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.
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Issue: June 2021
Culture clash
Cambridge NY Board of Education President Neil Gifford considers how best to protect the diverse members of the student body. By Craig Idlebrook read more
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Issue: June 2021
New role will test Stefanik’s green positions
Rise into GOP leadership creates new pressures to adhere to party line By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, recently elevated to the House Republicans’ No. 3 leadership post, has a significantly more moderate record on environmental issues than Liz Cheney, the Wyoming congresswoman Stefanik replaced. That’s prompting some environmental advocates and political… read more
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Issue: June 2021
In debate over mascots, choose right side of history
Perhaps we should have seen it coming. But even in our current era of partisan polarization, it still is sometimes surprising to discover which issue or situation will become the focal point of the next culture-war battle. As our cover story this month details, public school officials in a handful of districts around the region… read more
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Issue: May 2021
Urban density vs. open space
Developer Chris Patten’s proposal to put up a 64-unit apartment in downtown Glens Falls has met a local wish for green space. By Evan Lawrence read more
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Issue: May 2021
A hub for food and community
It’s nearly noon on an April weekday, and Floyd Carruth Jr. has been working on his latest batch of hot sauce since early morning. By Stacey Morris read more
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Issue: May 2021
Third-party candidates vanishing from N.Y. ballots
When voters in New York head to the polls this November and next, they’ll likely have fewer candidates to choose from. By Maury Thompson read more
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Issue: April 2021
New blood for a rural region
Columbia County and the Berkshires, Vermont and the Adirondacks are reporting an influx of people from urban areas. By Evan Lawrence read more
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Issue: February-March 2021
Restoring Pawlet’s historic general store
After a lengthy renovation, Mach’s Market has been reborn, thanks to the vision of owner Gib Mach. By Stacey Morris read more
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Issue: December 2020-January 2021
New York pushes local debates over police reform
New York’s push for police reform draws support, resistance locally Police cars line the street opposite the Saratoga Springs Police Department headquarters at City Hall. photo by Joan K. Lentini By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer The summer’s protests over police brutality and racial injustice have lately begun to spur talk of reform among… read more
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Issue: December 2020-January 2021
Election 2020: Results from three states
Here are the results of the Nov. 3 election for federal and state offices across the region. Winning candidates are in boldface type if the outcome is not in dispute. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk (*). Statewide results for the presidential race are listed in the main table; a separate county-by-county tally of presidential… read more