At approximately 6:58 PM, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in a residence. Engine 1 was the first unit on the scene and confirmed that the structure was fully involved in fire, upgrading the incident to a second alarm.
The occupants were not home at the time of the fire, and no injuries occurred during the incident. A family cat initially believed to be inside the home was later found safe outside the residence.
I was watching “live” online videos yesterday of ICE AGENTS pepper spraying citizens in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then there was the sound of shots fired.
Every city and town in Vermont needs to develop a plan so this won’t happen here.
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, South Main Street will be closed between Oak Grove Avenue and Pine Street between the hours of 7:30am and 4:00pm. The closure is to complete repairs to a sewer main break that occurred on Monday.
Motorists should plan alternative routes during this time.
Annual Brattleboro dog and wolf-hybrid licenses are available for the 2026 licensing period. Dog owners who applied through the online portal or who provided us with an email address will receive an email from the Town of Brattleboro that the license is due for renewal. Anyone for whom we do not have an email address will receive a reminder notice by mail with instructions for renewing by mail or for claiming the record in the online portal through the Brattleboro.gov website.
News reports that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator Peter Welch and U.S. Representative to Congress Becca Balint are all opposed to President Trump’s action of Capturing Dictator/President Maduro of Venezuela.
Guilford Center Stage enters its second decade with the traditional spring and fall productions at Broad Brook Community Center.
The 2026 season opens the first weekend in May with “Shorts,” a program of small plays. Stage manager is Sue Kelly. Several works by regional playwrights are already in the lineup, and the group still welcomes script submissions by a January 23 deadline. Plays of about 8-10 pages are ideal, and a maximum of 12 minutes running time is suggested. Authors may submit pdf or word documents to producer Don McLean at don.inscape@gmail. com (or use the address to arrange to deliver a hard copy.)
Open auditions for actors for “Shorts” will be held in two sessions: Thursday, February 5 , from 5 to 7 pm, and Saturday, February 7, from 11 until 1:00 pm. No appointment is needed. Auditioners may come unprepared, or have a short monologue ready, and scenes from the short plays will be available for an impromptu reading. Auditions take place in the fully accessible upstairs theater room of the Broad Brook Community Center at 3940 Guilford Center Road, about 4 miles west of the Country Store.
I have been reading Russian dissident Alexei Navalny’s memoir and the similarities between Russian and American politics are frightening. It’s no surprise to anyone in this country that we are living under a repressive regime that disrespects free speech and the rule of law. That is the case in many countries around the world today, but I believe most Americans never thought it could get this bad here.
As Navalny outlines political events during his short life, it becomes clear that Putin and Trump have a lot in common. They both are intolerant of any viewpoint not supporting them and they both will do anything to hold on to and increase the power and wealth they have.
When egomaniacal oligarchs assume power they are not satisfied simply bending their own people to their will. Their disease compels them to move to the next level. That means trying to take over countries beyond their borders and starting wars for no other reason than to give them more personal power.
If winter cabin fever has your household climbing the walls, Next Stage Arts has the perfect cure. On Saturday, Jan. 24 at 10:00 AM, families are invited to a lively, low-pressure morning event in Putney: Cereal & K-Pop: Cabin Fever Cure!
Held in the Next Stage Arts Community Room (15 Kimball Hill, Putney), this family-friendly gathering is designed to get kids—and adults—out of the house and having fun together. The morning kicks off with a build-your-own cereal bar, followed by about 30 minutes of classic indoor fun: board games, card games, and even Twister to shake off those winter cobwebs.
Dear Food Lovers,
Thank you for the incredible support you’ve shown me as Leda’s Kitchen celebrates its first anniversary. Since launching the business a year ago and working ten out of the twelve months, I’ve completed nearly a thousand orders, serving close to three thousand dishes! I’ve met lots of new people on Front Porch Forum!
To celebrate, take $5 off your order next week with the code iBratt5. Railways Chicken Curry, Paneer Butter Masala, and Pork Chili Colorado are on the menu.
PAYT Bags, FY27 and a Town Policy on encampments are all planned for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard – the first of the new year.
Jan. 5 Spaghetti w/Meatballs
Zucchini
Garlic Bread
Pears
The occasional spot for noticing things in and around Brattleboro, such as:
nice to see ice skaters out on Retreat Meadows going for long skates, exploring the entire frozen area. Ice fishing, too.
December was another drier than average month with 3.24″ measured, compared to the NOAA average of 4.30″. Precipitation was well distributed thru the month but the 2 largest storms were both rain.
My 2025 end of year total is 46.66″, slightly lower than the NOAA average of 47.54″. Without the over 10″ rain in the month of May we would have been much lower overall.
To order, just follow these three simple steps!
1. Place your order at http://ledaskitchen.com by Tuesday at 7PM.
2. Look for your confirmation email with the pickup address.
3. Collect your meals on Thursday between 4 PM to 7 PM or by special arrangement.
The Town of Brattleboro and the Board of Trustees of Brooks Memorial Library today announced the retirement of Brooks Memorial Library Director Starr LaTronica following a decade of transformative service to Brattleboro. LaTronica plans to step down from her position on April 25, 2026.
“Starr’s commitment to community connection and innovation in Brattleboro has firmly established the library as a centerpiece of our town,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “We are immensely grateful for her leadership and wish her a wonderful, book- filled retirement.”
LaTronica has had a distinguished career in library service. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1980, she worked as a children’s librarian at the Berkeley Public Library before relocating to upstate New York, where she held a prominent role as the Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator for the Four County Library System. She was also president of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and has served as a member of numerous book award committees.
A dynamic community advocate and organizer, Kora Skeele inspires and supports by her example. In 2024, she received the Emerging Leader Award from SVT & Shires Young Professionals and Vermont Business Magazine’s Rising Star Award. Kora is currently the buzz behind BEE, a new discovery tool that connects folks with local activities and volunteer opportunities. Tune in to get stung in a very good way!
At approximately 1:42 p.m., the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to a fire alarm activation at 107 Elliot Street. Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire contained to a single apartment on the 6th floor within the building. The building’s sprinkler system activated as designed, successfully suppressing the fire. However, the sprinkler activation caused significant water damage to 17 additional apartments.
Two individuals sustained minor injuries during the incident. Both were evaluated at the scene and transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for further medical assessment.
6:05 – 6:35 Public/Community Health in the Town Plan – Guests: Cassandra Holloway, Building a Positive Community and Shyla Foss, VT Department of Health
Presentation for the Town Plan about substance misuse prevention, and, more broadly, public health and community-wide strategies. Discuss possibly adding a Community Health chapter to the Town Plan.
Dec. 29 Cheddar & Ham Quiche
Home Fries
Onions & Peppers
Fruit Parfait
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 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.
