Montague News

Last week's column about not using "cute" when describing birds generated some vigorous defense of cute, cute birds on the one hand, and on the other hand, several nominations for additional words or phrases that should be voted off the planet: nice, amazing, awesome, look and "to tell the truth" This week, I continue the subject by contrasting a ...

State grants to plan for "readiness" schools have been awarded to 16 school districts, including three in Franklin County.

Afternoon thundershowers picked up steam and roared through the evening Tuesday, dumping rain and hail, knocking down trees and power lines in several places in the county, and setting off car alarms in downtown Greenfield.

A Henslow s sparrow perches along (Meadow Road in Montague. The bird is (rare for western Massachusetts and (birders from far afield have been comi3 4 (ing to see it this week.

While keeping the Montague Center School building as an educational institute may require the least work, the current market is more likely to support a residential use, such as condominiums or co-housing, a town-hired consultant has concluded.

July 1 - Calling All Kids! Junior Rangers is coming to the Great Falls Discovery Center! Workshop 1 of 4 Starting July 1, the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls is offering a four-part science and nature education workshop for children as part of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Junior Ranger program.

With a boost in state taxes and projected cuts in state services and funding to help towns and cities, the $27.4 billion budget adopted Friday was described by Senate Ways and Means Chairman Stephen Brewer as 'like pulling off a Band-Aid: It's necessary but it's painful.' What's worse, though, is that the spending plan for the fiscal year that ...

The Montague Phantom Brain Exchange , a monthly art and thought happening in the slightly world weary old New England mill town of Turners Falls, seems to have become a prime destination for all things "weird and unusual" on the Western Massachusetts cultural front.

Sara A. Gibson began performing with The Country Players as a teenager. Now just 24, she's directing her first musical for the group and will help celebrate the acting group's 30th anniversary.

Edward W. Guilbault, 91, of 31 Holland Ave., died Sunday at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke.

Town meeting members set a $6,815,376 operating budget for the year, a 1.3 percent, or $87,155, increase from the current year's $6,728,221 budget.

Becoming an Eagle scout is the dream of every boy scout here in western Massachusetts.

Good fences make good neighbors, poet Robert Frost wrote. But that was in the days before ''sustainable'' became a buzzword along with ''ecological'' -- concepts that are woven into alternative housing arrangements like Wisdom Way Solar Village, Salmon Falls Co-Housing Association and Katywil ''eco-village'' in Colrain.

Joshua N. Gammon, president of the Turners Falls High School Class of 2009, raises his baton as he leads the class to their seats for graduation ceremonies in the high school gymnasium Friday evening.

Frederick B. Oakes, 95, a longtime resident of Gill and husband of Jane A. Oakes for 38 years, died Sunday morning, May 24, at home after a period of failing health.

Two finalists for Souhegan High School principal have been chosen. On Wednesday, May 27, Sue M. Gee and Joseph P. Dillon will be interviewed by groups of students, parents, faculty and administrators throughout the day at the high school.

A firefighter turned arsonist was placed under tougher bail restrictions Thursday after tampering with the GPS device that was strapped to him following his arrest in March on theft charges.

Newly elected Selectman Mark E. Fairbrother said Tuesday his top priority will be helping to get a viable budget for the town.

Got a lyric for your river -- a tribute for your tributary? The Connecticut River Watershed Council wants you to share it with the world.

It's official ... The Bingville reunion will be Saturday, June 27, at the Greenfield Elks Club.