AREA TOWNS – Vermont candidates for statewide and local legislative races had until Thursday, May 28. to file petitions declaring themselves as candidates for the primary election, scheduled on Tuesday, August 11. Independent candidates have until Thursday, Aug. 6, to file their petitions. In Senate races, incumbent Minority Leader, Caledonia[Read More…]
Orleans County
Federal funding released to support rural development projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, announces the delivery of more than $1 million in federal funding, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Rural Development (RD), to support Vermont farmers and small businesses. This announcement follows a months-long effort by the Senator and partners to release the federal funds. The funding, provided through USDA-RD’s Rural Business Development Grants, includes $199,966 for The Center For An Agricultural Economy in Caledonia[Read More…]
NVDA updating Regional Plan
NORTHEAST KINGDOM – NVDA planners continue to put finishing touches on NVDA’s draft 2026 Regional Plan, which covers Caledonia, Orleans and Essex Counties. Every eight years the plan must be updated to better reflect statewide planning goals to guide future growth and development in the three counties and 55 communities[Read More…]
Education bill builds on months of hard work
MONTPELIER – I want to share an update on the education bill that the House Education Committee advanced. At its core, this proposal is about finding long-term, sustainable ways to support our schools while recognizing Vermont’s rural reality and strong sense of local identity. This work builds on months of[Read More…]
Committee action planned
MONTPELIER – On the House Education Committee, we’ve been laying out the different paths Vermont could take when it comes to education reform. This month, we’ll begin exploring possible district maps that would plan for larger, more consolidated systems. At the same time, I will continue to strongly advocate for[Read More…]
Vermont agriculture, conservation at annual meeting, Feb. 11.
IRASBURG – Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District (OCNRCD) hosts their annual meeting focused on the evolution of Vermont agriculture and conservation. This public event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Nelson’s Farm in Irasburg and will bring together farmers, landowners, foresters and community members to reflect on how agriculture has changed[Read More…]
First week of legislature busy and consequential
MONTPELIER – I hope you all enjoyed some restful holidays and are off to a rejuvenating new year, filled with renewed energy for making positive change. It’s a joy and an honor to be back in the State House. We’ve officially completed the first week of the new legislative session, and[Read More…]
Sheriff Harlow reports domestic assault arrest
GREENSBORO – On December 10 while on duty for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Cota responded to a report of a Domestic Assault in Greensboro. After speaking with the victim, Deputy Cota located Harold Lanphere at his residence in Greensboro and placed him under arrest. Lanphere was lodged at[Read More…]
Former state rep Morley appointed to Senate seat
ORLEANS – John Morley, a longtime village of Orleans employee and former state representative, will fill Orleans County’s vacant seat in the Vermont Senate. Gov. Phil Scott announced his appointment in a press release on Friday. Morley replaces Sam Douglass, who resigned in scandal this fall when his involvement in a national Young[Read More…]
Farmer Advocacy Program subsidizes meeting attendance
ORLEANS COUNTY – The Farmer Advocacy Program seeks to encourage farmers to attend public input meetings related to natural resources. The Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District (OCNRCD) will provide a $75 stipend via the Farmers Advocacy Program, to those attending meetings related to natural resource concerns. To enroll in[Read More…]
Sen. Douglass announces plans to resign after release of private group chat
ORLEANS COUNTY – Vermont Senator Samuel Douglass, who served on the Senate Sexual Harassment Prevention Panel, last week faced calls to resign following a Politico report Tuesday afternoon that revealed young GOP leaders on a private Telegram group chat joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape. Tuesday, the Governor’s office[Read More…]
Rabies epidemic reported nearby
ORLEANS COUNTY – Recent reports of a rabies epidemic in Orleans County by the Newport Daily Express and an outbreak by ABC22/FOX44 are based on Vermont Health Department records showing 18 rabid racoons have been tested in the county since early June. Animals have been tested with rabies in Barton,[Read More…]
