Prospective owners look to reopen Four Leaf Clover Restaurant in Bernardston under new name

By ZACK DeLUCA

BERNARDSTON — Pending final approval, the former Four Leaf Clover Restaurant may reopen under new ownership and a new name.Husband and wife Alex and Amy Fiorey recently took to Facebook to announce they put in an offer to buy the property at 19 South...

Following complaints, Orange Selectboard to craft rules for Lake Mattawa visitors

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — The Selectboard plans to work with the town administrator and police chief to draft clear signs and enforceable rules for Lake Mattawa in response to a thread of social media comments complaining of public drinking, drug use and other issues...

Fiddler David Kaynor remembered for his music and welcoming spirit

By RICHIE DAVIS

MONTAGUE — There are so many circles that connect us, so many communities that touch upon other communities, so many inspirational figures in our midst that help us find a sense of purpose and that bring people together.David Kaynor’s death Tuesday...

Former Recorder reporter reflects on Lavigne case

By DIANE BRONCACCIO

SHELBURNE FALLS — A year before shocking charges of child molestation were levied against Richard Lavigne in 1991, I had two chances to meet with the then-admired priest of St. Joseph’s Parish.First, a parish member recommended I see him for...

Isle of dreams: Orange couple buys island in Tully Pond

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — The waterfront properties on Tully Pond offer a setting that could be described as quintessentially North Quabbin. The charming homes and picturesque landscape are enough to melt away worry, and this isn’t lost on city dwellers, who have been...

Greenfield Police Logs: April 1 to May 6, 2021

Greenfield, April 1 12:06 p.m. — Malicious destruction reported at the intersection of Hope and Russell streets.Greenfield, April 2 1:38 p.m. — Oscar Marino Ramirez, 33, of Springfield, was arrested for conspiracy to violate drug law and a subsequent...

Bridge of Names in Lake Pleasant reopens; construction and fundraising continue

By MAX MARCUS

LAKE PLEASANT — The Bridge of Names has reopened for the first time since October, when it was badly damaged in a storm and rendered unusable.But construction is still underway, and the community continues to raise money to pay for the...

2 skiing deaths tragic part of challenging year for Berkshire East

By DOMENIC POLI

CHARLEMONT — On March 12, 2020, Berkshire East Mountain Resort closed for the season earlier than expected in an effort to help curb the spread of COVID-19. A year later, the 2020-21 season’s end was marred by two skiing accident deaths in eight days...

Scam email causes Orange residents, employees to flood Town Hall with calls

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Town Hall has reportedly been flooded with calls from residents and town employees following fraudulent emails disguised as coming from Town Administrator Gabriele Voelker.Leanna Dennis, administrative assistant to Voelker and the...

Unveiling of bee sculptures to kick off annual Bee Fest

By ANITA FRITZ

GREENFIELD — The city is abuzz each spring as it prepares for its annual Bee Fest. This year, though it will be largely virtual because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is no different, particularly due to the unveiling of six large bee sculptures to kick...

With new practice, Greenfield native hopes to expand primary care access

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — With the opening of his new practice on Federal Street, one Greenfield native hopes to expand access to primary care in an area where there continues to be a shortage of providers.“One of the many big motivators of me starting this...

Fitness center within The Body Shoppe in Greenfield under new ownership

By MAX MARCUS

GREENFIELD — Now under new ownership, The Body Shoppe’s fitness center is focusing on personal training while continuing the gym’s 35-year legacy.Co-owners Steve Ferry and Ryan Trusevitch, both fitness trainers, now run the fitness center under the...

Heath family opens The Duck Pond antique and vendor marketplace in Shelburne

By DOMENIC POLI

SHELBURNE — An area family has bought the former Strawberryfield antique shop at 1204 Mohawk Trail with plans to return the business to its previous identity.Wife and husband Katelyn Choiniere and Todd Gerry Jr. got the keys in December and closed on...

Vt. residents facing drug charges following Bernardston traffic stop

By DOMENIC POLI

BERNARDSTON — Two residents of Eden Mills, Vt. are facing drug charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 91 shortly before midnight on Monday revealed 106 grams of suspected crack cocaine and 27 grams of suspected fentanyl in the vehicle they were...

Greenfield PD asks for help locating missing Federal St. resident

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Police Department took to social media Thursday night to ask for the public’s help in locating a Federal Street resident who has been reported missing.Brian Cornwell, 57, was last seen in early December.Greenfield Police...

Sandri Energy celebrates 90 years in fuel business

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — The Sandri family’s quest for the American dream took them from Italy, through Vermont and into Greenfield nearly a century ago.Acilio Remo “A.R.” Sandri, the second son of immigrants Dominico and Anna, worked as a chief clerk at Pan-Am...

Greenfield-based Pierce Bros. rebranding to Fogbuster Coffee Works

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Sean and Darren Pierce will always be brothers. In fact, they’ll always be Pierce Bros. But the 100% Fair Trade-certified organic coffee they have been roasting for 27 years will now be sold in new packaging, with a nod to their flagship...

Two Athol residents plead guilty to drug charges from 2019 incident

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Judge Mark D. Mason accepted guilty pleas and a joint recommendation in Franklin County Superior Court on Tuesday, sentencing a pair of Athol residents to two years’ probation for drug crimes.Mariah K. LaFountain, 26, and Bryce M. Cass,...

New owners sought for Magic Wings butterfly conservatory in South Deerfield

By MARY BYRNE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — After roughly 20 years in the family, owners of the butterfly conservatory on Routes 5 and 10 are renewing an effort they began several years ago to hand over the reins to someone new. “It’s very bittersweet,” said Kathy Fiore, who...

Greenfield man arrested for Hartford murder

By DOMENIC POLI

HARTFORD, Conn. — A Greenfield man has been arrested and accused of a Jan. 29 murder in Connecticut’s capital. Jordan Register, 21, of Chapman Street, was taken into custody in Springfield by the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit and...