samessenger.com | Serving Franklin County since 1863

Top Stories

Fairfax votes no on $26 million school bond proposal

Fairfax votes no on $26 million school bond proposal

$411,000 awarded to Vermont farms: Area farmers receive grants for infrastructure, no-till

$411,000 awarded to Vermont farms: Area farmers receive grants for infrastructure, no-till

Wave of BB gun vandalism strikes Swanton

Wave of BB gun vandalism strikes Swanton

Behind the Badge

Behind the Badge

News

Scott announces $200,000 available for outdoor recreation

By MESSENGER STAFF
Updated Dec 4, 2019

Swanton woman charged with DUI

By Messenger Staff
Updated Dec 4, 2019

Police: driver crashed into poles, hydrant, vehicles, cruiser

By Tom Benton Messenger Staff Writer
Updated 20 hrs ago

Insurance company to pay $1.8 million in settlement

By MESSENGER STAFF
Updated Dec 3, 2019

Swanton Chamber accepting Citizen of the Year nominations

Michelle Monroe
Updated Dec 3, 2019

SAPD arrests multiple allegedly drunk drivers

By Messenger Staff
Updated Dec 3, 2019

Upbeat News

Festival gala the hottest ticket in town

Festival gala the hottest ticket in town

By Michelle Monroe Messenger Staff
Updated 12 hrs ago

Bakersfield lights up a new tradition

By SARAH JO MARCOTTE Special to the Messenger
Updated 12 hrs ago

Welcome to our World

Welcome to our World

Carter John Loiselle, a boy born on Nov. 29 at Northwestern Medical Center to Renee (Paquette) Loiselle and Cody James Loiselle of Swanton. Azrael Leonidas Stallings, a boy born on Nov. 30 at Northwestern Medical Center to Krista Stallings and Tommy Stallings of Fairfield. Gannon Rupert Purrier, a boy born on Dec. 1 at Northwestern Medical Center to Abby Lee Marrier and Ryland Baily Purrier of Montgomery.
Updated 18 hrs ago

Sherrer awarded Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation Fellowship

Sherrer awarded Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation Fellowship

By Messenger Staff
Updated 18 hrs ago

News Updates

Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today!

Manage your lists

Sports

Comets Revive NY Tournament Tradition

Comets Revive NY Tournament Tradition

23 hrs ago

MASSENA, N.Y. — Tradition abounds in the Comet hockey family, and this year the team renewed a pre-season trip that was a favorite for former Comets. Read More

Ruthie Laroche

Sports Editor

Overcoming Adversity--Reaching Goals

Overcoming Adversity--Reaching Goals

Updated Dec 4, 2019

WORCESTER, MASS./HIGHGATE — A conversation with Michaela Martin, a 2015 MVU graduate, resounds with the necessity to focus on the positive and to stay the course to reach the goals ahead. Read More

Ruthie Laroche

Sports Editor

Skating and baking keeps Fortin fulfilled

Skating and baking keeps Fortin fulfilled

Updated 18 hrs ago

Highgate — Caitlin Fortin grew up spending countless hours on the rink at the Highgate Arena, a place that became a second home for the Fortin family. Read More

Ruthie Laroche

Sports Editor

Obituaries

Agnes Aldea Pelletier

Agnes Aldea Pelletier

Dec 4, 2019

Robert Keith Wolfe

Robert Keith Wolfe

Dec 4, 2019

Dr. Joseph R. Rainville

Dr. Joseph R. Rainville

Dec 3, 2019

Irene R. Casey

Irene R. Casey

Dec 2, 2019

George Robert Woods

George Robert Woods

Updated Dec 2, 2019

Donald A. Putnam Sr.

Donald A. Putnam Sr.

Updated Dec 2, 2019

Nancy (Lindkamp) Orcutt

Nancy (Lindkamp) Orcutt

Updated Dec 2, 2019

Chad D. Lavigne

Chad D. Lavigne

Updated Nov 29, 2019

Carol Ann (Turner) Cells

Carol Ann (Turner) Cells

Nov 26, 2019

Isabell Ruth Cross

Isabell Ruth Cross

Nov 26, 2019

Featured Events

Classes/Talks

contributed free family friendly for kids for teens rsvp required sponsored

Prospective Parent Luncheon

Friday, December 13th, 2019 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Rice Memorial High School

Free

Rice Prospective Parent Luncheon: Friday, December 13, 12-1pm Read more

Editorial

High ed costs about to soar?

44 min ago

Emerson Lynn

Editor Emeritus

Pot in Vt: When less is more

Dec 5, 2019

Emerson Lynn

Editor Emeritus

How do we raise productivity?

Updated Dec 4, 2019

Emerson Lynn

Editor Emeritus

Renewables; Can't get there from here

Updated Dec 3, 2019

Emerson Lynn

Editor Emeritus

Vt.;s seniors - where's all the money?

Dec 3, 2019

Emerson Lynn

Editor Emeritus

Letters to the Editor

OneCare Vermont Isn’t Too Big to Fail

44 min ago

Chance to reform ed financing

44 min ago

Swanton: It's all about who leads us

Updated Dec 4, 2019

Fairfax bond vote request is nuts

Updated Dec 4, 2019

You willing to sacrifice for climate change?

Updated Dec 4, 2019

Most Popular

Upcoming Events

Dec 6

Story Hour

Fri, Dec 6, 2019
Dec 6

Free Vascular Screening

Fri, Dec 6, 2019
Dec 6

Live music: Dale & Darcy

Fri, Dec 6, 2019
Dec 6

Live music: Allison Fay Brown

Fri, Dec 6, 2019
Dec 7

Red Cross Blood Drive

Sat, Dec 7, 2019
Dec 7

Craft Show

Sat, Dec 7, 2019
Dec 7

Vermont Genealogy Library

Sat, Dec 7, 2019
Dec 7

Live music: Erin Caswells-Brown

Sat, Dec 7, 2019
Dec 7

Live music: Blue Rock Boys

Sat, Dec 7, 2019
Dec 9

Movement & Music

Mon, Dec 9, 2019

Online Features

Ways your smartphone can alleviate stress this holiday season

Amazon’s Best of Prime Highlights the Year’s Top Trends

Amazon’s Best of Prime Highlights the Year’s Top Trends

Spencer’s Story: What to Know About Seizure Clusters

4 home upgrades that are good for the environment

4 home upgrades that are good for the environment

Tips for surviving the Medicare annual enrollment period

Tips for surviving the Medicare annual enrollment period

How to protect your most valuable asset

How to protect your most valuable asset