Federal changes threaten to swell ranks of homeless

Proposed census rules would exclude noncitizens and snowbirds, experts say

BOSTON – U.S. Census Bureau proposals would exclude a large noncitizen population in Massachusetts, change whether the state’s “snowbird” population is counted, and cause “severe inaccuracies” in population data in 2030, a local research expert told lawmakers Wednesday.  One lawmaker said the thought of the impact that would have on the state was “flabbergasting.” The bureau […]

Friends of Quabbin to celebrate stabilization of Keystone Bridge

Overview: Richard Martin, superintendent of Franklin County Technical School, is set to retire after 35 years in public school education, 17 of which were spent at Franklin Tech. During his tenure, he developed the animal science and aviation maintenance technology programs, and secured $11.4 million in grant funding to support the growth of the school. […]

New charges for former Healey aide fuel benefit fraud fight

BOSTON – Less than three weeks out from Election Day, Gov. Maura Healey faced renewed questions about a former aide who was arrested and charged with public benefit fraud Wednesday. LaMar Cook, who was deputy director of Healey’s western Mass. office until his firing last year, has pleaded not guilty to state drug trafficking and gun charges […]

Eight ‘No Kings’ events push to get the early vote out in Franklin County

More than 2,000 No Kings: Vote Early events are scheduled to take place across the country to encourage citizens to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Ribbon cut at 53-unit Residences at the Park housing project in Athol

ATHOL – Ten years ago, the town of Athol sought proposals for what to do with two vacant town-owned school buildings that had once been home to the Riverbend and Ellen Bigelow elementary schools. A proposal from NewVue Communities to transform the schools into mixed-income housing was accepted, and on Tuesday, Oct. 14, a ribbon-cutting […]