BURLINGTON—An Orange County man, who initially received a nine-month federal prison term for being a felon in possession of explosive materials, had a little over two months added onto his sentence after he admitted he ignored three directives from the sentencing judge.
Mark A. Mattiace, 44, of East Corinth acknowledged in court on Thursday that after he got out of prison that he tested positive in February for both methamphetamines and marijuana—a violation of an order to remain drug-free.

BRADFORD—On June 24, the Bradford Selectboard approved two new ordinances to address fire department reimbursement and false alarms.
The reimbursement ordinance identifies incidents, like an unpermitted burn, where the Bradford Fire Department can bill businesses or individuals after a response. The false alarm ordinance states that the fire department will bill businesses and individuals with excessive false alarms for the costs associated with the department’s response.
“We decided to write a policy the right way, instead of waiting until after something happens and then writing a policy for that,” Bradford Public Safety Committee Chair Gary Moore said.

NORTH HAVERHILL—A Grafton County operating budget for the next 12 months in excess of $48.7 million was overwhelmingly approved by legislators on Monday morning.
Meeting mostly in person at the county complex, the delegation of state representatives voted 25-1 to approve the spending plan. Rep. David Binford, R-Bath, was the lone dissent. Ten other Republicans joined 15 Democrats to pass the budget. Rep. Russell Muirhead, D-Hanover, was the lone delegation member to not participate in voting on June 28.

WEST FAIRLEE—Mailing address issues are causing West Fairlee’s COVID-19 vaccination rate to appear lower than it actually is.
The Vermont Department of Health website shows a vaccination rate between 21 and 30% for West Fairlee and a rate greater than 90% for Fairlee, with a disclaimer saying that the vaccination rate in West Fairlee may appear lower than the actual rate due to “address uncertainty.”
West Fairlee does not have a post office branch. It was displaced in 2008 when the town-owned Bean Hall was ordered closed due to structural problems. The United States Postal Service officially closed the branch in 2011.

WAITS RIVER—One of the most photographed sites in Vermont is Pike Hill Road’s approach to the New Hope Methodist Church in Waits River. There are barns on either side of the road and in the foreground is a small bridge with wooden railings.
New England photographer and blogger Jeff Folger calls it “an iconic location.”
Indeed, it is and folks are loathe to make changes to the scene in any way. But those railings are now warped and in need of repair. The bridge bed itself needs attention.