Mount Wachusett students named to 2026 Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team

GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College students Sabrina Jean-Jacques of Fitchburg and Joslynn Vautour of Winchendon have been named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-State Academic Team in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service.

Jean-Jacques and Vautour were honored during a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House on May 7 alongside students from colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.

The PTK All-State Academic Team program recognizes high-achieving students who demonstrate excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges and serves to recognize and encourage scholarship, leadership, and service among community college students.

“We are incredibly proud of Sabrina and Joslynn for this well-deserved recognition,” said Fagan Forhan, Dean, K-12 Partnerships & Civic Engagement and PTK Advisor. “Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to academic excellence exemplify the very best of our MWCC students.”

North Quabbin Garden Club meeting

ATHOL – On Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, the club holds its annual plant sale outside the Millers River Environmental Center. Many of the plants come from members’ gardens. There will be a variety including native plants. Replenish gardens with locally-grown plants.

2026 Athol Street Lists

ATHOL – The Athol Town Clerk’s Office is now taking orders for the 2026 Street List. The cost is $15 per book and must be prepaid in advance. The deadline to place an order is June 4. Order forms are available at the town clerk’s office and www.athol-ma.gov. Office hours for the Athol Town Clerk are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Town Hall is closed on Friday. For further information, please call the Town Clerk at 978-721-8445.

Cornerstone Bank donates $8,000 to support Athol Police K9 program

ATHOL– Athol Savings Bank, a division of Cornerstone Bank, has donated $8,000 to Edward H Phillips Posthome Inc. in support of the Athol Police Department K9 program, helping to fund the next generation of the department’s K9 unit. 

“Community safety depends on having the right resources in place, and the K9 unit plays a vital role in supporting the Athol Police Department’s work,” said Daniel Zona, president of Cornerstone Bank and former president and CEO of Athol Savings Bank. “We are proud to support this program and help ensure the department can continue to serve and protect Athol with the highest level of effectiveness.”

The Athol Police Department has long relied on its K9 team to enhance public safety across the local and surrounding communities. Police dogs bring specialized skills that support search and rescue, drug detection, suspect apprehension and community outreach. 

The department’s current K9, Gronk, has served the town for nine years and recently retired. His departure creates a critical need to procure, train and equip a new police dog to continue this work. 

This donation will directly support those efforts. The Athol American Legion Post 102 is leading fundraising efforts and will manage the distribution of funds to the Athol Police Department as needed.

MacKensey Patterson named to SNHU dean’s list

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – MacKensey Patterson of Athol has been named to Southern New Hampshire University‘s spring 2026 dean’s list. The spring terms run from January to May.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

SNHU spring 2026 President’s List

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Southern New Hampshire University congratulates the following students on being named to the spring 2026 President’s List. The spring terms run from January to May.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

  • Jessica Iannaccone of Athol
  • Catharine Livingstone of Athol
  • Kerry dodge of Athol
  • Jurrell Pabrezis of Phillipston