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By MARY BYRNE

Although public health officials aren’t seeing an abundance of cases locally, it is possible, experts say, for an individual to carry more than one respiratory illness at once.“Co-infections have become a growing concern in recent months in response...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — Two days and 43 miles of walking later, more than $450,000 has been raised for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts — a number that translates to roughly 1.5 million meals for people in need, according to Executive Director Andrew...

By MARY BYRNE

NORTHFIELD — Residents from Northfield and surrounding communities packed the Community Bible Church Sunday night for what felt like a second hurrah seven years after the defeat of the Kinder Morgan NED Pipeline.“It’s wonderful to see so many familiar...

By MARY BYRNE

With temperatures beginning to drop, state and local agencies are encouraging eligible residents to apply for fuel assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.LIHEAP, offered through Community Action Pioneer Valley, is a free...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD – After more than a decade of declining enrollment, Greenfield Community College saw its largest percentage increase this fall since 2010, according to school officials.This semester also marked the highest number of applications received...

By MARY BYRNE

Franklin County advocates were among the 21 groups and 258 people to sign a letter sent to the Healey administration on Tuesday, encouraging passage of a bill that would provide funding for a Municipal Reforestation Program. The letter asks that the...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Fair is returning for its 174th year this weekend, with a host of new and familiar events expected to bring in as many as 25,000 guests.“Between the two thrill shows, the excitement is already growing rapidly among my...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD –  Within a few months of moving to Greenfield, William “Bill” Ashley reached out to the solar energy company on Wells Street and inquired about installing solar panels on his roof.“The property was set up for that,” he said of Green River...

By MARY BYRNE

With funding from a $100,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant, a new after-school program will be available for North Quabbin youths who have been impacted by parents or guardians with a substance use disorder.Beginning at the start of the school year...

By MARY BYRNE

Dozens of superintendents, including a handful from the Franklin County and North Quabbin regions, have signed a letter to lawmakers urging them to make permanent the universal meals program School Meals for All, rather than just extend it another...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD – A local organization that provides free legal services to low-income and elderly residents has partnered with Baystate Franklin Medical Center and the Community Health Center of Franklin County to help provide free civil legal services to...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD – A local ice cream company that sells its product in stores throughout New England has been ordered by the state to return $60,000 to investors who were sold unregistered percentage interests.A percentage interest is a percent ownership in...

By MARY BYRNE

Local officials from across the Pioneer Valley testified at the State House on Thursday in support of a bill seeking to improve the local and regional public health system.Legislators held a Joint Committee on Public Health hearing Thursday morning...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD – Views from across the spectrum were aired at Greenfield Community College Tuesday evening as part of the third installment of the Legislature’s panel discussion and listening tour on gun laws.“We have a strong network of laws that...

By MARY BYRNE

ORANGE — Chronic absenteeism of the district’s youngest pupils has resulted in a higher number of kindergarten students than usual being recommended for retention, according to school administrators.Superintendent Elizabeth Teahan-Zielinski recently...

By MARY BYRNE

Education advocates met remotely with area legislators and state officials to begin a conversation on what is and isn’t when it comes to state funding for public education.“If we love our children the way we say we do, and we think education is the...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — As part of her fiscal year 2024 budget proposal, Gov. Maura Healey hopes to fund a new program that would make nearly 1.8 million residents eligible to receive “last dollar support” for a community college education. “I think this would...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — A year and half after the mandate first went into place, all Massachusetts community colleges, including those in Greenfield and Holyoke, will no longer require COVID-19 vaccines for enrollment.The mandate, which went into effect in...

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — The support of local businesses is helping to “bridge the gap” in services for those in need of fuel assistance but who don’t necessarily meet federal requirements for receiving it. “We were thinking of ways to be of help to local...