Business Briefs: Jan. 5, 2024

Freedom Credit Union donates $4K to Westover Galaxy Community Council SPRINGFIELD — Throughout November, Freedom Credit Union collected donations at all its branches on behalf of the Westover Galaxy Community Council to support military service...

North County Notebook: Jan. 4, 2024

Monthly puzzle swap planned for Saturday, Jan. 6 NORTHFIELD — Free used puzzles will be available at Dickinson Memorial Library on Saturday, Jan. 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.Attendees are advised to park in the back and enter through the side door of the...

The state of solar: In final forum, experts debate best ways to implement solar projects

By MADDIE FABIAN

Editor’s note: This is the fourth and final article from the Western Massachusetts Solar Forum series. The first three forums took place in September, and another series of forums is in the works for this spring. AMHERST — Most experts agree solar...

Slew of farm bills advancing on Beacon Hill

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A permanent disaster relief fund to assist farmers devastated by acts of nature, and providing farmers more flexibility for using their properties once they are protected in the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program, are among the bills the...

Bottomley tapped to lead Greenfield City Council; Johnson-Mussad to head School Committee

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — Precinct 4 Councilor John Bottomley has been named council president for 2024, stepping into the role vacated by Dan Guin. “It’s been a privilege to work the last four years, or two years with the councilors that are returning,” Bottomley...

Quotable Quotes of 2023: Part 2

Editor’s note: Here’s a collection of quotes harvested from the front pages of the Greenfield Recorder in 2023. This is the second of three installments.May “Everything that’s been accomplished in our town has been because of the people. We’ve never...

Mass. lawmakers want Cuba off terror list

WASHINGTON — Saying U.S. actions have added to the suffering of the Cuban people, Massachusetts lawmakers — including both senators, Rep. Jim McGovern and four other House members — are pressing President Joe Biden to remove the Caribbean nation from...

PHOTO: Checking the rearview

White Bridge in Turners Falls down to one lane for structural repairs

By CHRIS LARABEE

TURNERS FALLS — As the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) begins work this week on structural steel and concrete repairs, the White Bridge at the base of Turners Falls Road is expected to have alternating one-way traffic through at least the...

PHOTOS: Ready to respond

Western Massachusetts loggers, environmental activists await state forest management policy

By BELLA LEVAVI

As the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs passes its self-imposed deadline for a new forest management policy after a logging moratorium, people on all sides of the issue are concerned about the future of the state’s forests.The...

Tree House Brewing Co. co-founders deny minority shareholder’s lawsuit claims

By CHRIS LARABEE

SPRINGFIELD — Tree House Brewing Co.’s majority owners have filed a formal response to a lawsuit brought by the brewery’s only minority shareholder, denying allegations of a breach of fiduciary duty.In documents filed in Hampden County Superior Court...

Baystate Franklin’s first baby of 2024 born to Belchertown couple

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Ever sat in a vehicle during a trip from New Jersey to western Massachusetts? How about while in labor? Well, Christy O’Donnell has, and the result was the first baby born at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in 2024.“It was a surprise,...

North Quabbin Notebook: Jan. 3, 2024

New Salem library announces Reading Aloud for Grownups’ 2024 season NEW SALEM — According to the Friends of the New Salem Public Library, the 2024 season of Reading Aloud for Grownups will have three events on Tuesday evenings.Betsy Pelz and Marcia...

Greenfield Police Logs: Dec. 1 to Dec. 26, 2023

Friday, Dec. 1 5:54 p.m. — Luana Demont, 46, homeless, was arrested on Wells Street on multiple warrants.11:05 p.m. — Kyle J. Dube, 33, of Saugus, was arrested on Chapman Street on a warrant.Sunday, Dec. 3 1:01 p.m — Troy H. Mackey, 52, of Eastern...

At inauguration, new Greenfield mayor pledges to ‘ensure that all voices are heard’

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — City officials emphasized a message of unity over division Tuesday morning at the John Zon Community Center, where the community gathered for the inauguration of Mayor Virginia “Ginny” Desorgher and the swearing-in of 17 other recently...

Healey nominates local lawyer Bernadette Stark for Probate and Family Court judgeship

By JAMES PENTLAND

NORTHAMPTON — A local lawyer who is now director of the Student Legal Services Office at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has been nominated to be a judge in Probate and Family Court.Gov. Maura Healey nominated Bernadette Stark and two other...

PHOTO: Reserved seating

PHOTOS: Orange rings in 2024 with Starry Starry Night

Eversource introduces Rapid Pole technology to more quickly restore power

By DOMENIC POLI

Eversource has introduced to western Massachusetts equipment that can more quickly restore power to customers in the event of a downed or damaged utility pole.Rapid Pole technology was launched in New Hampshire 13 months ago and rolled out in this...