News
Montague, Gill and Erving Notebook: April 18, 2024
Concert planned at Unnameable Books TURNERS FALLS — Unnameable Books at 66 Avenue A will host a double-bill of local and touring singer-songwriters, Ramon & Jessica and Mare Berger, on Saturday, May 4, from 7 to 9 p.m.Opening the show will be...
Cleary Jewelers plans to retain shop at former Wilson’s building until 2029
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — More than a year after she was told her business would need to vacate its storefront in the former Wilson’s Department Store, Cleary Jewelers owner Kerry Semaski said she plans to keep her shop at its current location until July 2029...
Two local school advocates tapped to lead state’s new Small and Rural Schools Committee
By CHRIS LARABEE
As rural schools and their challenges continue to become a more prominent topic at the state level, two local champions of Franklin County’s schools have been tapped to serve as co-chairs of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees’ (MASC)...
PHOTOS: Blended learning
Orange man gets 12 to 14 years for child rape
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — An Orange man will spend 12 to 14 years in prison after being convicted in Franklin County Superior Court of aggravated rape and abuse of a child.David Prue, 36, was sentenced by Judge John Agostini on Tuesday morning following a jury...
Greenfield Police Logs: April 2 to April 8, 2024
Tuesday, April 2 7:54 a.m. — Breaking and entering into a vehicle reported on Maple Street.2:03 p.m. — Breaking and entering into a vehicle reported on High Street. 3:48 p.m. — Vandalism investigated on High Street.Wednesday, April 3 5:20 a.m. —...
With new library comes new venue for annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest
By GRACE LEE
GREENFIELD — The annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest is seeing a change of venue in its 33rd year, transitioning from Stoneleigh-Burnham School to the new Greenfield Public Library.The contest will be held Tuesday, April 23, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This...
15th annual NELCWIT fundraiser set for Thursday
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — The Friends of NELCWIT will hold the 15th annual “Power to Persevere” fundraiser on Thursday, and this year’s event will be the first to include a dance element.The celebration, set for 5 to 8 p.m. at the Guiding Star Grange on Chapman...
Wheeling for Healing returns to South Deerfield to raise money for cancer treatment
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After a successful move to Yankee Candle last year, the 17th annual Wheeling for Healing event is back on May 19, as the fundraiser seeks to continue raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer patients receiving treatment within...
$427K to expand Camp Apex capacity in Shelburne
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
SHELBURNE — Thanks to $427,000 in congressionally directed spending, Franklin County’s YMCA will renovate Camp Apex to expand its capacity, allowing more families, including those relying on financial aid or scholarships, to send their children to...
With eye toward teaching firearm safety, Mahar’s Junior ROTC adding air rifles
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — It appears Ralph C. Mahar Regional School’s Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps will participate in competitions with an air rifle aspect next year, though the program’s instructors are still waiting on air tanks, targets and other...
Conway resident leading pilot program to help families facing financial ‘cliff effect’
By ABNER ROJAS
CONWAY — Earning a raise or getting a promotion normally sounds like a great thing, but in the case of low-income workers across the country, it isn’t so simple, as increases in income can leave families ineligible for public assistance.A pay increase...
Orange resident selected for governor’s Youth Advisory Council
By XINYI YANG
Orange resident Christiana Dunn is among 60 young people statewide who will advise Gov. Maura Healey and her administrative team on issues important to her demographic as a member of the new Youth Advisory Council.The council members, ages 16 to 21,...
Franklin County Fairgrounds hosting regional dog agility competition
GREENFIELD — Hundreds of canines and their handlers will compete at the Franklin County Fairgrounds on April 26 through April 28, vying for top honors in the United States Dog Agility Association’s (USDAA) New England Regional Championship.Organized...
Shutesbury Elementary School principal leaving in June after 10 years
By SCOTT MERZBACH
SHUTESBURY — After 10 years as principal at Shutesbury Elementary School, Jacqueline Mendonsa is leaving the position at the end of June to relocate to the Boston area.“It is very hard for me to put into words my true love and appreciation for our...
North Quabbin Notebook: April 16, 2024
‘Honoring Local Elders’ series to kick off Tuesday WENDELL — Organizer Gail Mason will convene the first event in the 2024 Honoring Local Elders series at the Wendell Meetinghouse on Tuesday.April’s honoree will be Everett Ricketts, former Wendell...
Franklin County Technical School Honor Roll, Semester 1
FreshmenHigh Honors: Evan Alden, Cayleigh Aldrich, Caleb Begos, Kyle Bjorlin, Lila Boyden, Brayleigh Burgh, Natalia Carlo, Sebastian Carlo, Jayelle Coble, Olivia Cody, Seamus Collins, Douglas Coulsey, Vincent Craig, Nora Cuttins, Jillian Deady,...
Northfield’s new grant development director ‘already off and running’ to maximize funding
By LIESEL NYGARD
NORTHFIELD — Following the unexpected departure of Mallory Sullivan, a new grant development director is “already off and running” to maximize funding opportunities for Northfield.Leslie Roberts, a Fairfield, Vermont native and Holyoke resident, took...
Proposed Greenfield tax fund would benefit elderly, residents with disabilities
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — At-Large Councilor Wahab Minhas is proposing a local tax option that would allow residents to donate to the elderly or people with disabilities who are struggling to pay their taxes. If approved by a City Council vote, establishment of...
Montague and Erving Notebook: April 15, 2024
Plant Sale, Raffle and Book Sale coming upERVING — The Friends of the Erving Public Library will host a Plant Sale, Raffle and Book Sale at the library. The sale will begin Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will continue through May 12...
