Candidates forum held

BRADFORD—The Democratic and Republican candidates for Orange County Senate touched on such topics as affordable housing, Vermont’s drug problem, and safe injection sites during a forum held on Oct. 2 at Oxbow High School. The segment for Orange-1 state Representative covered such issues as weather, senior assistance, and lobbyists. Orange 2 Democratic incumbent representative, Monique Priestley fielded questioned solo and her challenger Republican Zach Lang did not appear.

Rivendell explores switch to ballot votes

ORFORD—At the Oct. 1 regular meeting of the Rivendell Interstate School Board, superintendent Jennifer Botzojorns reported that she had met recently with the district’s four town clerks, who made recommendations in preparation for a possible change in the way the districts vote at its annual meeting.

Conte Refuge begins local expansion

FAIRLEE–Nearly 10 years after the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge initially proposed establishing a new conservation area in Orange County, it has officially acquired its first tract of land as part of the newly formed Ompompanoosuc River Division.
The Conte Refuge is the largest national wildlife refuge in New England and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Business Buzz: Piermonters lead helicopter tours

PIERMONT—If you like northern New England’s autumn colors standing on the ground, wait until you get an overhead view. Otes (pronounced Otis) Air in Piermont offers an up-close, above-the-mountains view like no other — via their Robinson helicopter.

Two arrested after property raid

BRADFORD—More than a dozen police officers raided a village home last week and arrested at least two men as part of a drug investigation.
At approximately 9 a.m. on Sept. 25, the Bradford Police Department along with five other law enforcement agencies, utilized a megaphone, a canine, and two ‘flash bang’ devices as they ordered the occupants of 64 South Pleasant Street to come out of the home based on a search warrant they had obtained.

Fairlee cliff work to extend to 2025

FAIRLEE—Drivers have grown weary of the Route 5 detour between caused by the closure of southbound I-91. Rolling roadblocks in the northbound lane are frustrating, too.

Board chair serving as interim town administrator

NORTH HAVERHILL—As the search for a town administrator continues, Haverhill Selectboard Chair Rod O’Shana is serving as interim town administrator.

Bradford landmark set to close

BRADFORD—Bliss Village Store on Main Street will close later this month. Store owner Marilyn Rainville posted an announcement to social media on Sunday when she cited the “economic downturn, skyrocketing energy costs and exorbitant operating expenses” as reasons for the closure.

Public hearing held on disputed funds

WOODSVILLE—The Haverhill Selectboard voted on Monday night to temporarily table the distribution of nearly $450,000 to Woodsville Precinct.

A brand new Old Home Day

WEST FAIRLEE—Morning skies were dreary, the air cool, and early crowds deceptively thin as West Fairlee Old Home Day opened on Saturday.