St. Albans Daily Messenger

The St. Albans Messenger is a newspaper based in St. Albans, Vermont. It serves the community by distributing news across Franklin County and the Northwestern part of Vermont.

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UPDATE: Police ID man in Lake Champlain; No evidence of foul play

2 days ago | samessenger.com | Josh Ellerbrock

SOUTH HERO – Vermont State Police have identified the man who was found dead in Lake Champlain this past Sunday as Silas Smith, of Plattsburgh. Vermont State Police initially received reports Sunday, April 20, from a homeowner who saw a body off of Kibbe Point in South Hero. First responders subsequently recovered the deceased man and sent him to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.
GALLERY: Mudseason Handmade Market highlights local artists and MVU alumni

3 days ago | samessenger.com | Bridget Higdon

SWANTON — Trey Hancock doesn’t visit his high school very much anymore, but on Saturday, he was happy to be back in Missisquoi Valley Union’s gymnasium in support of a good cause. At the school’s first Mudseason Handmade Market, Hancock was one of 60 vendors showcasing their wares to the community. Vendor fees raised about $3,000 for MVU’s National Arts Honors Society. Since graduating in 2018, Hancock said he’s been lucky to turn his passion for art into paying gigs.
Dead man found floating near South Hero; State police looking for ID

3 days ago | samessenger.com | Josh Ellerbrock

SOUTH HERO – After finding a dead man floating in Lake Champlain near South Hero, police are looking for more information about how it happened. Vermont State Police initially received reports Sunday, April 20, from a homeowner who saw the body off of Kibbe Point in South Hero. First responders subsequently recovered the deceased man and sent him to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.
New restaurant at the Ralston building? Council approves sales agreement

3 days ago | samessenger.com | Josh Ellerbrock

ST. ALBANS — The Ralston building in St. Albans has likely found a buyer. Following the approval of a new purchase/sales agreement during council’s April meeting, the City of St. Albans is on track to sell the building to four experienced restaurateurs to facilitate the creation of a new establishment focused on approachable and modern French cuisine.
With Drone VT, local photographer captures events from new angles

3 days ago | samessenger.com | Bridget Higdon

SWANTON — Lawrence Nixon loves seeing his home from a vantage point available to few others – up the air. Nixon got his first drone three years ago as a Christmas present from his wife. Though he later lost it over the ocean in Maine, he’s since bought a new one and learned to capture stunning aerial images of Franklin County and beyond. “I like learning what I can about a place from that different perspective,” he said.
Can housing be cheaper?; Some Vermonters are finding ways

6 days ago | samessenger.com | Josh Ellerbrock

VERMONT — The median residential sale price for a house in Franklin County hit almost $400,000 in March. Does anybody expect the cost to go down? Not really. Will the General Assembly pass a policy to reshuffle the housing market? Not this year. But work continues nonetheless. In 2025 so far, Vermont logged 30 new addresses built in Franklin County. “I’m amazed that we’re as busy as we are with the price of everything,” architect Laz Scangas said. “Since COVID, the price has gone through the roof.
58th Vermont Maple Festival returns April 24-26 with something for everyone

6 days ago | samessenger.com | Bridget Higdon

ST. ALBANS CITY — Sugarmakers this week are busy gathering every last drop of sap while finalizing details for the upcoming Vermont Maple Festival. Scheduled for April 24-26 in downtown St. Albans, the 58th annual festival will return with all of your favorite activities and maple treats. “The maple cream for 475 dozen donuts is being made right now, the maple candies too,” festival co-chair Stephen Tetreault said.
PHOTOS: Missisquoi Valley Union hosts county’s first Apprenticeship Day

1 week ago | samessenger.com | Bridget Higdon

SWANTON — Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, seventh-grader Caleb Bourdeau already knows he wants to work in the field of construction and engineering when he grows up. But on Wednesday, at Franklin County’s first Trades and Apprenticeship Day, he discovered just how diverse those jobs can be. He could be a material supplier or general contractor, for example, or operate an excavator or work for public works.
Vermonters rally for detained Upper Valley man outside St. Albans corrections facility

1 week ago | samessenger.com | Aidan Schonbrun

ST. ALBANS – Dozens of cars lined the left side of Lower Newton Road Wednesday on the way to protest the detainment of Mohsen Mahdawi at Northwest State Correctional Facility. Holding signs saying “Free Mohsen” and Palestinian flags – Mahdawi was born and raised in Palestine – protesters sang for his freedom and chanted “no justice, no peace. No ICE or police.” Organizers asked for those in attendance to be loud enough for Mahdawi to hear from inside the facility.
Bringing in the new: Inside views of BFA-Fairfax under construction

1 week ago | samessenger.com | Aidan Schonbrun

FAIRFAX – New windows, floors, lights and doors at BFA-Fairfax bring modern improvements to the aging school. Nearly one full year after BFA-Fairfax broke ground on construction, the Messenger took a walk through the partially-completed building to compare the old to the new. The $36 million dollar renovation has made visible progress outside with two new wings added to the elementary and high schools, as well as countless indoor improvements including new classrooms in the basement.