50th first day of school draws near for Franklin Tech amid anniversary year

AOTV advocates for community media funding at State House

ATHOL – Representatives from Athol Orange Community Television and three other regional community media stations traveled to the State House last month to advocate for legislation that would create a new funding source for public access media as cable revenues decline. AOTV joined Greenfield Community Television, Templeton Community Television and Frontier Community Access Television for […]

Athol officials discuss potential kratom regulations

ATHOL – Board of Health Vice Chair Joan Hamlett met with the Select Board to discuss issues arising from the increasing popularity of kratom and its sale at local convenience stores, gas stations and smoke shops. Hamlett was joined by Health Agent Jane O’Brien. Kratom is an herbal extract that is sold in several forms, including powders, capsules, gummies, brewed teas and shots. At low doses, kratom’s effects resemble a stimulant, while at higher doses, users describe pain-relieving and relaxing effects like a sedative, according to the Mayo Clinic. Unlike natural kratom leaf products, synthetic kratom can contain higher concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), […]

Petersham voters choose Shamgochian for Selectboard in special election

PETERSHAM – Nearly 30% of the town’s 1,106 registered voters turned out and, by a 173-100 margin, chose Michael Shamgochian over Patric Gillespie to fill a vacancy on the Selectboard in Monday’s special election. A special election held in September of last year which also featured a race for Selectboard only saw 15% of registered […]

Victim in fatal crash on Athol's Tower Road identified

ATHOL — The victim in a fatal crash last week has been identified as Irene Murray, 75, of Baldwinville, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. Murray was struck by a vehicle on Monday, Aug. 17, at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the area of 147 Tower Road in Athol. The preliminary investigation indicates that the incident […]

‘We definitely support each other’: Benefit raises money for Wendell man whose home burned down

The Wendell community gathered at Deja Brew Cafe & Pub for a fundraiser to assist 84-year-old resident Robert Bowers after his historic home was destroyed by a fire on July 2.