Latest News
Athol water, sewer rate increases approved
Sportsman’s Corner: Mahar Fish’N Game Supper a success
Trump will order a plan to shut down the US Education Department
Health care cost surge adds to Mass. affordability woes
Athol Police Logs, March 1 – March 17, 2025
North Quabbin Notes, March 18
PHOTO: Go, go, goats!
Egan in race to fill Royalston Selectboard vacancy
Housing authority seeks $900K for home rehabilitation program in Gill, New Salem
The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
The Massachusetts cannabis industry is a billion-dollar enterprise, with over 700 retailers operating across the state. Yet stores are closing, companies are firing their workers and retail and non-retail licenses are being surrendered by former operators as business owners clamor for regulatory changes to transform an industry they see as unsustainable.
McGovern town hall relays concern for federal institutions, calls to strengthen Democratic Party
GREENFIELD — The more than 700 people who attended a town hall event with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern on Tuesday relayed an expansive mandate for him to take back to Congress: defend federal institutions, create a stronger coalition of Democrats and be a voice of resistance to the Trump administration.
Most Read
Athol water, sewer rate increases approved
The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
West-East Rail funding uncertain under Trump administration
Robot does the recycling work: UMass grads show off their AI-powered robotic trash sorter
Smith College reaches Div. III National Championship Game for second straight year following 49-47 victory over Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Athol Police Logs, March 1 – March 17, 2025
Editors Picks
Athol, Royalston receive Rural Development grants
Peter Durant pledges decision on governor bid ‘relatively shortly’
Feds target UMass over charges of antisemitism on campus
McGovern calls on voters to resist federal cuts to food services
Sports
Smith College reaches Div. III National Championship Game for second straight year following 49-47 victory over Wisconsin-Oshkosh
It’ll be a rematch in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship game.
UMass women’s basketball: Minutewomen cruise past Stonehill, 86-40, in opening round of WNIT 
A winning culture: Former coach Perry Messer reflects on Pioneer’s unbeaten season
On the Ridge with Joe Judd: How to live with bears
HS Notebook: State tourney runs for Western Mass. teams measure up with past yearsOpinion
David Gilbert Keith: Turned into non-playable characters?
To my Republican friends — congratulations, you have owned us libs. Eventually though, you may come to notice that you are also owned.
Joe R. Parzych: Fewer terms, fresh ideas needed in Congress
Jessica Duplin: Grateful to live in Massachusetts with elected officials who care about people
Judith Davidov: How could this happen?
Bob Williford: Living in ‘Mean Times’
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
Fight like a girl: Professional boxer launches women-only, all-level classes in Greenfield
Local author, naturalist and former boxer Vanessa Chakour is leading a women’s boxing class at Franklin County’s YMCA.
‘My camera goes with me everywhere’: Regional artists featured in Deerfield Valley Art Association’s annual photography exhibit
Macbeth, up close and personal: Second annual Montague Shakespeare Festival puts a new spin on the ‘psychological dark power drama’
Two NYC comedians walk into a bar: Four Phantoms to host comedy bingo night, March 29
Savant in our sights: TEOLOS gallery in Greenfield to exhibit six decades of work by multi-faceted artist Peter RuhfObituaries
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
