REGION – Below is a list of all the top stories of 2025 from throughout the coverage areas of The Vermont Journal, The Vermont Journal: Shopper Edition, and The Message of the Week.
JAN. 2 – Chester adopts rural development bylaws
CHESTER, Vt. – On Thursday, Jan. 2, the Chester Selectboard met to revisit their discussion of the long-running, and lately controversial, project to revise the town’s Unified Development Bylaws. The board voted 4-1 in favor of the proposed bylaw changes, which included the reduced setbacks that had been controversial at the previous meeting. Board member Peter Hudkins cast the lone “nay” vote.
By Nick Giberti
JAN. 13 – Edgar May remediation and expansion project moves ahead
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The removal of PCBs and other chemicals from 140 Clinton Street is Phase 1 of a three-phase project that also includes the construction of a 13,000-square-foot addition that will connect the recreation center to the foundry building. When all phases are complete, the recreation center will be expanded by 31,000 square feet, with an indoor walking track and turf field.
By Paula Benson
FEB. 1 – R4R brings in $20,000 for cancer and diabetes research
LUDLOW, Vt. – On Saturday, the first day of February, temperatures hit the single digits, but that did not stop more than 50 racers from turning out at Okemo Mountain as part of the annual fundraiser and competition Runs for Research (R4R). Currently in its eighth year, the event raises money for cancer and diabetes research, and was founded by two ski-racing sisters from Ludlow, Cami Blount, 16, and Chloe Blount, 14.
By Paula Benson
FEB. 3 – Plymouth discusses pending lawsuit
PLYMOUTH, Vt. – At their Feb. 3 meeting, the Plymouth Selectboard discussed a pending lawsuit against the town pertaining to the educational property tax exemption for Bethany Birches Camp. Board Chair Jay Kullman announced that on Jan. 22, Pepper Tepperman filed the lawsuit with attorney Kevin Gustafson, regarding the educational property tax exemption granted to Bethany Birches Camp.
By Shawntae Webb
FEB. 5 – The Killarney celebrates 20 years
LUDLOW, Vt. – One of Ludlow’s longstanding establishments, a favorite of both locals and visitors alike, The Killarney, is still going strong, and preparing to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The Killarney is a convenient après ski stop, but also has the feel of a neighborhood hangout. Mark and Judy Verespy began the work to reopen the fine dining restaurant as an Irish pub in late 2004, and first welcomed customers on Feb. 5, 2005.
By Paula Benson
MARCH 5 – Rockingham fire departments to merge
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Rockingham residents voted 191-102 in favor of consolidating the Bellows Falls, Rockingham, and Saxtons River fire departments. The decision to merge the three fire stations will allow for quicker response times because firefighters will now be a part of the fire department where they also reside, eliminating the need for responders to drive past a fire station with town-owned equipment they are not authorized to use.
By Joe Milliken
MARCH 17 – Londonderry’s goals following exit interviews
LONDONDERRY, Vt. – At the March 17 meeting, Londonderry Selectboard member James Ameden gave a report on exit interviews, which were held recently after multiple resignations from public bodies. Common themes or factors consisted of the relationship between the selectboard, and committees and commissions, the impact on the town and selectboard operations with a history of money and grants not being fully utilized, management of information in the public sphere, and overall meeting management.
By Shawntae Webb
MARCH 18 – Rockingham Selectboard authorizes Bellows Falls Train Station purchase
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – After more than three years of planning, testing, and fundraising, the Rockingham Selectboard approved the purchase of the historic 1923 Bellows Falls Train Station, located on Depot Street, at the Island District in Bellows Falls. Currently owned by the Vermont Rail System, the purchase of the Bellows Falls Train Station has been a long and involved process for the town.
By Joe Milliken
MARCH 26 – Peter Burrows named Springfield School District superintendent
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – On Wednesday, March 26, the Springfield School District announced the appointment of Peter Burrows as superintendent, effective July 1, for a term of one year. Burrows brings more than 30 years of experience in public education to the role, including 10 years as the superintendent of the Addison Central School District in Vermont, and the past 20 months as school superintendent for Milton Public Schools in Massachusetts.
By Paula Benson
APRIL 7 – Former teacher returns to Union Street as principal
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The Springfield School Board met on Monday, April 7, to appoint a list of new and returning staff members at area schools. Lyndsie Perkins was named as the new principal of Union Street Elementary School. Perkins is an alum of the Springfield School District, and was a classroom teacher at the Union Street School for nine years.
By Paula Benson
APRIL 7 – 100 River Street renovation project in Phase 1
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The multiphased project will ultimately include a 162-unit senior living community and assisted care facility planned for 5 Pearl Street. Additional housing for residents of all ages is also part of the plan, with the goal of addressing at least a small fraction of the town’s affordable housing shortage.
By Paula Benson
APRIL 16 – Julian Quarry issues continue in Chester
CHESTER, Vt. – The board invited residents living near the quarry owned and operated by Julian Materials LLC, located in Gassets along Route 10 and Dean Brook Road and commonly known as the Julian Quarry, to speak about what they said were recently observed violations committed by the operators of the quarry. Multiple residents detailed activities they had witnessed at the quarry, alleging that there has possibly been unpermitted drilling and blasting aimed at facilitating rock extraction below grade level, as well as noise violations, and deliberate pollution of nearby Dean Brook with wastewater from the quarrying operation.
By Nick Giberti
APRIL 11 – Longtime WNESU educator Kate Kane named Central Elementary principal
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Kate Kane, a local, longtime educator in the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union school district, was recently named the new principal at Central Elementary School. A 1984 Bellows Falls Union High School graduate and valedictorian, Kane grew up in nearby Cambridgeport, and after high school earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in English and Classics, from Tufts University in 1988.
By Paula Benson
APRIL 21 – Londonderry adopts amended STR ordinance
LONDONDERRY, Vt. – Short-term rental (STR) administrator Andy Dahlstrom reviewed some of the proposed amendments to the STR ordinance. Some changes include requiring a Knox Box for units that have an automatic fire alarm system; having a second means of escape, or egress, in every sleeping space of each registered unit; and each STR owner is responsible for removal or recycling, trash, ash and coals from grills and fire pits, and all other waste. The selectboard unanimously voted to adopt the amended ordinance, and has warned the adoption for public review.
By Shawntae Webb
MAY 19 – Plymouth’s Bridge 9 to close for 42 days in summer
PLYMOUTH, Vt. – Bridge 9, located on Route 100A, approximately 3.7 miles north of Route 100, is slated for construction this season. Preliminary work began on May 12, and the bridge was reduced to one lane on May 20, with a full 42-day closure scheduled from July 7 – Aug. 15. VTrans reported the whole project will be complete in September.
By Shawntae Webb
MAY 19 – Ludlow establishes tree committee
LUDLOW, Vt. – The board heard from Tree Warden Phil Carter, who had requested that the board create a tree advisory committee, in order to proactively combat the threat of emerald ash borer (EAB) and other tree blights, diseases, and infestations. Carter felt that the arrival of the EAB is inevitable, and that other towns in the state and in the region were already ahead of Ludlow in preparing for their arrival.
By Nick Giberti
MAY 23 – Chester hears school board controversy
CHESTER, Vt. – The Chester Selectboard heard several comments from citizens pertaining to the events of the previous meeting on May 7. At that meeting, the selectboard had been presented with two candidates to fill a vacancy on the Green Mountain Unified School District Board. One of the candidates, John Keller, had recently pled guilty to domestic assault. The board declined to recommend a candidate at the meeting, and only Vice Chair Arne Jonynas openly expressed disapproval of Keller.
By Nick Giberti
JUNE 5 – Bellows Falls youth softballers win fourth consecutive championship
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Bellows Falls entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, and traveled to rival Springfield, where they won 31-17 in a three-and-a-half-hour game.
In the championship game, the following night on the same field, Bellows Falls defeated Chester 13-3 to claim their fourth consecutive VYSU championship, dating back to 2022. During this four-year stretch, Bostwick’s teams have posted an almost unbelievable record of 42-2.
By Joe Milliken
JUNE 25 – Springfield welcomes Kinney Drugs to the Plaza
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – On June 25, regional drugstore chain Kinney Drugs posted the news Springfield residents were waiting for – Kinney Drugs will be taking over the Springfield Plaza location beginning the first full week of August, after acquiring the pharmacy from Rite Aid.
By Paula Benson
JULY 16 – Remembering Ron Patch
CHESTER, Vt. – Ron Patch has joined his ancestors. Ron was a true Vermonter and Chester native, who dressed in casual attire, such as a flannel shirt and worn-in jeans, and in the more recent years, long hair. He preferred to be barefoot, and has been caught at festivals or mowing his lawn without shoes on. He spoke and wrote with Vermont phrases and idioms, which no one will quite be able to replace.
By Shawntae Webb
JULY 21 – Londonderry STR ordinance disapproval vote fails
LONDONDERRY, Vt. – Selectboard Chair Tom Cavanagh announced that, “The petition to disapprove the short-term rental ordinance amendments failed by a vote of 66 to 25,” which was voted on the floor at the special town meeting. With this vote, the town approved the amended STR ordinance, and it is now in effect.
By Shawntae Webb
AUG. 5 – Ludlow residents voice opinions on food truck ordinance
LUDLOW, Vt. – The Ludlow Village Trustees held a public hearing on their proposed food truck ordinance on Tuesday, Aug. 5. A number of Ludlow residents came out to voice their support for or opposition to the ordinance. The newly proposed ordinance would have imposed a $100 per day fee on food trucks in the Village of Ludlow, as well as a 30-day limit per year, effectively limiting food trucks in the village to special events or short stays.
By Nick Giberti
AUG. 12 – Ludlow holds rental registry hearing
LIUDLOW, Vt. – The Ludlow Selectboard and Village Trustees held a joint hearing on Ludlow’s proposed short-term rental (STR) and long-term rental (LTR) registry ordinances on Tuesday, Aug. 12, hearing concern from residents, second homeowners, and those who rent out their properties in Ludlow.
By Nick Giberti
AUG. 12 – Rockingham residents report reckless riders
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Resident John Horrocks said, “I’d like to know when the town is going to do something about these children running motorized vehicles through the town. Someone’s going to get hurt.” Horrocks pointed out that nonmotorized bicycle riders are required to know hand signals and follow the rules of the road, saying this situation should be no different. Selectboard Chair Peter Golec concurred, adding that he’d seen some young people riding electric scooters and bikes at high speeds on downtown sidewalks.
By Paula Benson
AUG. 15 – Plymouth Route 100A bridge reopens
PLYMOUTH, Vt. – The bridge was scheduled for a 42-day closure, which began on July 7, and was anticipated to reopen on Aug. 18. Kaminski advocated for the construction crews, “They are very organized, hardworking…from what I can see, they’re doing really well.” The bridge was reopened on Friday, Aug. 15.
By Shawntae Webb
SEPT. 13 – Honeyfest 2025 lands at the Proctorsville Village Green
PROCTORSVILLE, Vt. – The tradition of the honey festival in Proctorsville started more than 10 years ago, and 2024 marked the last year for the popular event held at the Golden Stage Inn. But, as September approached, a collective whisper of lingering interest began to circulate among town and village residents, and local businesses, who wanted to keep the cheerful little festival alive.
By Paula Benson
SEPT. 16 – Rockingham Selectboard adopts municipal fire department plan
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Selectboard Chair Peter Golec presented the Municipal Fire Department Implementation Plan for adoption, and reviewed the main portions of the packet, including the vote tally from Town Meeting approving the formation of a single department and transition team.
By Paula Benson
SEPT. 17 – Journal LLC comes to Claremont
CLAREMONT, N.H. – Journal LLC is expanding into the City of Claremont! We are happy to announce that our new, third paper – The Message of the Week – will serve Claremont and local New Hampshire towns. Charlestown residents will see a change from the Shopper Edition to The Message.
By Shawntae Webb
SEPT. 17 – Claremont School Board evaluates past, present, and future of district
CLAREMONT, N.H. – During the meeting, citizens expressed frustration and demanded answers. It was clear that the public’s trust has been seriously damaged by the previous administration’s miscalculations, gross mismanagement of school funds, and, as some accused, possible corruption. One resident commented that it would take 10 years to regain that trust.
By Paula Benson
SEPT. 20 – “Drink some beer. Do some good.”
CLAREMONT, N.H. – On Saturday, Sept. 20, Mother Nature could not have conjured up a better autumn day to help celebrate the 11th annual Kiwanis Brewfest, held at the Visitor Center Green in downtown Claremont. A warm breeze, and an afternoon of sunshine and blue skies gave the estimated crowd of about 1,500 people further reason to hang out and partake in some unique libations.
By Paula Benson
OCT. 6 – McNamara resigns as Ludlow Town Manager
LUDLOW, Vt. – McNamara spoke to the board regarding his submission to them of a letter of resignation, effective Dec. 5. By way of explanation, McNamara said, “[My resignation] has more to do with a self-reflection and career change, it has nothing to with the town and village of Ludlow, which I do, and still do, care very deeply about.” This was met with a round of applause from those present.
By Nick Giberti
OCT. 6 – Springfield Selectboard okays Wall Street one-way
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – A public hearing was held prior to the Oct. 6 regular meeting of the Springfield Selectboard, for the purpose of reviewing an ordinance amendment regarding a one-way traffic proposal for Wall Street. Mobus reassured residents that the town was planning to place signs in a variety of locations to give fair warning of the traffic changes.
By Paula Benson
OCT. 8 – Claremont City Council makes changes to veterans benefits
CLAREMONT, N.H. –Statute RSA 235 was passed, effective April 1, which eliminates the stacking of the standard veterans credit of $500 with the $1,400 credit for total and permanently disabled veterans. These two benefits can no longer be combined. That is why he proposed that the tax credit for the total and permanently disable veteran’s tax credit should be increased to $1,900. The council approved this ordinance. Hamilton then requested that the elderly tax exemption be increased 3%, to reflect a 3% increase in inflation. Likewise, Hamilton requested that the disabled tax exemption be increased by 3%, which the council approved.
By Anne Dempsey
OCT. 13 – Rockingham votes to fund preservation project
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – At the Oct. 13 special town meeting of the Rockingham Selectboard, the public was invited to discuss two bond measures to finance portions of the Rockingham Meeting House (RMH) preservation project, but voters had little to say, and no strong objections were made. The meeting preceded Tuesday’s bond vote by Australian ballot, which saw 171 total voters turn out, and both bond measures easily pass.
By Paula Benson
NOV. 4 – Springfield honors centenarian Shirley Young Cooper
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Lifelong Springfield resident Shirley Young Cooper was recently honored by the town as she prepared to turn 100 years of age on Nov. 4. A formal resolution, introduced by the town manager and signed by the Springfield Selectboard on Oct. 27, recognized, “Shirley has lived a long and meaningful life marked by kindness, dedication, and service to her community and family.”
By Paula Benson
NOV. 8 – Stevens girls soccer takes state championship
CLAREMONT, N.H. – The Stevens High School girls varsity soccer team closed out an undefeated 20-0 season with a 1-0 victory over Raymond to take the NHIAA Division III state championship on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Bedford, N.H.
NOV. 12 – Citizens voice opposition to Chester Class 4 road policy
CHESTER, Vt. – The Chester Selectboard meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, drew a larger-than-normal crowd to the Chester Town Hall, most of whom had come to speak to the board about the town’s proposed Class 4 road policy. After hearing from many citizens on both sides of the issue, Chair Lee Gustafson recommended that the board take no action on the policy, and continue the discussion in light of the comments received.
By Nick Giberti
NOV. 15 – Terriers capture unprecedented 13th state title
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – The No. 2-seeded Bellows Falls Union High School football team traveled to South Burlington High School on Saturday, Nov. 15, to compete for the Division III state championship against No. 1-seed Woodstock, and came home with another state championship trophy after a convincing 54-20 win over a talented Woodstock squad.
By Joe Milliken
NOV. 24 – Rockingham town manager to take same position in Springfield
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Current Rockingham/Bellows Falls town manager Scott Pickup is moving on from his position in Bellows Falls to become the town manager of Springfield, roughly 10 miles north. Pickup, who came to work for Rockingham in 2020, is currently in the second year of a three-year contract, and he will continue to work in his current position through the end of the calendar year.
By Joe Milliken
DEC. 3 – Residents come out to discuss Chester local options tax
CHESTER, Vt. – The Chester Selectboard meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3, saw a number of residents come forth to give their opinions on the proposed 1% local options tax on rooms, meals, and on-premises alcohol sales which the board has been discussing now for several months.
By Nick Giberti
DEC. 18 – Eagle Times owner indicted on federal fraud charges
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Jay Lucas, owner of the now-defunct Eagle Times, has been indicted by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York on charges of securities fraud, investment adviser fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office alleges that Lucas, through his company Lucas Brand Equity LLC, based in Manhattan, “raise[d] more than $50 million from investors by falsely representing that their money would be invested in early-stage health and wellness companies, when in fact it was diverted to cover personal expenses, promote unrelated ventures, and make Ponzi-like payments to earlier investors.”
By Nick Giberti