EAST THETFORD—On a clear, cold morning with the wintry air nipping at their heels, a couple in their twilight years entered the familiar white general store that sits close to Route 5 in East Thetford. The old sign has been taken down, but you can still read the ghostly “Wing’s Market” letters that were there last month.
BRADFORD—How does a comic strip artist get her start? During a recent interview, 18-year-old Jayda Garcia detailed the inspirations behind her upcoming comic strip for the Journal Opinion, entitled “Clay Paint.” A senior at Woodsville High School, Garcia has attended 21st century media and digital arts classes at River Bend Career and Technical Center for two years.
“Beneath the familiar melodies and words, Christmas songs reveal a portrait of the American psyche past and present, wishing simultaneously to embrace nostalgia, commerce, charity, carnival, romance, and travesty.” Ronald B. Lanford Jr. “A Cultural History of American Christmas Songs.”
WAITS RIVER— The Waits River Country Store and Deli is temporarily closed after a gas-operated clothes dryer caught fire earlier this month, causing severe smoke damage throughout the store.
WALTHAM, MA—A Woodsville man is facing manslaughter, armed robbery, and other charges after he allegedly crashed into a Waltham, Massachusetts roadside worksite killing a police officer, a utility worker, and injuring two others last week.
ORFORD—Food insecurity does not recognize state lines. New Hampshire and Vermont both battle the problem, and that’s where Rivendell Academy stepped in. The small interstate school in Orford has added a food pantry to aid in the fight against hunger among the district’s students and the community at large.
WELLS RIVER—Blue Mountain Union could be one of the beneficiaries of a 2022 state law that ‘dramatically shifts’ Vermont’s education funding system. Although a budget for the 2024-2025 school year has yet to be finalized, officials are considering adopting a proposal that raises education spending by 20%. Despite the hefty increase, projections show there may be minimal impacts on local tax rates.
BARRE—David Gilbo of Newbury can avoid prison time after pleading guilty on Nov. 30 to a misdemeanor criminal charge of grossly negligent operation in driving a pickup truck that struck and killed a Ryegate man at P&H Truck Stop.
THETFORD—With town meeting deadlines approaching next month, the Thetford Selectboard considered three potential articles during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night.
GROTON—The Groton Fire Chief has resigned. Wade Johnson Sr. confirmed to the Journal Opinion that he stepped down after 20 years with the town’s fire department.