Featured Articles

Chester board hears wastewater treatment upgrade plan

By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC For as long as The Telegraph has been covering Chester town government, an upgrade to the town’s sewage treatment plant has been a problem on a distant horizon. Last Wednesday, Dufresne Group engineer Naomi Johnson told the Select Board — in its alter ego as the Water […]

Communities come together in concern after ICE arrests in Londonderry

By Cynthia Prairie ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC About 130 people jammed into the meeting space and anterooms of Neighborhood Connections on Saturday morning, Aug. 8 – while 20 others stood outside – to learn more about the arrests Friday in Londonderry by ICE of five immigrant workers and to hear of strategies that individuals and […]

Chester considers July to June budgeting, tax year

By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC At its July 15 meeting, the Chester Select Board continued to look at the costs of the services the town provides, including recreation and planning/zoning/assessment. But it was the recommendations of the town’s auditors –including transitioning to a fiscal year from the current calendar year budget — […]

Chester Hardware files for bankruptcy

By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC While the note on the front door said the business at 21 Main St. would be closed from July 3 through 13, on July 7, the owner of Chester Hardware & Mercantile was filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Under Chapter 7, the assets of a debtor are […]

Explainer: Why is the homestead tax rate higher than the non-homestead rate this year?

By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Readers have asked why the education property tax rate for residents in the Green Mountain Unified School District is higher than the rate for non-residents and businesses. It’s usually the other way around. The answer lies in the Byzantine calculations the state uses to fund education spending. […]

A place, a memory, an affection: Vermont folk artist Martha Stevenson paints Vermont towns

By Cynthia Prairie ©2026 Telegraph Publishing The works of folk artist Martha Stevenson are iconic in Vermont. While best known for her acrylic paintings of Okemo and other ski mountains in the snow, Stevenson is also noted for her lush, romanticized landscapes depicting small town Vermont with all of their appealing quirks. Now Stevenson, formerly […]

  • Other Recent Articles

  • To the editor: Why I support Lake for Windsor sheriff

    To the editor: Why I support Lake for Windsor sheriff

    I am writing to voice my support for Joshua Lake for Sheriff of Windsor County. Josh chose to become a police officer after the tragic loss of his brother to a fentanyl overdose and his belief that a different approach by law enforcement could have led to a different outcome. Over the years, the merit […]

  • To the editor: No better endorsement of a leader than old guard mobilizing against him

    To the editor: No better endorsement of a leader than old guard mobilizing against him

    I am a licensed clinical social worker and have worked within child welfare, community mental health and addiction treatment for over 10 years. Our system of care is highly reactive and punitive, rather than proactive and restorative. This is the context in which I met my friend Joshua Lake. Josh is a gifted speaker, funny […]

  • To the editor: Chase is able to face Vermont's problems

    To the editor: Chase is able to face Vermont’s problems

    Heather Chase is the candidate I support for the Vermont Senate. Heather has had many professional experiences that make her an excellent choice for the Vermont Senate.  She is the perfect person to able to address the problems that Vermont faces. As a nurse, Heather understands the problems facing health care in Vermont, and understands […]

  • To the editor: Angry about Trump's no-bid contracts? Say something

    To the editor: Angry about Trump’s no-bid contracts? Say something

    Anyone who is struggling to pay for gasoline and groceries these days might wish to reflect upon the fact that President Trump just made a deal with Finland to purchase 11 icebreakers (more than twice the number of vessels the Coast Guard says it really needs) for over $6 billion via no-bid contracts. Apparently, it […]

  • To the editor: Clarkson endorses reelection of state Sens. White, Major

    To the editor: Clarkson endorses reelection of state Sens. White, Major

    I’ve had the pleasure of serving in the Vermont Senate with Sens. Becca White and Joe Major. Together, the three of us make up the current Windsor District team. Together we have addressed some of the most pressing issues facing our state and our district. Together we have campaigned, met with constituents, toured Town Meetings, […]

  • To the editor: Rep. Burrows is 'smart, savvy, prepared'

    To the editor: Rep. Burrows is ‘smart, savvy, prepared’

    I have a unique perspective on Rep. Elizabeth Burrows: She sat next to me on the floor of Vermont House and in the House Committee on General & Housing Affairs. Elizabeth is incredibly smart, savvy and always prepared. Rep. Burrows is as compassionate as they come, she puts people first, fighting for justice and fairness. […]

  • To the editor: Brickner an invaluable resource for Windsor

    To the editor: Brickner an invaluable resource for Windsor

    From the moment Ben Brickner moved to Pomfret to raise his young family, he has been someone who could be relied upon to show up, get involved and make a difference in his local community. Over the past eight years, Ben has served in multiple roles in local government. Even if you’ve never met Ben, […]

  • Rustie Bus closes out Chester Summer Music Series on Thursday

    Rustie Bus closes out Chester Summer Music Series on Thursday

    The annual Chester Summer Music Series closes out of Thursday with fan favorite Rustie Bus from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Academy Building Lawn in downtown Chester.  Bring a blanket or chairs and a picnic dinner and enjoy the show. Rain venue is Upstairs at Town Hall, 556 Elm St. Rustie […]

  • To the editor: Elizabeth Burrows is the real thing

    To the editor: Elizabeth Burrows is the real thing

    I am proud to lend my support to Elizabeth Burrows for the Vermont Senate. The moment she heard I was running for the Windsor Selectboard, she reached out — not because she had to, but because that is simply who she is. She has been a mentor and a sounding board throughout my time in […]

  • To the editor: Brickner believes in protecting local schools

    To the editor: Brickner believes in protecting local schools

    In 2023, I got to know Ben Brickner when we both volunteered on the grassroots campaign for the Mountain Views school bond. As a parent, teacher and community member, I saw firsthand the qualities Ben brings to public service. Ben showed up and stayed actively involved throughout the campaign. He was dependable, organized, prepared and […]

  • To the editor: Chase is smart, capable and authentic

    To the editor: Chase is smart, capable and authentic

    Heather Chase, a long-time friend and neighbor, is smart, capable and authentic. I watched Heather raise four children, two miniature donkeys, a flock of sheep and a brood of chickens, all with grace. As a registered nurse with a master’s in community health, Heather managed the birth center at Springfield Hospital for many years before […]

  • To the editor: Brickner says he sees how Montpelier decisions impact small towns

    To the editor: Brickner says he sees how Montpelier decisions impact small towns

    Eight years ago, my wife and I chose to make our home in Pomfret. This community welcomed us completely – neighbors who showed up, looked after one another, and asked only that we do the same. I have tried to live up to that ever since. Giving back has always mattered to me and doing […]

  • To the editor: Brickner has proven track record

    To the editor: Brickner has proven track record

    I support Ben Brickner for the Vermont Senate because he has a proven track record of carefully doing the detailed and, often thankless, work as Pomfret’s Select Board chair and auditor. Ben is committed to fiscal responsibility and has already walked the walk. Aware that tax payments are his neighbors’ money, he has worked hard […]

  • To the editor: Sheriff candidate Lake expresses concerns over ICE

    To the editor: Sheriff candidate Lake expresses concerns over ICE

    As a law enforcement officer in the state of Vermont, I am held to a high standard of conduct because Vermonters have to trust us to protect them. Despite that standard, too many Vermonters don’t trust law enforcement. When we have multiple sheriffs in our state that have been brought up on criminal charges and […]

  • Chester Sewer Commission, Select Board agendas for Aug. 5

    Chester Sewer Commission, Select Board agendas for Aug. 5

    Chester Select Board will meet in its capacity as Sewer Commission at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday Aug. 5, 2026 followed by a special meeting as the select board. The meetings will take place at Town Hall, 556 Elm Street and remotely via Zoom.  Below are the board’s agendas: Sewer Commissioners Agenda 1. Citizen’s Comments 2. […]

  • To the editor: Vote for Burrows for state Senate

    To the editor: Vote for Burrows for state Senate

    I am proud to cast my vote for Elizabeth Burrows for Vermont Senate and I urge my neighbors to join me. I’ve known Elizabeth since I was a kid. When I was a sophomore in high school, she took me under her wing as a mentor. Thanks to her guidance, I served as a Senate […]

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