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:

    The spirit of living in the moment

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    Saratoga entrepreneur leaves legal career to make organic tequila   Lisa Elovich, right, the owner and founder of the One With Life brand of organic tequila, is joined by Joyce Perry, director of Whispering Willow Wild Care, and the barred owl Ophelia at an event held in November at All Star Wine & Spirits in read more

    The spirit of living in the moment
  • Issue:

    How we might vote differently

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    Push for ranked-choice ballots gains traction nationally, locally   Voters line up outside an early voting site last month at the Warren County Muniipal Center in Queensbury, N.Y. Joan K. Lentini photo.   By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   Green Party activist Matt Funiciello of Glens Falls has been championing the merits of ranked-choice voting for read more

    How we might vote differently
  • Issue:

    A place for equine de-stressing

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    Former jockey helps racehorses transition to their second acts   Anna Hollander, owner of Swedish Hill Farm and Spa in Malta, N.Y., walks the retired racehorse Principal Dancer to the paddock on a fall day, accompanied by her dogs. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer MALTA, N.Y. Anna Hollander’s first waking thought read more

    A place for equine de-stressing
  • Issue:

    Going phone-free

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    Schools, states push new steps to banish student cell phones from class   Ralph Harrington, the associate principal for grades 7-12 at Cambridge Central School, shows off one of the pouches in which students’ cell phones are sealed throughout the school day. Joan K. Lentini photo   By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. Cambridge Central read more

    Going phone-free
  • Issue:

    Flaky croissants to sourdough breads

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    Transplanted to Saratoga County, a baker builds a following   Wilson Keenan places freshly baked chocolate croissants on a cooling tray at Bakery Suzanne in WIlton, N.Y. Keenan moved the bakery here from Delaware County at the beginning of the year. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer WILTON, N.Y. The truism to read more

    Flaky croissants to sourdough breads
  • Issue:

    Election 2024 Preview

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    Here are the candidates and referendum questions on ballots around the region for the Nov. 5 general election. Because of space limitations, uncontested races are not included. A guide to political party abbreviations is at right. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk (*).   MASSACHUSETTS The voter registration deadline is Oct. 26. Vote-by-mail application deadline read more

    Election 2024 Preview
  • Issue:

    Waiting for the train — State advances study of potential North Adams-to-Boston run

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    State advances study of potential North Adams-to-Boston run State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, stands along the tracks near the Western Gateway Heritage State Park. Barrett and others are pushing to restore passenger rail service from North Adams and Greenfield east to Boston, and a new state study details options for the project. Joan read more

    Waiting for the train — State advances study of potential North Adams-to-Boston run
  • Issue:

    Election 2024 — Voters face rare dual vacancy in Vermont Senate district

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    By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   The death of longtime state Sen. Dick Sears and the retirement of Sen. Brian Campion have set up the first election in more than three decades in which both Senate seats representing Bennington County are open. Six candidates, including three running as independents, will be on the November general election read more

    Election 2024 — Voters face rare dual vacancy in Vermont Senate district
  • Issue:

    Election 2024 — Public financing aids challenger in Saratoga race

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    By MAURY THOMPSON Contributing writer New York’s new public campaign finance system has given a big boost to the campaign of Democratic challenger Minita Sanghvi in the state Senate district that covers Saratoga County. The new system, which uses public money to match small-dollar contributions after certain fund-raising thresholds are reached, is intended to dilute read more

    Election 2024 — Public financing aids challenger in Saratoga race
  • Issue:

    Swing district — Molinaro, Riley face off again for crucial Hudson Valley House seat

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    Molinaro, Riley face off again for crucial Hudson Valley House seat U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-Catskill, narrowly won an open seat in New York’s 19th Congressional District two years ago. Now, in a high-turnout presidential election year, he faces a rematch with Southern Tier lawyer Josh Riley in a district that’s a top target for read more

    Swing district — Molinaro, Riley face off again for crucial Hudson Valley House seat