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:

    An escape route from dairy farming’s crisis?

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    Some see hope in shift to organic production, but economic pressures remain Samantha and Chris Kemnah walk among the cows at Clover Bliss Farm, their 2-year-old organic, grass-fed dairy operation in Argyle, N.Y. Joan Lentini photos   By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer ARGYLE, N.Y. The name of Clover Bliss Farm refers to the contentment its abundant read more

    An escape route from dairy farming’s crisis?
  • Issue:

    Pushing back against plastic

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    Citizen activists pursue local, state curbs on bags, bottles, straws By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer MANCHESTER, Vt. Environmental advocates around the region are increasing their efforts to reduce plastic waste by calling for bans on certain single-use plastics – shopping bags and water bottles – and some are asking restaurants and their patrons to cut back read more

    Pushing back against plastic
  • Issue:

    Primary elections near in Vermont and Mass.

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    Primary elections on Aug. 14 in Vermont and Sept. 4 in Massachusetts will set the stage for statewide races this fall — and will effectively determine the winner of several local positions that only one major party is contesting. In Vermont, the most crowded contest locally is the five-way Republican race for three seats representing read more

    Primary elections near in Vermont and Mass.
  • Issue:

    Pianos take to the streets — and parks

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    Outdoor art project invites music making, raises funds for school Enrique Paredes stops to plunk out a tune on a piano as he walks his dog through The Common in Pittsfield. The brightly painted piano is one of 16 that have been positioned throughout Berkshire County this month in an outdoor art project that will read more

    Pianos take to the streets — and parks
  • Issue:

    Restoring an American giant

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    Pittsfield project advances efforts to develop blight-free chestnut trees Local arborist Robert Presutti shows off the chestnut tree orchard at Springside Park in Pittsfield. The orchard, which Presutti was instrumental in starting, contains 3,000 tree seedlings and is part of a much broader effort to develop a blight-resistant variety of the once common American chestnut. read more

    Restoring an American giant
  • Issue:

    Sheriff faces criticism as county, ICE join forces

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    Local jail to check immigration status of anyone arrested By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer TROY, N.Y. The Rensselaer County sheriff says he’s merely buying into a federal program that could intercept a few potential criminals. But critics say the program is discriminatory and would wrongly enlist county officers in expanding a controversial federal immigration crackdown. Earlier read more

    Sheriff faces criticism as county, ICE join forces
  • Issue:

    It’s Delgado vs. Faso, Cobb vs. Stefanik

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    Democrats settle crowded primaries in two eastern New York House districts By FRED DALEYEditor   Democratic voters have chosen Antonio Delgado and Tedra L. Cobb to challenge Republican incumbents John Faso and Elise Stefanik this fall in New York’s 19th and 21st congressional districts. The results of a June 26 election settled a pair of read more

    It’s Delgado vs. Faso, Cobb vs. Stefanik
  • Issue:

    Will the blue wave reach here?

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    In crowded primary ballots, Democrats line up to challenge Faso, Stefanik   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer   With control of the U.S. House of Representatives at stake, Democratic voters will go to the polls this month to choose their challengers to two Republicans who now represent much of eastern New York. Political observers say the read more

    Will the blue wave reach here?
  • Issue:

    In green gesture, town bans plastic water bottles

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    Great Barrington voters pass new law easily; critics push for new vote Retailers in Great Barrington would be prohibited from selling plastic water bottles like these starting in May 2019 under a local law approved by voters at last month’s annual town meeting. Susan Sabino photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Supporters read more

    In green gesture, town bans plastic water bottles
  • Issue:

    With goats and grit a new farmer finds joy

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    Leah Hennessy takes time out to pet Little Sister, one of her Alpine goats, at Moxie Ridge Farm & Creamery in Argyle, N.Y. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer ARGYLE, N.Y. Leah Hennessy made her way toward the barn at Moxie Ridge Farm, expertly dodging a hissing gander whose mission was to read more

    With goats and grit a new farmer finds joy