carol Jacobs is back at the helm in an interim capacity.Jacobs is filling the principal position that was left vacant following the abrupt resignation of Sadie...

Athol resident produces 40th Quabbin History Calendar

By DOMENIC POLI

This year’s Quabbin History Calendar is the 40th annual edition, and it could also be the final one.J.R. Greene has produced a calendar every year since the mid-1980s and, as a result, is running out of photos of the towns and villages that were...

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce launches revamped gift card program

GREENFIELD — In an effort to make shopping locally easier and more rewarding this holiday season, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has launched a revamped Franklin County Gift Card program that supports a growing list of small businesses with...

Business Briefs: Dec. 6, 2024

Freedom Credit Union seeks donations for Salvation Army campaign SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union is inviting the community to donate money at any of its branches to support the Salvation Army of Massachusetts’ Toy for Joy campaign serving families...

Element Brewing Co. in Millers Falls celebrating 15 years in business

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MILLERS FALLS — Adapting to industry changes and listening to community feedback has carried Element Brewing Co. co-founders Ben Anhalt and Dan Kramer into their 15th year in business.To mark the occasion, Element Brewing Co. will host a celebration...

Consumer Corner: Pitfalls to watch out for when shopping online

By ANITA WILSON

A survey from the National Retail Federation found that consumers plan to spend just over $900 on gifts this holiday season and 57% of those purchases will be made online.At the same time, consumer complaints about online purchases are on the rise....

Real Estate Transactions: Dec. 6, 2024

ASHFIELD 912 Creamery Road. $275,000. B: Heather Davis. S: Troy Santerre and John Dunphy.ATHOL 193 Freedom St. $100,000. B: BCF Investments LLC. S: Currier Road Holdings LLC. 232 Pequoig Ave. $145,000. B: Evergrain Orchard LLC. S: Michael S. Odle...

North County Notebook: Dec. 5, 2024

Library hosting Children’s Holiday Bazaar NORTHFIELD — Dickinson Memorial Library will host a Children’s Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon.Children in kindergarten through sixth grade can come to the library for their holiday...

‘Prism effect’ created by sunlight, glass jar believed to be cause of minor Northfield fire

By CHRIS LARABEE

NORTHFIELD — The Fire Department and mutual aid partners quickly knocked down a Main Street structure fire on Wednesday morning, which had a potentially unusual cause — the sun.Firefighters responded to 83 Main St. at around 10:42 a.m. and saw flames...

Massachusetts Appeals Court hears argument of jury bias in Buchanan racial discrimination case

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

BOSTON — Three Massachusetts Appeals Court judges heard oral arguments on Wednesday after former Greenfield Police Chief Robert Haigh Jr. and the city challenged a 2022 Hampshire County Superior Court ruling that found he and the Police Department...

Colrain Ambulance filling service gap in Hawley

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

HAWLEY — While town officials work out how to address Hawley’s ambulance needs, Colrain will step in and cover emergency calls for the foreseeable future.Hawley has been without a primary ambulance provider since last January, when its contracted...

MassDOT’s final report assesses ridership, costs of Northern Tier Passenger Rail

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Running consistent passenger rail service for 140 miles through northern Massachusetts communities to connect North Adams and Boston could attract hundreds of riders per day, but would also require hundreds of millions of dollars in up-front capital...

West County Notebook: Dec. 5, 2024

Sen. Mark’s staff holding office hoursBUCKLAND — State Sen. Paul Mark’s staff will hold office hours on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at Buckland Town Hall, 17 State St.Residents of any of the 57 municipalities in the Berkshire, Hampden,...