Funding boosts water quality testing in Conn. River valley

McGovern visits Red Apple Farm during 16th annual farm tour

PHILLIPSTON – U.S. Rep. James McGovern visited Red Apple Farm on Thursday as part of his 16th annual district-wide farm tour, which brought him to 10 farms across central and western Massachusetts. The Aug. 26 and 27 tour was intended to give McGovern an opportunity to hear about challenges facing local farmers and highlight agricultural […]

Athol School Committee approves three-year learning plan

ATHOL – The Athol-Royalston Regional School District is entering the new school year with a three-year strategic plan that will guide work across its four schools. The School Committee approved the plan at its Aug. 19 meeting, following a presentation by Superintendent Matthew Ehrenworth. Its four priorities are teaching and learning, belonging and partnership, engagement […]

Heywood Healthcare purchases South Main Street clinic site in Athol

ATHOL – Heywood Healthcare has purchased the property at 201 South Main St., the former home to North Quabbin Family Physicians. The clinic closed its doors early last year following the death of co-founder Dr. Donald Mruk in February 2025. Mruk had served the North Quabbin area for more than four decades. Heywood purchased the […]

Baystate Health faces growing pressure over transgender care, insurance ties in dueling protests

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has come under pressure this week after two protests outside of its corporate offices demanded the hospital system reinstate gender-affirming care for youth and advocate for a public healthcare system. On Tuesday evening, about 25 people joined Nadia Milleron, an independent candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’ 1st District, to object to […]

Athol downtown sign plan moves forward

ATHOL – The Downtown Vitality Committee is moving forward with plans for new wayfinding signs to welcome visitors and help them navigate downtown. At the committee’s Aug. 11 meeting, Director of Planning and Community Development Eric Smith said about $6,000 has been approved through parking meter receipts for two initial signs. “We’ve had this kind […]