News

James Barnes

Barnes ordered to pay $35 per week

HARTFORD, CT- A Connecticut court has ordered former Hermitage Club owner James Barnes to pay $35 per week on a $1.3 million debt owed to Douglas Hollenbeck, one of the club’s founding members and investors.
The order follows a 2019 judgment in a Windham County, VT, court, as well as a...

A screenshot of Windham County senator Becca Balint, right,and her wife Elizabeth Wohl during an online announcement event Monday evening.

Balint announces groundbreaking candidacy for US Congress

BRATTLEBORO - On Monday, Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint, a Democrat, of Brattleboro, announced her candidacy for Vermont’s singular seat in the US House of Representatives. If she is successful, her ascension could create a shakeup in Windham County politics.
Balint’s announcement...

Abbie Corse at her family’s Whitingham farm. File photo

Climate plan doesn’t meet people where they are

Local council member supportive but concerned about rural impacts WHITINGHAM - On December 1, the Vermont Climate Council released its Climate Action Plan, a 273-page document that outlines the council’s suggestions for action on climate change. Council member Abbie Corse, of...

Muriel Wolf by her banner

Remembering those lost

BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice’s office at 191 Canal Street now displays an honorary banner for those people who have died due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sign was designed by Lars Hunter, bereavement program coordinator, and Muriel Wolf, spiritual companion, along with the talents of...

Voters say no to Readsboro selectboard expansion

READSBORO- Voters defeated a measure that would expand the town’s selectboard from three to five members at a special Town Meeting on Monday, November 29.
The question was the result of a petition signed by 53 Readsboro residents. At the meeting, however, the measure failed 51 to 21 in...

Board balks at mask mandate

WHITINGHAM - In a brief discussion at their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 2, the Whitingham Selectboard rejected implementing a townwide mask mandate.
“No. Next!” said board member Craig Hammer.
No board members came out in support of the legislation recently signed by Gov...

State urges increase COVID testing, calls for insurance coverage

MONTPELIER- The state will emphasize COVID-19 testing as well as vaccination as a means of preventing the spread of the virus, officials said at Gov. Phil Scott’s briefing Tuesday.
As part of the testing initiative, Gov. Scott announced an emergency rule requiring commercial health...

Wilmington Development Review Board members listen to testimony by Christian Engel and Jennifer Betit-Engel, who are seeking a permit to open a vegan restaurant at the Horizon Inn.

Couple planning to open vegan restaurant

WILMINGTON- The Deerfield Valley may soon have one of the region’s only restaurants devoted to vegan cuisine.
Christian Engel and Jennifer Betit-Engel, owners of the Horizon Inn, met with the development review board Monday seeking to open the inn’s restaurant to the public. According to...

Christian Engel with his cannabis petition, in a photo he posted on Ratu’s Facebook page.

Cannabis petition garners support

WILMINGTON - Christian Engel and Jennifer Betit-Engel, owners of Ratu’s Liquor & Market in Wilmington, are seeking the town’s blessing on pursuing a license for a retail cannabis operation in town. A petition regarding the matter already has enough signatures to make the issue an article at...

A trip to the wild (and tamed) west

WHITINGHAM - Mother and daughter Wanda and Karlee Walkowiak recently returned to Whitingham from an unlikely vacation. In November, the pair spent two weeks volunteering at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.
The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is described on its website as “...