News
Sandri Energy celebrates 90 years in fuel business
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — The Sandri family’s quest for the American dream took them from Italy, through Vermont and into Greenfield nearly a century ago.Acilio Remo “A.R.” Sandri, the second son of immigrants Dominico and Anna, worked as a chief clerk at Pan-Am...
Greenfield-based Pierce Bros. rebranding to Fogbuster Coffee Works
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Sean and Darren Pierce will always be brothers. In fact, they’ll always be Pierce Bros. But the 100% Fair Trade-certified organic coffee they have been roasting for 27 years will now be sold in new packaging, with a nod to their flagship...
Two Athol residents plead guilty to drug charges from 2019 incident
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Judge Mark D. Mason accepted guilty pleas and a joint recommendation in Franklin County Superior Court on Tuesday, sentencing a pair of Athol residents to two years’ probation for drug crimes.Mariah K. LaFountain, 26, and Bryce M. Cass,...
New owners sought for Magic Wings butterfly conservatory in South Deerfield
By MARY BYRNE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After roughly 20 years in the family, owners of the butterfly conservatory on Routes 5 and 10 are renewing an effort they began several years ago to hand over the reins to someone new. “It’s very bittersweet,” said Kathy Fiore, who...
Greenfield man arrested for Hartford murder
By DOMENIC POLI
HARTFORD, Conn. — A Greenfield man has been arrested and accused of a Jan. 29 murder in Connecticut’s capital. Jordan Register, 21, of Chapman Street, was taken into custody in Springfield by the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit and...
State troopers arrest 3 in Bernardston for allegedly trafficking heroin, fentanyl
By DOMENIC POLI
BERNARDSTON — Three Vermonters face charges following their arrests while traveling on Interstate 91 early Monday morning with suspected narcotics in the vehicle they were in.Benjamin Kendall, 31, of Vershire, Vt., Brooke Rowell, 37, of Concord, Vt.,...
Former Southworth paper mill in Turners Falls could see new life with marijuana company
By MAX MARCUS
TURNERS FALLS — A marijuana grower is aiming to move into the former Southworth building, bringing new business to the location for the first time since the paper company abruptly closed in August 2017.The grower, a new company called Hydroflower,...
Springfield man arrested in Greenfield on drug charges
GREENFIELD — A 40-year-old Springfield man was arrested Saturday morning after an investigation into the presence of narcotics at an Armory Street apartment. The arrest followed a “lengthy investigation” by the Greenfield Police Department, according...
Couple looks to open Quabbin Pines RV Resort in Orange
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — Roughly 20 acres at 300 Daniel Shays Highway is expected to be the site of a campground again soon, as husband and wife Michael and Chrystal Snow prepare Quabbin Pines RV Resort for business. The Snows purchased the property, formerly the...
New animal control officer takes reins in Wendell
By DOMENIC POLI
WENDELL — Leverett Police Officer Meghan Gallo has been sworn in as Wendell’s new animal control officer.Gallo, 26, takes over for longtime animal control officer Maggie Houghton, who recently stepped down after moving up her planned retirement date....
New playground equipment installed at Greenfield Middle School, Four Corners
By SHELBY ASHLINE
GREENFIELD — The small groups of children receiving some in-person education at Greenfield Middle School and the Discovery School at Four Corners were in for a treat earlier this month, when the installation of new playground equipment was...
Vermont woman pleads guilty to cocaine charge in Franklin County Superior Court
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — A Vermont woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and could go to jail if she violates the conditions imposed by Judge Francis Flannery.Melissa Burnor, 29, of Colchester, Vt., appeared in Franklin...
Wendell teen crafts flag drop-off boxes for Eagle Scout service project
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — The American flag is often wrapped in controversy and questions. Is it OK to kneel during the national anthem? Should politicians always wear one as a lapel pin? But those aren’t the only inquiries people have raised about Old Glory.Some are...
Former Channing Bete building to become new Tree House Brewing location
By MARY BYRNE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Charlton-based Tree House Brewing announced Friday that it plans to open a new location next year at the site of the former Channing Bete Co. on Routes 5 and 10.“Tree House will open an expansive, beautifully located facility in...
Police say no foul play suspected in death of New Salem fugitive
By MICHAEL CONNORS
HOLYOKE — Police do not suspect foul play in the death of Cory Taylor, 41, the fugitive with a part-time residence in New Salem whose body was found last week after he made bail at a local county jail in August and then disappeared.James Leydon,...
Drug fugitive Cory Taylor found dead in abandoned building in Holyoke
HOLYOKE — The body of Cory Taylor, the alleged marijuana trafficker with a part-time residence in New Salem, who has been a fugitive since he disappeared in August after making bail at a county jail, was discovered by police in a vacant building at...
Damn Yankees BBQ to close while owner recovers from lasting effects of COVID-19
By MARY BYRNE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — The owner of Damn Yankees BBQ on Elm Street has announced he is closing the restaurant’s doors while he continues to recover from the lasting effects of COVID-19.“Damn Yankees BBQ has been a passion of mine since a very young age and...
1 dead, 2 injured following Route 2 head-on collision in Greenfield
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — One person was killed and two others were airlifted to hospitals following a head-on collision on the Route 2 bypass between Exit 27 and Adams Road in Greenfield on Sunday evening.A Ford Explorer crossed the centerline into the westbound...
Hearing held for former NMH teacher accused of statutory rape 40 years ago
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Opposing attorneys agreed to work together on a statement of facts so Judge Richard Carey can analyze the argument behind a motion to dismiss in the case of a man accused of raping a 14-year-old Northfield Mount Hermon School student when...
Tashlich: Casting stones, sins on the river for Jewish High Holidays
By TALIA GODFREY
GREENFIELD — Stones flew from hands into the Green River’s cold water this Sunday as a small group gathered at the swimming and recreation area to perform Tashlich, a Jewish High Holiday tradition for casting away heaviness and sins.Tashlich, a Hebrew...
