News

Afghan family stays mostly at home out of fear of ICE raids

Editor’s note: The Deerfield Valley News is withholding the names and exact location of the family interviewed for this article out of concern for their safety and the safety of others in the region.
By Jon Hurdle
SOUTHERN VERMONT—A family of Afghan refugees now thinks harder about...

Whitingham man sentenced in child sex abuse materials case

Windham Court Judge orders suspended sentence of 1 to 9 years and 10 years of probation
BRATTLEBORO—A Whitingham resident was sentenced to probation last week for possession of child sexual abuse materials, according to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office.
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Immigrants in region live in a climate of fear

US government halts asylum process for applicants from 19 countries after attack on National Guard in the nation’s capital
SOUTHERN VERMONT—The intensifying crackdown on immigrants by the administration of President Donald Trump has deepened a climate of fear among...

Photo courtesy of The White House Inn Trees with tags sharing the wishes of children throughout the valley are hosted by businesses each year in a program called The Giving Tree. The local tradition was started approximately 30 years ago by Rhea Clark and has been coordinated by Mary Jane Finnegan for the past several decades.

Holiday gifts will reach 80 families through this year’s Giving Tree

WILMINGTON—Next week, Mary Jane Finnegan and her troop of “elves” will deliver packages containing warm clothing and toys for children throughout the valley. The deliveries are part of the annual “Giving Tree” program, a tradition that began approximately 30 years ago and has been carried forth...

WSWSU 2027 budget includes 2024 deficit payback

Board will seek southeastern Vermont BOCES membership
WILMINGTON—The Windham Southwest Supervisory Union board got their first look at a draft fiscal year 2027 budget at their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 3. The budget includes the cost of more than $400,000 in...

River Valleys to preview potential options for consolidation of services amid declining enrollment

WARDSBORO—At its meeting on Monday, December 1, the River Valleys Unified School District Board said that in the coming months it will have “proactive conversations” about declining enrollment projections and whether it should institute some consolidation within its district, which comprises The...

Ticket resale regulation and state film industry top legislative priorities for creative sector

VERMONT—The directors of the Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Humanities, and the Vermont Historical Society gathered for an online session on Wednesday to discuss the legislative priorities of the creative sector ahead of the legislative session, which will commence in January. In addition, the...

Bridge 31 to be closed for a month during 2029 replacement

The bridge over the North Branch of the Deerfield River in the heart of Wilmington Village would be closed, demolished, and replaced in a month during the spring of 2029, with expected impacts to traffic and local businesses, according to a plan presented to the Wilmington Selectboard at their...

Tax commissioner projects 12% education tax increase

MONTPELIER-Education property tax bills could climb by almost 12% in fiscal year 2027, according to Vermont Tax Commissioner Bill Shouldice, if action isn’t taken to control education spending. On Monday, Shouldice issued the department’s annual education tax rate forecast, which is mandated...

Eat, Sleep, Shop Local hopes to boost economy

WILMINGTON- Celebrating its 12th year this holiday season, Eat, Sleep, Shop Local commenced this week. The program, which is spearheaded each year by Wilmington Works, offers shoppers $5 coupons for every $25 they spend at participating businesses. This year, 28 businesses throughout...