Tags
Subscribe
Subscribe
News
Schools
Business
Obituaries
Police & Fire
Weather
Neighbors
Lifestyle
Politics
Sports
Events
Traffic
Legal
Real Estate
Tags
Jobs
Shop
Support Us
Subscribe
News
Schools
Business
Obituaries
Police & Fire
Weather
Neighbors
Lifestyle
Politics
Sports
Events
Traffic
Legal
Real Estate
Readers Choice
Tags
Jobs
Shop
Support Us
Home
About us
All sites
Advertise with us
Contact us
Terms of use
Privacy policy
Code of ethics
Site Map
© 2026 Cantata Media
Pittsfield, MA
Lifestyle
Booze Out At These Top Wineries In Western Massachusetts
Whether you're looking to plan your next girls' day, special gathering, or chill weekend, spending time at a winery could be the perfect fit. Thankfully, Western Massachusetts is inundated with gorgeous vineyards and quintessential New England views along with some of the best locally-crafted wine in the region. To help plan your next tasting, here are some of the highest-rated wineries in Western Mass based on traveler reviews. Furnace Brook Winery at Hilltop Orchards (Richmond) Furnace Brook Winery in the Berkshires has a 4.5 average rating on Trip Advisor and Yelp. Known for its r…
Amherst, MA
Police & Fire
Flames Melt Semi-Truck On West Road In Bernardston: Fire Department
A semi-truck was nearly burnt to a crisp after it caught on fire in Franklin County this week, according to fire officials. Crews responded to a fully involved vehicle fire at 24 West Road in Bernardston around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, the Bernardston Fire Department said on Facebook. - Around 18:30 yesterday evening we were dispatched to 24 West Road for the report of a fully involved vehicle fire.... Posted by Bernardston Fire Department on Friday, May 5, 2023 Upon arrival, firefighters found a 2007 Kenworth fully engulfed in flames. The truck was not threatening any structures …
Amherst, MA
Police & Fire
Man Who Threatened To Shoot School in Western Mass Denied Bail: DA
A 46-year-old man who threatened to shoot everyone at a Franklin County elementary school will remain in jail following a dangerousness hearing on Wednesday, March 29. Theodore R. Sweeney Jr., of Northfield, is charged with threatening to commit a school shooting, two counts of threatening to commit a crime, and disturbing the peace in connection stemming from an incident on Friday, the Northwestern District Attorney said. Sweeney is accused of calling Northfield Elementary School and telling two employees, "I will come there and shoot every one of you,” the prose…
Amherst, MA
Police & Fire
Stabbing: Police Bust 3rd Suspect After Multi-Town Chase In Western Mass
Police in Franklin County arrested a third man in an overnight attack that sent a man to the hospital with a stab wound and had police chasing suspects for hours, authorities said. Juan Rodriguez, age 31, and Alex Santana, 31, both of Southbridge, were arrested and charged in the overnight attack near the intersection of North Main Street and Oxbow Road early Monday morning, Orange police said. Massachusetts State troopers just before noon arrested a 22-year-old from Longmeadow in the assault, though they haven't released his name yet. Orange officers received a 911 call around …
Worcester, MA
Police & Fire
Parking Bans In Effect For Central, Western Mass Cities, Towns
As much as 2 feet of snow fell overnight Monday, March 13, through Tuesday morning, leaving some roads impassable and knocking out power to thousands. Because of the nor'easter's damage, several cities and towns in Central and Western Massachusetts have implemented parking bans. Editor's Note: This list will be continually updated. Franklin County Greenfield — A parking ban is in effect until 7 a.m. Wednesday Hampden County Chicopee — A parking ban is in effect from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. That includes main and secondary roads. Holyoke — No parking is allowed…
Worcester, MA
Weather
School Closings: List Grows As Nor'Easter To Bring Heavy Snows, High Winds
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Central and Western Massachusetts on Monday, March 15, through Wednesday as a nor'easter will blanket the area with heavy snows and high winds. Several schools have announced they will be closed on Tuesday. The Berkshires Adams-Cheshire Regional School District Berkshire Hills Regional School District Central Berkshire Regional School District Farmington River Regional School District Gabriel Abbott Memorial School Hancock Regional School District Lee Public Schools Mount Greylock Regional School District North Ad…
Amherst, MA
Police & Fire
Four Pounds Of Coke, $40K: Police Score Massive Haul Of Drugs, Cash In Raid
A major task force made up of more than a dozen police agencies scored a bust worthy of their size this week in Franklin County, authorities said. It began in December when police and DEA agents raided a home in Greenfield and seized 114 grams of cocaine, 650 bags of heroin/fentanyl mixture, and $113,000, the Greenfield Police Department said. But one of the men arrested in that raid — who was out on bail — allegedly decided he wasn't done with the drug game. That's why on Monday, March 6, several police officers and federal agents raided him again and found even more, Gree…
Amherst, MA
Business
Puff, Puff, Pass On The Shirts: Western Mass Strip Club Wants To Convert To Topless Dispensary
The owners of a Franklin County strip club say they have big plans for the site once they reopen. Instead of nude dancers and beer, they want to have topless saleswomen and marijuana. Nicholas Spagnola, a co-owner of Club Castaway in Whately, spoke with the town's selectboard earlier this month to unveil his revolutionary plan to carve out a "niche" in the fast-growing cannabis retail space. “Our goal would be to operate a topless dispensary and to remove nude dancing and alcohol from the license,” Spagnola said. Spagnola and his business partner Julius Sokol bought …
Amherst, MA
Police & Fire
Heath Man Who Drunkenly Shot At Friends As He Chased Them Gets 5 Years: DA
A 39-year-old Franklin County man who admitted to terrorizing his friends by chasing them through the woods while firing shots at them received a five-year prison sentence on Tuesday, Jan. 31, authorities said. Olin Schwenger-Sartz, 39, of Heath, pleaded guilty to 10 charges, including two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a loaded firearm while intoxicated, the Northwestern District Attorney said. Schwenger-Sartz's tenant was found passed out at his Rowe Road home on Oct. 4, 2020. They called their friend to help th…
Dorchester, MA
News
Mask Mandate Follows Suffolk County's 'High' COVID Rating
College students in Boston may be having flashbacks to 2020, as soaring COVID-19 infections are causing a reinstatement of mask regulations. The current COVID-19 community level for Suffolk county is "high," according the the CDC COVID Data Tracker. The case rate per 100,000 residents is 138.7, as of Thursday, Jan. 5. The spike may be the reason behind the University of Massachusetts Boston's decision to reinstate a mask regulation. Masks will be required indoors beginning Monday, Jan. 9, the university said in an online message. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to monitor the…
Amherst, MA
News
Man Killed In Western Mass Garage Fire Was On Trial For Child Sex Abuse: DA
A 47-year-old man who died in a Western Massachusetts garage fire over the weekend was on trial for child sex abuse in Greenfield District Court, authorities said. Franklin County resident William Willey, of Montague, was killed in a two-alarm fire that tore through a garage at 90 East Street in Northfield on Sunday, Nov. 13, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office reports. The space was rented by Willey, whose body and car were found on the property. The fire required support from several neighboring fire departments and Willey was the sole victim of the incident, as previously repor…
Chambersburg, PA
Police & Fire
Person Killed In 2-Alarm Fire Garage Fire In Western Mass Town: Officials
One person has died in a two-alarm fire in a small Western Massachusetts town, authorities said. Firefighters in Franklin County with the Northfield Fire Department responded to the fire at 90 East Street in Northfield around 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, the Department of Fire Services (DFS) reports. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from a repair garage at a single-story building. A second alarm was eventually struck, which drew additional help from several neighboring departments both from Massachusetts and Vermont, DFS said. Last night, Engine 1 and Squad 1 re…
Next Page
Archive
