Small business stricken by impact of COVID-19 digs in for the long haul

By Rod Lee

Stuart D. “Stu” Mulhane of Mulhane Home for Funerals on N. Main St. in Millbury was probably speaking for hundreds of other businesses in the Blackstone Valley when during a telephone conversation on March 18th he described the coronavirus pandemic as “no question, unprecedented.

“It is the same for us as all other funeral homes,” Mr. Mulhane said. “Services are limited, especially the size of the gatherings. We will... Read More

Grafton businesses bearing down, adjusting practices during crisis

In recent weeks, news related to the frightening COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives. We have also heard about people letting their fear become anger. The hoarding of, shaming and fighting over toilet paper is not something most of us ever imagined would happen in our country.

In response to the serious threat to our health that the virus poses, the Town of Grafton has had to make some difficult decisions. The... Read More

Hartford’s Haunted Railroad Bridge

By Thomas D’Agostino

Sometime between 2 and 3 in the morning on Saturday, September 5, 1887, Vermont’s worst railroad disaster took place a few miles from White River Junction as the Vermont Central Railroad express train from Montreal jumped its tracks and plummeted onto the frozen White River below. The engine was towing a baggage and express car, a mail car, two ordinary passenger cars, and two sleeper cars. Many were on their way... Read More