This Week’s News
Brandon’s volunteer-led “Adopt-a-Garden” sows civic beauty
Sarah Pattis helped organize a group of like-minded citizens in the “Adopt-a-Garden” program that’s kept downtown filled with flower gardens throughout summer, and now into to fall.
Brandon must wait and see what becomes of Shane Bartshe
For the last two months, the town of Brandon has been awash in fear and speculation surrounding the actions and safety of Shane Bartshe, who has had repeated legal and mental-health-related interactions with the Brandon Police Department (BPD) and emergency services.
Brandon seeks answer about vacant selectboard seat
Questions, confusion, and allegations have been swirling in Brandon following the recent resignation of selectboardsman Mike Markowski and the process to find his replacement among three qualified applicants.
Ex-Rutland childcare provider charged three years ago in infant’s death to stand trial in September
A former Rutland child care provider charged more than three years ago with manslaughter and child cruelty in the death of six-month-old Harper Rose Briar in her care is set for trial next month after a prosecutor pushed back on delaying it.
RNESU’s new superintendent, Dr. Kristin Hubert, looks to build on lessons learned from COVID
“There have been a lot of negatives regarding the pandemic—we don’t want to do long-term school closures ever again,” said Hubert in a recent conversation with The Reporter.
Photos of the Week
Sports
Namaste! Yoga options increase in our area
Yoga is a set of ancient practices, with origins in the Indian subcontinent thousands of years ago. The word itself means “union” in Sanskrit and is related to the English word “yoke,” in the sense of “to join together.”
OV’s Brooke Kimball named Unified Basketball Coach of the Year by Southern VT League
What really matters about sports? 2025 Southern Vermont League Unified Basketball Coach of the Year Brooke Kimball of Otter Valley said, “I love how much joy it brings.”
Nesobe Golf Club is no longer a “Hidden Gem”
Neshobe Golf Club hosted the 96th New England Amateur Championship with the best golfers in New England competing over three days.
A new generation of duckies takes the podium
The last few racing seasons, and all their attendant scandals, have left the local duckie community feeling unsettled.
Nifty Thrifty sponsors swim lessons for July 4th Duckies
Every July, hundreds of rubber duckies from all over the world descend upon Brandon for the Independence Day Duckie Race on the Neshobe River.

