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...

Gill-Montague School Committee approves administrative restructuring

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — An administrative reorganization in the Gill-Montague Regional School District for the next school year, which includes cutting the family engagement coordinator role, was approved by the School Committee this week.

Erving convenience store sells winning $1M scratch ticket

ERVING — CST Nominee Trust of Greenfield has claimed a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$4,000,000 Gold 50X” game with a scratch ticket purchased at Weatherheads Convenience Store on the French King Highway, which gets a $10,000 bonus for the sale.

Western Franklin County towns to pursue grant for regional ambulance study

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

COLRAIN — A regional ambulance service for western Franklin County may be inching closer to fruition after years of discussion.

Greenfield Human Rights Commission pauses resolution in support of single-payer health care

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Despite thorough debate over a proposed resolution to support a statewide single-payer health care system this week, the Human Rights Commission tabled the idea for now, with some expressing hesitancy to prioritize the idea over other efforts, such as supporting the city’s homeless population.

Greenfield mayor earns accolades for housing focus

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — In recognition of the city’s efforts to bolster housing production — from City Council’s vote to augment height restrictions downtown to a series of zoning ordinances to facilitate the construction of new housing — the Massachusetts Housing Partnership has honored Mayor Ginny Desorgher with a Housing Hero Award.

Franklin County protest organizers join ‘No Kings’ movement

By CHRIS LARABEE

As the “No Kings” movement prepares to take to the streets in all 50 states this weekend, activist groups in Franklin County have organized their own events.

West County Notebook: June 12, 2025

SHELBURNE FALLS — The Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts invites residents to learn about forests at two events.

North Quabbin Notebook: June 12, 2025

NEW SALEM — Retired reporter and editor Richie Davis will read from his edited collections of Greenfield Recorder feature stories from around Franklin County and beyond at the New Salem Public Library at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12.

History comes to life at Fisher Hill Elementary School’s Renaissance fair

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Fisher Hill Elementary School students typically spend their days studying core subjects like science, math and writing. But on Monday they were able to carve out some time for lessons in weaving, blacksmithing, mosaics and jousting.

FirstLight faces appeals to MassDEP’s water quality certification; parties allege river not protected

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

In response to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to give FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. a water quality certification for its operations in Turners Falls and Northfield, two environmental advocacy nonprofits have joined others in the Pioneer Valley in filing an appeal with MassDEP’s Office of Appeals and Dispute Resolution.

PHOTO: Freshly coated cupola

Markey says he’d ‘fight Trump’ over National Guard deployment

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Days after President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops in California to respond to immigration enforcement protests, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said he would oppose any similar tactics in Massachusetts, which has already come under fire for its “sanctuary” policies.

Deerfield dog shelter applicants agree to sound study

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — The town’s zoning bylaw is clear: a special permit is required for any use that creates noise perceptible more than 200 feet from the property line.

Draft FY26 budgets from House, Senate and governor include increased HIP funding

By CHRIS LARABEE

More funding for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) may be on the way in fiscal year 2026, as Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed budget, along with those put forward by the Senate and House of Representatives, all request more money than in FY25.

Principal assessor position voted down at second part of Gill Town Meeting

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GILL — Voters defeated a motion to create a new principal assessor role during the second part of Annual Town Meeting Monday night, a proposal that had some town officials feeling caught off guard.

Annual event on Greenfield Common draws attention to gun violence as a public health crisis

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Two passionate advocates spent time outfitting the Greenfield Common with orange decorations to raise awareness on National Gun Violence Awareness Day last week.

PHOTOS: Making strides toward a cure at Relay For Life of Franklin County

PHOTOS: Coming ashore