BMU board faces budget challenges

WELLS RIVER—The Blue Mountain Union School Board is still revising a budget that will go before town meeting voters in March.
Meeting on Jan. 7, board members reviewed preliminary drafts that showed tax rates could rise as much as 31% in Ryegate, 27% in Wells River, and 19% in Groton.

Former teacher discharged from probation

CHELSEA—A former teacher and athletics coach convicted of sexually assaulting a former student has been discharged from probation.

Salt shortage plagues some towns

Combatting winter’s challenging roads are causing some towns to cut back on road salt, not for environmental reasons, but because of a shortage.

Board opts against health order

BRADFORD—The Bradford Selectboard declined to pursue a health order against the owners of a Lower Plain residential property that had accumulated trash, junk, and other waste.

Bradford FD has new chief

BRADFORD—Nate Brooks is the new Bradford Fire Department Chief. The selectboard appointed him to a three-year term after BFD members recommended him for the post.

Senior meal site in South Ryegate serves up connection

Every Tuesday morning, five to six women gather at the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church to prepare a midday meal for local elders.

OUUSD board preps food service bid

BRADFORD—At the Dec. 30 meeting, the Oxbow Unified Union School Board received a lengthy presentation about the food service program that provides meals for Newbury Elementary School and Oxbow High School.

Newbury, Thetford kick off America 250

Both Newbury and Thetford will hold events this week in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. In both cases, the kick off celebrations are to be held throughout the year.

New town administrator settling in

HAVERHILL—Haverhill Town Administrator Tom Galinat began his new role on Dec. 1 and is already feeling optimistic about beginning a new chapter in the community.

Asylum seeker jailed on weapons charges

BURLINGTON—A Mexican man, who entered the nation illegally and disappeared in 2022 in Vermont after trying to claim asylum, has been jailed on a federal charge for unlawfully attempting to buy a firearm from a Central Vermont gun store last month.