Greenfield and Orange District Court Logs: Oct. 9-15, 2019

Holly A. Boisvert, 49, homeless of Greenfield. Charge of possession of a Class B drug and possession of a Class E drug. Released on personal recognizance. Pretrial conference set for Dec. 6. The counsel fee was waived.Judge William Mazanec III...

PHOTO: Abundant birds

Climate activist Bill McKibben: Solar is light in dark times

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — The past few weeks have been tough for climate activism, and longtime climate activist Bill McKibben, who makes his home in Vermont, is feeling the heat.This year will be the hottest year on record, breaking the record-setting temperatures...

Orange voters accept land for water tower, approve animal control bylaws

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — The water tower proposed for the Orange Industrial Park is a go, after voters at Monday’s Special Town Meeting opted to accept land from Seaman Paper and to accept or take land from Power Fund Partners for its construction.Seaman Paper,...

‘Big paws to fill’: K-9 Larry joins Montague Police Department

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

MONTAGUE — The Selectboard swore in the Police Department’s new four-legged officer Lawrence “Larry” Akim on Monday, filling a role that was left vacant when beloved K-9 Artur, better known as “Artie,” died in October after a decade of...

Data shows a historic dry fall for western Mass

By CHRIS LARABEE

With bodies of water receding and brush fires throughout the state, it was clearly a dry fall for the Pioneer Valley and new data analysis confirms the season was historically dry for western Massachusetts.Preliminary National Weather Service data for...

North County Notebook: Dec. 4, 2024

Tomato soup on Dec. 11 menu NORTHFIELD — The monthly meal at the Northfield Senior Center, set for Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 12:30 p.m., will include a salad bar, rolls, homemade tomato soup and dessert.The cost is $7. Reservations are required by...

Five Town Meeting warrant articles sail through in Ashfield

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

ASHFIELD — In a speedy 13-minute Special Town Meeting on Monday, residents unanimously approved all five warrant articles before the Selectboard turned its attention back to its regularly scheduled meeting, during which members approved a lower tax...

Montague Police Logs: Nov. 4 to Nov. 11, 2024

Monday, Nov. 4 3:43 p.m. — Caller reports she used the ATM at Carroll’s Market on East Main Street and there has since been tow withdrawals pending for $200 each that she hasn’t requested. She made the business aware, too. Would like it on record....

Greenfield Police Logs: Nov. 4 to Nov. 11, 2024

Monday, Nov. 412:48 p.m. — Larceny reported on Oak Hill Acres. Services rendered.2:04 p.m. — Threat reported at Federal Street School. Report issued.3:58 p.m. — Larceny reported on Lincoln Street. Services rendered.7:22 p.m. — Heriberto Carmona, 69,...

Jingle Fest bringing holiday cheer to Greenfield for 11th year

By AMALIA WOMPA

GREENFIELD — Building off the longstanding tradition of the tree lighting ceremony and the days when Santa would visit the now-closed Wilson’s Department Store, the Greenfield Business Association (GBA) has been adding to the holiday cheer with its...

State overrules Shutesbury bylaw on battery storage

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — A general town bylaw creating a licensing process for large-scale battery storage in Shutesbury has been struck down by the state Attorney General’s Office, for both unreasonably regulating renewable energy and improperly regulating...

Home on Winter Street in Orange rendered uninhabitable after fire

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — No injuries resulted from a fire that was caused by the ignition of combustible materials near a pellet stove’s flue pipe early Sunday morning, according to the town’s fire chief.James Young said his department was dispatched to a reported...

In seventh year, The Scarf Project continues donation of warm clothing in Greenfield

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — With just dozens of the more than 1,000 items placed on the Greenfield Common remaining as of Monday afternoon, The Scarf Project’s seventh annual donation of scarves, mittens and other warm clothing proved to be another success.Each year...

Changing Lives Though Literature program aims to reduce recidivism

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Changing Lives Though Literature, an alternative sentencing option that offers those on probation reduced sentences upon completion of a 10-week literature program, is inspiring many of its graduates to pursue higher education.The program...

Greenfield Notebook: Dec. 3, 2024

Dec. 10: Cookie Tasting & Recipe Exchange GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library invites the community to participate in its annual Holiday Cookie Tasting & Recipe Exchange on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. The program is intended for ages 14 and...

PHOTO: Canalside crowd

Backed by award, Northfield entomologist looks to future research

By AMALIA WOMPA

NORTHFIELD — Growing up on a dead-end road in Pelham surrounded by nature, Charley Eiseman couldn’t help but take interest in the natural world.It was this early love for the environment that ultimately led Eiseman down the career path of entomology,...

Bernardston Senior Center recognized for providing ‘a model for digital inclusion’

By AMALIA WOMPA

BERNARDSTON — From the moment she became director of the Bernardston Senior Center, Jennifer Reynolds observed a theme not just in her own town, but in other communities with significantly higher populations of senior citizens: a chronic lack of...