
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: December 2017-January 2018
In time of division, flag project aims for unity
Group in Columbia County creates flag, banners with optimistic message Cheryl Roberts of Spencertown shows off the purple-and-white flag she designed for Keep Hope Alive International, a new nonprofit group dedicated to promoting responsive government, religious liberty , tolerance, justice reform and other causes. Susan Sabino photo By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer CHATHAM, N.Y. In read more
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Issue: December 2017-January 2018
Election 2017
Here are the results from major local races and ballot issues in the Nov. 7 general elecction in New York and Massachusetts. Winning candidates are in bold type. A brief summary follows the results for each county. The results shown are final, official tallies certified by local election officials, except in the case of the read more
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Issue: December 2017-January 2018
Buy stuff, build houses
New store raises funds for area Habitat for Humanity chapter Charlie Burd, center, the manager of the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Moreau, N.Y., talks at the store with customers Jamie Moors, Ryan Ashe and Ridge Ashe, 2, all of Hebron. Joan K. Lentini photo By STACEY MORRISContributing writer MOREAU, N.Y. Walk through read more
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Issue: November 2017
Changing course on pot
In Vermont, medical marijuana faces risks in push for broader legalization Mike Di Tomasso, Matt Lavallee, Chris Williams and Chris Motyka are among about 50 employees of Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness, which operate Vermont’s largest legal marijuana-growing facility and supply medical marijuana dispensaries in Burlington and Brattleboro. Courtesy photo Jessica Sipe By read more
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Issue: November 2017
Election 2017
Here are ballot questions and candidates for major local races in the Nov. 7 general election in New York and Massachusetts. A brief summary follows the candidate list for each county. MASSACHUSETTS BERKSHIRE COUNTY State representative — First Berkshire DistrictJohn Barrett III (D)Christine M. Canning (R) North Adams mayorThomas BernardRobert Moulton Jr. The state read more
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Issue: October 2017
A chance to fix Albany – or a risk to cherished rights?
In N.Y. vote, a chance to fix Albany — or a risk to cherished rights? A coalition of labor unions and other groups has been distributing lawn signs urging a No vote on November’s question of whether to hold a state constitutional convention in New York. Groups supporting a Yes vote say they don’t plan read more
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Issue: October 2017
Happenchance Farm — Serendipity was just the start
Across two decades, Happenchance Farm keeps growing organic niche Jamie Snyder kneels with his dogs, Maggie and Benny, in front of a field of broccoli at Happenchance Farm, the certified organic farm Snyder started nearly 20 years ago in the Washington County town of White Creek. Joan K. Lentini photo By STACEY MORRISContributing writer read more
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Issue: October 2017
Connecting through the woods
Group works to improve, expand Bennington trail network A volunteer work crew tends to a new hiking and bicycling trail through the property of Southern Vermont College. The trail is part of a network being maintained and expanded by the 2-year-old nonprofit Bennington Area Trail System. Courtesy photo/Jared Newell By TELLY HALKIASContributing writer BENNINGTON, read more
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Issue: October 2017
Election 2017 — A roundup of area races, ballot questions
Voters in N.Y., Mass. to decide local races By FRED DALEYEditor Mayoral races in North Adams, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, a hard-fought contest for Rensselaer County executive, and a proposal to revamp the system of city government in Saratoga Springs are among the major contests voters in Massachusetts and New York will decide read more

