Navy SEAL, former UMass swimmer dies trying to save teammate on mission in Arabian Sea

By LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON — A former University of Massachusetts Amherst swimmer and Westfield High School graduate died earlier this month trying to rescue a teammate in the Arabian Sea.Under the darkness of night on Jan. 11, in the roiling high seas off the coast...

Flu cases down at Baystate, up at Cooley Dickinson

By SCOTT MERZBACH

The slight uptick of influenza B cases countering a decrease in influenza A infections across Baystate Health’s facilities, including at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, is no cause for alarm, according to the health system’s chief of...

First Bernardston chicken pot pie dinner of 2024 to benefit Cub Scouts

By CHRIS LARABEE

BERNARDSTON — With the end of the first month of 2024 approaching, the Bernardston Kiwanis Club’s annual chicken pot pie fundraiser series is set to begin this weekend.On Saturday, Jan. 27, the first of four chicken pot pie dinners, which are held on...

Land gift provides vital conservation, recreation link in hilltowns

A recent donation of 132 acres to Hilltown Land Trust will link Williamsburg’s Briar Hill Conservation Area to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest in Goshen, extending hiking trails and wildlife corridors, conservation...

Regional Notebook: Jan. 24, 2024

Pioneer Valley Conference for Women Set for May 9 SPRINGFIELD — The third annual Pioneer Valley Conference for Women will be held May 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in person at the Marriott Springfield Downtown and virtually. This year’s theme is...

PHOTO: Sledding brings smiles

10 Franklin County communities get state funds for storm damage repairs

By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — With the long-awaited announcement of storm damage relief funding at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual conference this past weekend, Deerfield and Conway, as well as 35 other communities around the state, are finding themselves...

With initial support, Greenfield DPW director to move forward with $2M recycling grant

By MARY BYRNE

GREENFIELD — Having received an initial nod of support from City Council to pursue an automated single-stream recycling program, Public Works Director Marlo Warner II can move forward in the process of accepting and signing for a $2.05 million grant...

Taxes on hotels, meals, vehicles could rise under Healey plan

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — Days before unveiling her fiscal year 2025 budget plan and with state tax collections weakening, Gov. Maura Healey announced her intention to boost state aid to cities and towns and give municipalities the ability to raise certain taxes.The...

School bus contract up for vote in Wendell

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — The only matter slated to be considered at the Jan. 31 Special Town Meeting is the proposed five-year contract with F.M. Kuzmeskus for school transportation services.As this is the result of a collective bid involving several school...

Greenfield Notebook: Jan. 23, 2024

Book talk to discuss Greenfield women and their historic businessesGREENFIELD — Local authors Sara Campbell and Shari Strahan will talk about their recently published historical book, “Did Grandma Have a Filling Station? Greenfield Women and Their...

Greenfield Notebook: Jan. 22, 2024

Brown bag distribution moves to WeldonGREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for income-qualifying seniors is moving to a new location in February: the Weldon apartments at 54 High St. The distribution will be...

Franklin First, Greenfield Public Library partnering for financial literacy program

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Franklin First Federal Credit Union is teaming up with the Greenfield Public Library to offer a free 12-week financial literacy program for teens ages 12 to 14.The weekly one-hour program, slated to start Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the...

Regional Notebook: Jan. 23, 2024

Mass Humanities announces funding opportunities NORTHAMPTON — Application materials for Expand Massachusetts Stories grants in the 2024 funding season through Mass Humanities are available, with the application window opening on Feb. 5.Expand...

Franklin County towns exploring changes to accountant positions

By CHRIS LARABEE

Seven towns around Franklin County are re-examining their town accountant positions due to a change in policies with the current software system contracted through the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).For nearly 20 years, FRCOG has...

‘We’re just going to keep growing’: Peila family opens creamery at Sunrise Valley Farm in Gill

By DOMENIC POLI

GILL — From the outside looking in, not much has changed at Sunrise Valley Farm recently. But, for the past month or so, owners Brian and Keri Peila have had one major addition to their to-do list.With help from their three children, the couple has...

Willie Strong’s paper: Erving Gazette publisher launched newspaper at 9 years old

By CARLA CHARTER

Many of us who are involved in the newspaper industry came to it at different times and in different ways. None, though, may have begun their career at such an early age as Willie Strong — editor, publisher and printer of the Erving Gazette, who...

Massachusetts tourism officials eye historic opportunities

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Last month’s Boston Tea Party anniversary celebration was “just the tip of the iceberg” as Massachusetts prepares to leverage a series of upcoming historical anniversaries to market the state and draw in millions of tourists, the state’s top...

Three finalists named for Union 28 superintendent

By SCOTT MERZBACH

ERVING — Gateway Regional School District’s curriculum director, the principal at Athol Community Elementary School, and the director of assessment and accountability for the Westfield Public School District are the finalists to become the next...

Three UMass professors picked for state’s Climate Science Advisory Panel

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — Three faculty members at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are joining the state’s new Climate Science Advisory Panel, a group of 21 experts who will attempt to bridge the communication and knowledge gap between policymakers and...