Phillipston dealership among those allegedly robbed of dirt bikes by Rhode Island suspects

By MAX BOWEN

PHILLIPSTON – Four Rhode Island residents have been charged in U.S. District Court in Providence for the theft of dozens of vehicles, including 11 dirt bikes stolen from a dealership in Phillipston, according to U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.The...

Sportsman’s Corner: Youth hunts in Massachusetts

By Mike RocheTomorrow, Sept. 28, young hunters with a Youth Deer Permit will be able to hunt deer for one day in an exclusive deer hunt. Hunters aged 12 to 17 who possess the required free permit must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Youth hunters...

Voter law campaigns finding path to ballot unobstructed

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Massachusetts voters will be asked this fall to decide the largest field of potential new laws in years, but despite the volume, most of the action so far is concentrated on just a couple of the ballot questions.Less than two months away from the...

Fall coincides with increase in yellowjacket interactions, experts advise

By DOMENIC POLI

The southern yellowjacket wasp might not be as widespread in the state as some have reported, a local entomologist advises, but the eastern yellowjacket is native to the area and here to stay.Despite a few reports from media outlets in recent weeks,...

Rent Control Board approves Leisure Woods rent increase

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Residents of the Leisure Woods Estates mobile home park seem satisfied with the increased monthly lot fees approved by the Rent Control Board on Tuesday, saying the forthcoming new figures are fair to them and the park’s owners.The $398...

‘Women of Vision’ group spreads message of peace in local programs

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — The four women leading an evening of collective prayer, song, dance and storytelling began by placing pinches of cool soil from two wooden bowls into the cupped palms of audience members.In one bowl, the members of the...

MCAS debate colors school accountability system review

By SAM DRYSDALE

As scores on statewide standardized tests rolled in Tuesday, revealing that students are still struggling from pandemic-related learning losses, education officials contemplated an overhaul of the state’s accountability system – against the backdrop...

ABNC installs nest boxes for kestrels in Orange, Winchendon

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Volunteers with the Athol Bird & Nature Club (ABNC) recently constructed new homes – for the birds.The two nest boxes were installed – one in Orange and one in Winchendon – specifically for the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Also known...

Question 1: Voters to weigh in on whether to give auditor ‘wide-ranging’ authority to review House and Senate business

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A longtime pledge by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the state Legislature, contending this will provide more transparency and accountability to legislative proceedings, is coming before voters at the November election, after she was unable to...

Annual Turners Falls effort protects sea lampreys while providing education

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — Toting buckets and nets, roughly 30 volunteers made the trek down into the muddy pit that is the drained power canal to rescue sea lampreys on Monday. This yearly rescue, conducted when the power canal is drained for yearly...

Winning Mass Cash ticket sold at Country Convenience in Athol

ATHOL — A Mass Cash ticket worth $100,000 has been sold at the Country Convenience Store at 216 S. Main St. in Athol, the Mass Lottery has reported.According to Mass Lottery, the winner of that prize has yet to claim it. The ticket was sold on Sept....

Judge awards $3.3M to Worthington snowmobiler who crashed into Black Hawk helicopter parked on trail

By MICHAEL CASEY

BOSTON — The federal government was mostly responsible for a 2019 nighttime collision involving a snowmobiler who nearly died after hitting a Black Hawk helicopter that was parked on a trail in Worthington, a judge ruled in awarding him $3.3 million...

Phillipston Board requests Athol give until next June for Bates Powers Dam decision

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Selectboard member Nicole Gough went before the Athol Selectboard on Sept. 17 to seek more time for Phillipston officials to determine if they wish to take ownership of the Bates Powers Dam.The dam, constructed in 1846 and last...

North Quabbin Notes: Local poet up for Beals Prize for Poetry

Local poet selected as a finalist in Beals Prize ForPoetryWINCHENDON – The Beals Memorial Library has announced that local area poet Katharine Shiebler, has once again been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Beals Prize for Poetry. Now in its fifth...

Photo: Garlic Galore

‘Literacy launch’ aims to grows ranks of early readers

By SAM DRYSDALE

Kids in Massachusetts, and nationwide, are behind on reading.In her State of the Commonwealth address at the beginning of this year, Gov. Maura Healey proposed a $30 million investment over five years to boost early literacy efforts.“Every child in...

A Page from North Quabbin History: A circus family

By CARLA CHARTER

Rose (Nelson) Gosselin, who retired with her husband Cleophas Gosselin in Ervingside, spent her career in the family business – the circus.Gosselin, a native of England, was born on Jan. 12, 1864, the daughter of Samuel Nelson, one of four brothers...

Athol, Orange first responders to join Battle of the Badges

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

ORANGE — Athol Police and Fire will take to the field against first responders from Orange for the third year in a row in an effort to connect with the community, while also raising money for a local family battling breast cancer.Orange Police Officer...

PHOTO: A brand new coat

Accessory dwellings loom as next housing front

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — State housing officials kicked off outreach efforts on accessory dwelling units to municipal leaders Wednesday, as they prepare for zoning changes embedded in the Affordable Homes Act to take effect in February.Staff from the Executive Office...