Police Chief Search Committee membership finalized

MONTAGUE — Five members have been appointed to the Police Chief Search Committee.

The hiring committee will be tasked with selecting and screening qualified candidates to fill Police Chief Christopher Williams’ position, as he plans to retire in December. The committee will provide recommendations to the Selectboard, which will be tasked with hiring the new chief.

The municipal representatives on the committee are Town Administrator Walter Ramsey and Selectboard Vice Chair Richard Kuklewicz. The Police Department representative is Sgt. Jacob Dlugosz. Additionally, Douglas Brown and Leigh Rae were selected out of eight members of the public who expressed interest in joining the committee.

The Selectboard decided to appoint Brown and Rae based on the experience they can bring to the committee. Brown served on the Montague Police Department for 25 years, per his letter of interest. Rae is a new member of the Finance Committee and previously served on a hiring committee for the Department of Public Works superintendent.

Gill-Montague unveils new school website

MONTAGUE — The website for the Gill-Montague Regional School District got a makeover to improve accessibility, security and visuals.

Director of Technology and Data Services Tina Mahaney presented the new website to the Gill-Montague School Committee on Tuesday, explaining that the Collaborative for Educational Services is hosting the server for this WordPress-based website that includes security upgrades for contacting staff, a landing page with family resources and overall formatting improvements.

“We actually have the same kind of data,” Mahaney said, adding that it is just presented in a simpler format. “It’s not looking so busy and so hard to read through.”

The landing page for the website includes a family resources tab with a printable district calendar, along with other important information about bus routes, food services, student registration and more. Mahaney explained that for security, email forms have been created for people to contact staff, eliminating spam for staff who had their emails posted on the website. Additionally, Mahaney can monitor traffic to the website itself with the WordPress service.

“It’s really vibrant, [and it’s] easy to move around and find where you want to go,” interim Superintendent Tari Thomas said of the website. “It’s really impressive.”

Montague student graduates from Dickinson College

CARLISLE, Penn. — Montague resident Lenora May Dickson graduated cum laude from Dickinson College on May 18 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Dickson was also recognized for her inclusion on the dean’s list. Dickson is a graduate of Four Rivers Charter Public School in Greenfield.

Puzzle swap set for Sunday

ERVING — The Erving Public Library will host an all-ages puzzle swap on Sunday, July 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees don’t need to bring a puzzle in order to take a puzzle.

Jazz and blues orchestra concert set for Sunday

ERVING — As part of the second Sunday concert series, the Erving Recreation Commission will host the Bad News Jazz and Blues Orchestra on Sunday, July 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Erving’s Riverfront Park, 8 Arch St.

The 19-piece band incorporates modern and traditional big band music, including performances of songs like “Uptown Funk” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

The performance is free. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs.

Fern walk coming to Great Falls Discovery Center

TURNERS FALLS — Leaders from the Pioneer Valley Fern Society will lead a free walk along the Canalside Rail Trail starting at the Great Falls Discovery Center on Saturday, July 19.

Starting at 10 a.m., guests can learn about the ferns growing alongside the trail and how to identify them. The walk is free and guests are asked to meet at the center’s main entrance at 2 Avenue A.

Montague student makes dean’s list at University of Wisconsin-Madison

MADISON, Wisc. — Montague resident Julia Walkowicz was named to the dean’s list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the spring semester. Walkowicz is a student in the College of Letters and Science.

To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must complete at least 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own grade point average requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction.

Six-month creative arts series starting July 17

TURNERS FALLS — The Brick House Community Resource Center at 24 Third St. is offering a six-month creative arts series for parents and caregivers starting July 17.

The sessions, which will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., will have a different activity each month, starting with creating vision boards at the first one in July.

If you want to attend and need child care, contact Stacey Langknecht at slangknecht@brickhousecommunity.org or call 413-800-2496 by Friday, July 11.