Vermont Independent Media, Publisher of The Commons, Acquires The Deerfield Valley News

BRATTLEBORO, VT— July 10, 2025—Vermont Independent Media (VIM), publisher of The Commons, a leading nonprofit newspaper dedicated to independent journalism and civic engagement serving Southern Vermont, announced today it has purchased The Deerfield Valley News, a loved and respected weekly that has been serving the Deerfield Valley community for almost six decades. VIM becomes the fifth entity to steward the publication. 

"Randy and Vicki Capitani, owners of The Deerfield Valley News for almost 35 years, approached us several months ago about transitioning stewardship of the paper. We recognized the opportunity to preserve an independent weekly newspaper. And, importantly, to strengthen local news coverage in the region and to promote nonprofit journalism as a way forward for the industry," said Steve Mundahl, VIM's president of the board. 

Mundahl added that the sale "preserves local ownership and local accountability and creates a creative incubator for both newspapers to navigate local news coverage in these changing times." 

"When Vicki and I talked about a transition, we felt it important to find people with similar values and commitments to small-town, small-j journalism. We found them, and we didn't have to go very far to do so. We're so excited to be passing the torch to Vermont Independent Media (VIM) and The Commons. We know that they will continue to steward The Deerfield Valley News and related products in a meaningful way that will serve readers and advertisers well into the future," said Randy Capitani.

Vermont Independent Media, publisher of The Commons, and the Capitanis' company, Vermont Media Publishing Co., completed the sale of the Deerfield Valley News on June 27, which transforms DVN into a nonprofit sister publication of The Commons.

Randy and Vicki Capitani, the publisher and general manager of the DVN, respectively, will remain engaged in the production of the paper as they wind down their careers. A VIM team of Mundahl, VIM board member Jonathan Lhowe, Trish Twining and Lynn Barrett, began working alongside DVN staff in the Wilmington newsroom on July 7.

The DVN will remain a paid-circulation newspaper serving Wilmington and surrounding towns, and all subscriptions will be honored under the new management. The Commons distributes its newspaper throughout Windham County, including in DVN's distribution area. 

Both Newspapers Keep Their Identities, Share Resources

VIM's ownership of The Deerfield Valley News will honor local ownership, local accountability, and DVN's editorial goals and news guidelines. The paper is beloved by readers, and "VIM is privileged to follow their lead and grow the legacy of the paper," confirmed Barry Aleshnick, VIM co-founder and current board member. 

Aleshnick continues "Our purchase of DVN helps preserve an independent weekly newspaper and furthers VIM's mission of maintaining and growing news coverage in Windham County.". 

The DVN will continue publishing from Wilmington as it has for decades under the editorial leadership of Mike Eldred, its longtime news editor, and key staff will continue in their roles.

Editorial staff at both papers will meld resources and talent of both publications to better serve the residents in Windham County and surrounding areas and have already begun sharing resources and discussions about journalistic collaboration.

"We've always been very different newspapers," said Commons Editor-in-Chief Jeff Potter, noting that The Commons community weekly's niche has been in longform journalism and news features that look at broader trends. "We've never had the resources for more finely grained news coverage like gavel-to-gavel coverage of municipal government news, and The Deerfield Valley News will continue to perform that critical role, as it has, week after week, for years and years. That won't change," he said. 

"And for both editors, we'll get to do our jobs better by adding strength to both papers. Partnering together serves both communities by providing more depth and better stories," adds Potter.

See history of both papers below

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About Vermont Independent Media

Vermont Independent Media is founded on the belief that independent journalism is critical for the functioning of democracy and is the lifeblood of a community.

Through the publication of The Commons, VIM:

• Sets a standard for fair, balanced, and accurate journalism.
• Provides an open forum for diverse voices within its community.

Through the educational dimension of our mission, VIM:

• Provides opportunities for discussion of important issues within Windham County.
• Provides learning opportunities and internships for young adults and others who want to engage in the essential democratic functions of a free press. 

History

Vermont Independent Media (VIM) was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2005. VIM is the publisher of The Commons, one of the first nonprofit newspapers in the country.

The Commons began publishing monthly in 2006 and expanded to weekly in 2010. 

The New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) has recognized The Commons with many first-place awards, and others, nearly every year since inception, and in 2021, they described The Commons as "a small staff that punches above its weight."

The Commons is published on Wednesdays, 50 times a year. The paper is

available online with no paywall at www.commonsnews.org. Each week, more than 8,000 papers are available free of charge at 260 locations throughout Windham County and 

neighboring towns in Windsor County, VT, Cheshire County, NH and Franklin County, MA. The paper is free so everyone can have access to the news.

About The Deerfield Valley News:

Randy Capitani became publisher and owner of The Deerfield Valley News on February 1, 1991. He was 32 years old, the youngest newspaper publisher in Vermont and made a promise to readers and advertisers that he would work hard to continue the tradition of community journalism, honesty, fairness, and value that had been the "Valley News" ethos since its founding in 1966. 

Little did he assume then that he would have the opportunity to steward his little paper through three-and-a-half decades.  Along the way, he's had the pleasure to work with his wife Vicki and sons William and Wesley, many fantastic journalists, dedicated co-workers, loyal advertisers, and wonderful people in the community. 

The Deerfield Valley News was established in 1966 and continues as the paper of record for its market area. During that time, the region has become one of the major resort and tourist areas in the Northeast. The Deerfield Valley News has a

long-standing commitment to serving the diverse communities which make up its area. Market Area - Western Windham County including the towns of Wardsboro, West Wardsboro, Stratton, Jamaica, Dover, Wilmington, Marlboro, Jacksonville,

Whitingham, Readsboro, Halifax, Searsburg, and the West River Valley. 

For more information contact: Lynn Barrett, The Commons/Deerfield Valley News, vermontartsliving@gmail.com, 323-627-4625.

See www.dvalenws.com for more on the transition.