Hello

Stories

Brattleboro Area Middle School’s Anne Koplinka-Loehr Awarded 2025 Rowland Fellowship

by Not Signed In | Education

Brattleboro, VT — September 15, 2025 — Brattleboro Area Middle School (BAMS) proudly announces that Anne Koplinka-Loehr, a 7th & 8th grade social studies teacher, has been awarded a 2025 Rowland Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship, granted by The Rowland Foundation, supports visionary Vermont educators in implementing transformative initiatives to enhance school culture and climate. Koplinka-Loehr is the first Rowland Fellow from both BAMS and the Windham Southeast School District, and she has worked closely with Principal Keith Lyman to develop this initiative.

With this fellowship, Koplinka-Loehr has stepped into a Teacher on Special Assignment role for the 2025-2026 academic year. She will be facilitating a group of staff and students to integrate restorative practices throughout the middle school.

Two Nights of Comedy and Catharsis with Adam Strauss at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

Next Stage Arts in Putney welcomes acclaimed comedian and storyteller Adam Strauss for a special two-night run, Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18. Each night features a different solo performance, blending stand-up, true storytelling, and fearless honesty that has won Strauss praise from critics and audiences across the country.

Friday, October 17 – The Mushroom Cure
Showtime: 7:30 pm (doors open at 6:45)
Tickets: $22 advance / $25 at the door / $35 advance for both nights

Strauss’s breakthrough show, The Mushroom Cure, is the true story of how he attempted to treat his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder with psychedelics. It’s as outrageous as it is uplifting. The New York Times called it “mining a great deal of laughter from disabling pain.” The Chicago Tribune hailed it as “arrestingly honest and howlingly funny.” Michael Pollan praised it as “brilliant, hilarious, and moving.” Time Out New York named it a Critics’ Pick, calling it “a true-life tour de force.”

A New Brain Worm

by RDavis | Activism

A lot of American’s brains have been invaded by a new brain worm that creates a host of symptoms that just won’t go away. You won’t find this disease in any medical book because it has not yet been widely recognized, yet too many of us have felt its effects.

What I am referring to is the unrelenting occupation of our thoughts by the biggest bully and newly anointed American king, Donald Trump. Like it or not, he has been able to weasel his way into almost every aspect of life and, unless you are living under a rock, you are not immune to this infection.

When I was growing up I was bullied a lot. I think it was mostly because I was a fat kid and the bully types looked at me as an easy target. This went on for a number of years until I finally decided to fight back. In the late fifties and early sixties the culture was different than today and when I went to my father to tell him about kids picking on me his only reaction was to tell me to fight back. I don’t think most parents would say that today.

The Clements Brothers and The Early Risers at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY – Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of contemporary folk, roots, and Americana music with The Clements Brothers and The Early Risers at Next Stage on Friday, October 10, at 7:30 pm.

The Clements Brothers—George (guitar) and Charles (upright bass)—are identical twins from the heart of New England. They have been writing and performing music together for as long as they can remember, first emerging on the Americana scene in 2012 as part of the internationally touring grassroots band The Lonely Heartstring Band, releasing two albums on Rounder Records. More recently, George has played the role of Paul Simon in the national hit The Simon and Garfunkel Story, while Charles has performed in the bass section of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Drawing on roots, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, The Clements Brothers craft a unique singer-songwriter sound, blending harmonies only possible with their identical voices—at once enthralling and intimate, groovy and serene.

Brattleboro Food Co-op Announces New GM

by Not Signed In | Business

The Brattleboro Food Co-op Board of Directors is pleased to share that Emilee Hobbs has been hired as our new General Manager, beginning September 22.

You may already know Emilee from her work as Interim GM since June and as our Director of People and Culture since early 2022. In those roles, she created programs that boosted morale, lowered staff turnover by more than 20%, and built stronger relationships with our union partners through open and respectful dialogue. Over the past few months as Interim GM, she has demonstrated the steady leadership and vision our Co-op needs to thrive.

Brattleboro VTrans Paving Project Construction Update 9/19/2025

by Not Signed In | Town News

Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place Monday night through Saturday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on U.S. 5 (Putney Road) from the intersection with Vermont Avenue to the approximate intersection with Noah’s Lane. Flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through the work zones. Motorcyclists should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – September 24th

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special regular meeting on Wednesday September 24, 2025 (NOT TUESDAY) to avoid interfere with Rosh Hashanah. At this meeting, they will approve an epic list of consent agenda items, then hear about changes to the parking system. 

There will also be a public hearing about possibly replacing a bridge on Dettman Drive, decide on a process for warning all the various petitions and options. The board will hear from the Finance Committee, and appoint citizens to town committees.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Burn Ban in Effect – Town of Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Due to current weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, a burn ban is now in effect for the Town of Brattleboro until further notice. The state is currently experiencing very high fire danger levels, and even a small spark could lead to a dangerous wildfire.

Genocide in Gaza: Vermont’s Members of Congress Can Help Change Course

by IsaacEF | Op/Ed

On September 16 the United Nations said that the State of Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. During the past two years, this violence has directly struck the Green Mountain State. Dylan Collins, a journalist, was shot by the Israeli military on October 13, 2023, with no ensuing accountability. The following month a gunman shot three Palestinian students in Burlington. And on April 14, 2025, masked U.S. federal agents kidnapped another Vermonter, Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian lawful U.S. resident. 

Many Vermonters are left asking: How can we stop our tax dollars from fueling abuse and devastation around the world, which is making us less safe and robbing our own communities of housing, food, and healthcare? 

Scott Couper on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | iBrattleboro

As pastor of the Centre Congregational Church, Reverend Dr. SCOTT COUPER envisions an interfaith campus in our community. He embodies the UCC’s focus of being open and affirming, welcoming everyone, and furthering peace and justice. Scott also teaches within the Humanities at the Community College of Vermont here in town.

Brattleboro Human Services Review Committee is Accepting Applications

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Human Services Review Committee is seeking applications from organizations focused on meeting concerns facing our community. Applications are due on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Representative Town Meeting established a grant allocation of up to $499,426 for Fiscal Year 2027. Grants will be disbursed in July 2026. The committee looks forward to learning of and supporting the programs that address the pressing needs of our community.

Brattleboro Road Closure Notice – South Street Drainage Work

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Thursday, September 18th, the Brattleboro Highway Division will be installing under-drainage to address issues caused by a natural spring that has surfaced in the roadway in front of 360 on South Street.

A full road closure will be in effect in this area on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Following the closure, alternating traffic will be in place for the remainder of Thursday and parts of Friday, September 19th. 

Save the Dates – October 15, September 21

by RobertOeser | State News

SAVE THE DATE: October 15, 2025 – 6:30 pm – Community Room – Brooks Memorial Library

A conversation with State Representative Ian Goodnow

While there is no formal agenda for this meeting, one might say it is divided in three parts:

◘ What happened in the last legislative session?
◘ What can we expect in the session starting January 2026?
◘ What legislative issues are front of mind for you?

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes – September 9, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Amendments to the WSESD Board meeting minutes from 8/26/25 were presented and approved.
● The Board voted to include a ‘parking lot’ on the minutes to capture topics for further discussion that arise during meetings.
● Following a discussion considering the Board’s alignment with the VSBA, a vote passed to remain members at this time.
● The Board reviewed and voted to accept three Board goals,

1. Enhance oversight of the prevention of Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying
2. Understand and implement District Quality Standards and Educational Quality Standards
3. Improve two-way communication and engagement with district Stakeholders
● The Board adopted the Admin/Board Calendar and determined to include alignment of the newly adopted Board Goals to this tool.