Sounds Local: ‘It’s a cosmic thing’: Rebranded Charlemont Roots Reggae Festival brings international lineup this Saturday

Athol couple sentenced on drug trafficking charges

GREENFIELD – An Athol couple has been sentenced to state prison following an investigation that began after an individual overdosed at the residence of one of the defendants, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s office. Erica Adams, 40, of Athol, plead guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; trafficking cocaine; trafficking fentanyl; […]

Following a teen’s death in Hatfield, ‘Jesse’s Law’ makes its way to Beacon Hill

BOSTON — More than three years after 19-year-old Northampton High School graduate Jesse Johansmeyer was fatally struck by a pickup truck and left to die leaving a bonfire party in Hatfield, his mother testified before legislators last Friday morning in support of a proposed bill that would legally compel bystanders to call 911 in the event […]

Sportsman's Corner: Deer permit drawing 2026

Congratulations to those of you who applied for a Massachusetts Antlerless Deer Permit in Zone 5. This year, 100% of those who applied were chosen for permits. The trend in Massachusetts is clearly a higher percentage of hunters receiving antlerless permits, as deer density numbers in most of the state’s management zones are above the […]

‘People are valuing shopping local’: Area farmers markets see rising interest amid national food safety concerns

Franklin County farmers markets are experiencing increased consumer interest as shoppers seek local food sources following a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak.

Sounds Local: ‘It’s a cosmic thing’: Rebranded Charlemont Roots Reggae Festival brings international lineup this Saturday

The Charlemont Roots Reggae Festival returns this weekend on Saturday, Aug. 8 from noon to 10 p.m. at the Charlemont Fairgrounds. The festival has deep roots in Franklin County, starting in 1985 when Ras Jahn Bullock and Loose Caboose first held a reggae show in Charlemont. Abdul Baki would later establish the Charlemont Reggae Festival in […]