Zoom session to garner public input on opioid settlement uses

By CHRIS LARABEE

As money from the nationwide opioid settlement continues to be disbursed to Franklin County towns, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), in partnership with local boards of health, is inviting residents to share their input on how this...

Greenfield Notebook: Jan. 30, 2024

GCC Community Chorus seeks new members GREENFIELD — The GCC Community Chorus is welcoming new members for the spring semester. The chorus is open to community members as well Greenfield Community College students, faculty, staff and alumni.The group...

Montague and Erving Notebook: Jan. 30, 2024

Feb. 10: Second annual Cookie Walk MONTAGUE — The First Congregational Church of Montague, 4 North St., will host its second annual Valentine’s Cookie Walk on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.For a fee, attendees are given a container and can...

PHOTOS: Creativity celebrated in ‘Name a Snowplow’ contest

Greenfield Police Logs: Jan. 10 to Jan. 23, 2024

Wednesday, Jan. 108:19 a.m. — Ronald Keith Bouchard, 38, of Wells Street in Greenfield, was arrested on a warrant at the Winslow building.12:04 p.m. — Hit and run reported on Graves Road. Services rendered.3:10 p.m. — Following a report of a...

Blue Cross pauses anesthesia policy after doctors raise concerns

By MADDIE FABIAN

Less than a month after it began enforcing a longstanding policy restricting the use of anesthesia during colonoscopies and other procedures, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is pausing that action after physicians statewide lobbied the insurer...

Sunderland Elementary School unveils new mural on International Night

By CHRIS LARABEE

SUNDERLAND — In celebration of Sunderland Elementary School’s 15th annual International Night, the school unveiled a new mural inspired by students’ work to honor the school’s diverse community.Located in the hallway leading to the library, the mural...

‘A huge relief’: Swift River School reports filters, bottled water no longer needed

By DOMENIC POLI

NEW SALEM — Swift River School’s new PFAS6 filtration system seems to be working perfectly, and 190 students and staff members will drink to that.A little more than three years after tests of the school’s tap water revealed elevated levels of the...

Sunderland eyes site for senior center on Plumtree Road 

By BELLA LEVAVI

SUNDERLAND – Local residents on Saturday had the opportunity to tour the former Sinauer Associates/Oxford University Press building, which Sunderland is considering as the potential future site for the South County Senior Center. The...

One man’s garbage: Majority of land hermit crab species now use trash for shells

By FRANCES VINALL

The majority of terrestrial hermit crab species worldwide have used trash as shells, according to a study by experts at two Polish universities to be published next month.The study analyzed publicly available images of hermit crabs online and past...

Easthampton mayor tapped to lead state Mayors’ Association

By MADDIE FABIAN

EASTHAMPTON — With two years left in office as mayor of Easthampton, Nicole LaChapelle will head the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association, leading efforts around climate change, housing and other issues she has engaged in on a city level at a wider...

McGovern legislation would ease access to medically necessary foods

By DOMENIC POLI

The Democrat representing the 2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts has teamed up with a Republican colleague from Florida to sponsor a bill aimed at making it easier for Americans to get medically necessary foods.Jim McGovern and John...

With police support, Senate to debate gun bill next week

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Senate Democrats rolled out a wide-ranging gun reform bill Thursday, targeting a vote in one week on a police-endorsed measure that is likely to generate considerable opposition among firearm owners.After months of closed-door talks between...

Montague Police Logs: Jan. 8 to Jan. 21, 2024

Monday, Jan. 8 8:36 a.m. — Caller reports a ladder and roof rake in the middle of the road on Federal Street. Officer located the items and moved them to the side of the road.Tuesday, Jan. 9 7:47 p.m. — Caller from Federal Street reports a resident is...

New details emerge in fatal plane crash on Greenfield-Leyden line

By BELLA LEVAVI

LEYDEN — The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the Jan. 14 fatal plane crash in the Leyden Wildlife Management Area, detailing eyewitness accounts as well as the plane’s flight path and conditions.Fly Lugu...

Wedegartner, Desorgher fundraising even in Greenfield mayoral campaign

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — With final campaign finance reports filed, new figures from the Office of Campaign and Political Finance show the city’s two mayoral candidates raised similar amounts of money, and that former incumbent Roxann Wedegartner outspent newly...

New campaign to push toward Tilton Library’s $2M goal for expansion project

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — With Tilton Library approaching the early-spring construction date for its expansion project, the library is launching its newest capital campaign to continue climbing toward its goal of raising $2 million.The “I Heart Tilton”...

Balancing solar with farms and forestland: Experts tout middle way in picking sites

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — As debate continues over how best to develop solar throughout the state to help meet an ambitious net-zero emissions goal, representatives from Mass Audubon and Harvard Forest are touting a recently completed report that details how solar...

Franklin Regional Transit Authority offers weekend fixed-route bus service

By BELLA LEVAVI

GREENFIELD — The Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) now offers weekend fixed-route transportation.With additional funds from the Fair Share Amendment, all free routes will run through the weekend, providing much-needed transportation access in...

Pioneer School Committee to pursue single-campus idea

By CHRIS LARABEE

NORTHFIELD — After a final facilities recommendation was shared with the Pioneer Valley Regional School District, the School Committee voted Thursday evening to move forward with pursuing the one-campus plan laid out by consulting company...