Monte’s March: The cart that keeps on giving

Petersham voters approve debt exclusions for new municipal vehicles

Voters at Petersham's June 1 Annual Town Meeting unanimously approved two Proposition 2 1⁄2 debt exclusions to fund the purchase of a new tanker for the Fire Department and a new truck for the Highway Department. The meeting also passed a FY27 town budget of just over $5.5 million, with nearly $3.4 million dedicated to schools. The non-education portion of the budget is about $2.1 million, a nearly 8% increase over the current fiscal year, which includes a 4% raise for town employees and a 32% increase in the cost of health insurance.

Killer of Orange teen gets 27 years to life

KEENE, N.H. — A Swanzey, New Hampshire teen has been sentenced to 27 years to life in prison, nearly a year after fatally shooting 17-year-old Orange resident Christian Walker in the Riverside Plaza parking lot on Winchester Street in Keene. Thomas Pickford, 18, appeared in Cheshire County Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon, when he waived […]

UnitedHealthcare defrauded MassHealth of $100M, AG alleges

BOSTON — Attorney General Andrea Campbell sued UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company on Friday, accusing the insurer of misclassifying the conditions of elderly members and defrauding MassHealth of at least $100 million. United fired back that Campbell’s lawsuit is “meritless” and inaccurately captures the purpose of a managed care program. The lawsuit revolves around MassHealth members ages […]

Western Mass housing advocates say 46% shelter decline masks barriers for families

The Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness reports a 46% decrease in families living in shelters due to state and federal policy changes, but advocates warn that many families are still living in unsafe places due to these regulations.

Athol Fire Department recognized for smoke alarm program's life-saving efforts

The Athol Fire Department has been recognized for efforts to install free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the community, in collaboration with the Red Cross. According to Luca Calvani, Red Cross Community Disaster Program Manager, having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of house fires by about 50%. The department's efforts have saved five lives, and they have also increased fire safety awareness through community-wide efforts.