This Week’s News
As ESSER funding ends, OVUU board discusses budget and pre-k funding
The Otter Valley Unified Union (OVUU) School Board convened for its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 19 at the Neshobe School.
Tracing the past: The story of John Plude of Brandon
The short name “John Plude” on Brandon’s Civil War monument belies a long, fascinating, and sad story of a Vermonter who, like many others, went to war and never returned.
Editorial: A year in, The Reporter needs support from the community
In our last issue of 2023, which marked our one-year anniversary as an independent nonprofit, we ran an ad that got a good bit of attention, at least as far as I can tell by the number of comments I’ve received about it around town.
A student’s death sparks questions about support services at Middlebury College
Three months after 20-year-old student Evelyn Mae Sorensen died from an accidental overdose on the Middlebury College campus, her mother is still seeking answers.
Legislative Report: Looking forward to getting to work for Vermont
This is my third term in the legislature, representing the wonderful town of Brandon.
Photos of the Week
Sports
Otter Valley puts up a fight, but loses in Championship game to powerhouse Woodstock
The Otter Valley football team made an unanticipated trip to the Vermont Division 3 championship game but lost 65–14 to a fast and dominating Woodstock team that featured 13 seniors.
OV football stuns BFA Fairfax; will play division championship
Last Saturday, in a show of outstanding football, the Otter Valley Otters defeated the BFA Fairfax Bullets in a show of stellar offense and gutsy defense. On a raw day with occasional sleet, a crowd of 300 showed up in Fairfax to witness the semifinal game which looked to be a sure thing for the Bullets, who were undefeated at 10-0 versus the Otters at 5-4.
OV Football wins big in playoffs, moves to state semis
Isaac Whitney had a huge game, gaining 180 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns to lead the Otter Valley football team to a 46–14 playoff win over rival Mill River Saturday night under the new lights at Markowski Field.
Local group proposes multi-town community rec center
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, a bunch of middle-aged friends in Pittsford want to play some pick-up basketball. Or some older folks want to continue their daily exercise walks when the snow is knee deep outside in winter. Or some kids want to play volleyball but the school gyms are all closed. Where can they go?
‘Game Seekers’: local hunters use online platforms to reach an audience
Fall in Vermont means foliage, cider, pumpkins, and, for a good number of our neighbors, hunting. Every year, people across the state pick up their bows and rifles and head out into the woods, hoping to bag a big-antlered buck or a fat, feathered turkey.

