News
Judge sets bail for Millers Falls assault suspects
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Two men accused of beating another nearly to death in Millers Falls the night after Christmas can be released if they post $2,500 bail and submit to GPS monitoring, a Franklin County Superior Court judge ruled on Tuesday.Brendon Collette,...
Former Greenfield man granted new trial after 1995 murder conviction, walks free
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — A former Greenfield man serving a life sentence for a 1994 murder was released from prison on Tuesday, three and a half months after the state Supreme Judicial Court ordered that a new trial be held in his case.Elvio J. Marrero, 63,...
Citizen’s petition on tax rate tabled in Bernardston
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
BERNARDSTON — After residents breezed through voting on the first 32 warrant articles at a 40-article Annual Town Meeting on Monday with little to no discussion, a citizen’s petition to lower property tax rates sparked an hour-long discussion.Voters...
Orange Selectboard declares armory as surplus property
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — The Selectboard has voted to designate the Orange Armory as surplus property, the first step for the town in ridding itself of the 111-year-old structure.The armory, located at 135 East Main St., has fallen into disrepair. The Selectboard...
Student voting petition rejected in Deerfield
By CHRIS LARABEE
DEERFIELD — While voters approved the first 20 articles on Monday’s Annual Town Meeting warrant, residents did not follow in the footsteps of neighboring Sunderland, as they rejected a citizen’s petition seeking to ask the Legislature to lower the...
PHOTOS: Making an impression
Salvation Army of Greenfield raises over $5K for meals program
GREENFIELD — The Salvation Army of Greenfield raised more than $5,000 on Friday during its “Fill the Plate” fundraising dinner.On a monthly basis, The Salvation Army of Greenfield distributes more than 800 meals to residents who struggle with food...
Antique pickup trucks to vintage tractor trailers on tap for 19th annual show in South Deerfield
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Vintage trucks of all models will be on hand on Sunday, May 5, as the Antique Truck Club of America’s western Massachusetts chapter kicks off the club’s truck show season with its 19th annual event.As it has been for years, the truck...
Performing arts camp at NMH marks 25th year
By ABNER ROJAS
GILL — The Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts is celebrating its 25th year of providing arts programming to thousands of economically disadvantaged children from across the Northeast. The camp, for children ages 12 to 17, will be held from Aug....
New ‘giving circle’ fosters togetherness while funding Franklin County nonprofits
By AALIANNA MARIETTA
SHELBURNE FALLS — Three friends are looking to turn $50 donations into $5,000 contributions for nonprofits across Franklin County.Shelburne Falls residents Clare Pearson and Kim Klein, along with Charlemont resident Karen Hogness, are starting a...
Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment at UMass flagship, joining growing national movement
By ALEXA LEWIS
AMHERST — Student protesters at the University of Massachusetts began pitching tents near the W.E.B. DuBois Library Monday morning in solidarity with Palestinians, following the example of their peers at campuses across the country who have created...
Court rulings may force action on home equity theft
By SAM DORAN
BOSTON — After a state judge ruled this month that Massachusetts law governing municipal home equity takings “requires Legislative correction,” a state senator who has filed a related bill for years said Monday that he is ready to start demanding roll...
School budget heads to Greenfield City Council
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — As the full City Council prepares to take up budget discussions on May 15, School Department Superintendent Christine DeBarge recently gave the Ways and Means Committee some insight into what the city would get in her proposed $24.12...
Franklin Tech student welds artistic bench for French King Bridge
By LIESEL NYGARD
ERVING — Drawing inspiration from the French King Bridge, Franklin County Technical School senior Laynie Coates, 17, put her welding skills to the test.The result, a green bench with lettering that says “Gateway to the Mohawk Trail” and a bridge-like...
Wendell voters to decide on battery storage bylaw
By DOMENIC POLI
WENDELL — Residents will convene at Town Hall on Wednesday to have their voices heard on a proposed bylaw brought by citizens to regulate battery energy storage systems.A Special Town Meeting is slated to begin at 7 p.m., with two articles on the...
No contested races in Sunderland election
By CHRIS LARABEE
SUNDERLAND — There are no contested races on the ballot for the annual town election on Saturday, May 4.Polls will be open at the Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. While there are no contested races, the town was able to...
Greenfield Recreation Department Notebook: April 30, 2024
Summer camp registration now open The Recreation Department’s summer camps offer playground time, swimming time, games, and arts and crafts activities daily. Field trips and special guests are planned to coincide with each themed week. Daily lunches...
Whately extends conditional job offer to Swampscott assistant admin
By CHRIS LARABEE
WHATELY — After interviewing both town administrator finalists last week, the Selectboard voted to conditionally offer the role to Swampscott’s current assistant town administrator, pending a background check and successful contract negotiations.Peter...
Sunderland voters OK battery storage bylaw, agree to ask Legislature to lower municipal voting age
By CHRIS LARABEE
SUNDERLAND — Nearly 90 voters overwhelmingly approved 18 articles on Friday’s Town Meeting warrant, including battery storage and structure conversion bylaws, as well as a citizen’s petition seeking to ask the Legislature to lower the municipal voting...
Leverett residents back Gaza cease-fire resolution at Saturday’s Town Meeting
By AALIANNA MARIETTA
LEVERETT — Residents elected town officials, signed off on a $7.56 million budget for fiscal year 2025 and passed a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza during their Annual Town Meeting on Saturday.After uncontested elections, the...
