Athol Police Logs, May 1-May 13, 2026

‘Nostalgia in every sip’: Former brewery owners, Gill residents launch Lefty’s Craft

The former owners of Lefty's Brewing Co. are launching Lefty's Craft, with statewide distribution of their beers, seven years after closing their brick-and-mortar location in Greenfield.

Grinspoon grants fuel farm growth 

AGAWAM — The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation and its Local Farmer Award partners have announced the 2026 award recipients, granting more than $270,000 to 128 farms across western Massachusetts, including 43 farms in Franklin County. With this year’s awards, the program’s total investment in local agriculture surpasses $2 million, marking a major milestone in its 12-year […]

Petersham Town Meeting to address debt exclusions, budget

PETERSHAM – Voters will decide on a 39-article warrant at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting, including two Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusions. Article 36 seeks to borrow $800,000 for the purchase of a new fire truck to replace a 1990 tanker. Article 37 asks voters to borrow $74,500 for a new truck for the Highway Department. […]

Governor touts improvements at Holyoke veterans home after neglect audit

HOLYOKE — Less than five months after a state audit detailed significant neglect at the Veterans Home at Holyoke between 2020 and 2023 — much of it during the COVID-19 pandemic — Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday highlighted what her administration says is a dramatic turnaround at the facility. Shortly after a tour of the […]

Kratom's effects and regulation discussed at Athol Board of Health meeting

The Board of Health in Athol is considering regulating or banning the sale of kratom, a plant-based substance used for medicinal purposes. A recent hearing outlined the substance and its effects, with a drug recognition expert explaining that kratom can be purchased as a pure, plant-based product or as a synthetic product, which greatly boosts the amount of 7-OH, the active compound in kratom. While some use it for medicinal purposes, others use it for its euphoric feeling and to fall asleep, but in large doses, it can attach to the neuroreceptors in the brain, which is where opioids go.