Author Archive for The Chester Telegraph
College News
Vermont State University of Randolph Center announces the graduates of its Class of 2025. Those local students are: Suzanne Fontaine of Weston; Allan Poller of Springfield; and Brittany Priggen of Londonderry. Vermont State University also announces the students who earned placement on the President’s List for the fall 2025 semester. This highest academic honor recognizes full-time […]
Financial probe leads to Windsor County Sheriff’s arrest on multiple sexual misconduct charges
© 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer, 39, of Windsor was arrested on Tuesday and charged him with multiple counts related to sexual misconduct as a result of a seven-month investigation by Vermont State Police. According to a VSP press release, beginning in July 2025, police received numerous anonymous tips alleging possible […]
To the editor: Politicians should pay the price for Good, Pretti’s deaths at the ballot box
On Jan. 13, amid widespread killings of demonstrators in Iran, President Trump posted on Truth Social “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price.” However, Trump justified the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, falsely claiming she “willfully and viciously” […]
Op-ed: School choice fuels dreams for Vermonters
By Ross Powers Vermont’s ongoing and necessary discussion of education reform has had an unfortunate side effect: elevating the voices of people who are manipulating facts to fit their narrative. They want you to believe that Vermont’s independent schools are harming public education — particularly those that educate some of our most gifted student athletes. […]
Andover Select Board agenda for Jan. 26
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026 at the Andover Town Office, 953 Weston-Andover Road. Below is the board’s agenda: 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Act on Agenda. 3. Act on Minutes of January 12th meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per […]
To the editor: Area residents protest U.S. action against Venezuela
On Saturday afternoon, Jan. 17, more than 50 residents of Chester, Ludlow, Bellows Falls, Rockingham, Grafton and other neighbors braved the snowstorm to participate in the worldwide Global Day of Action: No War for Oil. We protested the Trump regime’s illegal military attack against Venezuela and threats of violence against Columbia, Cuba, Mexico, Iran and […]
Chester Select Board, Water Commission agendas for Jan. 21
The Chester Select Board will hold a meeting as the Water and Sewer Commission at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 21 at Town Hall, 556 Elm Street and remotely via Zoom. The Select Board will hold a meeting directly after the Water and Sewer meeting. Below are the meeting agendas. Water and Sewer Commission 1. […]
Candlelight vigil for Phin Tillman of Grafton to be held at 5 p.m. today, Jan. 17
Phineas “Phin” Harvey Alexander Tillman of Grafton passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Walpole, N.H., at the age of 24. Phineas is survived by his mother Pamela Johnson-Spurlock, stepfather Patrick Spurlock, and sisters Helen and Madeleine Spurlock of Grafton; his father Mitchell Tillman, stepmother Joy, and brothers Braedon and Hudson Tillman of […]
To the editor: Vermont religious leaders call for justice for Renee Good
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8 RANDOLPH The Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ raises our prophetic voice to speak out against the escalation […]
Area Dems to hold fundraiser for Family Center’s home heating program
In collaboration with the Chester-Andover Family Center and the Andover Democratic Town Committee, the Chester Town Democratic Committee will hold its annual Share Heat Fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1 at VT Vines Vineyard and Winery, 275 Williams Road in Rockingham. The committees will provide appetizers, and a cash bar will […]
College News
Southern New Hampshire University, in Manchester, N.H., congratulates the following students on being named to the fall 2025 President’s List. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week […]
To the editor: Chester Christmas Committee thanks community for holiday participation
The newly formed Christmas in Chester Committee would like to extend our heartfelt and sincere gratitude to everyone who helped bring the holiday spirit to Chester this season. From generous donations of time and money to encouragement, creativity, and participation, this celebration truly reflected the strength of our community. We thank the local businesses who […]
Body of man believed to be Phineas Tillman, 24, of Grafton recovered
The body of a man, believed to be 24-year-old Phineas Tillman of Grafton, was found in the Connecticut River around 1 p.m. Monday by search teams in Walpole, N.H. Vermont State Police had begun searching for Tillman on Sunday evening when they received a call that Tillman had departed his Grafton home and the caller […]
To the editor: How and what to donate to the Thrift Shop at CAFC
As we welcome the start of a new year, many of us feel the familiar pull to organize, refresh our homes and clear space for what’s next. The Chester-Andover Family Center, located at 908 VT-103 in Chester, is deeply grateful that you think of the Thrift Shop when deciding where your gently used items should […]
Andover Select Board agenda for Jan. 12
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday Jan. 12 at the Andover Town Office 953 Weston-Andover Road. Below is the board’s agenda: 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Act on Agenda. 3. Act on Minutes of December 22nd meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per visitor, […]
College News
Grayson Frazer of Springfield was named to the President’s List for the fall 2025 semester at Trine University in Angola, Ind. Frazer is majoring in Exercise Science. To earn President’s List honors, Trine University students must complete a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average of 3.750-4.000. Kelli Prosser of Springfield has been […]
Chester Select Board agenda for Jan. 7
The Chester Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2026 at Town Hall, 556 Elm St. and online via Zoom. Below is the board’s agenda. 1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment re: Signs; Public Hearing 2. Approval of Minutes from the Select Board Meeting dated Dec. 17, 2025 3. Citizen’s […]
Op-ed: Private philanthropy is not enough to create economic opportunity
By Bill Schubart ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Is what we’re learning about healthcare and the critical role of primary care a metaphor for what we can learn about reducing poverty with equitable economic policies that create opportunity? Vermont’s current budget is $9.1 billion. For 648,500 Vermonters, that’s $14,400 each. The 2025 U.S. budget was $7.01 […]
Ellen M. McCullough, 80, of Chester
Ellen Marian McCullough (Levinson), of Chester, passed away at the age of 80 at Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y., on Dec. 26, 2025. Born on Feb. 14, 1945, in Detroit, Mich., Ellen lived a life full of warmth, curiosity and connection. Vivacious and feisty, she was endlessly chatty and deeply loving — a woman […]
Op-ed: Affordability permeates every issue: What to expect from the upcoming legislative session
By Sen. Joe Major As we enter the upcoming legislative session, Vermonters are sending us a clear message: Affordability must be front and center. Families, seniors, farmers and small businesses are all feeling the strain of rising costs, and they expect their elected leaders to respond with practical, responsible solutions. That is both our challenge […]