Shelburne Falls writer explores pandemic experience in new play

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

SHELBURNE FALLS — A Shelburne Falls playwright is developing a play about the life of an emergency management coordinator during a global pandemic, and is looking for audience feedback.Two free readings of “How to Fold a Fitted Sheet and Other...

It’s A Wonderful Night in Turners Falls, Millers Falls Magic take place this weekend

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE – Santa’s making a shopping list and checking it twice before visiting It’s A Wonderful Night in Turners Falls and Millers Falls Magic this weekend.It’s A Wonderful Night in Turners FallsOn Friday, Dec. 13, shops along Avenue A and Third...

West County Notebook: Dec. 11, 2024

Pothole Pictures holiday filmSHELBURNE FALLS — The Pothole Pictures winter film series will continue on Dec. 13 and 14 with a showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”The 1946 film from director Frank Capra follows the story of George Bailey, a struggling...

Robbers steal more than $100K from iconic ATM in Greenfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — More than $100,000 was stolen from the “ATM Tree” in the Big Y plaza early Friday morning in a robbery that Police Chief Todd Dodge said was likely not performed by amateurs.“We can expect at this point that the individuals who were...

Teen steals vehicle in NH, damages Kringle Candle property in Bernardston

By DOMENIC POLI

BERNARDSTON — A New Hampshire teen was taken into custody on Monday morning after allegedly taking a parent’s vehicle from Hinsdale, attempting to hit police officers as she made her way through Vermont and causing property damage at Kringle Candle...

Greenfield Planning Board recommends nixing housing unit cap, updating ADU bylaws

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — The Planning Board is recommending a pair of zoning ordinance amendments that, if passed by City Council, would bring the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaws in line with a new state law and eliminate the cap on the number of...

PHOTOS: Learning on display in Warwick

North Quabbin Notebook: Dec. 10, 2024

Wendell author to read from memoirNEW SALEM — Wendell resident Kai Carol Jud will celebrate the release of her memoir “Life of Kai: a memoir of awakening” as part of the New Salem Public Library’s Local Author Series on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7...

‘Bard in the Bar’ series coming to Northfield

By CHRIS LARABEE

NORTHFIELD — In the spirit of Shakespeare, the public is invited to an informal performance of “The Winter’s Tale,” as the Valley Players bring their “Bard in the Bar” reading series to The Brewery at Four Star Farms.Folks are invited to join the...

PHOTO: Tractor trio

DA’s office IDs two Gardner residents killed in New Salem crash

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

NEW SALEM — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has identified the two Gardner residents who were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Daniel Shays Highway (Route 202) as Gerald and Margaret Patriquin.The Patriquins, ages 89 and 74, were...

Charlemont boards OK tax rate of $18.30 for FY25

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

CHARLEMONT — In the face of rising property values, the Selectboard and Board of Assessors have voted to lower the tax rate for fiscal year 2025 by $2.40 compared to FY24’s numbers. Residents can expect a tax rate of $18.30 per $1,000 valuation,...

Survey evaluates obstacles to abortion care

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

A recent survey conducted by the abortion fund Tides for Reproductive Freedom evaluated obstacles to accessing abortion care in Massachusetts.The organization both provides funds for those who would otherwise be unable to access abortion care and...

Greenfield Police Logs: Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, 2024

Tuesday, Nov. 12 10:12 a.m. — Hazardous conditions reported at Colrain Road and Brook Road. Services rendered.4:57 p.m. — Larceny reported on Pray Drive. Services rendered.8:51 p.m. — Disturbance reported at Sudzway Laundromat son Federal Street....

UMass Amherst profs pilot new PFAS detection method

By ZICHANG LIU

AMHERST — University of Massachusetts Amherst professors Chang Liu and Xiaojun Wei have discovered a new method to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — “forever chemicals” found in water, soil, air, food and other consumer products — thus...

Roosters regs under review in Greenfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Officials are unsure whether a citizen’s petition, which proposes the city adopt an ordinance instituting a special permit requirement to possess a rooster in the suburban and urban residential districts, contradicts the city’s...

LaunchSpace, Workers Credit Union team up to teach personal finance to 16- to 24-year-olds in Orange

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — LaunchSpace and the central Massachusetts-based Workers Credit Union have teamed up to educate 16- to 24-year-olds on personal finance in the event they want to start their own businesses.“It’s something that LaunchSpace has always really...

‘Trouble in Toyland’: Unsafe toys flood US market due to loophole in customs rules

By SYDNEY TOPF

Ahead of the holiday season, consumer advocates are warning parents about the dangers posed by toys coming from overseas.International sellers are using “legal loopholes” to ship unsafe toys into the U.S., bypassing inspections and safety standards...

Shelburne Falls residents start fundraising effort to help Syrian families move to area

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

SHELBURNE FALLS — A group of local residents are raising money to help a Syrian refugee family that hopes to move to the village.With help from community members and $24,250 in donations, the Rimeh brothers and their families will join relatives in...

Greenfield native’s debut novel racking up accolades

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Six months after television and film producer Essie Chambers’ debut novel “Swift River” was published, it has been recognized with a series of accolades, including its recent receipt of the Barnes & Noble’s Discover Prize, inclusion on...