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:

    Melding farm and forest

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    Planting of nut trees puts a new agricultural model to the test A volunteer crew works to plant hazelnut tree seedlings at Kevin Maher’s farm in Cambridge, N.Y. photo by Joan K. Lentini     By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. The crew gathered at Kevin Maher’s farm on a weekend in the middle of read more

    Melding farm and forest
  • Issue:

    Vermont weighs rules for slate quarries

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    Industry warns of costs and job losses, but critics see need for oversight Tom Beebe hammers a large piece of slate so that it will be able to fit onto the processing belt at the Sheldon Slate Products facility in Poultney. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer POULTNEY, Vt. A legislative battle read more

    Vermont weighs rules for slate quarries
  • Issue:

    Judge bars college from selling arts center

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    The founders of the Bennington Center for the Arts have gone to court in an effort to annul their gift of the center to Southern Vermont College. In a lawsuit filed May 21 in Bennington Superior Court, Bruce Laumeister and Elizabeth Small argue that when they agreed to donate the arts center and its collection read more

    Judge bars college from selling arts center
  • Issue:

    Changing rules for immigrant driver’s licenses?

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    N.Y., Mass. debate changes to help immigrant workers Emerson Exante, a legal immigrant from Guatemala who works at a Washington County dairy farm, shows off his new New York driver’s license. But for the many undocumented workers at farms and elsewhere in the region, getting a license isn’t an option. Legislative proposals to change that read more

    Changing rules for immigrant driver’s licenses?
  • Issue:

    Plan to control geese sparks debate

    In the Berkshires, some see nuisance, others see nature   Wide lawns along the shore of Richmond Pond have become a popular summer gathering spot for Canada geese. Some local landowners have come up with a plan to reduce the numbers of geese they say have become a nuisance, but others who live near the read more

    Plan to control geese sparks debate
  • Issue: ,

    Colleges on the brink

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    Demographic, financial pressures spell doom for three area schools Southern Vermont College President David R. Evans stands on the patio outside his office in the college’s Everett Mansion. The college is one of three in the region that plan to close this spring. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer     With read more

    Colleges on the brink
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    Naumkeag grows a new focus on spring

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    In bid to extend season, Naumkeag prepares first-ever daffodil festival   The 44-room house at Naumkeag, built in the 1880s as the Choate family’s summer “cottage,” towers above its terraced gardens. The historic property will host its first-ever Daffodil Festival this month.Kate Abbott photo   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. The linden trees may read more

    Naumkeag grows a new focus on spring
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    Rail trail to close key gap

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    Construction began in March on a new 8-mile stretch of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. When the work is completed in October 2020, it will link with two existing sections, forming a continuous 23-mile route through Columbia and Dutchess counties. Courtesy Photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer COPAKE, N.Y. Work is under way this spring read more

    Rail trail to close key gap
  • Issue:

    Rekindling a community radio spirit

    New studio, fund-raising drive set for nonprofit community station By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. After several years without a home, the nonprofit community radio station of the southern Berkshires is setting up a new studio and preparing to resume a full schedule of locally produced programming. On Feb. 1, WBCR-LP began leasing a read more

    Rekindling a community radio spirit
  • Issue:

    Recycling’s season of discontent

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    Haulers, local governments struggle as waste markets disappear A truck delivers a load of recyclables to TAM Recycling in Pownal. The pile in the foreground contains about 1.5 days worth of cardboard recyclables that have been delivered and are awaiting processing at the facility. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer POWNAL, Vt. read more

    Recycling’s season of discontent