News
Turners Falls High School students get crafty with yearly scarecrow contest
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
TURNERS FALLS — Turners Falls High School students debuted a range of creative scarecrows as part of their midterm project in digital filmmaking and theater arts teacher Jonathan Chappell’s class, with five category winners selected. The five winners,...
Shelburne Transfer Station switching to vehicle stickers next summer
By MADISON SCHOFIELD
SHELBURNE — Following problems where Transfer Station users have been refusing to identify themselves to the attendants and non-residents have been disposing of items, the Selectboard is planning to implement a new system.Starting July 1, Shelburne...
GoFundMe started to cover celebration of life expenses for Keene, NH woman found in Warwick
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
WARWICK — Friends and family of Justina Steffy — the 31-year-old woman from Keene, New Hampshire, whose body was found in Warwick after she went missing in early October — have raised more than $2,500 for her celebration of life expenses. Keene Police...
Galvin expecting record voter turnout Tuesday
By CHRIS LARABEE
The state’s top elections official anticipates record voter turnout in Massachusetts this November, exceeding the almost 3.7 million voters who went to the polls in 2020.“We have 1.7 [million] almost having already been returned, we expect more votes...
‘A perfect place’ to experience nature: Work underway at Hinata Retreat in Charlemont
By CHRIS LARABEE
CHARLEMONT — With the property at 133 Warfield Road officially in hand, work is now underway on the Hinata Retreat.Jen and Jeff Neilsen closed on the 473-acre property on Oct. 29. They plan to revitalize the Warfield House Inn and construct 30,...
Route 10 closed, 400 customers without power after dump truck takes lines down in Bernardston
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
BERNARDSTON — A portion of Route 10 was closed and roughly 400 Eversource customers lost power on Monday after a Mack dump truck took down a utility line. The Bernardston Police and Fire departments assisted Eversource and Verizon crews as they...
North County Notebook: Nov. 5, 2024
Library program to discuss green burials NORTHFIELD — Learn about green burials, how they are different from conventional burials, and environmental and economical reasons for burial choices during a program led by a local representative from Green...
Montague Board of Health considers changes to tobacco regs
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
MONTAGUE — The Board of Health is reviewing draft revisions that would further restrict tobacco sales in Montague.One of the proposed changes would allow nicotine pouches to be sold only at “adult-only retailers” that sell tobacco, also called...
Locals speak to experiences canvassing in battleground states
By MARA MELLITS
For Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, the vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s presidential election is personal.“My mom fought for reproductive rights. I did. My daughter did,” LaChapelle said. “Now I have a granddaughter who’s 18...
Get your money’s worth: Dealers warn against increase in fake coins
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Coin experts across the region are sounding the alarm about an influx of fakes manufactured in China and infiltrating the U.S. market.Chinese-made counterfeits of collector and circulating coins are more rampant than ever, according to...
Mayor Desorgher eyes removal of Green River dams
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — Mayor Ginny Desorgher and the Connecticut River Conservancy will bring their plans to remove the Wiley-Russell Dam before the Historical Commission to discuss the issue on Thursday. Earlier this month, Desorgher signed a memorandum of...
New town administrator Rebecca Torres to lead Sunderland beginning Nov. 12
By CHRIS LARABEE
SUNDERLAND — With a contract executed by the Selectboard, Sunderland’s next town administrator will step into the role on Nov. 12.Rebecca Torres, Shutesbury’s longtime town administrator, will serve in Sunderland’s position following a search process...
Antisemitism panel chair expects ‘strong, clear’ recommendations
By ALISON KUZNITZ
At their first meeting last week, members of a new state panel tasked with combating the scourge of antisemitism in Massachusetts outlined priority issues, as well as the vitriol they have personally experienced over the past year.The commission,...
Old Farren statue of Jesus finds new home in Turners Falls
TURNERS FALLS — The statue of Jesus outside of the former Farren Care Center on Montague City Road has been moved to the front of the Our Lady of Peace Church on 7th Street in Turners Falls.According to the Rev. Stan Aksamit of Our Lady of Peace, the...
Deerfield’s sewer rate to increase 9.8% in November
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — With several projects, some with big price tags, looming on the horizon, the Selectboard/Sewer Commissioners increased the town’s sewer-use rates to $23 per 1,000 gallons, as the board awaits further information on the projects.The...
Mohawk Trail students exploring forensic science, climate resiliency
BY MADISON SCHOFIELD
SHELBURNE FALLS — New classes at Mohawk Trail Regional School are taking students into the field to explore career paths in forensic science and climate resiliency.In addition to math, English and social studies, middle school students have had the...
Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour to feature 20 artists
COLRAIN — Celebrate 21 years of arts and crafts this weekend with the Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour. On Nov. 9 and 10, 20 artists will open their studios to all looking for a sneak peak into the creative minds that have made Colrain home.Visitors can...
Greenfield Police respond to alleged armed robbery on Federal Street
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD – Police are investigating an alleged armed robbery that took place in the area around the Wendy’s on Federal Street after a man claimed he was robbed of $1,000, according to Officer Marcus Johansson.At approximately 4 p.m. Friday, officer...
Montague Tree Warden Mark Stevens remembered for town service
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
TURNERS FALLS — In the days before former Montague Tree Warden Mark Stevens died of pancreatic cancer on Oct. 17, he had one last job to complete.On Oct. 3, Stevens, in his pajamas and Crocs, placed “no parking” signs on the side of Avenue A where...
Orange taps firm for asbestos, debris removal at former cereal factory
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE – Town officials have set a goal to remove the expansive asbestos and brick pile at 16-36 West River St. before the new year. The debris was left in the wake of an arson at the former cereal factory, which was burned down by three juveniles on...