News
Greenfield residents allege sound and odor issues from candle, cannabis businesses
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — After more than four hours of discussion, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to continue public hearings involving an Arch Street cannabis cultivation site’s request for a special permit to manufacture marijuana concentrate, as well as the...
Northfield Mount Hermon’s Class of 2024 heading for next mission
By DIANE BRONCACCIO
GILL — The joyful clamor of well-wishers that resounded throughout the Northfield Mount Hermon graduation ceremony might well be the shouts “heard ‘round the world.” With a Grades 9-12 student body coming from 63 nations and 35 U.S. states, the...
All about the bees: 14th Bee Fest draws record attendance, new statue unveiled at fire station
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — From 9 a.m. Saturday, when families began making their way to the Second Congregational Church’s front lawn, to the unveiling of Greenfield’s 12th bee sculpture, “Fearless,” outside the Greenfield Fire Department’s new station on Main...
The story behind the New Salem Museum
By CARLA CHARTER
Laura Barletta and her husband Vincent’s connection to New Salem began with Vincent’s grandmother Helen Truman, who attended school at New Salem Academy. After the school closed in 1969, the building, which originally housed the home economics classes...
Are Massachusetts politics on immigration changing? Strategists, activists weigh in.
By CASSANDRA DUMAY
State activists and party organizers from across the political spectrum are determining how to address Massachusetts residents’ new top concern — immigration — going into the 2024 election cycle.Recent polling by GBH, CommonWealth Beacon and MassINC...
Fire at Rainbow Motel in Whately leaves 17 without a home
WHATELY – A fire at the Rainbow Motel at 64 State Road shortly after midnight early Saturday morning has left 17 people without a home, though all of the residents in the building evacuated without getting hurt. Whately Police officers were the first...
PHOTOS: Flags for fallen veterans
Inaugural book festival looks to unite Stoneleigh-Burnham School with broader community
By ABNER ROJAS
GREENFIELD — At Stoneleigh-Burnham School’s inaugural Community Book Festival next weekend, organizers will be giving out free books to raise interest in reading and build a stronger connection between the school and the Greenfield...
North County Notebook: May 20, 2024
May 21: ‘All About Fairy Houses’NORTHFIELD — Dickinson Memorial Library will host “All About Fairy Houses” with Lara Dubin on Tuesday, May 21, from 6 to 7 p.m. Adults and teens can learn about designing, building and using natural materials for fairy...
Montague Notebook: May 20, 2024
Selectboard hears overview of fiscal year 2025 capital project scheduleMONTAGUE — The Selectboard was given an overview of existing and ongoing capital projects by Assistant Town Administrator Walter Ramsey during its May 13 meeting. According to...
Mohawk Trail Regional School Honor Roll, Third Quarter
Seventh Grade High Honors: Maya Baunsgard, Kayden Berry, Harper Briggs, Joshua Cerone, Teagan Donahue, Oliver Ferris, Zavel Gardner, Armando Gonzalez, Ava LaCross, Abigail Osterman, Ryah Pizzi, Kaylin Sevoian, Madelynn Weller, Ryleigh Westort, Anna...
Pioneer Valley Regional School Honor Roll, Third Quarter
Seventh Grade Highest Honor: Isabella Allen, Kailyn Arsenault, Brody Bartak, Greyson Bellville, Nathan Bloom, Jaelyn Boliski, Hayden Brechenser, Serenity Brown, Ethan Burgh, Lucianne Burnap, Kaelynn Chabot, Taylor Chase, Kaylan Costello, Judy...
Greenfield Notebook: May 18, 2024
Library program to share Japanese folktales, origami GREENFIELD — Families with children ages 5 and up are invited to a program of Japanese folktales and origami at the Greenfield Public Library on Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m.This program, funded in...
$338K fraud drains town coffers in Orange
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — Authorities are investigating an estimated $338,000 in fraud against the town, which has left Orange in dire financial straits and could result in the closure of its libraries, town officials discussed Thursday.The fraud involves the town...
DCR highlights $1.5M in Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground upgrades
By CHRIS LARABEE
CHARLEMONT — Following $1.5 million in investments to the Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, the Department of Conservation and Recreation kicked off the 2024 camping season on Friday and welcomed folks back to the campground that had been closed...
West County Notebook: May 18, 2024
Cemetery group holding annual meeting COLRAIN — The annual meeting of the North River Cemetery Association will be held Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at Bradley Brigham’s home.Anyone with a connection to the cemetery is welcome to attend. With questions...
Charlemont planners approve special permit for Hinata Mountainside Resort
By CHRIS LARABEE
CHARLEMONT — The town’s newest attraction could begin welcoming people as soon as May 2025 after the Planning Board granted a special permit to Hinata Mountainside Resort off of Warfield Road.With drafted conditions laid out at the previous week’s...
South County Notebook: May 18, 2024
Deerfield Lion’s Club donates $4,500 to South County EMS SOUTH DEERFIELD — In honor of the Deerfield Lions Club’s 78th birthday, the club has donated $4,500 to South County EMS, which allowed the agency to purchase four new medical bags.“We are really...
Mohawk Trail Regional School’s Tierney honored as promising new teacher
BUCKLAND — In recognition of his social studies and civics instruction that aims to create better citizens and young advocates, Mohawk Trail Regional School eighth grade teacher Brennan Tierney has received the Massachusetts Council for the Social...
Comic book fans invited to ‘a little family reunion’ with Sunday’s Western Massachusetts Comic Book Show
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — If you can’t make it to Comic-Con in San Diego toward the end of July, there’s a smaller-scale event in Franklin County that might scratch your artistic itch.The Western Massachusetts Comic Book Show is returning to Hawks & Reed...