West County Notebook: July 15, 2026

House fire in Greenfield claims life of family pet

One cat died in a house fire in Greenfield, which is believed to have been caused by a clothes dryer and resulted in extensive damage to the home.

Rental registry proposal coming to Greenfield City Council this week

The City Council in Greenfield is set to vote on a proposal to create a rental registry, which would require landlords to apply for a permit and submit to self-inspections, in order to ensure tenant safety and provide a valuable database for law enforcement.

State shines spotlight on 250 farm-to-school initiatives, including 21 locally

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has released 250 snapshots of farm-to-school initiatives, including 21 programs in Franklin County and North Quabbin, to highlight how Massachusetts schools and organizations are incorporating local food into their curriculum and providing hands-on learning experiences.

My Turn: The hidden hand of instinct

Our neighbor commented on the proficiency of our border collie in moving our livestock. I had to admit that I had very little to do with it. It’s his instinct. He comes from a line of dogs who’ve been selected for specific characteristics found in their wolf ancestors. What is predatory behavior in wild canines […]

Pushback: Three errors by state AG disrupt the November ballot

Based on separate rulings from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), three “unexpected” errors made by the Massachusetts Attorney General have robbed you and me of the chance to vote this Nov. 3 on three major policy changes: 1. A rent control ballot initiative. The SJC ruled that by exempting housing units operated by religious institutions from rent […]