Students on the Simon's Rock campus gather at the library in preparation for the Bard Queer Leadership Project. Press photo courtesy of Bard College at Simon's Rock

News

Here are the Hill Country Observer’s news articles, listed from newest to oldest. The Hill Country Observer covers town events, local government, community stories and more — from public health to housing to education and freedom of mind in New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts.

  • Issue:

    Election 2021

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    Here are the major local candidates and referendum questions on ballots for the Nov. 2 election in New York and Massachusetts. A guide to political party abbreviations is in the box at right. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk (*). A brief summary follows the candidate listings for each county. Because of space limitations, municipal-level read more

    Election 2021
  • Issue:

    Refugees offer chance to counter city’s decline

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    The 2020 census figures released earlier this year offered yet another set of data to chart the long decline of Rutland. The city, which throughout the 20th century was second only to Burlington in population among Vermont’s communities, now has fallen to fifth place, behind the Chittenden County towns of Essex, South Burlington and Colchester. read more

    Refugees offer chance to counter city’s decline
  • Issue:

    Local bread, local flour

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    Bakers’ plans for grain mill would fill gap in region’s food system   Julie Sperling and Doug Freilich stand in front of the wood-fired brick oven where they bake their breads at Naga Bakehouse in Middletown Springs, Vt. photo by Joan K. Lentini   By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS, Vt. Julie Sperling and Doug read more

    Local bread, local flour
  • Issue:

    Political clock ticking for new governor

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    As 2022 race looms, Hochul enjoys ties forged in local visits New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took office Aug. 24 after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, is well known to local political leaders. Courtesy photo     By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took over Aug. 24 after the read more

    Political clock ticking for new governor
  • Issue:

    For the love of horses

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      The thoroughbreds run at Saratoga Race Course in a scene from 2013. Photo by Joan K. Lentini   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. The first race was an hour away as fans poured through the turnstiles at Saratoga Race Course on the first Sunday of this summer’s thoroughbred meet, but already there read more

    For the love of horses
  • Issue:

    Campaign veteran returns to his roots

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    Skidmore graduate learned early lessons in local, regional races   Eric Hyers, who grew up in North Adams and studied political science at Skidmore College, became a prominent campaign strategist for red-state Democrats. Now he’s back in the area to manage a congressional campaign. Courtesy photo   By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   Most people would read more

    Campaign veteran returns to his roots
  • Issue:

    Rewriting the rules for egg farms

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    Mass. legislators move to change voter-backed law   Cartons of eggs fill a refrigerated display at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace in Pittsfield. Large-scale egg producers are pushing Massachusetts to revise its pending rules for humane treatment of laying hens, though the smaller-scale suppliers of Guido’s aren’t affected by the changes. Susan Sabino photo.   By CRAIG read more

    Rewriting the rules for egg farms
  • Issue:

    NY’s shifting political ground

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    Redistricting poses risks for Delgado, Stefanik, Tonko   Mark Wilson illustration   By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   The arrangement of congressional districts across eastern New York could be altered dramatically in the coming months as the state embarks on the once-a-decade redrawing of its political maps. The redistricting process, always full of intrigue and surprises, read more

    NY’s shifting political ground
  • Issue:

    Soothing scent, striking color

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    Lavender is key crop at a Columbia County floral farm   Seen across a field of lavender in bloom, visitors gather at a pick-your-own operation at Vine Gate Lavender Floral Farm in Hillsdale, N.Y. Susan Sabino photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer HILLSDALE, N.Y. As a heat wave swept into the Taconic hills in early read more

    Soothing scent, striking color
  • Issue:

    Free clinic aims to fill health-care gap

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    Organizers plan large-scale event, open to all, at fairgrounds   Karen Weinberg, one of the organizers of free medical clinic planned for early October, seeks volunteers for the project at a June event at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Joan K. Lentini photo   By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer EASTON, N.Y. A large-scale free medical clinic planned read more

    Free clinic aims to fill health-care gap