One person hospitalized following house fire in Athol

By MAX BOWEN

ATHOL – An occupant of a home at 253 Batchelder Road was life-flighted from the scene of a second alarm fire last Friday, according to Fire Chief Jeffrey Parker.

PHOTOS: Cold winter’s day turns to night

Cereal factory cleanup planned, new staff arriving in 2025 in North Quabbin

By DOMENIC POLI

Editor’s note: To mark the start of a new year, the Athol Daily News is publishing stories about what Franklin County residents can likely expect to see happening in their communities in 2025.

Immigration spurs bump in Mass. population

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Fueled by the highest immigration levels in decades, Massachusetts saw its largest population increase in 60 years between 2023 and 2024, and the rate of domestic outmigration has significantly slowed, according to U.S Census data released last month.

New Salem officials talk improving safety on Route 202

By DOMENIC POLI

NEW SALEM — Town officials are working to determine ways to improve safety along Route 202, the site of numerous crashes over the years.

Habitat for Humanity honors Carter’s legacy

By GREG VINE

LEOMINSTER – On Thursday, Jan. 9, while speakers at the National Cathedral in Washington DC eulogized Jimmy Carter, Habitat for Humanity chapters around the nation erected “memorial doors” to recognize his many years of volunteer work on behalf of the organization.

Erving Police seek suspect in alleged jewelry theft

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — The Erving Police Department is looking for 34-year-old Christopher T. Tatro after he allegedly took jewelry from a woman known to him at Weatherhead Apartments and fled from police.

Athol ‘scarf bombing’ returns this Sunday

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Now in its 10th year, the annual ‘scarf bombing,’ which helps those in need through the winter months, will return this weekend.

Sportsman’s Corner: Time to change gears

By Mike Roche

Celebrating Jimmy Carter: America’s 39th president lauded for his humility, service at DC funeral

By BILL BARROW and CHRIS MEGERIAN

WASHINGTON — Jimmy Carter was celebrated Thursday for his personal humility and public service before, during and after his presidency during a funeral at Washington National Cathedral featuring the kind of pageantry the 39th U.S. president typically eschewed.

North Quabbin Notes, Jan. 9

ATHOL – The 2025 dog licenses for the Town of Athol are available in the Town Clerk’s Office. Dog licenses must be renewed by Feb. 28, or a $15 late fee will be charged. The cost of dog licenses are – male/female, $15; neutered/spayed, $8.

Nomination papers available for Athol Town Election

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town Clerk Nancy Burnham has announced that nomination papers are now available for anyone interested in running for office in the Annual Town Election on April 7.

In $20M deal with W.D. Cowls, New Hampshire timber company buys, will preserve 2,400 acres in 7 communities

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A New Hampshire timber company has closed on a massive land buy of nearly 2,400 acres in seven communities in Hampshire and Franklin counties, acquiring five parcels for more than $20 million from Amherst-based W.D. Cowls Inc.

Parking meter surveys to be sent to business owners

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – At its meeting Tuesday night, the Selectboard approved a survey for downtown merchants, asking their opinions about the efficacy of the parking meters along Main and Exchange streets.

Records request will test top Dems on legislative audit

By ALISON KUZNITZ and SAM DORAN

BOSTON — The three-day countdown for Beacon Hill lawmakers to comply with Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s probe of the Legislature started Monday afternoon, DiZoglio said, with her office now requesting specific records from the House and Senate.Meantime,...

Auditor says Center for Health Information and Analysis failed to monitor hospital finances

By MAX BOWEN

An audit of the Center for Health Information and Analysis [CHIA] has shown that the state agency did not adequately monitor the financial conditions of acute care hospitals and health systems, according to the office of State Auditor Diana...

Work to be done on Five Points, Bigelow/Riverbend schools this year in Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski is optimistic of the year ahead for Athol, with several projects that will positively impact the community getting underway in the months ahead.“What we’re going to see short-term – January or February – is the...

Notice for Thursday’s Athol Daily News

The Thursday edition of the Athol Daily News will be delivered on Friday due to the national day of observance and suspension of regular mail delivery.Access to atholdailynews.com is included with your subscription and customer service will be...

MWCC grads join nursing profession in pinning ceremony

GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College held a traditional pinning ceremony for the graduates of its practical nursing program on Dec. 13 at the Theater at the Mount.“You have chosen a caring profession, you have chosen a vocation to help others...

Lawmakers spell out priorities as next legislative session gets underway

By SCOTT MERZBACH,EMILEE KLEIN andALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Lowering higher education costs, supporting K-12 public education, confronting climate change, creating more housing and protecting and expanding health care and reproductive care are among the priorities this year for the legislative delegation...