News
Convicted arsonist sentenced to additional year
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD – The mother and daughter traumatized by the arson of two barns on their property five years ago had their voices heard the day one of the men convicted in that crime was sentenced to an extra year in prison for a probation violation.Lisa...
Planet Fitness now open
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Letting those New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside just got a bit more difficult, as a Planet Fitness franchise has opened in the Big Y plaza.Tom Sullivan, who has owned a Planet Fitness in Gardner for five years, said the new...
Greenfield District Court Logs
Judge William Mazanec IIIGreenfield, Feb. 14Fred Bard, 46, of Pleasant Street, Gardner. Charge of possession of Class A drug, in Deerfield, plead guilty, found guilty, and defendant was placed on probation until Aug. 13, 2020, with victim witness...
Greenfield District Court logs
Judge William Mazanec IIIGreenfield, Jan. 21Darelene R. Reilly, 57, of Neilson Road, New Salem. Charge of operating a motor vehicle with registration suspended, to be dismissed if court cost of $50 is paid.Ian J. Lang, 24, of French King Highway,...
DISTRICT COURT LOGS
Judge William Mazanec IIIGreenfield, Feb. 1Clinton J. Dawson, 49, of Turners Falls Road, Montague. Found responsible for no inspection sticker, in Greenfield by state police, fined $50 if paid this day. Charge of operating a motor vehicle with license...
Greenfield District Court Log, Jan. 11-14
Greenfield, Jan. 11Anthony C. Kozlakowski, 31, S. Plain Road, Sunderland. Released on personal recognizance until Feb. 27 for pretrial conference for leaving scene of property damage, state highway signal/sign/marking violation, negligent operation of...
Floodwater Brewing Co. opens in Shelburne Falls
By GRACE BIRD
SHELBURNE FALLS — A craft brewery has opened in Shelburne Falls, the latest addition to the half-dozen or so clustered around Franklin County.Zack Livingston, a Worthington native and University of Mass. graduate, opened Floodwater Brewing Co. at 40...
First residents move into Condominiums at Sugarloaf
By DOMENIC POLI
DEERFIELD — The first five dwellings of a senior condominium project at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain are occupied, and the project’s developer said two more are expected to be available in a couple of months.The Condominiums at Sugarloaf, approved...
Former teacher suing Deerfield Academy
By DOMENIC POLI
DEERFIELD — A former English teacher is suing Deerfield Academy over alleged gender discrimination and retaliation during her 18 years at the prestigious prep school.Sonja Krusic O’Donnell has filed a federal lawsuit against her former employer,...
Greenfield man gets 8 years in major heroin bust
By JOSHUA SOLOMON
GREENFIELD — The “most significant seizure of heroin within the Northwestern District in recent memory,” has led to an eight-year state prison sentence for a Greenfield man, according to Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Bucci.Stephen Hall, 28,...
ASHFIELDNelson L. Howes of Greenfield, Roger E. Howes, David D. Newell and Virginia R. Newell to Sharon D. Wells. 12 Lilliput Road. $1Juliette J. Meeus Investment Trust, Juliette J. Meeus, Individually and Trustee and Catherine V. Stevens Investment...
Council shelves library plan
By JOSHUA SOLOMON
GREENFIELD — A decision on a new library will have to wait, at least until next month, following a dramatic decision Wednesday to table the City Council vote on the $19.5 million project.Following a speech by Precinct 1 Councilor Vern Sund, who was...
Quabbin substance abuse program shuttered
By JOSHUA SOLOMON
PETERSHAM — The widespread word in the regional recovery community about the substance abuse intensive treatment center at the Quabbin Retreat is last month it “abruptly closed,” but the manager of it, Heywood Healthcare, says the program is merely in...
Lane Construction sells gravel pits for millions
By RICHIE DAVIS
NORTHFIELD — The sale of Lane Construction Corp.’s West Northfield gravel pits this week for nearly $9.6 million to North Carolina-based Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC is part of a much larger selloff of Lane’s “plants and paving division” for a $555...
Young Jonestown survivors built new lives amid grief, scorn
By TIM REITERMAN
OAKLAND, Calif. — Jonestown was the highlight of Mike Touchette’s life — for a time.The 21-year-old Indiana native felt pride pioneering in the distant jungle of Guyana, South America. As a self-taught bulldozer operator, he worked alongside other...
Orange, Sept. 20,Judge John P. McKenna Meaghan E. Hamel, 27, Crescent Street, Athol. Charged with assault and battery on a family/household member. Arraigned and released on personal recognizance. Pretrial hearing is set for November 2.Orange, Sept....
District Court Logs, Aug. 28 to Sept. 4, 2018
Greenfield, Aug. 28, Judge William F. Mazanec IIIDaniel F. Burrell, 49, Union Street, Greenfield.Found responsible for disturbing the peace, Fined $50.Tony Carr, 41, Orange.Charge of assault and battery on a family/household member. Placed on pretrial...
Renaissance Community members find the love is still there, 50 years later
By DAVID McLELLAN
MONTAGUE — The Brotherhood of the Spirit was many different things over its 20-year lifetime.It was first and foremost a commune, part of the New Age and hippie movements, but it was also the organization that ran several local businesses, including...
A bicycle built for you: Old factory houses custom-bike maker
By DIANE BRONCACCIO
SHELBURNE FALLS — Like Goldilocks, you can’t be too picky about finding a bicycle that is “just right” — especially if you take it on a 750-mile ride.That’s why the riders of custom bikes made by Alex Meade may spend a few hours on an adjustable...
Greenfield, July 26, Judge Laurie MacleodCarmen Luna, 53, Springfield. Three counts of identity fraud. Must pay $150 counsel fee. Released on personal recognizance, $150 counsel fee. Continued until 9/6/18 for pretrial conference.Ieremia V. Sinigur,...
