iBrattleboro and The State of Local News Startups

As a long-time reader and occasional contributor to iBrattleboro, I’m interested in the changes in contribution levels and types over the years. These days the site seems to have a larger proportion of announcements and less original content/commentary than when it started.

If I’m right about this, I’m wondering about the causes of the trend.


BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 7/13/15

BCTV Ch.8 schedule for the week of 7/13/15

Monday, July 13, 2015

12:35 am 2015 Green Mountain Bob Dylan Wannabe Contest

2:30 am 9/11 – The New Pearl Harbor? Pt 1

3:30 am Oral History: David Rohn, Vietnam War Era

4:25 am Vets: Civil War Memorial Day 2015 – Virginia’s Secession

5:30 am Vermont Youth Orchestra – 2015 Spring Concert


Power Outage in Brattleboro

We just had a nice four hour break from electricity here at headquarters on Cedar Street. Very peaceful, except for the generator running the entire time at a nearby property.

Looks like lots of people were taken offline:

A tree fell on a line snapping wires & poles in Brattleboro. Crews making repairs for 4500 out. Eta by 11:30 pm.” say GMP.


The TOR Big Summer Road Trip!

Everyone’s Books is pleased to present four of the most exciting Science Fiction and Fantasy authors of the modern era at The Space at 118 Elliot St. at 6pm on Saturday, July 25th.

Local author Brian Staveley‘s  second book in the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series,focuses on the three heirs to the Annurian Empire as they embark on different routes to the same goal. Adare, having discovered who killed their father, rallies the people, who believe she has been touched by a goddess; Valyn has allied with invading nomads; and Kaden, the rightful heir, has already infiltrated the capital. Read chapter one from The Emperor’s Blades here, and an excerpt from book two, The Providence of Fire, here.


Cat Box Liner And Litter Package Tested And Approved For Brattleboro’s Curbside Composting Program

Liner converts into a clean, sealed disposal bag

Brattleboro, VT July 10, 2015, Litter-2-U is a product that gives cat owners a convenient way to dispose of cat litter in their curbside composting cart. This fast, easy and clean way to change cat litter compliments Brattleboro’s curbside composting program and diverts litter from costly, harmful landfills to usable compost.                

Litter-2-U (L2U) is a compostable plant-based liner pre filled with a 100% wood-pellet litter, which is highly absorbent and effective at odor control. The strong 2-ply liner has a jute drawstring that can later be cinched for disposal. With L2U, Brattleboro cat owners can avoid putting their litter in a costly non-compostable PAYT bag destined for the landfill. L2U is currently available online at and is delivered to your door.


Weekend Comedy Series: Norm MacDonald

This comedy special starts with Norm’s parents convincing him to stop being a doctor and become a comedian.

This Canadian comic is seen here in HBO’s One Night Stand, at a performance in Chicago. Some say Norm is not funny (such as his boss at NBC), but I beg to differ. He is good at making uncomfortable jokes, and jokes that can make you wince, and some find this approach a bit harsh.


2015 Notice to Brattleboro Taxpayers

Notice to Taxpayers

The taxpayers of the Town of Brattleboro are hereby notified and warned that Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes assessed upon the Grand List of 2015 are now due and payable to the Town Treasurer at the Treasurer’s Office in the Brattleboro Municipal Center, 230 Main Street, Suite 111, Brattleboro, Vermont, in four equal installments as follows:

1st Installment due August 17, 2015
2nd Installment due November 16, 2015
3rd Installment due February 16, 2016
4th Installment due May 16, 2016


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of July 12

I-91

On Sunday, July 12, the Southbound lane of I-91 between Exits 3 and 2 and the Exit 3 on-ramps will be closed to all vehicles from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM to make it possible to conduct a routine bridge inspection. This time period was selected because it is the period of lowest traffic volume during the daylight hours needed to conduct the inspection. Southbound traffic will be routed to Exit 1, and Northbound traffic attempting to use the Exit 3 on ramp will be routed north on Route 5 to Exit 4. Officers will be on hand to control traffic. I-91 Northbound will remain open.


Senators Call on FCC to Probe Cable, Broadband Prices

WASHINGTON, July 10 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and three colleagues today asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate “ridiculous prices” for cable and broadband services.

“Consumers in our country have little or no choice in their Internet and cable provider,” Sanders wrote in the letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “As a result, these companies are able to charge ridiculous prices and add hidden fees onto a customer’s bill,” he added in the letter also signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.). “It’s no wonder the American public rank these providers last in customer satisfaction,” the senators said.


Brattleboro Solar Summer Ice Cream Social July 25th

Brattleboro Solar Summer Ice Cream Social, Saturday, July 25, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, at Pliny Park, corner of Main and High Streets, Brattleboro. In the event of rain, event will be held in the Brooks House lobby, across High Street from Pliny Park

Enjoy free ice cream from the Chelsea Royale Diner and gelato from the Newfane Creamery along with live music from John Ungerleider & Friends, and learn why there’s never been a better time to go solar.


Brattleboro Baroque Quartet Concert

BRATTLEBORO BAROQUE QUARTET CONCERT AND SALON

The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library will host a concert by the Brattleboro Baroque Quartet on Friday, July 24 at 7:30 in the Brooks Library on Main Street, Brattleboro. 

The quartet members are: Martin Hanft on the traverso and recorder; Michelle Liechti on the violin; Laurie Rabut playing the viola da gamba, and Wendy Redlinger at the harpsichord. 

Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $10 each and available at the Front Desk of the Library or at the door the evening of the event.


RT 30 Will Remain Closed For A While Longer

Good Afternoon:
The work that necessitates the closure of RT 30 is wrapping up. We anticipate being able to reopen Rt 30 in approximately 2 hours. Apologies for this unavoidable inconvenience, and thanks again for your patience and understanding.

Cindy Cook
Public Information Officer
Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project


NEA “Our Town” Grant Screening Committee Application Deadline Extended To July 16, 2015

The Brattleboro Selectboard is accepting applications for interested people to become a part of an ad hoc Screening Committee to conduct the initial screening of proposals submitted by artists who apply for funding through the Town’s NEA “Our Town” grant. The Screening Committee will review all application materials submitted by all artists and will recommend to the Selectboard a group of finalists. The Screening Committee’s work will occur during the week of July 27-31. The Selectboard will consider the Screening Committee’s recommendations on August 4. The only minimum requirements for service on the Steering Committee are residence in Brattleboro and/or prior experience in judging artistic ability and experience.