Ellis Block gets help for restoration

Housing Vermont has joined with the Springfield Housing Authority to take on the project of rebuilding the downtown block and restoring the town's movie theater, heavily damaged in the July 8 fire.

Four challenge Dems for Windsor County Senate

Those voters in Windsor County who seek change from their current representation will have not one, but four candidates to choose from on Tuesday.

Democrats look to keep grip on Windsor County Senate

Speaking at a candidates' forum at Springfield High School, Democratic incumbents John Campbell of Quechee, Richard 'Dick' McCormack of Bethel and Alice Nitka of Ludlow face competition from Republicans Ethan Foster, Kirk Sparkman, Kent Butterfield and independent candidate Mark Blanchard of Springfield.

Springfield Theater Plans In Works

Video: Since it burned in July, the Ellis block Complex in Springfield, Vt., has sat empty. Now, a Vermont nonprofit group has stepped in to help revitalize the complex.

Second chance for Ellis block

A statewide non-profit has stepped forward to breathe new life into the charred Ellis Block, and the Springfield Select Board has voiced its approval for the group's plans.
The board voted 4-0 in favor of approving a $200,000 grant application request from Housing Vermont that the organization will submit to the Vermont Community Development Program for the purpose of stabilizing the block for the winter until renovation work can take place.

Festival of Food

The last Sunday in October brought Springfield residents to the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall to sample everything from chicken wings to creme brulee as part of the 15th Annual Festival of Foods, a benefit for the Greater Springfield Vermont Area Habitat for Humanity.

Local School Gets Face-Lift

Video: Union Street school has been under construction for a major renovation. Although two months behind, it is scheduled to reopen soon. Video includes teacher Susan Whittemore.

Police allege forgery for drugs

A Springfield woman denied charges Tuesday she stole and forged nearly $7,000 in personal checks to support her drug habit. Jamie L. Daniels, 21, pleaded innocent in White River Junction District Court to a single felony charge of forgery, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Law could complicate budget process

Passing a school budget has long been a difficult proposal for Springfield voters, and this March it might be even harder.
During Monday night's Springfield School Board meeting, board members received an overview of how Act 82 might affect the way the district's budget is presented to voters. Act 82 calls for school districts to present their budgets to voters in two parts if they exceed certain spending benchmarks, said Steve Hier, director of fiscal services for the district.

Union Street School finally ready

The opening of the new building that was supposed to be ready for the first day of school on Sept. 2 was delayed until the building received its certificate of occupancy from the Vermont Department of Fire Safety. That certificate is now in hand, and with Baybutt Construction having reached substantial completion on the project earlier this month, Union Street teachers are using their in-service days this week to move into the new building.

2 Dems, 2 GOPs vie for House seats

Two incumbent Democrats and two Republican challengers are squaring off this November for the two Springfield seats in the House of Representatives.
Reps. Alice Emmons, D-Springfield, and Cynthia Martin, D-Springfield, are facing Paul Gibbs, Jr. and John Stettner for the two Windsor-2 seats that represent Springfield.

Green Horn live going well

In Michael Janiszyn's Advanced Journalism class at Springfield High School, strong writing and journalistic ethics have always been stressed. But in the last couple of years, a group of students have taken The Green Horn, the school's award-winning student newspaper, and given it broader exposure on the small screen.

SEVCA kicks off 'Share the Warmth' for low-income Vermonters

In the past two years Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) has seen a spike in applications for its heating assistance programs, and the agency is seeking the public's help in heating low-income Vermonters.
SEVCA, along with Springfield radio station WCFR, kicked off its second annual "Share the Warmth" campaign on Wednesday morning at the Springfield Royal Diner, with Gov. Jim Douglas and Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie present.

Residents ask to preserve 1700s one-room school house

The Spencer Hollow School, the oldest brick one-room schoolhouse in Vermont, may have a new lease on life.
Donald Whitney and William Mitchell asked the Springfield Select Board Monday night if the town would deed the schoolhouse to the Springfield Art and Historical Society, so they could begin fundraising to fix up and preserve the school.

Student potters benefit the hungry

Springfield High School is looking for helping hands to shape some clay while at the same time supporting the arts and assisting the neediest in the community with food and shelter.

Town regretting pre-buy fuel contract

Back in early July, when gas and oil prices were growing faster than weeds in a vegetable garden, the town signed a contract that it thought would save taxpayers thousands of dollars this coming winter.

Apple Fest lifts spirits

Spirits were high on sunny Saturday afternoon as people browsed among craft booths, purchased local farm apples, ate fried dough and children had their faces painted at the Vermont Apple Festival.

Man Threatened with Shotgun

A North Springfield man pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor reckless endangerment in Windsor District Court on Oct. 7 for his role in an Aug. 16 incident in which he allegedly called Springfield police to let them know he fired a shotgun at a dirt biker who annoyed him by driving on his property.

Parents Rally to Change School Bus Routes

School buses backfire occasionally, and so do plans to try to save money on them, to judge from what a group of local parents had to say to the Springfield school board.

Empty Bowls, One Now Famous

Vermont Governor James Douglas started his Friday morning at Springfield high School, lending his autograph to a clay bowl, that after glazing and firing, will be filled with both soup and the hope of helping others.

Symington Tours SSCF

House Speaker and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington brought her campaign to the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield for a personal tour.

Lawyers: Kid killer could get early release

Thomas Olsen of Springfield, who was convicted 14 years ago of second-degree murder of his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter, could be out of jail as early as January, according to a new agreement between the lawyers in the case.

Workshops to teach energy efficiency

A free workshop at the Howard Dean Center this Wednesday evening will teach how to "Button Up" homes with an eye toward energy efficiency.

Walk for Animals Raises $2,500

The Springfield Humane Society came close to its goal of raising $3,000 on Sept. 28 with its annual "Paws About Springfield" dog walk.