Latest News




Red Apple Farm featured at TD Garden
PHILLIPSTON – The Boston Bruins may have beaten the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Tuesday, but the Black & Gold weren’t the only winners that night.

Nate Johnson of Orange receives Humanitarian Award at Lions conference
The Massachusetts Lions District 33A recently awarded Nate Johnson of North Orange the 2025 Humanitarian Award. Johnson was nominated by the Athol Lions Club and presented with this prestigious award at the District 33A Mid-Winter Conference in Southbridge by Committee Chair Joni Laplante in the presence of representatives from all 46 Lions Clubs.
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Sports

MIAA tourneys by the numbers: Pioneer seeking Franklin County's 6th state basketball title all time
State championship weekend (a three-day affair!) is upon us.
Opinion

My Turn: Blunt effects of Trump’s efforts on the ground





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.”




Arts & Life

Sounds Local: Saint Patrick’s Day festivities abound: Where to hear Celtic music this weekend in Franklin County
Saint Patrick’s Day is only days away, and for the band Ragged Blue, that means a busy weekend ahead. They’ll be playing Celtic music at a variety of shows this weekend.


Obituaries

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

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. (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

ORANGE, MA - Christopher T Colo, 64, of Dexter St, Orange passed away on March 1st peacefully at his home after a period of declining health due to Alzheimer's dementia. He was born in Athol on January 7, 1961, and was the son of Marie... remainder of obit for Christopher T. Colo