Latest News





Athol, Royalston review cost increases for wastewater agreement
Royalston’s Selectboard Tuesday night decided town officials should meet with Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski to discuss the terms of the intermunicipal agreement under which Athol public works employees oversee operation of Royalston’s wastewater treatment plant.

Local officials advocate for more state highway money
For a town like Hatfield, annual road maintenance has become increasingly challenging over the past 12 years, as state Chapter 90 money declines even as the price of hot mix asphalt rises substantially.
Sports

HS Roundup: Greenfield softball scores 11 runs in second inning to defeat Frontier, 16-4
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield softball team hasn’t lost often in recent years, never mind twice in a row.

Opinion

My Turn: Let wildlife roam — An important new wildlife bill can help reconnect critical habitat
Humans are great at building things, but it’s also beginning to dawn on us that these impressive and sometimes magnificent structures also impact the other creatures that we share this earth with.




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.
Police Logs

Athol Police Logs, March 1 – March 17, 2025
12:40 a.m. - Party over 911 stating he believes his wife has an infection in her mouth and is in a lot of pain. When reporting party was advised dispatch would be sending an ambulance, he declined.




Arts & Life

Sounds Local: Cover bands abound at the Shea: Big Yellow Taxi will perform much of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Ladies of the Canyon’ this Saturday
When it comes to tribute bands, music fans have rather mixed feelings. But love ‘em or hate ‘em, they play a prominent role on the music scene and a number of these bands have shows coming up in the area in the near future.
Obituaries

ERVING, MA - Barbara A. Bacigalupo-Sawicki, 57, of North Street, died early Thursday morning, April 10, 2025 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Born in Montague on May 13, 1967, she was the daughter of Daniel E. and Minnie E... remainder of obit for Barbara A. Bacigalupo-Sawicki

Templeton, MA - Irene Annie (Pietrowsky) Cullen, went home to be with the Lord on March 29, 2025, at Alliance Health at Baldwinville, in Templeton, MA. Irene was born on May 14, 1932, in Athol, MA to Walter and Mary (Szymcik) Pietrowsky... remainder of obit for Irene A. Cullen

TURNERS FALLS, MA - Cicely M. Sawin, 48, of J Street, died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield following an illness. Born in Greenfield on February 13, 1977, she was the daughter of Larry and Sharon (... remainder of obit for Cicely M. Sawin

Gloria N. (Dresser) Desreuisseau GARDNER, MA - Gloria N. (Dresser) Desreuisseau, 91, of Pine Street and formerly of Orange passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Gardener Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Orange on... remainder of obit for Gloria N. Desreuisseau