Susan Smallheer, Brattleboro Reformer Journalist Profile

Articles

Rockingham increases most costs at recycling center

1 week ago | reformer.com | Susan Smallheer

BELLOWS FALLS — Starting July 1, it will cost more to get rid of old refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners and old furniture but not household trash. The Rockingham Select Board on Tuesday also agreed to increase the out-of-town fee to use the town's recycling/transfer center from $35 to $50, which will bring it in line with surrounding towns. It's the first increase since 2021.
Rockingham delays, again, a decision on flag policy

2 weeks ago | reformer.com | Susan Smallheer

BELLOWS FALLS — The town of Rockingham has again delayed making a final decision on a proposed town policy regarding flying commemorative flags on town property. And the decision to delay, didn't come without some frustration.
Bellows Falls voters pass budget, articles, elect new trustee

2 weeks ago | reformer.com | Susan Smallheer

BELLOWS FALLS — Voters in Bellows Falls village approved a $1.98 million village budget and also reelected their village president and elected two village trustees. The annual business meeting was held Monday night, and voters approved the 2025-26 spending plan, which village officials estimated would result in a slight - if any - increase in taxes despite a 7.9 percent increase in spending.
Rodrigues' attorney asks judge to set aside jury verdict

2 weeks ago | reformer.com | Susan Smallheer

BRATTLEBORO — The attorney for convicted murderer Cara Rodrigues argued in court Tuesday that county prosecutors manipulated what little evidence there was in the case to unfairly convict his client. In sharply critical attacks on Windham County State's Attorney Steven Brown, defense attorney Daniel Sedon of Chelsea said that Rodrigues was innocent of the stabbing and beating death of Emmy Bascom, 42, of Guilford in August 2022, and that the verdict should be set aside.
The drought is over. But how much rain is too much for area farms?

2 weeks ago | manchesterjournal.com | Susan Smallheer

PUTNEY — Cory Walker has been farming for decades, and he prefers it on the dry side. Walker, one of the owners of the Harlow Farm organic vegetable farm, states the obvious: you can add water but you can't really take it away. Walker on Thursday was cultivating parts of an eight-acre field along the Connecticut River at Harlow's River View Farm in Putney, which was once a large sheep farm. Last year the field was hay land, part of the organic farm's regular rotation of crops and fields.
The drought is over. But how much rain is too much for area farms?

2 weeks ago | benningtonbanner.com | Susan Smallheer

PUTNEY — Cory Walker has been farming for decades, and he prefers it on the dry side. Walker, one of the owners of the Harlow Farm organic vegetable farm, states the obvious: you can add water but you can't really take it away. Walker on Thursday was cultivating parts of an eight-acre field along the Connecticut River at Harlow's River View Farm in Putney, which was once a large sheep farm. Last year the field was hay land, part of the organic farm's regular rotation of crops and fields.
Vermont Yankee's reactor building to start coming down

2 weeks ago | benningtonbanner.com | Susan Smallheer

VERNON — The last remaining large structure at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant site is about to come down. The reactor building, a distinctive green with a white top and five stories tall, has been stripped of its radioactive components and demolition should start in about three weeks, Corey Daniels of NorthStar Group Services said this week.
Former Bellows Falls man found competent to stand trial - 21 years later

3 weeks ago | reformer.com | Susan Smallheer

BRATTLEBORO — Twenty one years after he was first arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a little girl in Bellows Falls, Michael A. Armstrong has been found competent to stand trial. Armstrong, now 50, who was found not competent to stand trial in 2009 on the eve of his trial, was re-evaluated by a different psychiatrist in 2023, who found that he did understand the charges against him and could aid in his defense, according to statements in court this week.
The drought is over. But how much rain is too much for area farms?

3 weeks ago | reformer.com | Susan Smallheer

PUTNEY — Cory Walker has been farming for decades, and he prefers it on the dry side. Walker, one of the owners of the Harlow Farm organic vegetable farm, states the obvious: you can add water but you can't really take it away. Walker on Thursday was cultivating parts of an eight-acre field along the Connecticut River at Harlow's River View Farm in Putney, which was once a large sheep farm. Last year the field was hay land, part of the organic farm's regular rotation of crops and fields.
Vermont Yankee's reactor building to start coming down

3 weeks ago | manchesterjournal.com | Susan Smallheer

VERNON — The last remaining large structure at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant site is about to come down. The reactor building, a distinctive green with a white top and five stories tall, has been stripped of its radioactive components and demolition should start in about three weeks, Corey Daniels of NorthStar Group Services said this week.