Local News

MONTPELIER – Dr. Mark Levine, commissioner for the Department of Health, brought some somber news to Gov. Phil Scott’s press conference Tuesday.

BARTON - Three Lake Region Union Elementary and Middle School District teachers have tendered their resignation and a third grade teacher did not sign a contract by the deadline. Resignations by supervisory union staff and the faculty have been a regular part of the school board's meeting ag…

this year it would only be the tip of the iceberg for Vermonters who are looking for a place to rent or buy. Governor Phil Scott said during his Tuesday press conference that the Act 250 reform bill that the legislature is poised to pass will make matters worse.

GREENSBORO – Many kids dream of running away and joining the circus, and thanks to a Northeast Kingdom organization, that wish can become a reality.

BROWNINGTON - A handful of residents from this rural town contemplated improving business opportunities, infrastructure, community connections, communication, recreation opportunities, and entertainment. A common theme centered around attracting people to Brownington and creating opportuniti…

NEWPORT CITY - Vermont's Fish and Wildlife Department (FWD) has taken advantage of $1.68 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funding. The FWD chose to invest in infrastructure improvements to improve access to state lands, habitat management, and conservation…

DERBY - On Monday evening, the Derby selectboard discussed plans by Michael Hatin to open a retail cannabis store in Derby. The board is confronting a number of rules and regulations that appear to be a moving target. The number of retail outlets was originally restricted, but recently the C…

DERBY – A local ministry group hopes to purchase the former Derby Green Nursing Home and turn it into a “house of merci,” also called a place of refuge.

COVENTRY - The grassroots organization Don’t Undermine Memphremagog’s Purity (DUMP) has filed a petition with the Agency of Natural Resources asking that New England Waste Service VT (Casella) apply for a discharge permit. DUMP alleges, in their filing, that up to 10,000 gallons of untreated…

BARTON - Barton Area Senior Services Incorporated (BASSI) will close their location at the Barton Memorial Building and move the senior meal site to Glover’s town hall. Meal service will continue in Barton through the month. As of May 1 meal service will start in Glover.

NEWPORT CITY – The North Country Supervisory Union expects to receive $458,000 for their Family Center. The Family Center was established earlier this school year to serve as a resource center for all families who live within the North Country Supervisory Union, Superintendent John Castle sa…

By CHRISTOPHER ROY

MONTPELIER - For the second time in his tenure as Vermont's governor, Phil Scott has signed into law S.4 which extends the waiting period to purchase a firearm from three to seven days.

BARTON VILLAGE-  After several years of negotiations, the Barton Village trustees voted unanimously to recommend the sale of the Barton Electric Department to the Vermont Electric Cooperative. Sale of the village utility must now be authorized by Barton Village residents. Terms of the sale a…

NEWPORT CITY- Governor Phil Scott confirmed at Tuesday's weekly press conference that Northern State Correctional Facility Superintendent Scott Martin has been placed on paid leave.

NEWPORT CITY – Several Newport City Businesses will share just over $1.5 million in development grants. Gov. Phil Scott designated the money derived directly from the EB-5 settlement scandal for these grants.

MONTPELIER - As the 2022 legislative session opened in January, proponents of eliminating qualified immunity for law enforcement officials were optimistic that the bill (S.254) would be enacted into law. On Tuesday, the senate approved an amended version of the bill for third reading, callin…

DERBY- A rather active recreation committee in Derby continues to develop opportunities with the select board’s blessing. On Monday evening they outlined plans for a farmer’s market, a disc golf course, and improving access to the town forest.

MONTPELIER – Gov. Phil Scott is concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the state.

In an effort to be transparent, city council members and other city officials will no longer be allowed to use their electronic communications equipment while sitting at the council table. That was the decision the city council made Monday evening.

A new COVID mutation, BA.2, traced to the Omicron virus is spreading through Europe and has been confirmed in 11 percent of positive COVID tests in the United States. At the weekly press conference on Tuesday, Governor Phil Scott said there may be an uptick in cases after weeks of positive t…

Redistricting continues to be on the minds of Vermont lawmakers.

cused of trying to cash a $280 check made out to a local church appeared in Orleans County Court Tuesday, where he pled innocent to charges of False Pretenses or False Tokens and Petit Larceny of $900 or less.

NEWPORT CITY- Vermont, has approximately 900 registered beekeepers, but when you include the many hobby and backyard beekeepers in the state, there is a significant interest in what is happening to the bees. Growing worry over hive death in the wild and for apiaries has increased as a potent…

NEWPORT CITY – Orleans County will soon get a walk-in health care clinic at the former UPS Store on Main Street in downtown Newport.

Governor Phil Scott announced at Thursday’s press conference that effective March 14, masks will no longer be necessary for students to wear in school. The edict includes all schools, regardless of the 80 percent vaccination cut-off rule.

DERBY – Fire flattened Don’s Auto Service early Wednesday morning.

NEWPORT CITY – Newport City voters re-elected City Council members Kevin Charboneau and John Wilson on Town Meeting Day Tuesday. The pair won over the third candidate Carl King.

ST. JOHNSBURY – Late Tuesday evening, police located the vehicle being sought as part of the investigation into Tuesday morning's shooting outside of the Northern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury.

ST. JOHNSBURY — The Vermont State Police is responding to a reported shooting in the parking lot outside Northern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. The exact circumstances of this incident are evolving and currently unknown. The hospital is secure.

NEWPORT CITY – A medical provider from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who was working at an Orleans County nursing home, was released on $10,000 cash or surety bond Monday after entering innocent pleas to charges of lewd and lascivious conduct and aggravated assault. If he makes bail, 48-year-ol…

OLLAND - A late evening fire Wednesday sent two people to North Country Hospital in Newport City. Derby Line Fire Chief Craig Ellam identified them as Keith Gray and Trevor Gray from the Gray Farm.

The Vermont State Police are looking for Newport City woman who they say assaulted a trooper based out of the St. Johnsbury Barracks.

 NEWPORT CITY –Newport City voters will hold their elections and expenditure request by Australian Ballot on Town Meeting Day next Tuesday.

BARTON-Taxpayers were in a giving mood at the annual Lake Region Union High School board meeting, voting to level fund the budget at $7,113,270. The meeting was held in-person. Following a floor debate, the original amount to be raised to pay expenses of the school district was increased by …

 For the second year in a row, the Vermont legislature drafted a bill authorizing the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District's (NEKWMD) supervisors to vote on the district's annual budget. Prior to the Covid pandemic residents of the towns served by NEKWMD voted for the budget by Austra…