Last Wednesday was a November type day with clouds and chilly temperatures. The rest of the week see-sawed as essentially dry frontal systems brought in cooler air Tuesday and Friday. We have reached stick season in central Vermont and readers should be preparing for winter weather even though short term trends continue to predict near- to above-normal temperatures with a […] The post Weatherwise first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.

One fall day in Concord, Dave Anderson, a forester, and three friends gathered at the base of a giant tree with patchy gray, tan, and white bark. Joining hands, they formed a ring around the trunk of New Hampshire’s largest American sycamore. They estimated the tree’s age to be more than 300 years; its height and crown each spread more […] The post The American Sycamore: Titan of the Tree World first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.

Vermont’s Republican Gov. Phil Scott won reelection to a sixth term on Tuesday, defeating Democrat and Progressive Amanda Janoo in a race that proved more competitive than most voters would have imagined when Scott announced he would run again. Janoo, an economist from Burlington running her first-ever political campaign, conceded in a speech at her election night party in Burlington […] The post Scott Wins Record Sixth Term as Governor first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.

Two incumbents and one newcomer were elected to Windsor County’s three Senate seats Tuesday. Rebecca White (D) was re-elected to serve a third term in the Senate and Joe Major (D) to his second. Following the retirement of longtime Windsor County Sen. Alison Clarkson, Elizabeth Burrows (D/P) has been elected to fill the spot. All three Senators-elect campaigned against four […] The post Democrats Hold Windsor Senate first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.

I n one of the more high-profile races this election, incumbent Democrat John O’Brien again defeated challenger Republican Bruce Post for the House seat in the Windsor Orange-1 District. “Election Day has come and gone,” O’Brien said while thanking voters for their support. “Now comes the real work.” Unofficial results have O’Brien winning 1,136-862, which is a wider margin than […] The post O’Brien Retains House Seat first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.

Voters in the Orange Senate district elected Democrat-Progressive Rep. Monique Priestley to replace incumbent Republican Sen. John Benson in a close race Tuesday. Benson was appointed to the seat by Gov. Phil Scott last session after former Republican senator Larry Hart resigned in November of 2025. Priestley had 5,571 votes, claiming 50.2%, while Benson had a total of 5,222 votes […] The post Priestley Bests Incumbent Benson in Orange Senate Race first appeared on The White River Valley H

Incumbent Democrat Larry Satcowitz and Progressive Democrat newcomer Emery Mattheis won the two seats for the Orange-Washington Addison House district, representing the towns of Braintree, Brookfield, Granville, Randolph, and Roxbury. The pair’s win maintains the two-seat district’s Democratic standing after incumbent Jay Hooper chose to not seek re-election. Satcowitz said he is grateful for the continued support from his community, […] The post Democrats Hold Onto Randolph Area Seats

Claude Weyant easily won the Windsor County Sheriff’s position meaning he will get to keep doing what he’s been doing. “It is an honor and also quite humbling to have been elected as the sheriff of Windsor County,” Weyant said. “I take the responsibility very seriously.” Weyant, the Democratic candidate, defeated Republican Richard King, 18,975 votes to 7,436 votes. There […] The post Weyant Wins Cordial Windsor Sheriff Race first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.

Sean McRae is returning to where it all began, at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, after voters elected him sheriff Tuesday. McRae, a Democrat, defeated Republican Jacob Held, with 8,609 votes to 5,316 votes. There were 55 write-in votes and 977 voters did not cast a vote for sheriff. “The work is just beginning, and I am honored by the […] The post McRae Tops Held For Orange Sheriff first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.

Members of Royalton have debated the issue of allowing cannabis retail in their town. In 2020, an act was passed allowing towns to opt-in to cannabis retail, something every town in the Upper Valley had done except Royalton. Until now. Shannon Morrill, owner of Something Wicked, a cannabis dispensary currently located in Bethel, has hoped for sometime to move her […] The post Royalton Narrowly OKs Cannabis Sales first appeared on The White River Valley Herald.