Greenfield and Orange District Court Logs: Oct. 9-15, 2019

Holly A. Boisvert, 49, homeless of Greenfield. Charge of possession of a Class B drug and possession of a Class E drug. Released on personal recognizance. Pretrial conference set for Dec. 6. The counsel fee was waived.Judge William Mazanec III...

Greenfield and Orange District Court Logs: Oct. 15 to Oct. 18, 2019

Judge William MazanecGreenfield, Oct. 15Kevin K. Smith, 34, of Oak Grove Avenue, Springfield. Charges of resisting arrest, intimidating a witness/juror/police/court official, a marked lanes violation, failure to stop or yield, improper operation of a...

Park bench to be returned, moved to new location at Greenfield pocket park

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Almost a year after Mayor Ginny Desorgher decided to remove the park benches and chess table at the end of Miles Street — a choice that supporters saw as a public safety measure and opponents viewed as an anti-homeless infrastructure change — a bench will soon return to the area.

Residents, solar companies weigh in on revisions to state’s solar incentives program

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

GREENFIELD — Western Massachusetts residents say the state needs to reconsider recent updates to its solar incentive program.

17-year-old Hatfield resident killed in Deerfield crash

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

DEERFIELD — A 17-year-old boy from Hatfield was killed in a rollover crash on Greenfield Road on Sunday, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.

Montague and Erving Notebook: July 29, 2025

TURNERS FALLS — The Silverback Swingers, a swing music group, will perform at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, on Friday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m.

PHOTOS: Stacked stones in Colrain

Shutesbury begins police chief search

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Town officials are starting the search for a new police chief, opting against entering into a law enforcement partnership with neighboring communities.

Montague Police Logs: June 23 to June 29, 2025

9:56 a.m. — Caller requests an officer’s assistance on Davis Street. States she gave notice that inspections would be today and a tenant is not cooperating. Officer advised. Officer advises the tenant refused to let management in for an inspection. Services rendered.

Several area departments put out Northfield house fire

By PAUL FRANZ

NORTHFIELD — A stubborn house fire at 129 Warwick Road kept firefighters busy Saturday afternoon, but did not cause any injuries.

PHOTO: Hay day

Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust considers further rate hikes

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

With an increase in claims and rising drug costs, the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust may need to increase rates for members anywhere from 10% to 20%.

New role focused on downtown development in Northfield, Turners Falls and Shelburne Falls

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Christian LaPlante wants to help.

Trio unopposed for Greenfield City Council seats

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — With the biennial city election slated for November, three new faces are running unopposed for City Council seats representing Precincts 7 and 9, as well as one at-large position.

Western Mass community colleges see continued enrollment growth under MassReconnect

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Two years since Gov. Maura Healey launched MassReconnect, a program ensuring a free community college education for students ages 25 and older who do not have bachelor’s degrees, community colleges in western Massachusetts have seen year-to-year enrollment increases.

Gov. Healey forms Anti-Hunger Task Force in response to federal SNAP cuts

By ALISON KUZNITZ

With thousands of Massachusetts residents expected to lose access to food assistance benefits under the federal megalaw, Gov. Maura Healey has launched a task force to help the state navigate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts.

Firefighters partner with Jumptown to practice water rescues in Orange

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

ORANGE — Jumping out of a plane may sound terrifying to some, but for others it’s a thrill, especially when their landing makes a splash.

BHN lands nearly $939K to expand child mental health support

By GRACE CHAI

Regional nonprofit Behavioral Health Network has landed a $938,956 state grant to expand its work supporting the social-emotional development and behavioral health of children in early education and care programs throughout the four counties of western Massachusetts.

Nearly $334K heading to Franklin County farms

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

Five Franklin County farms have been awarded a total of $333,750 in grants from the state Department of Agricultural Resources.