
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 2022-January 2023
Election 2022 Results
Here are the results of the Nov. 8 general 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 (*).Figures for Massachusetts and Vermont are final, official returns recorded by the secretary of state’s office in each read more
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Issue: November 2022
Pandemic dividend comes fresh from the oven
Economic upheaval helps spur new micro-bakeries across region Kean McIlvaine moved from Washington, D.C., to Washington County, N.Y., after the pandemic threw her culinary career into turmoil. Once here, she started Covered Bridge Bread, a home-based baking business. Joan K. Lentini photo By STACEY MORRISContributing writer SHUSHAN, N.Y. After the pandemic clobbered the read more
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Issue: November 2022
How dark Covid times nurtured bakers’ dreams
Dede Weber started her Bohemian Nouveaux Bakery at the height of the pandemic and soon built a following in the northern Berkshires. Now she’s preparing to open a new bakery cafe in North Adams. Susan Sabino photo By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer Dede Weber imagines a winter day in North Adams, with snow falling read more
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Issue: November 2022
State’s new ethics panel off to rocky start
By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer When Kathy Hochul took over as New York’s governor last year after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, one of her first promises was to strengthen the state’s system for policing the ethics of its top officials. The state’s ethics watchdog at the time, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, known read more
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Issue: November 2022
Maker space grows with a green mission
In a 19th century mill, two artists create a center for ‘upcycling’ Dozens of cast-off bicycles are gathered in one room at the Old Stone Mill Center for Arts and Creative Engineering. After repairs and modifications, most will be shipped to countries in Africa to provide basic transportation. Susan Sabino photo By KATE read more
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Issue: November 2022
Saving democracy might require more than electoral reform
In nearly two decades of reporting on elections and politics across our region, we’ve covered lots of ideas for making our political system more open and accessible — and for giving voters more meaningful choices. On our editorial page, our guiding principle has been that anything that gets more voters to participate in elections, and read more
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Issue: October 2022
On track to the future? – Federal intrastructure bill could fund new rails
Federal infrastructure bill could fund expanded rail links across region Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express stops in Saratoga Springs on its way from Burlington, Vt., to New York City. photo by Joan K. Lentini By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer When Rutland Mayor David Allaire won his first election to become a city alderman in read more
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Issue: October 2022
Election 2022 Preview
Here are the candidates and referendum questions on ballots for the Nov. 8 federal and state elections across the region. Because of space limitations, uncontested races are not included. A guide to political party abbreviations is at right. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk (*). Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to read more
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Issue: August 2022
Williamstown festival works to transform and cast off a toxic legacy
Williamstown festival works to transform, cast off a toxic legacy Students head out the back door of the ‘62 Center for Theatre & Dance at Williams College, where the college and Williamstown Theatre Festival have set up a new intensive training program this summer. Photo by Susan Sabino By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer WILLIAMSTOWN, read more
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Issue: August 2022
Two vie for right to challenge Stefanik
Castelli, Putorti spar over ballot lines in busy Aug. 23 election By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer A new wrinkle in the 21st Congressional District race developed recently when Matt Castelli, one of two candidates running in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary, established an independent “Moderate Party” line. It’s the latest bone of contention in a read more






