News

File photo Former Dover librarian John Flores sued the town and individual library trustees after his termination in 2023. The court has dismissed all complaints against individuals named in the lawsuit and some against the town.

Trustees off the hook in former librarian’s lawsuit

NEWFANE—A Windham Civil Court judge has ruled in favor of the individual defendants named in a civil suit filed by a former Dover Free Library director.
John Flores filed the case two years ago, in January 2024, claiming the town and trustees breached their contract by terminating his...

Lawmakers will need to compromise, says county’s only independent state rep

Sibilia eyes human rights, education, and energy as top priorities for the new legislative session
DOVER—“The reality of this Legislature is that compromise is not optional” said Windham County’s only independent lawmaker, Rep. Laura Sibilia (I-Dover, Jamaica, Somerset,...

Lindsey Brown-Rosso, left, and Dave Rosso, right, owners of the East Dover General Store. Lauren Harkawik

A newly-restored general store is a link to generations past in East Dover

EAST DOVER—Before she ever dreamed she would helm the East Dover General Store, Lindsey Brown-Rosso received a gift: a ledger that detailed what was purchased at the general store when it was under the ownership of W.C. Halladay. The ledger was dated 1893, and it detailed purchases made by Brown-...

Hayford tops winning season and career with national recognition

WILMINGTON—Forty-three seasons, 513 career wins, 11 state championship titles, Coach of the Year honors at the Southern Vermont League (SVL) and state levels, and a season that will, for Twin Valley boys’ soccer coach Buddy Hayford, live as one of the greatest of his professional career....

Looking back on 2025

Deerfield Valley saw bridge problems, education upheaval, and homicide in the past year
DEERFIELD VALLEY—The news year was bookended by bridge stories – critical infrastructure in Readsboro and in Wilmington Village. Ordinarily, bridges may not seem like big news – until a...

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Documents reveal conflicting statements from alleged murderer

Court awaits forensic reports from killing in May of disabled Whitingham man
BRATTLEBORO—In several handwritten statements submitted to Windham Criminal Court, a Whitingham man charged with murdering and dismembering his disabled housemate has given conflicting accounts...

River Valleys board takes first look at possible reductions

District could consider consolidations amid declining enrollment
DOVER—At its meeting on Monday, December 15, the River Valleys Unified School District Board began discussions about its FY27 budget, which could have meaningful implications about how education is delivered in the district...

New Jersey man charged in two-state CSAM investigation

Police say Merrick had 1,000 or more child sexual abuse images
BRATTLEBORO—A New Jersey resident pleaded not guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials in Windham Criminal Court, following an arrest at his second home in Wilmington.
Frank B. Merrick, 83,...

Administration tentatively supports tax rate buy-down

MONTPELIER—Gov. Phil Scott said his administration was considering a proposed plan to buy down a projected 12% property tax increase in fiscal year 2027, but warned that such fiscal intervention is not a long-term solution to the state’s education funding problems.
At the beginning of the...

Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was stopped and his electronic devices were searched as he reentered the US from a visit to Nicaragua.

Winooski superintendent sues DHS, testing legality of device seizure at border

WINOOSKI—A former Readsboro school principal has filed a lawsuit against federal immigration agencies, claiming his constitutional rights were violated when officials temporarily seized his electronic devices during a search at a Houston airport last summer.
Wilmer Chavarria, now...