Board to take up health order
BRADFORD—The selectboard will revisit a potential health order on a Goshen Road property on April 23 after an initial public hearing on April 9.
Changes mulled at Rte. 302 and 135 intersection
WOODSVILLE—A busy Central Street intersection could become a four-way stop later this year. At the Haverhill Selectboard meeting on April 13, board members learned the New Hampshire Department of Transportation will install stop signs at all four corners of the intersection of Route 302 and Route 135. Currently, stop signs are located just on Route 135.
Warren school board grapples with budget cut
WARREN—After Warren residents voted to cut the $2.82 million school budget for 2026-2027 by $392,000 at town meeting, the school board has met twice to discuss the reduction.
At Vershire Town Meeting, budgets and policing contracts defeated
In Vershire on Saturday morning, there was a whole room full of well-informed, opinionated folks with good questions who had no qualms about voicing their thoughts for three hours. They also were not afraid to kick the can down the road.
Accused murderer to remain behind bars
CHELSEA—A Bradford man accused of killing his friend last year will remain behind bars ahead of trial after a hearing on April 1 in Orange County Superior Court. James D. Nickles, 43, has been charged with second- degree murder for shooting Corey Crooker inside his Old Post Road home in January 2025. Nickles has been in custody since his arrest, initially on federal weapons charges, in February 2025.
Oxbow grad announces run for governor
NEWBURY—Aly Richards, who grew up in Newbury and attended Oxbow High School, will seek the Democratic nomination for governor. She launched her campaign on Monday morning in Newbury.
State highway remains closed
FAIRLEE—It does not appear that a section of Route 5 in Fairlee closed last month after a rockfall will reopen in the next few days.
The rockfall took place on Tuesday, March 10. It shut down a section of the state highway, between Sawyer Mountain Road and Mountain Road, below the ledges. The Journal Opinion asked the Vermont Agency of Transportation for an update: “The focus right now is acquiring all the necessary clearances to advertise this project using federal highway funds. After a contractor has been hired, AOT will be able to provide a time estimate for completion.”
Family welcomed newborn on same day they lost house
NEWBURY—A home at 3567 Route 302, close to Boltonville Road, burned to the ground early Monday, March 30. Having just moved in November 2025, life was good for 29-year-old George Houghton and 32-year-old Sarah Higgins and they had big plans for the day. She set an alarm the night before for an early 4:30 a.m. wakeup. It was the day labor was to be induced for her third child. On their way to the hospital, they planned to stop by the Groton Cemetery to sing “Happy Birthday” to Houghton’s brother Brock who died in May 2025.
The alarm woke them only to discover the house rapidly filling with smoke.
Newbury fire displaces three
NEWBURY—An early morning fire on Monday destroyed a home in Boltonville. Volunteer firefighters responded to 3567 Route 302 in Newbury, across from Boltonville Road.
Woman arrested after hitting officer
WOODSVILLE—A transient woman with ties to the area allegedly struck a Haverhill Police Department officer with a motor vehicle as she fled a welfare check on Central Street in Woodsville on March 27.