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February 27, 2026
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Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless Discusses Funding With Selectboard: During a recent Bennington Selectboard meeting, the director of the Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless updated officials on the organization's requests for appropriations from municipalities across the county. Board members expressed concerns about the weight of financial responsibility traditionally falling on Bennington, highlighting its long-term support of local shelter programs. The coalition indicated plans to seek more equitable funding contributions from neighboring towns moving forward. This approach aims to balance resources for addressing homelessness throughout the county. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 27)
February 26, 2026
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Arlington Evaluates Expansion of Wastewater Treatment Capacity: Arlington officials are moving forward with plans to assess the town’s wastewater treatment options, with a public discussion expected after the March Town Meeting. While the town currently depends on a combination of septic systems and a treatment facility near Fisher Elementary School, the existing infrastructure is not sufficient for future growth. Town leaders say expanding wastewater capacity could address both current needs and potential housing or business development. Further meetings will gather community input on possible solutions. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 26)
February 20, 2026
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Manchester Girl Scouts Mark Cookie Weekend, Support Local Community Projects: Local Girl Scout troops in Manchester and Dorset are participating in National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, with members from Troop 51726 actively selling cookies at community spots like Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Fire Department, and the local library. So far, the troop has sold 500 boxes but aims for a larger goal of 5,000 to fund both community initiatives and a group trip. The troop emphasizes the sale's broader benefits, including choosing and supporting local organizations each year. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 20)
February 2, 2026
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Arlington Faces Uncontested Races and Vacant Positions Ahead of Town Meeting: Arlington will hold its annual Town Meeting on March 2, with local government and school district posts featuring no contested races. Some town positions lack declared candidates, leaving certain seats potentially to be filled by write-ins. Voters will consider a proposed school budget with a per-pupil spending increase of 12.7 percent. Polls at Arlington Memorial High School will be open on March 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Australian Ballot voting. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 2)
January 23, 2026
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Housing Issues Dominate Bennington Regional Planning Engagement Efforts: Housing availability and affordability were identified as leading concerns in the Bennington County Regional Commission's public outreach for its 2026 Regional Plan. The commission gathered input from over 300 individuals at public events, conducted surveys, and attended multiple municipal and Select Board meetings throughout the process. The next regional plan must be approved by the Land Use Review Board by the end of 2026. The planning process highlighted a strong community focus on local housing challenges. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Jan 23)
January 22, 2026
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Bennington County Organizes Shelter Resources as Extreme Cold Approaches: With subzero overnight temperatures and single-digit cold expected in Bennington County this weekend, local authorities are taking measures to safeguard residents without stable housing. Police in Bennington have increased outreach efforts, distributing emergency shelter information across the area. Officials are urging all residents to be prepared for severe weather, emphasizing the importance of having necessary supplies on hand. Community efforts aim to ensure vulnerable populations are protected during the harsh conditions. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Jan 22)
January 19, 2026
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Vermont Bill Aims to Shift Animal Care Costs from Shelters in Abuse Cases: Vermont legislators are considering a bill that would require those accused in animal abuse cases to pay a monthly bond covering the care of seized animals. The proposed legislation, House Bill 578, is under review by a state House committee. Its core provision seeks to prevent shelters and rescue groups from bearing the financial burden of caring for abused animals while legal proceedings are ongoing. The proposal is in response to calls for a more streamlined process and urgent relief for local animal welfare organizations. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Jan 16)
January 16, 2026
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Long Trail School Girls Basketball Team Secures Close Win Over Arlington: The Long Trail School Varsity Girls Basketball team achieved a narrow 34-31 victory over Arlington Memorial High School on their home court in Dorset, following the boys' earlier defeat to Arlington in December. Days before, the Mountain Lions also notched a close 33-29 win at Sharon Academy. Upcoming games for Long Trail include matchups at Bellows Falls and Poultney before returning home to face Mill River. Arlington's girls prepare for games at Sharon Academy and Poultney and will host Twin Valley after. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Jan 16)
January 8, 2026
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Long Trail School Girls Secure Win, Boys Lose in Basketball Doubleheader: Long Trail School's varsity basketball teams held a home doubleheader in Dorset on January 3. The girls' team earned a close victory over Poultney High School, improving their season record to 2-3, but suffered a subsequent loss to Green Mountain Union. The boys' team fell to Poultney and currently hold a 1-4 record. Additional games were played and are scheduled, though some outcomes were unavailable at press time. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Jan 8)
December 30, 2025
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Talk in Arlington Explores the Enduring Value of Handwriting in the Digital Age: The Martha Canfield Memorial Free Library in Arlington will host author Tim Brookes for a discussion on the significance of handwriting in modern society. Brookes, known for his book "By Hand" and his leadership of the Vermont-based Endangered Alphabets Project, will address how handwriting and calligraphy link generations and preserve cultural identity. The event takes place on January 4 and aims to highlight the relevance of handwriting as technology changes communication norms. Community members are invited to attend the presentation. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 30)
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Documentary 'Gone Guys' Explores Challenges Facing Young Men in Vermont: A special screening of the documentary 'Gone Guys' will be held at Arlington Common in Vermont on January 11, 2026. The 45-minute film highlights the increasing social and academic struggles of boys and young men, focusing on disengagement and isolation. After the film, local panelists will discuss how these issues are affecting the Arlington area and explore possible community responses. The event is sponsored by the Keelan Foundation and seeks to address broader trends faced by young men in rural Vermont. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 30)
December 10, 2025
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Arlington and Rupert Libraries Welcome State Officials for 'Capital for a Day': State officials, including members of Governor Phil Scott's cabinet, visited Bennington County on December 5 as part of the 'Capital for a Day' event. Local stops included Rupert's Rosalind K. Kittay Library and Arlington's Martha Canfield Memorial Free Library, where cabinet members met with librarians and trustees to discuss community engagement and library services. The visits highlighted both libraries' roles in serving small populations and maintaining strong local participation. The event underscored the importance of rural libraries in Vermont. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 8)
December 5, 2025
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Governor Scott and Cabinet Visit Bennington County as Part of State Outreach: On Friday, December 5, Vermont Governor Phil Scott and key members of his cabinet visited Bennington County as part of the ongoing 'Capital For A Day' initiative. The event began with a gathering at Hildene’s Lincoln Hall in Manchester, highlighting the state government's focus on local issues and priorities. State officials met with community leaders and residents to discuss successes and areas for improvement within the county. This initiative aims to strengthen connections between Vermont’s government and its communities. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 5)
December 1, 2025
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Governor Scott to Hold 'Capital for a Day' Event in Bennington County on Friday: Governor Phil Scott, along with members of his cabinet, will visit Bennington County on Friday, December 5, as part of the Capital for a Day initiative that brings state leadership to each of Vermont's 14 counties. The visit aims to foster direct communication between state officials, local government, and community members. A cabinet meeting is scheduled at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester at 9 a.m. The event provides residents with a unique chance to discuss local priorities with state leaders. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 1)
November 25, 2025
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Manchester Assessed for Infill Housing as Part of Statewide Initiative: A state-backed initiative aimed at supporting infill housing construction visited Manchester on November 20. The 802 Homes project, coordinated by Vermont's Agency of Commerce and Community Development, evaluated local neighborhoods to determine how new housing could complement existing residential areas. Manchester is one of three Vermont communities selected for detailed site assessments, with the effort focused on integrating new homes into vacant lots. The project also seeks to streamline the permitting process for such developments. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Nov 25)
November 14, 2025
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Serious Crash on Route 7 in Shaftsbury Leaves Two Critically Injured: A severe vehicle accident occurred Thursday afternoon on Route 7 near mile marker 16, north of Exit 2 in Shaftsbury. Responders from multiple agencies attended, and the roadway was closed between Exits 2 and 3 for over two hours as officials investigated. Two people with life-threatening injuries were transported to Albany Medical Center following the crash. Early reports suggest icy road conditions contributed to the incident, which remains under investigation. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Nov 14)
October 29, 2025
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Bennington County Democrats Finalize 2025 Reorganization with Increased Participation: The Bennington County Democratic Committee has completed its 2025 reorganization, marking a notable rise in local engagement. The meeting, held at the Bennington Free Library and accessible online, recorded one of the state's highest county-level turnouts, according to party officials. This cycle renewed 10 town committees and established a new one in Sunderland, resulting in 11 recognized Democratic committees across the county. Jonathan West was elected as chair, solidifying the leadership team for the upcoming year. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Oct 27)
October 28, 2025
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Attorney General Clark Discusses Legal Challenges During Bennington County Visit: Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark visited Bennington County, holding talks in Manchester, Arlington, and Shaftsbury to address a range of topics including her office's lawsuits against the federal government and ongoing legal challenges. Clark highlighted that her office has initiated 31 lawsuits against federal actions during the current administration, referencing her previous experience during the first Trump administration. The sessions encouraged questions and discussion from local residents. Community members heard firsthand updates on state legal matters. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Oct 28)
October 27, 2025
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Road Rage Incident on Route 7 in Shaftsbury Results in Crash and Citation: A road rage incident on U.S. Route 7 in Shaftsbury led to a two-vehicle collision on Saturday afternoon, according to Vermont State Police. The crash involved a Chevrolet Malibu driven by a Michigan resident and a Honda Pilot driven by an Arlington man, both of whom were unharmed. Police say the Malibu struck the other vehicle after being passed, then left the roadway. The Malibu driver was cited for negligent operation and reckless endangerment. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Oct 27)