Royalston officials tour renovated Raymond Building

Royalston Selectboard to interview police chief finalists

Royalston's search for a new chief of police has been restarted after the sudden resignation of Templeton Police Sgt. Steve Flis, who was appointed in March. The Selectboard will interview the two recommended finalists, whose names have not yet been announced, on Thursday. The interviews are scheduled for 5 p.m. at Town Hall, followed by an executive session to discuss the candidates at 6 p.m.

My Turn: The right not to bake — Heat as a failure of justice

Every morning I watch the same thing happen. The sun rises over our home in western Massachusetts and begins pouring energy onto the solar panels we installed more than a decade ago. For 14 hours they quietly produce enough electricity to run our air conditioning, appliances, computers, lights, and much of our household. On the […]

Celebrating compassion, preserving culture

HADLEY — Arranged in a semicircle at the Most Holy Redeemer Church parking lot on Monday, July 6, Tibetans took a deep breath of juniper-scented air, raised the flour pinched between their fingers and let out their breath in a long, harmonious “om.” As soon as the third sacred chant ended, they tossed the barley […]

Nurses call for safety measures after statewide survey highlights increasing reports of workplace violence

One in four nurses in Massachusetts report feeling unsafe at work, with 74% of nurses in community hospitals saying workplace violence is a serious problem, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association is supporting a bill to require health care workers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence.

Athol committee explores potential locations for new skate park

The Open Space and Recreation Review Committee in Athol is considering a proposal for a new public skate park after a proposal by resident Stephen Sharp. Sharp believes a skate park would provide an inclusive form of recreation for people of all genders and fitness levels, as well as attract visitors from surrounding communities who would spend money at local businesses. He suggested that a modern concrete facility would be safer and require less maintenance than the town's previous wooden skate park.