News

Maple syrup season varies from "bonanza" to "average"

As the maple sugaring season draws to a close, some local producers reported near-record-high quantities of syrup, while others said the season was just average. In Whitingham, Jason Morse found plentiful, fast-flowing sap allowed him to make 220 gallons of syrup from 644 taps in 16 days, a...

Brian Holt, co-owner of Wilmington's Starfire Bakery.

A tough Parisian training for a Starfire principal

When Brian Holt, one of the four owners of Wilmington’s Starfire Bakery, arrived at Ferrandi Paris, a world-renowned culinary and hospitality school, he felt, perhaps for the first time in his life, entirely intimidated. “I haven’t felt that feeling inside since — well, I don’t know if I’ve...

Hannah Small, owner of Wilimington’s Butter Mountain Bakery, baked 1,000 sourdough rolls for students at Brattleboro Union High School in a pilot program that aims to increase demand for locally sourced food in Vermont schools.

Wilmington baker's rolls earn top grades from students

In the cafeteria at Brattleboro Union High School, student Connor Montgomery strongly approved of a whole-grain, sourdough roll that he had just tried with his lunch. “I ate the entire roll; I thought it was pretty good,” he said. “I kind of want another one. The texture, and everything about...

Steve Butler, owner of North Star Pizza & Bowling, is ready to sell his business after 47 years of ownership.

North Star owner looks toward a new era

In January, Steve Butler, owner of Wilmington’s North Star Pizza & Bowling, put the business up for sale. Though it hasn’t sold yet, Butler said he’s prepared to hand it over to the person who will bring it into its next chapter. Butler, who has owned the bowling center and pizza restaurant...

Three Wilmington projects named regional priorities

Three Wilmington-based projects were included on this year’s list of “Regional Priority Projects,” a list published each year by Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). The list includes continued development at WheelPad, ongoing renovations at the Old School Community Center, and...

Wilmington’s No Kings protesters call for Trump’s impeachment

Around 180 people jammed the center of Wilmington on Saturday morning as part of the latest nationwide protest in some 3,000 communities against the policies of the Trump administration. The No Kings event, the third so far, accused the administration of seeking to end democracy, of rounding up...

Bongartz and Plunkett to re-electon to Senate

Southwestern Vermont’s two state senators said they would seek re-election in November, promising to continue their fight against the Trump administration and proposing more reforms on the top local issues of housing, education, and affordability in the mostly rural communities they have...

Nonprofit gets a state grant to pursue ‘Wild and Scenic’ status for Deerfield River

The Deerfield River Watershed Association (DRWA) received a state grant that will help it advance an application for a federal Wild and Scenic River designation. That status would permanently protect the Deerfield River from any new dams and from any “adverse water development” such as...

Dover lays out water supply options in final feasibility study

Potential scenarios, and costs, for how Dover could approach its water supply over the next decade are distilled in a feasibility study final report, which is available to be read in full via the town’s website. The report, which was posted on March 18, was compiled by Dufresne Group Consulting...

Advocates say Wilmington's water supply is threatened by too many people staying in short-term rental properties.

Wilmington mulls limits on bedroom numbers for short-term rentals

Planning officials weighed whether to put a limit on the number of bedrooms that a short-term rental house can have amid concerns that some owners are eroding the quality of life in residential neighborhoods while threatening to overload septic systems. The Planning Commission is considering...