Ron Patch: Remember when...

The Thomases of Baltimore, the Abbotts of Springfield and a small painting of a rural Vermont farm now fully identified.

More volunteer time would help revive ‘Wag Sales’

The Weekly Wag Sales at the Humane Society have for several years been a popular fundraiser. However, due to recent difficulty in pulling in enough combined volunteer time to keep them running each weekend, the Wag Sales will have to close...

Skating rink volunteers needed

Conditions have been ideal at the North Springfield public skating rink but volunteers are needed to have the warming hut open early evenings and weekends.

Springfield Winter Carnival seeks volunteers

Springfield’s favorite fun-packed family-friendly wintertime event returns in 2018, bigger and better than ever. The 4th Annual Springfield Winter Carnival will take place the weekend of Feb. 10 at Crown Point Country Club.

Springfield Wrestlers Flex Muscles at Recent Meets

Eighth grader Bryan Stafford won First Place trophy at a recent tournament in Vergennes, VT. A recent dual meet with Burr & Burton netted the varsity "Green Machine" a 36-30 win, adding a fourth win to their undefeated status at dual meets this season.

Reports of gun at Springfield High false, police say

Initial reports Monday that a student at Springfield High School might have a firearm turned out to be false, police said Tuesday.

Springfield woman warned to stop texting witnesses in her boyfriend's upcoming murder trial

Wendy Morris, the girlfriend of Greg Smith who is about to go on trial later this week for the fatal shooting of Springfield resident Wesley Wing, was flagged up in front of a judge on Monday after she allegedly sent potentially intimidating text messages to a witness.

Video: All the good things Democrats won't applaud

HCRS seeks to improve access to services

Health Care and Rehabilitation Services southeastern Vermont’s community mental health agency, has announced that it has instituted a new, faster process for new clients to access services.

Student with gun prompts lockdown of Springfield High School

Springfield High School and the River Valley Technical Center went into lockdown on Monday when a student notified school administration about a potential threat to the building.

Old, cold, and drafty: “Weatherize” offers energy saving solutions

An audible groan came from the audience at the Jan. 25 Weatherize Upper Valley gathering as Paige Heverly, the presenter from Vital Communities, showed a picture of an 1850s era farmhouse festooned with eight-foot icicles.

'Concerning incident' triggers lockdown at Springfield high school

A lockdown order has been lifted at the high school and tech center. The all-clear was given at about 3 p.m. Police have not yet said why the school was put on lockdown but they did say the incident started around 12:30 p.m. and multiple departments responded to the scene.

North Springfield couple charged with heroin dealing following sting operations

A North Springfield couple are facing heroin dealing charges following a series of “controlled buys” that were carried out by informants working with the Vermont Drug Task Force late last summer.

Booster Club ‘Teddy Bear Toss’ will help local children in foster care

The Springfield Boosters’ Club will hold a Teddy Bear Toss at a varsity basketball game Saturday to benefit Tatum’s Totes, a local organization that provides backpacks for children ages 0-18 going into foster care.

Don Whitney, Springfield Citizen of the Year

Don Whitney was named 2017 Citizen of the Year at the 102nd Annual Meeting Dinner of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, held Saturday night at the Hartness House.

Video: Interview with Don Whitney

Ron Patch interviews Don Whitney for SAPA TV. Recorded January 19th. (1 hour, 28 minutes)

Springfield stop latest on Sanders' high-school tour

Students at Springfield High School got a visit Friday from Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-VT who hosted a College and Career Fair to inform them about their options and resources after graduation.

USDA again suspends slaughter operation at Vermont Packinghouse

Federal regulators temporarily shut down the animal slaughter operation at Vermont Packinghouse in North Springfield on Monday, according to a statement from the facility.

Video: Let's talk taxes

Keith Stern of North Springfield, Constitutional Conservative Republican candidate running for Governor of Vermont.

The FAFSA is the first step to being career ready

In Vermont, only about 55 percent of high school seniors file a FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This means eligible Vermonters lose out on an estimated $4.7 million in federal Pell grants every year, or about $3,564 annually per student.

Trout River Brewing Company's tasting room open

Trout River Brewing tasting room will be open this Saturday and Sunday. Opening day was January 25th. Located at its brewery off Pearl Street, in the same building complex as the Springfield Health Center.

Toy on tour

Annette Kravchenko in Australia adores her doll Matilda so much that she wants to treat her to the best things in life – including a round-the-world trip, with a stop in Springfield, Vermont. She estimates the trip will cost $10,000.

Sanders to hold career fair in Springfield Friday

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., will hold a college and career fair at Springfield High School on Friday.

Springfield eyes possible solar energy deals

The Springfield Selectboard joined with the Town Planning Committee and Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission to consider proposed locations for two different net-metering solar projects, which could result in thousands of dollars in electricity savings annually.

Video: Lawsuit seeking fluoridation ban moves forward

For the first time ever, a federal judge has denied a motion by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to ban the fluoride additives used in community water fluoridation.

Commentary: End Vermont’s draconian vehicle inspection system

If Gov. Phil Scott were sincere in his wish to improve Vermont’s affordability index, he would be wise to direct the Legislature to act with urgency to unwind the state’s draconian vehicle inspection system.

Students celebrate legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Kari Magoon’s second-grade class performs a readers theater of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech, “I Have a Dream,” on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Springfield Community Center.

Reiki instructor donates to nonprofits, offers new classes

A recent campaign by local Reiki instructor Lauren Potter to donate funds for area nonprofits has netted $200 this past holiday season.

‘Weatherize Upper Valley’ hosts Springfield area event

A free public Springfield and Chester Weatherize Kick-Off event is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Springfield First Congregational Church.

Sunlight returns

After two days of cloudy overcast and rainy skies, the sun finally peeked through late this afternoon but at a time close to sunset. This view overlooking the Connecticut River is from Hoyts Landing.

Green Mountain tops Springfield

It was a close one Monday for the Springfield and Chester girls basketball teams.

Springfield man facing multiple charges for relationship with 15-year-old girl

A 53-year-old Springfield man is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl who told detectives she liked his auto mechanic's uniform so she gave him her phone number.

New book group begins at Springfield Town Library

Looking for a book group that’s a little different? The Springfield Town Library is starting one, and the first meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8.

Three arrested on drug charges in NH

Two New Hampshire residents and one from Springfield Vermont were arrested in Nashua, NH last week and face drug charges.

From Church Elder to Atheist – “The Rest of the Story”

Long-time Springfield resident James Baldwin died today. For 25 years, he was involved with the cultish Worldwide Church of God. Here is what he wrote after leaving that Church in 1992.

Canadian driver cited in I-91 log truck, plow truck crash

Vermont State Police have cited a Canadian man after his logging truck collided with a Vermont Agency of Transportation plow truck on Interstate 91 during Wednesday evening's snowstorm.       Springfield Fire Department Photo

Gallery at the VAULT holds annual chocolate tasting

On Saturday, Feb. 3, at its 68 Main Street home, the VAULT will hold the eighth annual “Chocolate Tasting” fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. to support VAULT programs.

Plan would reclassify region’s rivers

State officials are asking residents around Windsor County to weigh in on a plan that would reclassify many waters within the Black and Ottauquechee rivers, and drive funding for watershed projects over the next five years.

SMCS clinics receive highest level of recognition

Springfield Medical Care Systems is pleased to announce that all six of its primary care locations have earned Level 3 recognition from the National Center for Quality Assurance.

Local woman wins Publishers Clearing House cash prize

PCH Prize Patrol guy Howie Guja didn't find Springfield resident Joanna Rothluebber at home Tuesday but managed to track her down at work where she was able to deposit her $10,000 immediately - she's a bank teller.

Springfield School Board grapples with funding questions

The Springfield School Board, like many districts regionally and nationwide, faces a shrinking budget coupled with intensifying classroom behavior from students with social-emotional obstacles.

Springfield Town Library events

It’s Complicated (but Simple) January 24; Yarning for a Cause January 24; Health workshop January 25; Celebrate National Puzzle Day January 29; Crazy 8’s Math Club February 1.

Springfield Senior Center news

Casino trip... 2018 trip planning... Free assistance completing taxes... Shuffleboard.

The Current to change six routes in February

The Current will change schedules on six of its 16 routes beginning Monday, Feb. 5, including the Springfield in-town route.

Flu arrives early in area, strikes hard this season

This is not an ordinary flu season in the area, according to Blythe Kersula, infection prevention nurse for Springfield Medical Care Systems.

Major I-91 accident closes exit 7

Interstate 91 southbound was closed this evening at Exit 7 in Springfield. Emergency services were on scene for a log truck vs state plow truck crash. The accident occured at around 5:30 pm.

Report suggests new Vermont mega-prison

A new report drafted for the Vermont Legislature suggests replacing several aging correctional facilities with one mega-prison, designed for specific inmate groups, over the next decade.

VT Fish & Wildlife hosts public discussion sessions on baitfish regulations

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hosting several public discussion sessions on Vermont's fishing regulations, beginning January 30th in Springfield. Department officials are hoping to engage anglers in a discussion and gather public opinion on the state's baitfish rules.

Protest rally for the homeless 1-22-18

Basically the State Department for Children and Families in Springfield economic services are leaving people homeless in the cold even pregnant women and not helping anyone when they are supposed to help everyone especially in this kind of weather.

Springfield Learning Garden receives literacy grant

The Springfield Learning Garden Inc., of Springfield, Vermont has received a grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation.

Springfield Medical Care Systems awarded grant for surgical drill

Springfield Medical Care Systems is pleased to announce that it has received a $4,558 grant from the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation to purchase a new surgical drill for use at Chester Family Dental in Chester.

Society runs out of steam for annual festival

Despite the recent cancellation of the 2018 Springfield Steampunk festival, organizers say there is no cause for alarm. Robyn Priebe, president of the Steampunk Society of Vermont, says the society will have “other events” this year in lieu of its fourth festival.

Video: Martin Luther King Jr. - Love Your Enemies

Then Again: FBI digs for radicals among Vermont’s immigrants

On March 14, 1919, FBI Special Agent John B. Hanrahan had offered an overview of radical elements in Vermont to his superiors. Springfield bore scrutiny.

First annual Bowling for Hunger tournament

Wintertime fun for a great cause! Grab some canned goods, a few friends, and bowl for hunger! On Sunday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m., Up Your Alley will be hosting Springfield’s first annual Bowling for Hunger Tournament.

Wrestling Like a Girl, in Vermont

When someone says “you wrestle like a girl” it is generally accepted as something negative. that is not the case in Vermont. Vermont has a growing number of girls taking on the sport of wrestling, not only on the mat, but in coaching positions.