State troopers arrest 3 in Bernardston for allegedly trafficking heroin, fentanyl

By DOMENIC POLI

BERNARDSTON — Three Vermonters face charges following their arrests while traveling on Interstate 91 early Monday morning with suspected narcotics in the vehicle they were in.Benjamin Kendall, 31, of Vershire, Vt., Brooke Rowell, 37, of Concord, Vt.,...

Former Southworth paper mill in Turners Falls could see new life with marijuana company

By MAX MARCUS

TURNERS FALLS — A marijuana grower is aiming to move into the former Southworth building, bringing new business to the location for the first time since the paper company abruptly closed in August 2017.The grower, a new company called Hydroflower,...

Springfield man arrested in Greenfield on drug charges

GREENFIELD — A 40-year-old Springfield man was arrested Saturday morning after an investigation into the presence of narcotics at an Armory Street apartment. The arrest followed a “lengthy investigation” by the Greenfield Police Department, according...

Couple looks to open Quabbin Pines RV Resort in Orange

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Roughly 20 acres at 300 Daniel Shays Highway is expected to be the site of a campground again soon, as husband and wife Michael and Chrystal Snow prepare Quabbin Pines RV Resort for business. The Snows purchased the property, formerly the...

New animal control officer takes reins in Wendell

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — Leverett Police Officer Meghan Gallo has been sworn in as Wendell’s new animal control officer.Gallo, 26, takes over for longtime animal control officer Maggie Houghton, who recently stepped down after moving up her planned retirement date....

New playground equipment installed at Greenfield Middle School, Four Corners

By SHELBY ASHLINE

GREENFIELD — The small groups of children receiving some in-person education at Greenfield Middle School and the Discovery School at Four Corners were in for a treat earlier this month, when the installation of new playground equipment was...

Vermont woman pleads guilty to cocaine charge in Franklin County Superior Court

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — A Vermont woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and could go to jail if she violates the conditions imposed by Judge Francis Flannery.Melissa Burnor, 29, of Colchester, Vt., appeared in Franklin...

Wendell teen crafts flag drop-off boxes for Eagle Scout service project

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — The American flag is often wrapped in controversy and questions. Is it OK to kneel during the national anthem? Should politicians always wear one as a lapel pin? But those aren’t the only inquiries people have raised about Old Glory.Some are...

Former Channing Bete building to become new Tree House Brewing location

By MARY BYRNE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Charlton-based Tree House Brewing announced Friday that it plans to open a new location next year at the site of the former Channing Bete Co. on Routes 5 and 10.“Tree House will open an expansive, beautifully located facility in...

Police say no foul play suspected in death of New Salem fugitive

By MICHAEL CONNORS

HOLYOKE — Police do not suspect foul play in the death of Cory Taylor, 41, the fugitive with a part-time residence in New Salem whose body was found last week after he made bail at a local county jail in August and then disappeared.James Leydon,...

Drug fugitive Cory Taylor found dead in abandoned building in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — The body of Cory Taylor, the alleged marijuana trafficker with a part-time residence in New Salem, who has been a fugitive since he disappeared in August after making bail at a county jail, was discovered by police in a vacant building at...

Damn Yankees BBQ to close while owner recovers from lasting effects of COVID-19

By MARY BYRNE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — The owner of Damn Yankees BBQ on Elm Street has announced he is closing the restaurant’s doors while he continues to recover from the lasting effects of COVID-19.“Damn Yankees BBQ has been a passion of mine since a very young age and...

1 dead, 2 injured following Route 2 head-on collision in Greenfield

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — One person was killed and two others were airlifted to hospitals following a head-on collision on the Route 2 bypass between Exit 27 and Adams Road in Greenfield on Sunday evening.A Ford Explorer crossed the centerline into the westbound...

Hearing held for former NMH teacher accused of statutory rape 40 years ago

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Opposing attorneys agreed to work together on a statement of facts so Judge Richard Carey can analyze the argument behind a motion to dismiss in the case of a man accused of raping a 14-year-old Northfield Mount Hermon School student when...

Tashlich: Casting stones, sins on the river for Jewish High Holidays

By TALIA GODFREY

GREENFIELD — Stones flew from hands into the Green River’s cold water this Sunday as a small group gathered at the swimming and recreation area to perform Tashlich, a Jewish High Holiday tradition for casting away heaviness and sins.Tashlich, a Hebrew...

Video of bear awakening Greenfield man goes viral

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — People have been told not to “poke the bear.” But apparently, no one has said a bear shouldn’t poke a human.Matthew Bete got a text from his father, who lives around the corner, shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday to inform him of a bear...

Mole Hollow Candle building in Shelburne Falls to be converted into apartments

By MARY BYRNE

SHELBURNE FALLS — After years of vacancy, a new use for the former Mole Hollow Candle building — the old candle store overlooking the Glacial Potholes — is beginning to take shape.“It’s a very nice building of great historic significance to the town,”...

New Mexican restaurant in Gill puts longtime family recipes on menu

By MAX MARCUS

GILL — Cielito Lindo opened this week at the town line of Gill and Turners Falls, offering a menu of homemade Mexican staples and family recipes that have been passed down over generations.The restaurant is at the corner of Route 2 and the Turners...

Montague seeks history behind Turners Falls name

By MAX MARCUS

MONTAGUE — As the historical namesake of Turners Falls has again become a point of controversy, the Montague Historical Commission hopes to provide an education on what really happened and who was involved in the incident that the name memorializes.It...

Selectboard backs acquisition, renovation plans for Charlemont Inn

By ZACK DeLUCA

CHARLEMONT — The Selectboard voted this week in favor of pursuing acquisition of the Charlemont Inn through foreclosure, so it can sell the property to a local developer to be turned into low-income elderly housing.Byron Gilchrest, a Charlemont...