News
Tour highlights Greenfield ties to Underground Railroad, abolitionist movement
By CHRIS LARABEE
GREENFIELD — More than two dozen people took to the city’s streets Saturday for a walking tour highlighting local ties to the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement.The tour was led by Greenfield High School history teacher Luke Martin,...
Former forge, barn transformed into Leyden gallery space
By ZACK DeLUCA
LEYDEN — Sugar Shack Galleries opened the doors to its new home this month, welcoming area artists and artisans, musicians and patrons to the artist co-op market, beer garden and entertainment venue.Co-owners Stephanie Sousbies and Peter Wakelin said...
Ashfield man faces drug, weapons charges after arrest in grocery store parking lot
By MARY BYRNE
GREENFIELD — A 28-year-old Ashfield man was arraigned in Greenfield District Court on Monday on charges related to drug and firearm possession, and receiving stolen property, following his arrest in the Big Y Plaza.Justin Page was arrested Friday at...
Greenfield man shares harrowing tale of beaver attack
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — A local man will soon find his story in a wilderness and environmental medical journal after surviving a gruesome attack from a presumably rabid beaver while swimming in a remote Franklin County pond two weeks ago.Mark “Pres” Pieraccini,...
Investing in the future at Big River Chestnuts Farm in Sunderland
By CHRIS LARABEE
SUNDERLAND — At first glance, it might seem like Jono Neiger’s 7-acre plot of land next to the Connecticut River is an unkempt, chaotic mess, with underbrush spilling from the rows of young chestnut trees.However, there’s a method to the madness for...
Sirum Equipment in Montague closing its doors after 60 years
By JULIAN MENDOZA
MONTAGUE — After six decades of service, Montague’s Sirum Equipment is closing for good Sept. 4.Owner Adam Sirum simply said that “it’s time” that he steps away from the family business. The latest in a line of successors that includes both his father...
Green River Festival attendees weather storm, excited for live music
By CHRIS LARABEE
GREENFIELD — The sunny disposition of Green River Festival attendees was too bright even for torrential rainfall to dampen.Approximately 20 minutes before Sammy Rae and the Friends could take the stage Friday evening for the first performance of the...
Hatfield restaurant owners rebrand with South Deerfield barbecue joint
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — A taste of the South can be found in South Deerfield.Zack’s Texas Style BBQ, located at 20 Elm St. in the former Damn Yankees BBQ location, opened its doors last week. The establishment specializes in a menu of barbecue classics,...
New principal hopes to build community, support students at Turners Falls middle, high school
By JULIAN MENDOZA
TURNERS FALLS — Christopher Barnes, the new principal of Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School, hopes his breadth of experience can serve as the foundation for a long-lasting relationship with the local school district.After...
Baker firefighting legacy in Conway extends 4 generations
By CHRIS LARABEE
CONWAY — On any given day since the 1950s, you can be sure there has been a Baker serving on the Conway Fire Department.The family legacy of firefighting now extends four generations with Kyle and Kelsey Baker joining their father, Deputy Chief Adam...
Green River Cannabis Co. takes a swing at business at former Meadows Golf Course
By JULIAN MENDOZA
GREENFIELD — After completely remodeling the former Meadows Golf Course building at 398 Deerfield St., Green River Cannabis Co. plans to open a retail marijuana store this fall.With all structural work finalized and even a new sign in place, Green...
Lifelong thrifters open Cat & Crow in Shelburne Falls
By ELLA ADAMS
SHELBURNE FALLS — “Look at what the cat dragged in!” Amelia Doneilo Maloney and Kate Winans laugh as they remember their favorite phrase once upon a time, around the time they first met in May 2019 at their respective antique booths at Innovintage...
Impact Nano gets license for flammable, combustible materials in Orange
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — The company that closed on the former PHA Industries property on Quabbin Boulevard back in April has been granted by the Selectboard a license for flammable and combustible liquids as well as flammable gases and solids.Impact Nano LLC, which...
Refurbished horse trailer, now food truck, bringing Mexican food to Turners
By JULIAN MENDOZA
TURNERS FALLS — As the world celebrates the return of community events, Santo Taco looks to contribute with a new Mexican food truck.Since originally meeting in Montréal, Canada, Santo Taco co-owners Ivette Mateos and Eric Dew have been looking to...
Turners Falls man arraigned on kidnapping, assault charges
By DOM POLI
GREENFIELD — A Turners Falls man who was arrested after allegedly beating a man for five hours while interrogating him over alleged stolen marijuana pleaded not guilty Thursday and is being held without the right to bail pending an Aug. 6...
Real Estate Transactions: July 30, 2021
ATHOL 742 Daniel Shays Highway, Unit 3F. $128,000. B: Diane Holden. S: Walter W. Davis. 440 Exchange St. $375,000. B: Khumbah F. Awungjia and Denis T. Nwetbefua. S: Kenneway Realty Trust, Steven Kenneway, trustee. 275 High Knob Road. $320,000. B:...
Authentic Latino flavors roll into Greenfield with new food truck
By MARY BYRNE
GREENFIELD — Two Greenfield residents are hoping to bring a taste of their home country to the city. The Cocina Lupita food truck, co-owned by husband and wife Aleyda Romero and Efraen Fuentes — originally of El Salvador — and Joshua Breitner, opened...
South Deerfield Veterinary Clinic expanding services under new owner
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — The South Deerfield Veterinary Clinic is continuing to expand its services as its new owner settles in after owning the practice for half a year.Dr. Samantha Clay, who was born and raised in Belchertown, bought the South Deerfield...
Community members petition state for audit of Mohawk Trail Regional School hiring process
By ELLA ADAMS
BUCKLAND — A group of parents and community members of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont regional school districts have requested an audit from Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley concerning the hiring of a vice...
Despite local concerns, MassWildlife has no plans to close Green River in Colrain to swimmers
By ELLA ADAMS
COLRAIN — When resident Marty Driggs handed out flyers at Annual Town Meeting on June 16, calling to “save our swimming holes,” he was publicly proclaiming his concern for closures he’s seen occurring along the Green River. Driggs’ fliers stated that...
