BRADFORD—The hot air balloon pilot who died last month in a fall over Bradford had just re-lit the burner shortly before the basket collided with the ground ejecting him and a passenger.
According to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board, Brian Boland and four passengers took off in a balloon from the Post Mills airport at around 6:30 p.m. on July 15.
About 45 minutes later, after traveling northeast above the Connecticut River on a sightseeing trip, Boland reported that the pilot light on the burner was not lit. After changing the propane bottle, Boland could not find the striker to relight the burner. As he searched the basket for the striker, the balloon descended.

GROTON—Groton will hold a special town meeting on Aug. 4 to vote on a resolution that would declare the town a “Second Amendment sanctuary.”
If approved, the proposal would bar the town of Groton from using funds to store firearms that have been confiscated or are being stored “for the purpose of enforcing any other law that unconstitutionally infringes upon the right of the people of Groton, Vermont to keep and bear arms.”

BRADFORD—A fresh jolt of energy arrived on Main Street in Bradford this spring.
Kendall and Travis Gendron of Corinth are the driving force behind Vittles House of Brews, a vibrant new destination for folks who crave a tasty cup of coffee.
Well-versed in the art of coffee brewing after her experience in Seattle coffee shops and some time managing a Starbucks, Kendall’s 12-year dream of owning a coffee shop has materialized.
Of course, Vittles isn’t new to Bradford. The Gendrons started their venture by launching the Vittles Espresso and Eatery a couple of years ago from a trailer on the Lower Plain near Kinney Drugs.

WOODSVILLE—Selectmen narrowly approved on July 19 spending more than $92,000 in municipal capital reserve funds that will be used to pay off debt held by Haverhill Corner precinct.
The vote came after town officials said state regulators and town attorneys signed off on the resolution to a thorny issue left after the newly formed town fire department absorbed the precinct’s fire department earlier this year.
The Haverhill Fire Department was formed in March following votes on the issue at town and precinct annual meetings in 2020. On March 17, Haverhill Corner voters opted to relinquish control of the precinct fire department and most of its assets to the town and become part of the town fire department.

BRADFORD—An effort led by Bradford residents in collaboration with the Vermont Council on Rural Development will get underway next week with the goal of moving the town toward a better future.
It’s all part of VCRD’s Community Visit program. The first step, in a three-step process, is on July 28 when there will be a series of forums throughout the day and evening with a free community dinner open to all.
The Community Visit program has been around for two decades.