There are a hundred news reports this morning, January 15, 2026, about President Trump Threatening to use the Insurrection Act. The allegations come from an alleged Truth Social post.
I don’t use Truth Social, my cellphone number was permanently banned. (Applause!) But this is going around, apparently President Trump is threatening to use the Insurrection Act.
The protests against ICE Immigration raids have escalated into destructive behaviour by protesters as evidenced last night in “LIVE” coverage by independent journalists I follow on Youtube.
The Brattleboro Selectboard, where I’ve served as clerk since last spring, has repeatedly committed to prioritize fiscal responsibility. Now the rubber meets the road — We have an opportunity to align our actions with our words.
The selectboard has tough decisions to make. At our meeting Tuesday night we prioritized honest budgeting for a more realistic picture of expected revenue and expenses. We restored funding for critical infrastructure for our bridges, retaining walls and bicycles. And we unanimously passed my motion to restore the finance director position. If we can stick with these decisions, we will set the town up for better financial health and stability.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 7:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom. The attached agenda includes information on how to access the meeting remotely. Closed captioning will be available for deaf and hard of hearing community members.
Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice) is offering support for people living with Serious Illnesses.
Are you going through treatment? Feeling overwhelmed or scared? Living with a chronic illness or autoimmune condition? Talking with others may help.
The Serious Illness Program support groups provide a space for people to share personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies, and allow for shared learning.
Midwinter calls for warmth, words, and community—and Endless Butter: A Communal Feast of Poetry and Music offers all three.
On Sunday, February 1, from 1–4 pm, Next Stage Arts in Putney will host an afternoon inspired by the legend of St. Brigid, patron saint of poetry, fertility, and everyday miracles. The title nods to one of her most beloved miracles: endless butter—an emblem of abundance, generosity, and shared sustenance during the lean months of winter.
This gathering brings together an extraordinary roster of regional poets, musicians, and a storyteller for a relaxed, come-and-go celebration of art and connection. Poets include Sarah Anderson, Katie Bachler, Megan Buchanan, Michael Carter, James Crews, Dede Cummings, Alice Fogel, Lyedie Geer, Taylor Mardis Katz, Brad Peacock, Ben Pease, Erin Pesut, Nellie Prior, and Diana Whitney. Music will be woven throughout the afternoon by Elijah Berlow, Gráinne Buchanan, Jake Klar, Shawn Magee, Hannah Mohan, and Brendan Taaffe, with Michael Kohout serving as seanchaí—traditional storyteller and keeper of tales.
Are you looking for a way to be involved in building community?
Volunteering at Center for Solace can make a direct impact on your neighbors and other local folks who need support!
Serious illness, hospice, and bereavement volunteers at Center for Solace undergo about 25 hours of training, and then work directly with clients, either one on one or facilitating support groups. You’ll learn to be a supportive presence to a person or family going through a difficult time.
It’s not the first time in the history of the world that a power-hungry deranged head of state is trying to take as much of the world as he can grab. It is the first time this type of leader is from the United States. It makes me sick, and it is not only causing Americans to be fearful in their own country, but it is also causing the rest of the world to worry if their country will be his next target.
Fear is the weapon of dictators and autocrats, and Trump is using it here to make people feel unsafe in their own country. If we really had a functional system of checks and balances the legislative branch would have the ability to be guided by a moral and ethical compass. Instead, Washington republicans are following a severely mentally ill leader in lockstep for fear of personal retribution. The lock on domestic power is almost complete.
Next Stage Arts, in partnership with Twilight Music, welcomes an evening of intimate storytelling and rich musical textures on Friday, January 30, with doors at 6:45 PM and the show starting at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at nextstagearts.org: $20 advance, $25 at the door, or $10 for the livestream.
The evening features Southern Vermont’s own Jason Scaggs, Emily Margaret, and Michael Roberts, opening with an intimate in-the-round set. Jason Scaggs blends Appalachian roots with Southern Vermont’s adventurous spirit, fusing bluegrass traditions with improvisation and groove-forward rhythms. Emily Margaret, an 18-year-old from Guilford, VT, captivates with a voice that moves effortlessly from subtle intimacy to full-bodied power, blending influences of R&B and jazz into deeply personal songs. Michael Roberts, described by Seven Days Vermont as “a Vermont treasure,” brings his wide-ranging experience—from indie folk to ambient soundscapes—creating a textured, soulful performance.
On Monday, January 12, 2026, Ames Hill Road will be closed in the area of 694 while Green Mountain Power crews replace a broken utility pole. The road is expected to be closed for several hours while crews make the necessary repairs.
Motorists should plan alternative routes during this time.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” Closed captioning will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members. The backup materials for this meeting will be available on the town website by the end of the day.
5. Safey Action Requests
(a) Traffic Light Request at Union Street and Western Avenue – Auli Lyons
(b) Sightline concerns at High Street and Retting Place – Dana Mock
(c) Parking Concern at 125 Canal Street – Ibrahim Dahlstrom-Hakki
The Town of Brattleboro has received two petitions signed by 5% of the legal voters of the Town of Brattleboro to amend the Town Charter as follows:
Petition #1:
Article 1: Shall Brattleboro discontinue the representative form of annual meeting?
Article 2: In the event that the vote on Article 1 is in the affirmative, shall Brattleboro vote by Australian ballot at any annual or special Town meeting on the following:
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