Latest News
Health care cost surge adds to Mass. affordability woes
Athol Police Logs, March 1 – March 17, 2025
Peter Durant pledges decision on governor bid ‘relatively shortly’
North Quabbin Notes, March 18
PHOTO: Go, go, goats!
Housing authority seeks $900K for home rehabilitation program in Gill, New Salem
West-East Rail funding uncertain under Trump administration
McGovern calls on voters to resist federal cuts to food services
GREENFIELD — In his address to food cooperative members at the 14th annual Neighboring Food Co-op Association meeting, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern rallied his constituents to fight back against federal cuts to food and agriculture programs under the Trump administration.
Feds target UMass over charges of antisemitism on campus
AMHERST — Alleging there has been antisemitic discrimination and harassment at 60 colleges and universities across the country, including at the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is warning of potential enforcement actions, according to a letter sent on Monday.
Most Read
Athol, Royalston receive Rural Development grants
Athol’s River Rat parade to be lead by ‘sister city’ ensemble
North Quabbin Notes, March 18
Pioneer Valley upgraded to critical drought status, months of sustained precipitation needed
Egan in race to fill Royalston Selectboard vacancy
Feds target UMass over charges of antisemitism on campus
Editors Picks
Athol Town Manager requests $400K for repairs to fire station roof and grant match
Legislators, activists advocate for menstrual equity bill inspired by Frontier students
Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Amherst for 45 years ID’d for closure
FRCOG to inventory 280 ‘blighted’ properties in Orange
Sports
On the Ridge with Joe Judd: How to live with bears
Yes, it’s the same old story told. But it’s a story worth telling again, and should be heard amongst the masses from here to Cape Cod, as the black bears begin to leave their dens, and start surfacing again! During this time of year, one of the main topics of discussion, which always seems to find me here, On the Ridge, is black bear sightings, which are beginning again as I write this. And what do we expect? With black bear populations at an all-time high, it’s natural to anticipate these springtime sightings, as their search for food pulls them away from their dens and once again out and amongst us!
HS Notebook: State tourney runs for Western Mass. teams measure up with past years
UMass Hockey: Standout forward Cole O’Hara in the mix for Hobey Baker Award
UMass Minutewomen earn WNIT berth
Bulletin Board: Greenfield 5-6 Suburban League squad takes home league championshipOpinion
My Turn: Racist history of US must be taught, but in all its complexity
My Turn: The threat to constitutional rule
Dr. Joseph Viadero: Franklin County Y launches 2025 annual campaign
Julia Duncan: Delighted with USAID purge
Tom Peabody: Trump delivering for you
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Police Logs
Athol Police Logs: Feb. 6 – Feb. 27, 2025
12:13 p.m. - Spoke with a female party who was shoveling snow into the roadway. She was advised to stop. She stated she “wasn’t worried about it” and “didn’t care.”
Athol Police Logs Jan. 16 to Feb. 2, 2025
Orange Police Logs: Dec. 31, 2024 to Jan. 10, 2025
Orange Police Logs, Nov. 14 - 18, 2024
Orange Police Logs, November 1 - 8, 2024
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Sounds Local: Orange gets a ‘petit’ new music series: Plus more live music to catch this weekend
You know that spring is here when music series start popping up and I’m excited to announce the new Petit Concert Series launching this weekend in downtown Orange. This series of free concerts will take place on three Sunday afternoons: March 23, April 6, and April 13, at the Stage on Main, located at 17 South Main St. The music will fill the air from 2 to 4 p.m.
Speaking of Nature: The bluebird of happiness: Finding solace in the birds at my feeders
‘It might as well be spring’: The fifth season is marked by mud and maple syrup
A piece of history comes home: Silver pitcher returns to Franklin County Fairgrounds after 150 years
Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: Gardening symposiums herald spring’s arrivalObituaries
John J. Jasins Jr.
Athol, MA - John J. Jasins Jr. of Athol Massachusetts passed away in early March 2025. Born February 19, 1937, John excelled as an athlete, with a focus on baseball. He went on to play baseball at Notre Dame and then at Boston Universit... remainder of obit for John J. Jasins Jr.
Patricia Ann Whelpley
Athol, MA - Patricia Ann Whelpley, affectionately known as Nan, was a beacon of warmth and care who gracefully touched the lives of many. Born on January 24, 1947, in Athol, MA, Patricia embodied compassion, generosity, and thoughtfulne... remainder of obit for Patricia Ann Whelpley
Arthur J. Loveley III
New York, NY - Arthur Joseph Loveley, 96, of New York City died March 14th, 2025. Arthur "17" Loveley, son of Arthur Jr. and Helen, passed away in Mary Manning Home after a long, interesting life. A native son of Orange, MA, Arthur was... remainder of obit for Arthur J. Loveley III
James Philip Clucus
Stamford, CT - James Philip Clucus, known to most as Jim and to his family and friends as "G," passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025, at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT. Born on January 2, 1951, in Athol, MA, Jim was the cherished s... remainder of obit for James Philip Clucus
