Shaftsbury News

A man who fatally shot his brother-in-law in front of the victim's children says he's guilty.

A Shaftsbury man pleaded guilty Friday to shooting his former brother-in-law to death and to molesting children -- charges that would likely result in him serving 30 years to life in prison.

The Shaftsbury School District Board will decide soon exactly how committed it is to looking into a merger with North Bennington.

A 42-year-old Shaftsbury man is expected to plead guilty this week in the death of his former brother-in-law. A change of plea hearing is set for Friday for Michael Christmas, who is accused of killing Ronald Wilkins in August of 2007, as well as several counts of sexual assault on children.

In a letter sent this week, the Vermont Department of Education states that the composition of the Mount Anthony Union District Board apparently "fails to pass constitutional muster," and suggests that the board be "reapportioned to meet constitutional requirements." Commissioner Armando Vilaseca suggests in the letter addressed to MAU Chairwoman ...

A Shaftsbury man pleaded guilty Oct. 16 in Bennington District Court to embezzling $5,500 from his employer between March 2007 and February 2009.

A representative from the Vermont School Boards Association told the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union board Tuesday that governance studies are often expensive, time-consuming and "a lot of smoke but not a lot of fire." Winton Goodrich, associate director of the VSBA referred to more than 30 examples of supervisory unions or school districts ...

A stuffed animal leaned against a space heater, a curling iron was on the bed and a candle and burnt cigarettes were on the nightstand when the piercing beeps of the fire alarm sounded.

Troopers: Shaftsbury Barracks, Bennington County Sheriff's Office, Rupert Constable Location: Merck Forest, off Vermont Route 315, Rupert Operator / Accused: Various On October 16, 2009, State Police received a report of an underage drinking party at a cabin within the Merck Forest, off Route 315, in Rupert.

The state will host H1N1 vaccination clinics for all area school children in the next month.

Community Supported Agriculture shares are typically available for summer months but a growing number of farms are offering winter shares.

Town officials are moving on several fronts to bring order and direction to cemetery policies, fees and operations.

New Select Board member Craig Bruder has a professional background in insurance and management, is originally from Michigan and has lived in Shaftsbury for five years.

A Bennington County man wants his upcoming murder trial moved. 42-year-old Michael Christmas of Shaftsbury is charged with first-degree murder.

The lawyers representing a man accused of shooting his former brother-in-law to death in August 2007 in Shaftsbury plan to ask a Bennington County judge to move the trial to another county.

A Shaftsbury woman pleaded no contest in Bennington District Court Tuesday and was handed a jail term on a charge that she attempted to set an ex-boyfriend's house on fire in April.

An Arlington teacher pleaded not guilty in Bennington District Court Tuesday to one count of possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, and enabling alcohol consumption by a minor.

The Select Board on Monday took action to reschedule a special election to fill a board vacancy to Tuesday, Nov.

After delaying the formation of a committee to look at governance options earlier in the summer, the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union is now conducting research on union governance and consolidation.

After much discussion from local school boards in recent months about possibly altering the makeup of the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, administration officials gave a presentation on obligations for bonds borrowed to pay for the construction of Mount Anthony Union Middle School.