Athol Woman's Club lights the common

‘A force to be reckoned with’: Veterans Day guest speaker speaks to contributions by women to the American military

ATHOL – Nearly 80 veterans and family members, Athol residents, and town officials attended Wednesday’s Veterans Day ceremonies in Memorial Hall at Athol Town Hall. Master of ceremonies Scott Hume, president of the Athol Veterans Council, welcomed the audience and read the poem “Remember the Veterans,” written by the late Athol native and World War […]

The invasive spotted lanternfly has infested half the cities and towns in Massachusetts

The invasive spotted lanternfly has infested more than half the cities and towns in Massachusetts, according to data gathered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The sap-sucking insect native to parts of China and Vietnam arrived in Massachusetts in late 2020, and its population has grown exponentially since. MDAR found four new infestations in […]

Climate chief departs, warning against pitting green against affordable

BOSTON — Melissa Hoffer, the nation’s first Cabinet-level climate chief, used her final day in the Healey administration to deliver a message to Massachusetts environmental advocates: The transition to a cleaner economy cannot succeed politically unless people understand that climate action and affordability go hand in hand. Speaking Monday during a virtual farewell address hosted […]

Royalston Special Town Meeting will decide on funds for new police account

ROYALSTON – Voters will face an 11-article warrant when they gather for a Special Town Meeting this Thursday, with all but one related to the town’s free cash account. The Royalston STM will be held on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at Royalston Town Hall. Article 2 calls for a transfer of $15,000 from the […]

Voters demand transparency, but lawmakers may limit reach of Question 1

There was no mistaking the will of the people on Question 1. Voters overwhelmingly approved the ballot measure on Election Day, with more than 86% backing an expansion of Massachusetts’ public records law to include the Legislature and the governor’s office. It was the widest margin of any of the nine ballot questions in an election in which nearly 1.17 million people had cast ballots before polls opened. Over the summer, the state Senate passed a bill promoting transparency and public access in state government. But, concerned about the separation of powers and the lengthy litigation that could follow from passing […]