Springfield town offices up for grabs

With Select Board Chairwoman Mary Helen Hawthorne and fellow board member John Hall retiring from the board, voters in March will have to choose two new board members from five candidates.
They include Michael Knoras, who served on the board in the 1970s and 1980s, Kenneth Smith, Alan Fusonie, Keith Stern and Kristi Morris.

Police say Springfield teenager wielded knife

A Springfield teen is facing assault charges following allegations that he threatened a girl with a knife.
Steffen M. Whitaker, 16, pleaded innocent to one count of simple assault in District Court on Tuesday. Whitaker was released without having to post bail on a number of conditions, including that he not harass his alleged victim.

Cold, cold art

The temperature outside was hovering around 10 degrees, but the winter landscape was not frozen. The colors in the snow moved and deepened. The winter landscape on Rick Hearn's canvas was alive.
Working quickly, Hearn added oils in blues and browns and grays, as the shadows in the snow-covered hayfields surrounding an old farm on Parker Hill Road in Springfield changed.

75 Minors Cited In Springfield Drinking Parties

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75 Minors cited In 2 drinking parties

Over the weekend, Springfield police, aided by Vermont State Police, Chester and Ludlow police, broke up two different underage drinking parties: one Friday night on Stanley Road and the second the next night on Bellows Road, off Route 11 or Chester Road. More than 70 people were at both parties.
Facing criminal charges will be Zachary Colburn, 18, who was charged by police with enabling the consumption of alcohol by underage drinkers, and possession of intoxicants by consumption.

Town roadwork in budget plan up to voters

Voters will decide the fate of a proposed $9.4 million town budget at the March town meeting, a 3.5 percent increase in spending that will require a 6.5 percent increase in taxes.
Town Manager Robert Forguites said two areas were responsible for the $328,000 increase in spending — a $250,000 increase in the town's highway department toward the rebuilding and resurfacing of Park and Union streets. The renovation project will also include new sidewalks for the area.

School board OKs school budget

Residents will experience a slightly reduced sticker shock when they review the school budget on Town Meeting Day after the School Board cut the proposed increase by $911,877 Thursday night.

Bomb threat at Springfield High

A bomb threat was found written on the wall of Springfield High School on Wednesday, the third such threat in a week.

Board requests raise in pay

If town meeting voters give their blessing, members of the Springfield Select Board will get their first raise in 43 years.

Springfield rejects police dog request

The vote was close, but in the end the Springfield Select Board turned down a request from Police Chief Douglas Johnston to add a police dog to the local force.
On a 3-2 vote, the board rejected the proposal Monday evening.

Governor says trail funding on the way

Gov. James Douglas promised Monday that despite budget pressures on transportation projects, the state's share of rebuilding Route 143 was guaranteed.

Transit agency plans new hub in Rockingham

Connecticut River Transit has purchased a 41-acre parcel of land in Rockingham for its new $3.6 million public transit center.

Cop makes plea deal in domestic assault case

A Springfield police officer has pleaded guilty to two charges he violated court-imposed conditions when he repeatedly tried to contact his estranged wife after he was charged with domestic violence.

Springfield police to show off new space

Local residents will get to see up close Sunday afternoon what their $2 million in tax money bought when the Springfield Police Department hosts a community open house at its new headquarters.