
PERFECTION! No. 1 Pioneer cruises past Hopedale 49-28 to capture MIAA Division 5 state title
LOWELL — For the first time in 28 years, a boys basketball state championship trophy is heading back to Northfield.

Colrain Central School teacher recognized for work with school’s youngest learners
COLRAIN — In her fifth year teaching kindergarten and fostering independence in Colrain Central School’s youngest learners, Grace Ahrensdorf has been named a winner of the 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award.
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Sports

Community support aids Pioneer boys basketball team in dominant state title win over Hopedale
LOWELL – Scott Thayer turned to the swarm of Pioneer fans in the stands and raised both fists in the air. Just a few feet away, his son, Brayden Thayer, dribbled out the final seconds of the Panthers’ dominant 49-28 state championship game victory over Hopedale at the Tsongas Center.
Opinion

My Turn: What’s the remedy for a lawless president?





Your Daily Puzzles

An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."

A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.

Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.

Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.

Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business

Greenfield Starbucks pours its first cup
GREENFIELD — After months of anticipation, the Starbucks at 200 Mohawk Trail opened its doors Thursday morning to serve its first customer: 12-year-old Emma Lanoue, a seventh grader at Pioneer Valley Regional School.




Arts & Life

A piece of history comes home: Silver pitcher returns to Franklin County Fairgrounds after 150 years
The Franklin County Fair Museum’s chilly confines are filled with posters, brochures, ribbons and other pieces celebrating the history of the cherished event that started as a cattle show 177 years ago. But in December the museum added to its collection a first of its kind – an antique silver pitcher that made its way home from England, having been bestowed upon one of the Fairgrounds’ founding fathers on Jan. 3, 1863.


Obituaries

Montague Center, MA - Bonnie F. Sawin, 82, of Station Street passed away Monday March 10, 2025 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Montague August 24, 1942, the daughter of Richard and Eleanor (Bush) Sawin. Bo... remainder of obit for Bonnie F. Sawin

Dean Conway August 25, 1947March 9, 2025 Jamaica Plain, MA - Dean Joseph Conway of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, was a teacher, soccer coach, mentor, and friend who affected us with his vibrant curiosity, generous spirit, and humble com... remainder of obit for Dean Joseph Conway

Joyce Ann Decker South Deerfield, MA - Joyce Ann Decker, 89, of Adams Court, South Deerfield, found peace with God on March 11, 2025, at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Born on January 28, 1936, in Middlesboro, KY, Joyce wa... remainder of obit for Joyce A. Decker

David Quinn, Jr. Northfield, MA - David G. Quinn Jr., 73, of Northfield, passed peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on March 13, 2025 surrounded by his family. David was born July 14, 1951 to David and Julia (Ladzinski) Quinn Sr. i... remainder of obit for David Quinn Jr.