Local News

Brattleboro Hardware Store Welcomes Cats as Part of New Ownership. Brown and Roberts Hardware in Brattleboro, a longstanding Main Street business, recently became part of the Aubuchon chain along with six other Vermont stores. As part of the transition, the store has introduced two resident black cats, named Makita and Milwaukee, both serving as a practical solution for pest control and as a draw for customers. The feline initiative is part of a broader tradition within the Aubuchon chain, which has used store cats to deter rodents and engage shoppers for decades. The cats are now familiar faces at the newly acquired location. (Source: The Commons on Jan 6) Southern Vermont Brattleboro, VT Manchester, VT Burlington, VT

Bristol Man Arrested for Drug-Impaired Driving After Vehicle Found in Ditch. Ontario County deputies arrested a Bloomfield resident early January 5 after locating a vehicle in a ditch at the intersection of U.S. Route 20A and Buckelew Road in Bristol. Authorities determined that the driver, identified as 46-year-old Matthew C. Weitzel, was operating the vehicle while under the influence of drugs. He was cited for drug-impaired driving and released at the scene. Weitzel is set to appear in Bristol Town Court to address the charges. (Source: Fingerlakes1.com on Jan 5) Finger Lakes Bristol, VT Bloomfield, NY

U.S. Ski Team Athletes Prepare for Olympics at Bristol Mountain. Bristol Mountain in the Finger Lakes region has become a training site for U.S. Ski Team members ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Elite athletes Winter Vinecki, Derek Krueger, and Pittsford native Chris Lillis practiced on the slopes alongside local youth skiers. The team is focused on the remaining four World Cup events, which will determine Olympic qualifications. The Winter Games are scheduled to begin on February 6. (Source: Fingerlakes1.com on Jan 1) Finger Lakes Bristol, VT Pittsford, NY

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