Wildlife in Benton burns over a dozen acres
BENTON—Wildfire season has begun and area fire departments have been busy. On April 29, nearly two dozen fire departments responded to a forest fire near Owl’s Head in Benton. Haverhill Fire Chief Phil Blanchard told the Journal Opinion on Thursday that he had departments from Plymouth to Lisbon to Thetford respond. Benton does not have […]
WRVS budget passes; OUUSD budget fails
TOPSHAM—On Monday evening, Waits River Valley School voters passed a $10 million budget for 2026-2027 in a paper ballot vote of 73 to 42. AND BRADFORD—In a 145 to 119 paper ballot vote, the 2026/2027 Oxbow United Union School District budget failed to pass.
Finding support close to home
BRADFORD—After winter’s isolation, a welcome sliver of sunlight cut through mid-April’s leaden sky. Lifting the mood from cloudy to bright really meant something, especially for those seeking connection and hope on a Monday night. Since Dec. 23, 2025, the Upper Valley Recovery Group has met every Monday evening for one hour on Main Street.
At forums, Rivendell explores options
ORFORD—Democracy is messy and takes time. At a moment when some governing bodies choose to cut corners on the democratic process, the Rivendell Interstate School District invited public participation in not one, but three forums held on April 30. A fourth online forum is planned for May 9.
Photo of the Week
A fully engulfed motor vehicle on I-91 north in Bradford slowed traffic to a halt on the evening of May 11. The fire was located just north of exit 16 in Bradford. A column of black smoke was visible from miles away. The car appeared to be an SUV, per photos posted by the Bradford Fire Department to social media. The fire spread to nearby grass before it was extinguished.
