Latest News
Retiring VA doc lets DOGE ire fly: List details deleting pronouns, making Musk dartboard
EPA to roll back dozens of regulations
Sportsman’s Corner: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
No state plans to offset $12 million federal food aid cut
Firearm age limits in new state law see pushback locally
Front Street Bridge in Winchendon closed indefinitely
State reaches out to fired federal workers with new website
Athol’s River Rat parade to be lead by ‘sister city’ ensemble
ATHOL – An ensemble of musicians from across “the pond” will be leading the annual River Rat promenade down Main Street this year.
New Franklin Tech building or repairs being explored
TURNERS FALLS — A feasibility study is underway through the Massachusetts School Building Authority to explore the possibility of building a new Franklin County Technical School or renovating its existing building.
Most Read
Immigrants in New Hampshire face uncertainty as temporary protections expire soon
Athol’s River Rat parade to be lead by ‘sister city’ ensemble
Local house market uncertain in North Quabbin, say realtors
‘Voting our wallets’: Loudon residents vote overwhelmingly against $1.7M bond for new fire truck
Housing authority seeks $900K for home rehabilitation program in Gill, New Salem
West-East Rail funding uncertain under Trump administration
Editors Picks
Athol Town Manager requests $400K for repairs to fire station roof and grant match
Legislators, activists advocate for menstrual equity bill inspired by Frontier students
Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Amherst for 45 years ID’d for closure
FRCOG to inventory 280 ‘blighted’ properties in Orange
Sports
FINAL FOUR BOUND! Smith College takes down Gustavus Adolphus for third straight NCAA Div. 3 Final Four berth
A 22-point game from Ally Landau helped the Smith College basketball team advance past Gustavus Adolphus, 61-50, in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division 3 women’s tournament on Saturday.
Breaking down undefeated Pioneer’s downright dominant run to a state title
Community support aids Pioneer boys basketball team in dominant state title win over Hopedale
PERFECTION! No. 1 Pioneer cruises past Hopedale 49-28 to capture MIAA Division 5 state title
Div. 5 boys basketball: Pioneer enjoying final run together as state final Saturday approachesOpinion
Columnist Daniel Cantor Yalowitz: Finding wisdom in middle school
Becoming a responsible adult is a decades-long, uneven, challenging process. It takes human beings longer than any other living being to emerge into a state of independence and autonomy. Most people spend at least 10 to 20 years in school, learning the skills, knowledge and values that will serve us and our families and communities in good stead, hopefully for the betterment of our world.
My Turn: This is how we fight — Turn the House blue
Chester Kuzontkoski: Regarding DOGE
Lew La Chance: Dont’ forget hydrants and the water supply
Susan Triolo: McGovern town hall set for March 18
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: Feb. 6 – Feb. 27, 2025
12:13 p.m. - Spoke with a female party who was shoveling snow into the roadway. She was advised to stop. She stated she “wasn’t worried about it” and “didn’t care.”
Athol Police Logs Jan. 16 to Feb. 2, 2025
Orange Police Logs: Dec. 31, 2024 to Jan. 10, 2025
Orange Police Logs, Nov. 14 - 18, 2024
Orange Police Logs, November 1 - 8, 2024
e-Edition
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.
Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: Gardening symposiums herald spring’s arrival
Historical fiction set in Quabbin region: Novelist J.A. McIntosh will read from ‘Swift River Secrets’ Sunday in Erving 
Keep backyard birds safe: Steps you can take to protect our feathered friends
Sounds Local: Saint Patrick’s Day festivities abound: Where to hear Celtic music this weekend in Franklin CountyObituaries
James Philip Clucus
Stamford, CT - James Philip Clucus, known to most as Jim and to his family and friends as "G," passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025, at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT. Born on January 2, 1951, in Athol, MA, Jim was the cherished s... remainder of obit for James Philip Clucus
Clairette Sumers
Athol, MA - Clairette Summers, born October 9, 1941, was a woman of ceaseless compassion and unparalleled resilience. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, and later making her home in Athol, Massachusetts, she cast a luminous light on every life ... remainder of obit for Clairette Sumers
Charles W. LeBell
ORANGE, MA - Charles W. LeBell, 83, of Horton Road, died peacefully at home on Sunday, March 2, 2025 following an illness, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Gardner on July 26, 1941, he was the son of the late William C. and Beatric... remainder of obit for Charles W. LeBell
Ruth A. Robinson
Ruth A. (Butterfield) Robinson PETERSHAM, MA - Ruth A. (Butterfield) Robinson passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday March 3, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born on May 17, 1927, in Northbridge, MA to Vance L. and Doris ... remainder of obit for Ruth A. Robinson
