Latest News
State officials review development plans in Athol
ATHOL – Massachusetts Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Secretary Ed Augustus and Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi were in Athol Tuesday morning for a briefing on efforts to revitalize downtown Athol and nearby neighborhoods.
89 seconds to midnight: Western Mass group Back from the Brink reacts to resetting of ‘Doomsday Clock’
The “Doomsday Clock” is moving forward.
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Sports
UMass men’s basketball: Late second half run comes up short as Minutemen fall to URI, 88-82
The UMass men’s basketball team’s three-game win streak came to a close in Kingston on Wednesday.
Opinion
My Turn: Assault on social justice can spark ‘fire next time’
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
Orange Police Logs: Dec. 31, 2024 to Jan. 10, 2025
9:34 a.m. - Reporting party states a Ford Ranger passed him, cut him off and almost hit him. Officers responded and spoke with all involved parties. Reporting party sent on his way after calming him down. Conflicting stories from both parties. Operator of Ranger was advised of the complaint, he wanted it on record about reporting party’s aggressive behavior in case something happens.
Arts & Life
Sounds Local: She’s a little bit country: The Rendezvous hosts a special evening of honky-tonk music with Betsy-Dawn Williams
For three and a half years, multi-instrumentalist Michael Pattavina of Greenfield has hosted the Bluegrass and Beyond session at the Rendezvous in Turners Falls. These sessions occur on the last Friday of the month except during December and the warm weather months of May through August. This month’s session will be held on Friday, Jan. 31 at 9 p.m. and will be an evening of honky-tonk music with special guest Betsy-Dawn Williams.
Obituaries
PHILLIPSTON, MA - John W. Wheeler II, 72, of Schoolhouse Road, died unexpectedly at home on the evening of Thursday, January 23, 2025 after being stricken ill. Born in Orange on September 6, 1952, he was the son of John W. and Patri... remainder of obit for John W. Wheeler II
SOUTHBRIDGE, MA - Jennifer Marie Prue, 40, of Southbridge, formerly of Athol and Turners Falls, died Saturday, January 18th at Harrington Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Jennifer was born February 12th, 1984, the daught... remainder of obit for Jennifer M. Prue
Athol, MA - James Ronald Tedford, ("Jim" "Ron" "Ted") died January 20, 2025 at Alliance Health of Baldwinsville, following a short period of declining health. He was born April 7, 1936 in Medford, MA; the first child of James N. Ted... remainder of obit for James R. Tedford
[IMAGE]Lloyd A. Taylor ORANGE, MA - Lloyd A. Taylor, 99, passed peacefully at home in Tully on January 19, 2025, with his family and beloved kitty Caylee by his side. Born April 15, 1925, to William and Evangeline (Hatt) Taylor, he was ... remainder of obit for Lloyd A. Taylor