Public, officials critique MassDEP’s draft water quality certification for FirstLight

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

State and local officials joined members of the public in expressing concern for river quality and habitat for wildlife, among other considerations, during a hearing Wednesday on a draft decision approving a water quality certification for FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.

North Quabbin Notes, Feb. 21

ATHOL – The Athol Golden Age Club will hold its first meeting of 2025 on Feb. 24 at the Athol Senior Center at 1 p.m. This is a critical meeting for all members to attend, as the two remaining E-Board members need to discuss what the future of the club is going to be. This will be a brainstorming meeting among all present and each and every opinion matters.

Paula Betters to retire after 10 years as Erving Senior Center director

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — Paula Betters, director of the Erving Senior & Community Center, is taking the next 142 days before her retirement on July 18 to put the cherry on top of her decade of work.

UMass: $10M in NIH funding at stake for flagship; court hearing set for Friday

By SAMUEL GELINAS

AMHERST — Researchers at the University of Massachusetts flagship campus are anxiously awaiting a courtroom showdown in Boston on Friday that may determine whether the Trump administration can follow through on its plan to slice National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.

20 dispensaries statewide found to have products with mold, including in Pioneer Valley

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), the state’s regulatory body for marijuana products, said it will continue to raise its standards for testing after cannabis contaminated with mold and mildew was reported in more than 20 dispensaries, including those in Greenfield, Montague, Winchendon and Easthampton.

Proposal for vocational school lotteries get cool reception

By CHRIS LISINSKI

The Healey administration moved to overhaul the way vocational and technical schools admit students after years of criticism that the system excludes applicants from certain backgrounds, but some advocates who sought the changes are concerned the proposal will lead to “the same discriminatory selection pattern.”

Police chief: Suspect in Orange town fraud ID’d

By CHRIS LARABEE

ORANGE — Police Chief James Sullivan announced Wednesday that an indictment has been issued in the fraud case that drained an estimated $338,000 from the town’s coffers, but he urged more patience as the investigation continues.

The egg scramble: Bird flu pushes prices sky high, wreaking havoc on businesses, farms and customers

By EMILEE KLEIN and MADISON SCHOFIELD

Brunch restaurant Jake’s in Northampton is scrambling for eggs.

Sportsman’s Corner: SEWE a great time

By Mike Roche

500 attend McGovern coffee hour to share outrage with Trump administration and Democratic Party alike

By SAMUEL GELINAS

NORTHAMPTON — It wasn’t the coffee that had the people inside the First Churches of Northampton energetic and on edge Saturday morning. Some 500 people crowded into the church shoulder to shoulder, mutually distressed about national politics, and voiced those concerns in a coffee hour town hall with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern that lasted close to two hours.

Multifaceted storms a challenge for cleanup in Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – As of Wednesday, Athol’s public works crews were still at it, cleaning up from the multifaceted storm that struck the region last weekend.

Sheriff’s Office brings Random Acts of Kindness to Athol

ATHOL – For the fourth consecutive year, Sheriff Lew Evangelidis and Worcester County Sheriff’s Office staff celebrated the nationally recognized Random Acts of Kindness Week.

MassWildlife to consider request to stop stocking rainbow trout in upper Deerfield River

By CHRIS LARABEE

A decision on the longstanding practice of stocking trout in the upper Deerfield River will come before the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife next week, following a request from Franklin County-based anglers.

Republicans consider cuts and work requirements for Medicaid, jeopardizing care for millions

By AMANDA SEITZ and KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON — Republicans are weighing billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, threatening health care coverage for some of the 80 million U.S. adults and children enrolled in the safety net program.

David Small to take on new role with Mount Grace

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Dave Small, best known as president of the Athol Bird & Nature Club, has been chosen as the new director of conservation for the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.

Gas delivery rates eyed for short-term ratepayer relief

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON – With Bay Staters facing skyrocketing energy bills, Gov. Maura Healey demanded Sunday that a state regulatory agency and utility companies provide urgent relief to customers.

No Assault & Batteries launches fundraiser to pay for Wendell battery storage bylaw appeal

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — The citizens group that formed in 2023 in opposition to a now-withdrawn proposal for a 105-megawatt battery storage facility has started a crowdfunding campaign to defray legal costs for the town, which is appealing the state attorney general’s rejection of a battery energy storage bylaw.

Athol Library to host book blogger Leelynn Brady for discussion on diversity in books

By HANNAH MORIN

Do you struggle to find books that truly reflect different cultures, identities, and experiences?

AG Campbell says Trump order ‘is an attempt to bully employers’

By MICHAEL P. NORTON

Private sector efforts to seek and support diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplaces are not illegal, a coalition of state attorneys general said Thursday, and the federal government can’t prohibit such efforts in the private sector through executive order.

State officials report surge in SNAP benefit thefts in January

By CHRIS LARABEE

With a rise in reported cases of theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is urging people to take extra precautions to protect themselves.