Archive for August, 2026
Free steel drum concert to benefit Weston Playhouse, celebrate 140 years of the Green
Come to Weston’s Town Green from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 22 for a special Blue Flames Steel Band Concert to celebrate 140 years of the Weston Green and to benefit the Weston Community Association’s restoration of the Weston Playhouse. The music is free but all funds collected will go toward the Playhouse. […]
Chester board hears wastewater treatment upgrade plan $7million project would increase capacity for building in village area
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 […]
Chase loses in state Dem Senate race as White, Major and Burrows head to the General Election Weyant takes Dem primary for Windsor Sheriff as Lake stumbles
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC While the August primaries in Vermont are often characterized by uncontested races and low turnout and summer vacations take their own toll, every few cycles something happens to pique voters’ interest and draw them to their polling places. Tuesday’s most contested races locally have been county-wide, with […]
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 […]
Junker Bailey holds workshop on drawing butterflies, history of 17th century naturalist
The South Londonderry Free Library, 15 Old School Road in South Londonderry, will host a workshop on drawing butterflies for all ages at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. Join art teacher Casey Junker Bailey to learn about Maria Merian, the 17th century entomologist, naturalist, and scientific illustrator, aka “The Girl Who Drew Butterflies.” Her […]
From the editor: A farewell to Stacia
After seven years with The Chester Telegraph, our super Events Editor Stacia Spaulding has decided to retire. She’s never said it was because we wore her out, although I have my concerns. She’s wisely focusing on her health. We will miss her wry, dry and wicked humor and the skills she brought to juggling all […]
Henry Homeyer: Time to begin enjoying the fruits of your garden labor
By Henry Homeyer ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC My vegetable garden is cranking out free food like crazy. Some things need to be harvested right away, some can wait and get bigger, and some will soon be so plentiful that I will be giving them away and freezing lots for use this winter. Let’s start with […]
Reception for wildlife photographer Aug. 14 'Illusion of Proximity' at Gallery at the Vault through Sept. 19
The Gallery at the Vault, 68 Main St. in Springfield, will be hosting a reception for wildlife photographer Steve Costello, who grew up in Burlington, on from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. The exhibit of his work, An Illusion of Proximity, will be on display from Wednesday, Aug. 5 through Saturday, Sept. […]
Chester Run Club seeks to bring together runners of all abilities
The Chester Run Club, founded by Chester resident Emily Martonik, was created with a straightforward goal: Bring runners of all abilities together to build friendships, stay active, and enjoy the miles together. “Every time I drove through town, I kept seeing different people out running,” Martonik said. “I realized there were probably a lot of […]
To the editor: In support of Chase for VT Senate
We are writing to encourage folks in the Windsor County state Senate District to vote for Heather Chase in the upcoming Democratic Primary on Tuesday, Aug. 11. There are many reasons to support Heather for this seat, including her longstanding commitment to our community where she has lived for over 25 years, raised her family, […]
Sheriff candidate Lake put on administrative leave by Bellows Falls Police
By Michael Donoghue Vermont News First Embattled Windsor County Sheriff candidate Joshua Lake has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Bellows Falls Police Department while an independent investigation is undertaken about his exaggeration about possible crimes, officials said. Bellows Falls Police Chief David Bemis told Vermont News First the move was made after […]
To the editor: When community care is hard work
The situation surrounding Windsor County sheriff candidate Joshua Lake has left me angry, disappointed and deeply conflicted. I was an enthusiastic and vocal supporter of Lake’s candidacy. I believed in the vision he presented: a sheriff’s department that would not participate in civil immigration enforcement for ICE, that would approach substance use and mental-health crises […]
ICE arrests five Manchester residents in Derry
By Cynthia Prairie ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Five Manchester residents were detained by ICE around 8:30 this morning as they were driving east along Route 11 in Londonderry apparently toward a job, according to Migrant Justice, a Burlington-based advocacy group. Little is known about the situation other than a convoy of six unmarked SUVs, also […]
To the editor: Windsor County Democrats issue statement on sheriff’s race controversy
It has come to the attention of the Windsor County Democratic Committee that on Monday Aug. 3, Joshua Lake, one of the three Democratic candidates for Windsor County Sheriff, received a Giglio letter jointly signed by Steven Brown, State’s Attorney for Windham County and Domenica Padula, Chief, Criminal Division, Office of the Vermont Attorney General. […]
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
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
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 […]
Andover Select Board agenda for Aug. 10
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday Aug. 10 at the Andover Town Hall, 953 Weston-Andover Road. Below is the board’s agenda: 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Act on Agenda. 3. Act on Minutes of July 27th meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per visitor, […]
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
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, […]