North Quabbin Notes, Jan. 18

Petersham Congregational Church to hold to-go braised beef dinnerPETERSHAM – The Orthodox Congregational Church of Petersham will be holding a braised beef dinner as a to-go meal, with pick-up starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the church,...

Warming stations available this week

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – With temperatures no warmer than the mid-20s expected over the next few days, arrangements have been made for people who may need a place to stay warm.A total of eight warming centers have been set up at several locations throughout Athol....

McGovern files bill to aid victims of scams, disasters

By JAMES PENTLAND

WASHINGTON — Pushing for action at the federal level to assist homeowners afflicted by crumbling foundations, Rep. Jim McGovern has filed legislation dubbed the Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams and Disasters Act.Co-sponsored by Rep. Jamie...

Working around Mother Nature: Ski mountains cope with mild, wet start to winter

By EMILEE KLEIN

The final clumps of melting snow in the backyard are no indication of snow on the slopes.With the power of snowmaking, gone are the days when winter sports relied on Mother Nature to provide powder for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Ski resorts in...

A Page from North Quabbin History: Willie Strong’s paper

By Carla CharterMany of us who are involved in the newspaper industry came to it at different times and in different ways. None though may have begun their career at such an early age as Willie Strong—editor, publisher and printer of the Erving...

A warmer winter

Overhaul urged for Massachusetts disaster response

By SAM DORAN

As towns and cities see a rise in natural disasters that require greater emergency response than their local resources can support alone, two western Massachusetts lawmakers renewed their call Tuesday to divert a portion of excess capital gains tax...

North Quabbin Notes, Jan. 16

Chuck Stone League winter clinicsATHOL—All baseball and softball players age 9-16 are welcome, regardless of skill level. A $5 drop-in donation is recommended per player, per session. Clinic will begin on Jan. 20 and run every Saturday, 2:30-4:30 p.m....

Massachusetts sees record-setting temperatures, precipitation in 2023

By CHRIS LARABEE

A trend of warm years further cemented itself in 2023, as Massachusetts experienced, on average, its warmest year on record, according to new data from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.The average temperature around Massachusetts for the year...

Flight instructors, student pilot killed in plane crash on Greenfield-Leyden line

STAFF REPORT

GREENFIELD — Authorities have identified the three victims of Sunday’s fatal plane crash on the Greenfield-Leyden line.Fredrika Ballard, 53, of Southwick, William Hampton, 68, of Indian Orchard, and Chad Davidson, 29, of Woodstock, Connecticut, were...

State reckons with its history: Efforts to change school mascots, state seal make slow, steady progress

By STELLA TANNENBAUM

Slowly but surely — and not without opposition — age-old efforts to change images of Native Americans that many view as offensive have gained new momentum across Massachusetts, sparking conversations about history, representation and what it means to...

Lawmakers weigh standard to guard access to library books

By Sam Drysdale

BOSTON—Amid a historic surge in book challenges in schools and public libraries across the state, some lawmakers are hoping to codify protections to prevent books from being removed from public spaces.Sen. Julian Cyr of Truro and Rep. John Moran of...

HAY IS FOR HORSES

Athol board reviews preferences for hotel project

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Members of the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation looked at what they wanted – and didn’t want – in any hotel that might be built on corporation property near North Quabbin Commons.At its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 10, the EDIC...

Pandemic pet-adoption boom no more: Animal shelters crowded as pet owners struggle to keep their animals

By EMILEE KLEIN

Less than 48 hours after a city-based no-kill rabbit shelter slipped under its capacity last week, the organization formed during the pandemic welcomed four new additions looking for homes.“We never stay below capacity (55 rabbits) for more than a day...

Massachusetts SJC: Younger adults can’t be sentenced to life without parole

By STEVE LeBLANC

BOSTON — The highest court in Massachusetts ruled Thursday to raise from 18 to 21 the minimum age at which a person can be sentenced to mandatory life without parole — a narrow 4-3 ruling that juvenile justice advocates are hailing as progress.The...

Mass Senate pushes for free community college

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — “Keep your eyes peeled,” for free community college funding in the Senate’s version of the fiscal year 2025 budget, Senate President Karen Spilka said Wednesday.Making community college free for every Massachusetts resident could cost the...

Sportsman’s Corner: Ice safety

By Mike RocheIt appears that the recent spell of cold weather is resulting in local bodies of water beginning to ice over. This is long-awaited good news for local ice fishing enthusiasts, who are eager to begin ”hardwater” fishing.Once again, this...

Committee reviews hiring costs for Athol Fire Department personnel

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Members of the Fire Department Staffing Advisory Committee were asked to be ready next week with recommendations on how to solve the staffing shortage at the Fire Department. There seemed to be little disagreement that the department needs...

Most charges against Athol kidnapping suspect dismissed; four other defendants retain charges

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — One of the five North Quabbin residents facing charges of kidnapping and other crimes stemming from an alleged incident last February has had nine of her charges dismissed while other charges, and all those of her co-defendants, remain in...