COVID 5 years later: Is Massachusetts prepared for another pandemic?
Ceremony planed for Child Abuse Awareness Month in Athol
From the publisher
FRCOG hosts discussion on advocacy efforts to support children, caregivers
Five UMass Amherst students have visas, student status revoked
A flash point over gun control: Can Massachusetts’ strict firearms law survive the 2026 ballot?
Atholl Highlanders look forward to fourth Athol visit
ATHOL – Regimental Sgt. Major Graham Jack said Tuesday that he and 61 of his comrades in The Atholl Highlanders are looking forward to their appearance in Athol for River Rat weekend.
Review finds no major flaws in Franklin County Sheriff’s Office dog shelter proposal
DEERFIELD — A peer review for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter’s proposed location off Plain Road East has found no “fatal flaws” that would pose a risk to public health or safety, according to the engineer, but there are some details regarding traffic and noise that need to be addressed.
Most Read
Two dogs, three cats killed in Orange fire
New faces on town Athol, Royalston boards
Cost hikes prove challenge for Athol municipal budget
PHOTOS: Paddles’ tour around North Quabbin
‘Whole campus’ approach: UMass working to help six students whose visas, status were revoked
Winchendon Library event addresses budget crisis
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
High School Tennis Preview 2025: Franklin County programs looking to break through in state tournaments
Franklin County tennis programs continue to make it to the MIAA Div. 4 state tournament.
On The Ridge with Joe Judd: Tips for turkey hunting as opening day approaches
HS Roundup: Frontier boys volleyball falls to West Side, continues to navigate challenging schedule (PHOTOS)
High school boys volleyball preview 2025: Athol on the cusp of program’s first state tournament appearance
HS Roundup: Franklin Tech baseball wins third in a row following 8-1 triumph over Smith AcademyOpinion
My Turn: Fighting for our farmers
Western Massachusetts farmers are used to facing and overcoming challenges — from late frosts and damaging storms to droughts and soil erosion, and more. What they’re not accustomed to is the president of the United States standing in their way of earning a living and bolstering our local economies.
My Turn: Impact of USAID cuts in Uganda
Michael Magee: These are the times that try men’s souls
My Turn: ADUs and the politics of fear
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, March 1 – March 17, 2025
12:40 a.m. - Party over 911 stating he believes his wife has an infection in her mouth and is in a lot of pain. When reporting party was advised dispatch would be sending an ambulance, he declined.
Athol Police Logs: Feb. 6 – Feb. 27, 2025
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
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Sounds Local: ‘Like a super-group-power-trio-creative-explosion’: Kalliope Jones release ‘Carnivorous’ and perform at the Iron Horse this week
There’s nothing unusual about kids getting together and forming a band, but what is unusual and remarkable is if the band stays together once the kids grow up.
Speaking of Nature: Cute as a killdeer: The killdeer have just arrived and are busy setting up territories
St. Sara’s chicken enchilada casserole: A colorful and comforting Tex-Mex dish
Mill Street Artists displaying work at Hope & Olive in Greenfield
Amherst can’t decide where it is: Is town center uptown or downtown?
Obituaries
Ronald Lee Drewes
Warwick, MA - Ronald Lee Drewes, age 80, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Ron was born on March 13, 1945, in Craig, MO, to Edmund and Frieda (Stuenkel) Drewes. Ron grew up on a farm in Northwest Missouri, near the ... remainder of obit for Ronald Lee Drewes
Marilyn Joy Nash
Athol, MA - Marilyn Joy Nash, 84, of Athol (and formerly Templeton), Massachusetts, died of natural causes on March 27. Born Marilyn Anderson in Boston, she married William Nash of Hanover in 1961. Marilyn worked as an L.P.N. prior... remainder of obit for Marilyn Joy Nash
Alex Paul Blake Sr.
Alex Paul Blake, Sr. Athol, MA - On March 28th, 2025, we lost an incredible soul, a father, husband, Bumpa, and friend to so many. Alex Paul Blake Sr., at the age of 62. Born on November 18, 1962, in Gardner, MA, Alex filled the world wi... remainder of obit for Alex Paul Blake Sr.
Marilyn Hunter Bailey
Newton, KS - Marilyn Ann Hunter Bailey passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025 in the presence of family. Marilyn was born on December 9, 1932 in Athol, Mass to Merle William and Muriel Jillson Hunter and lived in the Athol area for 30... remainder of obit for Marilyn Hunter Bailey
