This Week’s News
New numbers highlight Covid-19’s impact on inpatient mental health care and emergency departments
New numbers reported this week suggest that inpatient psychiatric care capacity in Vermont slowly started to rebound last year, but still remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
Brandon Town Manager resigns
After the public portion of its meeting on Monday evening, the Brandon selectboard went into executive session to discuss a “personnel matter.” By Tuesday morning, that matter was no longer a secret: Dave Atherton, Brandon’s town manager since 2015, had announced his intention to resign, effective February 21.
Brandon SB talks shade trees, class 4 roads, and solar funding
In its regular meeting on Monday, the Brandon selectboard addressed several issues, including the Tree Warden’s shade-tree preservation plan, the designation of Briggs Lane as a Class IV highway, and the Brandon Energy Committee’s request for ARPA funding for a community solar array.
New England Woodcraft takes woodworkers on a tour
To a certain kind of person—someone as fascinated with woodworking as kids are with candy—the machine shop at New England Woodcraft (NEW) must seem like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory: a place of endless bustle and wonder.
Erastus Laird: Vermont Civil War soldier
Erastus Laird re-enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, after a 2-year stint and some time home.
Photos of the Week
Sports
OV Football Club realizes a goal: an illuminated field
Let there be light! The Otter Valley Football Club realized a longstanding dream this past weekend: lights on Markowski Field at OVUHS.
Naylor & Breen golf tourney raises awareness of rare disease with local significance
Almost everyone in the Brandon area has been touched in one way or another by Naylor & Breen, the construction company founded by Rob Naylor and Peter Breen in 1978.
Burning rubber: Brandon’s Joey Scarborough racks up wins at local racetracks
Joey Scarborough was driving racecars years before he even had a license to drive himself to school.
Skip Jennings Founders Cup Golf Tournament at Neshobe Golf Club
Skip Jennings, 93 years old, led off the tournament with a beautiful drive right down the middle of the fairway on hole #1.

