News
Over $400M in shelter funding, new limits approved
By CHRIS LISINSKI, COLIN A. YOUNG, MICHAEL P. NORTON
BOSTON – The House voted 117-36 and the Senate 29-9 to approve a supplemental budget steering $251 million more into the family shelter system and calling for new limits on how long families may stay in shelters.The agreement announced Wednesday...
Royalston’s FinCom debates proposed salary increases
By GREG VINE
ROYALSTON – The Finance Committee Thursday night reviewed the FY25 budget proposed by the town’s Selectboard and offered a couple of changes.The committee held off on making a recommendation on a proposed $75,411 Proposition 2 ½ override to fund the...
PHOTO: Spectacular spire
Locking up carbon for good: Easthampton inventor’s CO2 removal system turns biomass into biochar
By JAMES PENTLAND
HOLYOKE — Like many people, Michael Garjian believes global warming is a pressing issue of our times.Unlike most, he’s putting his ideas for reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into practice — and at the same time bidding for a share of the $100...
Students plant red maple outside Athol Community Elementary School
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Arbor Day was celebrated a day early Thursday morning as fourth-graders from Athol Community Elementary School joined town officials and public works employees for the planting of a tree at the school.A red maple sapling now graces a strip of...
Mass Dems propose nine-month shelter stay limit
By SAM DORAN
Senate and House negotiators on Wednesday proposed a new nine-month limit on how long families can stay in the state’s emergency shelters, while authorizing withdrawals up to $426 million from a state savings account to spend on the ongoing crisis.Top...
Federal probe targets UMass response to anti-Arab incidents
By JAMES PENTLAND
AMHERST — Federal civil rights officials are investigating the University of Massachusetts for allegedly dragging its feet over complaints of anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian harassment on campus amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.An official...
Sportsman’s Corner: Missouri gobbler
By Mike RocheLast week was my first ever turkey hunt in Missouri. After over a decade of flying out to Kansas and hunting turkeys in that state, things changed. In response to significant declines in turkey numbers in the Sunflower State, the Kansas...
Erving rejects trade school’s incomplete proposal for mill reuse
By DOMENIC POLI
ERVING — While the Selectboard was forced to reject the lone procurement submission for the former International Paper Mill because it was incomplete, members hope the applicant’s idea could be a window to future opportunities.Hancock Academy is...
North Quabbin Notes, April 25
Boston Lighthouse presentation with former Light Keeper Sally SnowmanATHOL – Join the Athol Public Library at 568 Main St., Athol, on Thursday, May 9, from 6–7 p.m., when retired Light Keeper Sally Snowman for her one-hour historic slideshow lecture...
North Quabbin Notes, April 24
Volunteer drivers needed to helpothers get to and from medicalappointmentsLifePath has a program to help older people get to medical appointments, and matches local volunteers with individuals in need of transportation or medical advocacy. There is a...
Plan calls for upgrades to Silver Lake in Athol
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Residents and town officials joined members of the Open Space & Recreation Commission for a walking tour of Silver Lake Park Tuesday night.The purpose of the meeting, which convened at the park’s pavilion, was to discuss a master plan for the...
Parents question handling of threat at Erving Elementary School
By MAX BOWEN
ERVING — Following a report of a threat that involved an Erving Elementary School student, parents questioned the School Committee on Tuesday about what can be done in light of concerns over the administration’s response.According to a joint statement...
Magic comes to Red Apple in Phillipston
By MAX BOWEN
PHILLIPSTON — Red Apple Farm will become home to faeries, knights, trolls and lots of magic on the first weekend in May.The Enchanted Orchard Renaissance Faire will take place on May 4-5. Richard and Rajuli Fahey of Winchendon have been to the farm a...
A Page from North Quabbin History: Women of Royalston display
By Carla CharterThe Royalston Historical Society will hold its grand reopening on May 19 with a “Women’s Lives of Royalston” exhibit, which will share the stories of Royalston women’s lives throughout history from their own perspectives, according to...
Athol Royalston School Committee approves budget on second attempt
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – It took two votes, but the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee approved an $32.1 million FY25 general budget for the district at its meeting on Monday, April 22.The final vote came after more than two hours of public comment and...
Spilka pledges ‘comprehensive climate bill’ in Senate
By SAM DRYSDALE
BOSTON — Signaling the potential for more change in the transportation and energy sectors, Senate President Karen Spilka revealed Monday that the Senate plans to tackle a major climate bill before formal sessions come to a close in just over three...
Alumnae gather in Athol to honor Spelman College founders
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Saturday’s morning rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of those who attended the third annual Spelman College Founders Day at Silver Lake Cemetery to honor Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles.According to the college’s web site, the...
White’s Mill development proceeds following roof cave-in
By MAX BOWEN
WINCHENDON—A planned re-development of the former White’s Mill complex in Winchendon Springs is proceeding, following a partial collapse of the roof from a snowstorm on April 4.Since then, Amelia Giovanoni, acting director of the Mill Farm Initiative...
Senate adds bills to reform electric industry
By SAM DRYSDALE
Senate Democrats plan this week to make a big push for reforms to the state’s motor vehicle “Lemon Law,” insurance coverage for home heating oil leaks and the controversial competitive electric supply industry.The Senate on Monday formally added a...
