Latest News

Extreme weather takes a toll on local peaches
After extreme weather events brought about a particularly challenging 2023 growing season for Pioneer Valley farmers, this year’s peach crop is shaping up to be devastating for some western Mass farmers, while others have weathered the storms.

Meeting to address questions on Freedom, South street work
ATHOL – Residents with questions about the upcoming work on Freedom and South streets can attend a forum on Thursday to get more information.
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Sports

UMass basketball: Frank Martin impressed by new-look Minutemen through three weeks of summer practice
AMHERST — Another summer filled with workouts, practices and scrimmages — along with community service projects off the hardwood — is almost over for the UMass men’s basketball team as head coach Frank Martin now enters season No. 4 in charge of the Minutemen, and it’s safe to say he’s had a blast hanging around his new team.
Opinion

Betty Tegel: Celebrating 35 years of Americans with Disabilities Act
This week we celebrate 35 years of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes employment, accessible buildings,school support for disabled and more.




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, May 11 - June 9, 2025
2:01 a.m. - Male party in the lobby to speak with an officer about a cable box missing from his apartment. Male also stated he noticed the mat at his door has been moved.




Arts & Life

Sounds Local: There’s no place like home: Western Mass turned West Coast country singer Rosie Porter tours old stomping grounds
Rosie Porter understands that there is no place like home. The country singer, a former resident of Greenfield, moved to California in 2024, and while she enjoys the West Coast and the move has positively impacted her career, she is eager to return to western Massachusetts for a three-week tour. The tour kicks off tonight, Thursday, July 24, at Shelburne Springs, 904 Mohawk Trail, from 6 to 8 p.m.


Obituaries

ATHOL, MA - Charles W. "Chip" Bachelder, 80, of Chestnut Hill Avenue, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ late Wednesday evening, July 16, 2025 at the Odd Fellows Home in Worcester. Born in Gardner on May 7, 1945, he was the ... remainder of obit for Charles W. Bachelder

LEYDEN, MA - Gordon S. Lawrence ( Buddy), 62, of Leyden Mass., passed away suddenly on July 15th in Greenfield Mass. Gordon Lawrence was born in Fitchburg, Mass. to Clarence R and Charlotte J Lawrence. Buddy loved fishing, attending co... remainder of obit for Gordon S. Lawrence

Athol, MA - Patricia Ploof, 76, died on Saturday, July 12, 2025. She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Timothy Ploof, their son, David Ploof, and his wife, Keila, and her grandchildren, Michel Ploof and Fletcher Sheinheit. She also... remainder of obit for Patricia A. Ploof

Plymouth , MA - Chad Ray, 53 of Plymouth Massachusetts passed away unexpectedly in his home on July 1, 2025. Chad was born and raised in Athol, MA. Chad attended Athol schools and graduated Class of 1991. After graduating Chad served i... remainder of obit for Chad R. Ray