Athol

Three area companies were among seven in New England that paid penalties ranging from $3,000 to $9,500 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month to settle claims that they violated federal laws meant to prevent oil spills, the agency said.

Ten Central Massachusetts communities will receive federal community development block grants that total about $6.6 million for a variety of uses, notably housing and infrastructure upgrades.

Improved margins and lower expenses helped put tool manufacturer L.S. Starrett back in the black in the quarter that ended March 31, though revenue for the Athol-based company fell slightly.

Athol-based manufacturer L.S. Starrett reported net income of $216,000 in the first quarter of its 2014 fiscal year, a turnaround of more than $500,000 a year after it posted a loss of $351,000.

The Athol Area United Way will become part of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, bringing together two key charitable-giving organizations that serve the northern swath of Central Massachusetts.

Athol-based tool manufacturer L.S. Starrett saw its revenue fall more than 6 percent in its recently completed fiscal year, and reported a net loss of $162,000, according to details in its annual 10-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Heywood Hospital in Gardner will shut down its inpatient pediatrics and transitional care services units by the end of September, citing federal budget cuts, low patient volume and high-quality alternatives at nearby health care facilities.

Twenty-three Central Massachusetts companies are among those benefiting from $6.8 million in workforce training fund grants awarded by the Patrick administration.

Hospitals in Central Massachusetts were among the least profitable in the state, on average, in the quarter...

Athol-based tool maker L.S. Starrett Co. saw its sales fall 10 percent and its net income dip into the negative in its first fiscal 2013 quarter.