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By LIESEL NYGARD

ATHOL — Ashley Walker woke up early on June 25 feeling unsettled. Her son, Christian, hadn’t returned home and his car wasn’t in the driveway.

By THE REV. CINDY LAJOY

We awaken today to find the detritus of many a Fourth of July celebration scattered around us. We pick up leftover fireworks remnants, perhaps deal with trash piled high from barbecue remains, and we might even need to straighten bunting and streamers flying askew. We don’t give it much thought from year to year, but when you stop to think about it, July 5 is when the real work begins.

ORANGE — The newly named Donald J. Hurtle American Legion Post 172 will be officially dedicated at a special ceremony set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

By DOMENIC POLI

ATHOL — A lifelong resident has invented a shoe insert to help improve the lives of people like him, those with debilitating foot pain.

By HANNAH MORIN

ATHOL — Despite a threatening sky, the rain held off as 106 graduates of Athol High School’s Class of 2025 marked the occasion on Friday with a celebration of growth, resilience and future promise.

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Neither snow nor rain nor heat kept letter carrier David L’Heureux from the swift completion of his appointed rounds. Only retirement could do that.

By SAMUEL GELINAS

SPRINGFIELD — Bishop William Byrne was just as caught off guard as everyone else Thursday when white smoke marked the election of Pope Leo XIV, who will reign as the next pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

By ALEXA LEWIS

As the cardinals in Vatican City prepare to begin a conclave to select a new pope on Wednesday, Bishop William Byrne of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield said that local Catholics are in a period of prayer as they eagerly await the election of “a joyful shepherd who will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics in the world.”

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

The Frontier boys tennis team keeps adding tallies to the win column.

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — An Athol man will spend the next five to seven years in state prison after being found guilty of charges related to child abuse.

By THE REV. CANDI ASHENDEN

There’s a moment in the Gospels when Jesus responds to a crowd demanding clarity. They say, “Just tell us who you are.” And Jesus responds, in essence, “I already have. I’ve shown you.” He points not to a theological argument, but to his actions — healing the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the outcast, challenging the powerful. He says: Look at all I have been doing. That tells you who I am.

By DOMENIC POLI

ATHOL — Local health care providers have been swamped with people seeking new primary care doctors following North Quabbin Family Physicians’ closure two months ago.

By SAMUEL GELINAS

SPRINGFIELD — Bishop William Byrne not only introduced the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield’s new executive director for its Catholic Charities agency last week but also laid out the evolution that the agency will see now that protection of immigrants is no longer part of its agenda in the wake of federal cuts.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Waking up to raw temperatures, rain and 2-3 inches of snow on the ground failed to deter many who signed up to run in the annual Big Cheese 5K, which has become a big part of River Rat Race weekend.

By HANNAH MORIN

Despite a morning of rain, sleet and remnants of snow, the 60th annual River Rat Race started right on time at 1 p.m. on Saturday, sending 194 canoes down the Millers River from Athol to Orange.

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Can this be the year the Athol boys volleyball team breaks through and reaches the MIAA Div. 2 state tournament for the first time since the new format was put in place?

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

With all Institute of Museum and Library Services having been placed on administrative leave and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners announcing cuts to services and grants on Wednesday, local librarians are anticipating continued uncertainty heading into fiscal year 2026.

By HANNAH MORIN

ATHOL — When the annual River Rat Race returns on April 12, it will mark six decades of canoe racing, community spirit and unforgettable moments on the water.