Hunger skyrockets in region: Organizations grappling with dramatic increase in need

By ALEXA LEWIS

While many families are gearing up for their holiday feasts, a large number of Massachusetts residents are struggling to put food on the table. Amid unusually high prices and the conclusion of many pandemic-era supports, local food banks and survival...

Annual Holiday Memory Tree ceremony

PHILLIPSTON –The annual Holiday Memory Tree ceremony, hosted by the Phillipston Historical Society, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 1, starting at 4:30 p.m. on The Common and then moving into the Congregational Church for the reading of the names,...

Healey plan limits family shelter stays to six months

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey’s office intends over the next roughly 19 months to phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency shelter, seek a legislative change to boost rental assistance for needy families, create a reserve account for shelter...

Athol-Royalston teachers report harassment from students, lack of administration support

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Several teachers came before the Athol-Royalston Regional School District School Committee Wednesday night to report that the morale of teachers is at rock bottom.Teachers listed multiple reasons, including out-of-control students and the...

Sportsman’s Corner-Turning the page

By Mike RocheIt is time for this writer to turn the page on his hunting activities from upland hunting to deer hunting. It has indeed been a great ride this “bucket list” fall, beginning with a trip to northern Vermont for the upland opener on Sept....

AG’s office rejects Wendell’s battery energy storage bylaw

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — A battery energy storage bylaw that voters overwhelmingly approved in May has been rejected by the state Attorney General’s Office for failing to comply with procedural safeguards embedded into state zoning laws.Wendell residents voted 100...

Fill Al’s Truck drive returns for fifth year

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Area residents will have the chance over the next few Sundays to drop off donations of food, socks and money to be distributed to the local Salvation Army, Community Food Bank at Athol High School, and The Worcester Fellowship.This year marks...

Healey signs jobs bill with legislative additions

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Gov. Maura Healey spent months clamoring for lawmakers to finish work on a sweeping jobs package she filed in March, and she wound up needing only about 60% of the time allotted for her review before making it law.Healey on Wednesday signed her...

North Quabbin Notes, Nov. 20

Athol Library offers Educate StationATHOL – The Athol Public Library now offers access to Educate Station for its patrons. Developed by experienced and passionate educators from across the United States, Educate Station helps libraries support their...

Energy battles intensifying ahead of Trump swearing-in

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON – There is a clean energy bill sitting on Gov. Maura Healey’s desk and Beacon Hill’s calendar for this week includes an array of energy-related events and reports. But there are also mounting indications that the federal government could change...

LGBTQ organizations unite in wake of election

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — In the days following the presidential election, local LGBTQ organizations began hosting support sessions to help foster community amid rising fears that a second Trump administration will rollback the progress made on rights and legal...

Athol Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera announces retirement

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Following six years in Athol – during which he strongly advocated for overrides to increase the Fire Department’s staff – Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera is stepping down.At Tuesday’s meeting, the Selectboard briefly discussed the unexpected...

Athol Salvation Army member reflects on deployment

By MAX BOWEN

ATHOL — Though it’s been about a month since Cindy Kennedy returned from her deployment with the Salvation Army to assist with the response to Hurricane Helene, she said those impacted by the storm may need a year or two to get back on their...

PHOTO: Peeking through the trees

State’s top officials worried about health care access, funding

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — Attorney General Andrea Campbell, readying her office and Massachusetts for potential threats posed by Donald Trump’s win, told health regulators last Thursday she’s concerned about preserving access to reproductive and gender-affirming...

PHOTO: AHS students learn about Salem’s history

Massachusetts drought elevated to ‘critical’ phase

By MICHAEL P. NORTON

State officials characterized the drought in Massachusetts as being in a “critical” stage across most of the state Tuesday.The state environmental affairs secretariat said precipitation was “at an unprecedented low over the last three months,” and...

UMass students, personnel abroad advised to return before Trump takes office

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — In preparation for a change in presidential administrations at the federal level, international students, faculty and staff on University of Massachusetts immigration sponsorships, who may be traveling abroad during winter break, are being...

Former Norwell Town Administrator chosen as new Phillipston CAO

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Peter Morin is bringing his many years of experience in municipal government to the role of interim chief administrative officer.Morin was chosen Monday by Phillipston’s Selectboard to fill the office left vacant when former CAO Melanie...

Friends remember multi-talented political activist Joshua J. Dostis, aka Waffles T. Clown

By DOMENIC POLI

Joshua Jay Dostis, better known locally as the politically charged jester Waffles T. Clown, died on Nov. 9. He was 83.Friends in Franklin County are mourning the loss of the New York City transplant and longtime New Salem resident who spent his final...