Federal grants awarded to VT law enforcers

Senator Patrick Leahy announced Friday that eight Vermont communities will receive more than $1.32 million in federal grants to help combat crime. Springfield Police received $15,788 for security enhancements to its building and to purchase equipment, including Tasers for its officers.

Pa. newspaper chain bids on Eagle-Times

A Pennsylvania family-owned newspaper chain is poised to become the new owner of the Eagle-Times newspaper, with plans to rehire former employees and resume publication of the daily paper that ceased publication in early July.

School Bus Routes

It's back to school this Tuesday for Springfield grade K thru 12 students. Click headline for full bus schedule.

Wood-chip plant plans put on back burner

A plan to build a $150 million, 25-megawatt wood-chip-fired power plant in the North Springfield industrial park has been put on the back burner. Bob Flint, executive director of the Springfield Regional Development Corp.

VTel claims Comcast misstep

The local telephone company has filed a lawsuit to prevent a communications giant from using its phone lines and possibly poaching its customers. Monday, attorneys for Springfield-based Vermont Telephone Co. filed a 13-page complaint in U.S.

Annual RiverSweep Nets Loads of Junk!

More than 70 volunteers of all ages scoured the river banks in Ludlow, Weathersfield and Springfield on August 22nd, searching for renegade shopping carts and other trash in the 10th Annual RiverSweep.

A lesson in humility from Sen. Edward Kennedy and Mayor Joe Quimby

Thirteen Springfields across the country submitted videos to win the right to host the official premiere of the Simpson's Movie in their town. Springfield, Vt., won the honor despite Massachusetts' "ace in the hole" in their video, Sen. Kennedy.

Elks object to sprinkler tax

The Elks Club wants the town to repeal its "sprinkler tax," the fee it charges businesses and landlords to maintain the town's sprinkler system infrastructure.

Free course for families of the mentally ill

A free 12-week Family-to-Family Education course for families of persons diagnosed with serious mental illness will be offered in Springfield starting in September by National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont (NAMI).

Dealers assess Clunkers program

Ed McQuaide of Kelley Sales and Service in Springfield said he could have sold more vehicles, but ran out of inventory within five days of the start of the program last month.

Group seeks energy savings

John Pugh and Mary Ann Remolador are out looking for vampires in Springfield town government. Energy vampires.

"Zombie newspapers" popping up

Is a collection of content, if it is assembled using less than ethical business practices, and primarily as a vehicle for advertising, really a newspaper at all?

Fired guardsman sues Vt.

A member of the Vermont Army National Guard who was fired from his job at the state prison in Springfield has sued the state of Vermont, claiming his dismissal earlier this year was illegal.

School Board vows level-funded budget

The school budget has long been a divisive issue for the taxpayers of Springfield, but School Board members are hoping more input from residents might help create a budget that will pass the first time around.

River Sweep turns up tires, carts, cookware

More than 70 people rolled up their sleeves and their pants legs Saturday for the Black River Action Team's 10th annual River Sweep.

Rider Appreciation Day and Open House

On August 14th, Dream On Curls therapeutic horseback riding center hosted a Rider Appreciation Day to honor all their special riders and their accomplishments.

Springfield man accused of DUI

A Springfield man is charged with driving while intoxicated and simple assault after an incident early Saturday that began near a Hartford bar.

Storms hit and miss around region

Several calls came in simultaneously at the onset of Friday's storm, said Capt. Dan Baldwin with the Springfield Fire Department.

Stellafane 2009

Photos: 46 images from Springfield's famous annual amatuer telescope makers convention held August 13 - 16 and attended by astronaut Alan Bean.

Roadwork might be delayed until spring

Residents and travelers who use Summer Street will have to wait a little while longer for its long-anticipated overhaul.

VAULT will use grant to fund 2 jobs

To the gallery at The VAULT, $5,000 is manna from heaven.

Flood damage prompts lawsuit

A downtown property owner has filed a $30,000 lawsuit against the town, claiming a sidewalk project caused his buildings to flood twice.

The Stellafane Experience

I was there for Stellafane, the granddaddy of all star parties and one the largest such gatherings on the planet. Nearly 1,000 kindred cosmic spirits had gathered to escape the pall of city lights and to steep themselves in darkness for a few precious nights.

Springfield Police log

Local incidents responded to by the Springfield Police Department, week of August 9 through the 15th.

Woman denies custody interference

A Springfield woman is facing charges of custodial interference after police allegedly found children they were searching for hiding in a parked van in the police station parking lot.

Celebrating celestial anniversaries

From the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing to the 400th anniversary of Galileo turning his telescope to the heavens, the amateur telescope makers of Stellafane have a lot to celebrate during their convention this weekend.

Moonwalker Alan Bean in town

Captain Alan Bean, the fourth astronaut to walk on the moon in 1969 is the keynote speaker at a fundraising dinner tonight to benefit the Stellafane Amatuer Telescope Makers which is holding its annual convention here through Sunday.

A Clunker of a Program?

Just off the main road in Springfield, Vt., a long-depressed Connecticut River town best known for winning the competition as the true home of the cartoon character Homer Simpson, stands a temporary monument to Washington’s effort to marry economic stimulus and environmental consciousness.

Man denies charges in DUI-4 arraignment

A Chester man, who told Springfield policemen that things would be different if he met them on the street without their uniforms on, denied his fourth drunken driving charge Aug. 4, according to court records.

Therapeutic horseback riding open house

The public is invited to an open house and awards ceremony 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday at Dream On Curls Riding Center, 153 Kirk Meadows Road. The Center helps disabled people through therapeutic riding. Awards will be given to riders and demo lessons will be offered. Also on tap is a barbecue lunch at noon and a silent auction.
http://www.vermontel.net/~top/dreamoncurls.htm

Chrysler dealers waiting to hear their fate

Local Chrysler dealers are still in the dark after a conference call Friday dismissed all rumors of announcing dealers that the now bankrupt manufacturer intends to close.
Patrick Kelley, owner of Kelley Sales & Service in Springfield, said that his dealership should be "all set."

Downtown water main breaks

A water main in front of the Town Library was accidently broken during work Tuesday morning to excavate and replace parts of the aging town water system. Nearby residents and businesses south of the break were without running water most of the day.

Iconic farm goes silent

The herd of Holstein milkers has left Mooreland Farms, and for the first time in 56 years the milk truck hasn’t stopped at Springfield’s iconic hilltop farm.

Inmate sues jail guards

An inmate at the Springfield jail has filed a lawsuit seeking damages from 18 prison guards, officials and response team members involved in quelling a riot in the Rutland jail last year.

Much to like

Residents who attended a community values workshop Wednesday evening with the Springfield Planning Commission all seemed to put the town's two major rivers at the top of their list when asked what they love and value about the town.

A place of their own

Dave Hinckley, 18, thinks there's room in town for an all-ages music venue. His new music club, 802 Music, is scheduled to open its doors at 5 p.m. today.

Stimulous funding for the arts

Gov. Jim Douglas has announced 42 arts organizations around Vermont will share in $606,000 in stimulus funding, including $5,000 to the Gallery at the VAULT in Springfield for “gallery co-managers”.

Detour causes snafu

Bridge construction appears to be sending some drivers the wrong way down a one-way street. In early June, construction began on the Community Center Bridge, at the intersection of Main, South and Clinton streets.