Williston Observer 09/17/2026 by Williston Observer

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SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

School enrollment on steady decline … … and other takeaways from CVSD’s annual demographic study BY JASON STARR Observer staff Each fall, before it’s time to budget for the upcoming fiscal year and as a way to re-introduce school board members to their constituents, Champlain Valley School District administrators present a demographic deep dive. The school district — which encompasses Williston, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg and St. George — will be educating 3,601 students this school year across six school buildings. That enrollment remains the largest of any school district in the State of Vermont, but it is also part of a steady decline. Since the fall of 2022, the district has lost nearly 300

students (7.4 percent). “Like most of Vermont, we are declining,” Chief Operations Officer Gary Marckres said Tuesday during the administrators’ demographic presentation to the school board. Williston’s two schools — Allen Brook (grades K-2) and Williston Central (grades 3-8) — have a combined 903 students, more than any of the district’s K-8 schools. CVU High School has an enrollment of 1,177 this year. The demographic study breaks down the racial and socio-economic makeup of CVSD’s student body. The district is 85% white, 4.8% mixed race, 3.9% Hispanic, 3.5% Black and 2.7% Asian. About 3% of students have English as a second language. In total, more than 20 languages are spoken among students, according to Director see STUDY page 7

Tigers take down Redhawks

CVU’s Alex Jovell makes a leaping catch on his way to the end zone during the Redhawks’ 12-7 loss to the Middlebury Tigers on Saturday in Hinesburg. See page 24 for more photos. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

ABS names Bianchi new principal

Educator has been with CVSD for 21 years OBSERVER STAFF REPORT

Caitlin Bianchi

WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

Caitlin Bianchi has taken over for Angela Filion as principal of Allen Brook School. Bianchi is a familiar face at ABS, having worked in Williston schools for 21 years both as a classroom teacher and math coordinator. Most recently, she was the math coordinator for both Allen Brook

and Williston Central schools. In that role, she provided professional development to math faculty, served as a math instructional coach and collaborated with other district math coordinators and coaches to support student and educator needs. Prior to that, Bianchi was a classroom teacher at ABS. She earned her Principal Endorsement from St. Michael’s College in 2025. “Caitlin brings a deep love for, dedication to, and

expertise in supporting students and the educators who serve them,” Champlain Valley School District Superintendent Adam Bunting said in a news release. “Our hiring committee was especially moved by the reverence she holds for both our learners and her colleagues. Those who have worked with Caitlin know exactly how lucky Allen Brook is to have her stepping into this role.” After eight years leading ABS, Filion is transitioning to the

district-level role of interim director of student and community engagement. She and Bianchi will work together at ABS until Filion starts her new job on Oct. 1. “ABS is a special place that nurtures our youngest learners as they start their educational pathways,” Bianchi said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to continue the excellent work that our Allen Brook community is doing while also helping our faculty, staff and students grow.”

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Williston Observer • September 17, 2026

We remember… Williston residents observe a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack on Friday at the Williston Fire Department headquarters on Talcott Road. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Data center discussion planned for Sept. 24 Sustainable Williston will host a discussion about data centers on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Should the Town of Williston and its residents be preparing for this fast-moving infrastructure? Are we already preparing? Panelists include Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Angela Arsenault, Williston Planning Director Matt Boulanger and Williston Energy Committee member Kevin Thorley. They will discuss the many aspects of data centers and welcome questions and comments from community members. A remote option will be

provided. Call the library at 8784918 for registration information.

Cub Scout open house set for Sept. 22 Interested in learning more about Cub Scouts? Go to the Village Community Park pavilion from 6-7 p.m. on Sept. 22 for Williston Cub Scout Pack 692’s first meeting of the school year. The kids will make paper rockets to launch while parents learn about the details of Scouting. Cub Scouts is open to all children in kindergarten through 5th grade. For more information, email Pack692Vermont@ gmail.com.

Imagine more housing choices in Williston Join local housing experts for a community workshop on Oct. 7 about how small-lot subdivisions can create more housing choices while preserving the character of existing neighborhoods. The workshop will cover how to navigate permitting and take advantage of state initiatives. It will

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Education and Enrichment for Everyone series. 2-3 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church, Dorset Street, South Burlington. Attorney General Charity Clark speaks on “Protecting Vermont and Defending Democracy.” http://eeevermont. org. TUESDAY SEPT. 22

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run from 6-8 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Pizza and beverages will be served. Speakers include Williston Planning and Zoning Department staff, Williston Housing Committee members, and Jeff Dube from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. Register for the workshop at https://bit.ly/ williston_housing_workshop.

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“Every Day: Big and Small” documentary screening. 7 p.m. Williston Central School. www. catamountarts.org.

September 17, 2026

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WILLISTON: BUSINESS HUB OF VERMONT

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Williston’s local sales, rooms and meals tax, already on an upward trajectory, has been buoyed by a more favorable revenue split with the state that went into effect about one year ago. As of Oct. 1, 2025, the town now keeps 75% of the revenue collected from Williston’s 1% tax on local sales, hotel rooms and restaurant meals. The State of Vermont keeps 25% for its “payment in lieu of taxes” program, through which it reimburses municipalities for state land and buildings that are exempt from local property taxes. Up until last October, the split had been 70-30. Williston’s receipts were already steadily climbing year over year, and the added 5% means even more revenue for the town’s general fund. Being able to keep more of the revenue local contributed to Williston’s

$4,302,822

Local sales tax revenue in Williston

$4,110,729 Shoppers checkout at Williston’s Walmart. Having Walmart in town contributes to Williston collecting the most local sales tax in Vermont.

$3,996,158

OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

receipts for fiscal year 2026 coming in $120,000 over what the town had expected in its annual budget, according to a report submitted by Town Manager Erik Wells to the selectboard earlier this month. “The town is retaining more money,” said Wells. The local tax brought in $4.3 million in fiscal year 2026, which

ended in June. That is about $200,000 more than the year prior and roughly double the year-overyear growth that happened over the prior three years, when revenue increased about $100,000 annually. Cumulatively, the revenue has increased about $400,000 (10%) over the past four years. The rooms see TAXES page 5

$3,898,978

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Gas price surge ripples through economy OAK

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BY ERIN PETENKO VTDigger

After a slight lull in June and early July, the cost of gasoline in Vermont has surged back upward, hitting an average of $4.29 per gallon as of Labor Day weekend. At a national level, this August hit a record for the most expensive fuel prices since at least 2000, when the American Automobile Association (AAA) began tracking the data. Yet the key culprit is a conflict distant from the Green Mountain State — the U.S.-Iran war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have caused the price of a barrel of crude oil to soar to over $90, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. About half the cost of regular gasoline at the pump comes directly from the cost of crude oil, the agency said.

A motorist pumps gas in Montpelier. FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Vermont’s highest-ever price for a gallon was in June 2022, when the price briefly topped $5 per gallon, which was likely tied to the invasion of Ukraine, said Suzanne Grace, a spokesperson for AAA Northern New

England. There’s also a “double whammy” due to seasonal requirements for a blend of gasoline that reduces smog, which is more expensive to produce, she said.

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Vermont has higher gas prices than the rest of the nation on average. Grace pinpointed two potential causes: the state’s rurality and relative scarcity of stations, and the gas tax. “In areas where gas stations are more spread out, less competition means they can price them a little higher,” she said. And, “the further we are from the refineries, the more transportation costs are involved with transporting that fuel to those remote areas.” But Vermont also has a higher gas tax, at 35 cents per gallon, than its rural neighbors of Maine and New Hampshire, which may be part of the reason gas is more expensive here than in those two states. Grace said that the good news for businesses that depend on visitors to the state is that while “people certainly pay

close attention to” gas prices, “they also have usually made their vacation plans months and even a year in advance.” “They tend to adjust their budget on other discretionary spending, such as eating out, going to restaurants, shopping — ways that they can cut back, but they don’t typically cut back on their travel,” she said. Brian Maggiotto, executive director of the Vermont Lodging Association, said Vermont tends to be a destination for car-based travelers, making it potentially more sensitive to the cost of a road trip. Top sources for Vermont vacationers include New York, Massachusetts and Vermont itself, according to the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. But the state might end up benefitting from the sky-high see GAS page 5

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cost of airplane tickets, as people opt for a vacation closer to home, Maggiotto said. It’s hard to tease the impact of the gas surge from other factors affecting tourism, like the decline in Canadian visitors due to the souring of U.S.-Canadian relations. Data through June of this year shows that Canadian credit card spending is higher this year than in 2025, but lower than 2023 or 2024, according to the tourism department. Beyond travel and tourism, what research shows is that gas prices tend to affect lower-income Americans more, since it’s one of the least discretionary parts of their budgets, according to Stanford economists. “Oftentimes, especially in Vermont, there’s not a lot of

public transportation or rideshare options, so they have to commute to work, into school, into doctor’s appointments,” Grace said. Lower-income households cut back their gas spending more

Vermont tends to be a destination for car-based travelers, making it potentially more sensitive to the cost of a road trip. than higher-income households in early 2026, yet still spent a higher percentage of their income on gas, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

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“What they’ve found (people) do is that they consolidate their trips, so that while they’re out at an appointment, they might do their grocery shopping or try to do a few errands at the same time to limit the number of times they need to be out on the road,” Grace said. The more gas prices rise, the more people will likely be affected. Grace said that one AAA survey found that at $4 per gallon, about half of respondents said they’d make changes to their lifestyle to save gas. At $5 per gallon, three-quarters of respondents said they’d adjust their lifestyle to offset that spike at the pump. She shared a few tried-andtrue tips for lowering gas mileage: Check your car’s tire pressure, avoid higher speeds and turn your car off instead of idling. “Every little bit helps,” she said.

Taxes

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and meals portion of the tax had a 38% increase over that time. “Our rooms and meals tax has certainly taken a climb,” Wells said. “That’s a testament to hotels and new restaurants that have been opening in town.” In a Sept. 8 report, WCAX noted that Williston’s local meals tax revenue growth has coincided with a roughly 6 percent decline in Burlington. “Williston is doing very well,” Vermont economist Art Woolf said in the WCAX report, noting that Burlington still collects the largest

meals tax revenue in the state, while Williston collects the largest retail sales revenue. According to Wells, the revenue from local sales tax amounts to about 25% of the town’s annual revenue and helps “buy down” the property tax rate by about 20 cents per $100 of assessed home value. That reduces the property tax burden on a $300,000 home — the median home assessment in town — by about $600 per year. “This is a major factor in Williston having one of the lowest municipal property tax rates in Chittenden County,” Wells said. “It’s a real value to the structure of our tax rate.”

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Williston Observer • September 17, 2026

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Understanding what Prop 3 really does BY CLARA MORRISON This November, Vermonters will vote on Proposal 3, or “Prop 3,” a constitutional amendment advertised as protecting the right to collectively bargain. But Vermont workers already have that right. The First Amendment protects workers’ ability to assemble, associate and join a labor union if they choose. What Prop 3 would actually do is far more consequential. It would permanently prohibit Vermont from adopting a right-to-work law for private sector employees and bar future laws that “interfere with, negate, or diminish” collective bargaining rights. That language could limit lawmakers’ ability to adopt policies such as allowing workers to cancel dues deductions at any time or ending the practice of requiring public employers to collect union dues. More importantly, Prop 3 could shift power from elected lawmakers to union contracts. If a future law conflicts with a collectively bargained provision, courts could be asked whether the law improperly interferes with constitutionally protected bargaining rights, and union contracts could end up superseding state law, giving unions more power than the Legislature itself. To understand why unions

support Prop 3, it is important to understand what changed after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME. For more than four decades, public-sector unions in non-right-towork states could charge “agency fees” to workers who declined union membership but were covered by union contracts. Then, the Court ruled that forcing public employees to subsidize a union’s negotiations with the government amounted to compelled political speech and violated their First Amendment rights. By 2023, roughly 22% of public employees had opted out, representing about 1.2 million fewer dues-paying employees than would have been expected without the decision. Prop 3 is largely the private sector unions’ response to that loss of guaranteed revenue. The amendment would permanently prevent Vermont lawmakers from considering policies that give workers more choice, stripping them of the freedom to decide whether a union continues to earn their support. Besides the compelled-speech argument, there are also economic reasons to preserve flexibility. In 2021, a Harvard study examined counties on opposite sides of right-to-work borders and found that right-to-work status was associated with higher population growth, stronger employment

outcomes, a larger manufacturing presence, lower unemployment, lower poverty, and greater upward mobility. For a state facing population decline, an aging workforce and the loss of younger workers, permanently removing a policy

Union contracts could end up superseding state law, giving unions more power than the Legislature itself. option associated with economic growth is a significant risk. Vermont already has one of the highest tax burdens in the nation and faces growing costs for healthcare, pensions and public employee compensation. When government unions negotiate wages and benefits, taxpayers ultimately pay the bill. Prop 3 could make it harder for future legislators to respond when those obligations become unaffordable, giving union leadership greater power to preserve costly contract terms than elected officials have to change them. Healthcare is one example. Vermont is already facing rising public employee healthcare costs. Arizona recently explored

replacing its traditional public employee health plan with Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), which provide workers with a fixed benefit they can use to purchase coverage that best fits their needs. Whether or not that approach is right for Vermont, lawmakers should retain the ability to consider new solutions as healthcare costs continue to rise. The same applies to pensions. Even after several years of reform, the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System is only 63% funded, while the State Employees’ Retirement System is about 73% funded, leaving billions in unfunded liabilities. With a large share of state employees approaching retirement eligibility, Vermont will need every available tool to address long-term obligations. Illinois, the only other state to constitutionalize collective bargaining rights this broadly, offers a cautionary example. Its constitutional protections have made pension reform extremely difficult, leaving taxpayers responsible for roughly $143 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, the worst in the nation. Prop 3’s broad language could also create years of uncertainty as courts determine how its new constitutional protections interact see MORRISON page 7

SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS Deadline is Monday noon for Thursday issue. News/story tips are welcomed. Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author. The Williston Observer reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions or advertising. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.

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Study

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of Learning and Innovation Sarah Crum. “We have to be really intentional about building belonging for these students,” she said. The district collects socio-economic data from multiple sources, including Medicaid enrollment and parent surveys. Its data indicates that 906 families are “economically disadvantaged,” according to Superintendent Adam Bunting. That represents about 25 percent of the student body. That percentage has steadily increased over the past five years. In the fall of 2022, it was at about 15 percent. Relative to other districts in the state, CVSD has a low rate of poverty. It also has fewer students experiencing homelessness than most districts in Vermont. Currently there are 20 students in that situation, nearly double what it was over the past two years. The increase in homeless and economically disadvantaged students belies a perception about the district’s affluence, Bunting said.

“There are some preconceived notions about CVSD that aren’t accurate,” he said, “and I think it’s important for us to make sure that we are thoughtful about reflecting our entire community when we are having our discussions.” Meanwhile, the district is graduating 95% of its students as of last spring, an increase over the past five years from 91% and better than the state average of 82%. Also, 5.6% of

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Williston Observer • Page 7

students are choosing to attend tech ed centers at Essex and Burlington high schools. A snapshot of the district’s staff shows 452 teachers, 231 instructional support staff and 29 administrators. “Demographics are really key to understanding our identity,” said Crum. “Before we make any other decisions, I think it is really important to zero in on who are our students, who is our community.”

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Morrison

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with state and federal labor law, a question Illinois is also facing. Small employers could face litigation over whether workplace policies interfere with bargaining rights, and the state could be forced to defend the amendment against legal challenges. Taxpayers would ultimately bear those costs. Constitutional amendments are difficult to undo. The law can be changed when circumstances change, but a constitutional provision cannot. Vermont workers already have the right to organize. What Prop 3 would take away is the ability of future voters and legislators to decide how Vermont’s labor laws should evolve. Before permanently giving up that flexibility, Vermonters should ask whether they are comfortable putting these decisions beyond the reach of future lawmakers. Clara Morrison is the executive director of the Right for Vermont Foundation and a resident of Jericho.

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Williston Observer • September 17, 2026

Hundreds of health care layoffs announced across VT BY OLIVIA GIEGER VTDigger

Hundreds of layoffs are underway at the two major healthcare networks Vermonters rely on. Facing similar financial challenges, both Dartmouth Health and the University of Vermont Health network announced the cuts Tuesday ahead of the Oct. 1 start to hospitals’ fiscal year. UVM Health is in the process of laying off 199 staffers, according to a letter that network CEO Steve Leffler sent employees Tuesday. The layoffs include the closure of two patient care units, according to a separate release from the hospital. The cuts at UVM Health are expected to save $16.8 million, the network said Tuesday. Across the Connecticut River, 124 Dartmouth Health employees learned that their positions are being terminated, according to a release Tuesday from the New Hampshirebased hospital network. The network canceled an additional 303 open positions at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., and at its clinics in the region. Vermonters rely heavily on care from Dartmouth Health, which includes the medical center, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, Southwestern

Vermont Medical Center in Bennington and six other New Hampshire hospitals. About 40% of Dartmouth Hitchcock’s patients are Vermonters, said Audra Burns, a spokesperson for the network. Hospitals across the nation are struggling to find financial stability. The costs of drugs, supplies and salaries are increasing, but the number of patients who seek out care and pay for it is shrinking. UVM HEALTH

UVM Health is no stranger to cuts. The Tuesday layoffs are the latest in a long series of expense reduction measures, including job cuts, that the hospital has already taken. “This is not the first or the last step we’ll need to take to make our health system more sustainable,” Leffler wrote in his Tuesday letter to staff. The layoffs span all six hospitals in the network’s New York and Vermont footprint, including at Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing and the network’s Home Health and Hospice Services, a release from the hospital detailed. UVM Medical Center now intends to close a general medicine unit and care for those patients on a similarly equipped floor. It is also consolidating an alternative care unit. Spokesperson Annie Mackin said those moves were possible because the unit has had

UVM Health Medical Center in Burlington.

lower numbers of patients recently. UVM Medical Center has also pushed to reduce patients’ lengths of stay, she said. The layoffs at UVMMC account for 118 of the total positions affected. At Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, three mental health technicians are among the 24 total positions being cut. The total includes patient safety attendants, who sit and observe patients who are at risk of harming themselves. Earlier this year, UVM Medical Center significantly reduced how many of those safety observers work in that hospital. Central Vermont Medical Center plans to re-post 11 of those roles with changed responsibilities. UVM Health has also consolidated or cut 28 positions in human resources, information technology and community health. The

VTDIGGER FILE PHOTO

changes are designed to reduce duplication across the health system, a release from UVM Health said, rather than eliminate the services altogether. A joint press release from the Vermont Federation of Nurses, which includes nursing staff across UVM Health, and Health Professionals & Support Staff United — the union of technicians, nursing assistants and others — estimated that about 90 union members were among those laid off. “We are deeply concerned by these decisions — above all for the safety and wellbeing of our patients,” the release said. “Management has yet to provide plans for how quality patient care will continue to (be) delivered to our community. These cuts to care come after years of exorbitant costs to Vermonters, and see HEALTHCARE page 9

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Healthcare

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million dollar salaries for executives. If UVM Health is serious about fiscal sustainability, they would reverse short-sighted cuts to patient-facing roles, and partner with our unions to champion systemic healthcare reform.” The two unions had an all-day bargaining session with the hospital scheduled for Wednesday, following the expiration of both unions’ contracts. The layoffs will take effect by the end of October, Leffler wrote in his letter to staff. DARTMOUTH HEALTH

Earlier this year, Dartmouth Health began to interrogate spending in light of its financial challenges — but Tuesday marked the first major layoffs. An early sign of change came this summer when the network confirmed its intention to close its Tele-ICU and Tele-ED services, which the network had identified as unsustainable without outside investment. Those telehealth services are among the three programs the network said it would eliminate as part of Tuesday’s layoffs. Dartmouth Health also wants to end a collaborative group it has run for 17 years across community hospitals, behavioral health centers and home health agencies throughout northern New England, called the New England Alliance for Health.

Additionally, the network plans to close an employee training program and instead outsource it. The cuts include an effort to consolidate executive roles and administrative positions, according to a press release. Dartmouth Health’s staff reductions are part of a larger plan to curb spending and increase revenue. The network emphasized work it’s already done to reduce the amount it spends on temporary traveling clinicians and on sending its own staff to conferences. The network also stressed Tuesday its efforts to review operating costs like contracts and supplies, and its efforts to expand staff capacity to care for more patients. In April, the hospital system created a new office specifically to address the organization’s financial health. The next month, Dartmouth Health told its bondholders that it had operated at a $63.5 million loss between October 2025 and March 2026, according to reporting by the Valley News. “The employees affected by these changes have made meaningful contributions to Dartmouth Health, our patients and our communities,” Dr. Joanne Conroy, Dartmouth Health’s CEO and president, wrote in the Tuesday release. “Some have spent many years serving this organization. The decision to eliminate a position or program does not diminish the value of the work these colleagues have done and the contributions they have made.”

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Williston Observer • Page 9

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September 17, 2026

FEMA approves 90 flood buyouts in Vermont families, it “definitely took longer to get to these awards than it would have under normal circumstances,” Smith said. While the federal agency was processing the applications, the

Funds earmarked for residents of Plainfield, Huntington and Richmond BY EMMA COTTON VTDigger

Flood recovery aid is on its way to dozens of Vermont families who have been waiting for years. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the vast majority of buyout applications that were submitted after the 2023 and 2024 floods, according to an announcement on Monday. The $33.2 million package includes money for at least 90 buyouts, which give flood survivors the pre-flood cost of their home. The money will go to residents in Plainfield, Starksboro, Huntington, St. Johnsbury, Richmond and Groton, among other towns, said Stephanie Smith, deputy director of Vermont Emergency Management. While the buyouts promise relief for many flood-affected

“To say that these buyouts are longoverdue is a massive understatement.” Sen. Peter Welch

government shut down, which slowed FEMA’s work. The Trump administration also issued a rule change that required state staff to resubmit applications in the middle of the process. And former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem created a rule requiring her signature on all FEMA expenses over $100,000, which held up FEMA aid across the country. “For too many Vermonters,

our state’s recent floods are painful memories of homes washed away, livelihoods destroyed, roads and bridges decimated, and sadly, lives lost,” U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said in Monday’s announcement. “There is no good reason that Vermonters should have to wait years to receive the help they need to recover and rebuild when disasters strike.” In the meantime, many flood survivors have remained displaced. Some have had to pay expenses on their flood-affected homes — mortgages or property taxes — while also paying for rent or staying with family or friends. “To say that these buyouts are long-overdue is a massive understatement,” said U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. “We have Vermonters whose lives and livelihoods were in limbo for over three years as they waited for FEMA to act. These buyouts are a major step in the right direction, but our work helping folks recover from these floods isn’t over — not by a long shot.” Though Monday’s announcement

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gives town officials and survivors certainty that they’ll receive aid eventually, the money still won’t reach survivors for months. The state needs to work with towns and survivors to set up appraisals, complete legal work and schedule closings. “There’s a lot of steps,” Smith said. “It’s exciting. It means we can move. We’ve got all the systems in place to take those steps. My little bit of caution is, it’s still

not going to happen tomorrow.” FEMA’s process requires bought-out structures to be demolished. The land is transferred to the municipality, which must maintain it as green space. In some towns, where multiple homes in a row are demolished, the town can transform the land into a floodplain, which can reduce the damage risk from future storms.

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ADULT PROGRAMS PICKLEBALL INTRO

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Go to the Rec Department website (www.willistonrec.org) on your phone or tablet, and you will see a white bar at the bottom of your device that says, “Install App”. Click on this and the rec department app will be installed on your device. No need for App stores. MOVIE IN THE PARK

Bring your blankets, chairs and snacks and enjoy a free family friendly movie under the stars. The event runs from 7-9 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk. It’s the perfect way to spend a night together in the park. Sept. 26. Village Community Park. Presenting sponsor: Barrett’s SavATree

FAMILY PROGRAMS WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOPS

Ages 14-plus. This beginner workshop utilizes both large and small group instruction. Traumainformed trainings focus on boundary setting, affirmative consent and sexual assault information, as well as the mental and physical skills of empowerment self-defense. Instructors: The Safety Team. Thursday, Sept. 24, 6-8:30 p.m. $67. LINE DANCING

Ages 15-plus. Learn each week and build your confidence and abilities while having fun. Hour-long class is held Sundays, 4-5 p.m. $10 per session. The R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane. Instructor: Kelly Hayes.

Ages 18-plus. learn the rules, a variety of drills, some basic game strategies, and how to play this unique sport in this two-hour introductory clinic. Resources will be provided for continued learning and playing opportunities. Bring a paddle, or use a loaner. Instructor: Corey Gottfried. Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $35. CRAFTERNOON

Ages 18-plus. Join others while working on your own crafts and hobbies. Bring your knitting, crochet, coloring, zentangles, crossword puzzles, Soduku ... you get the idea! Meet and connect with other members in your community while engaging in “parallel play.” Instructor: Charlene Tallman. Saturday, Sept 26, 4-6 p.m. $5. ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR

Ages 18-plus. Learn about how you can transfer and protect your assets in this Estate Planning Educational Seminar. Discussion will include wills, trusts, power of attorney, and

living wills, as well as mistakes you should avoid to protect you and your loved ones. Instructor: Lisa Campion, LMC Law Attorney. Monday, Sept. 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $10.

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Williston Observer •

Page 11

12-12:30 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m., and meals are served at noon. Space is limited; advanced registration is required. Age Well has a suggested donation of $7 per meal per person.

BONE BUILDERS

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Ages 50-plus. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free. Instructors: Ann Naumann & Joyce Oughstun.

DRIVERS ED

Ages 15-17. Epic Driving focuses on defensive driving techniques, including crash avoidance, situational awareness, zone control, mindful driving and developing good driving habits. This course includes 30 hours of engaging, differentiated and responsive classroom activities and weekly, individually scheduled, behind-the-wheel lessons consisting of 45 minutes of instruction and 45 minutes of observation. Fall program starts Sept. 27.

ZUMBA GOLD

Ages 50-plus. Wednesdays, 8:45-9:45 a.m., and Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., $10 per visit. Instructor: Ciara Gregory TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMORROW

Ages 50-plus. Join us on Tuesdays for free technology presentations from Technology for Tomorrow. Topics vary each month and cover a range of subjects. Also get tech help with your phone, tablet, laptop or another device. Bring your technology questions and devices to this informal drop-in session.

FALL SENSORY BOTTLES WORKSHOP

Ages 2-6. Children will design a calming sensory bottle using seasonal colors, glitter and nature-inspired add-ins like leaves and autumn tones. Staff will guide participants step-bystep as they pour, mix and build see RECS & PARKS page 22

SENIOR MEALS

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Williston Observer •

September 17, 2026

Home & Garden After the harvest, turn to cover crops BY AMY SIMONE Special to the Observer

Winter peas and oats can be sown together as cover crops to provide multiple benefits to the soil. PHOTO BY FAITH ALEXANDRE

Invest in COMFORT Save Energy. Save Money

As you walk through your vegetable garden, you may be noticing some spaces that are now open after the harvest of earlier crops. This is an ideal time to fill in those areas with cover crops, as they will have enough time to germinate and establish adequate root structure before the frost arrives. A cover crop is a grass or grain, legume or brassica plant that is grown in order to provide a benefit to the soil. It can aid with weed suppression, reduce the risk of erosion, improve nutrient

deficiencies, loosen compacted soil and/or open pores to allow for better water drainage. Additionally, pollinators and other beneficial insect friends benefit from the bed of lush habitat and sweet forage that cover crops provide at a time of year when your perennials are fading and there is less foliage in which to nest. While cover crops can improve nutrient availability in the soil, it is best to begin with a soil test so you understand your soil’s actual needs. Instructions and test order forms are available from the UVM Extension Agricultural and Environmental see CROPS page 14

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Williston Observer • Page 13

Home & Garden

Five smart ways to prepare your home for a storm

When there’s bad weather in the forecast, it’s a good idea to pack up patio furniture and check around the yard for lightweight items like gardening tools, toys and anything else that could become airborne during strong gusts. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH

Whether your area is prone to thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes or other forms of severe weather, the best time to prepare is before the first raindrop hits. By readying your home for storm season in advance, you can prevent minor problems from turning into major damage. Consider these five tips to batten down the hatches when the skies are getting dark.

CHECK YOUR ROOF AND GUTTERS

twigs and other debris from gutters to prevent clogging.

Your roof has one job — to be a shield against the elements. Don’t wait for a storm to discover you have loose shingles that could fly off in high winds, cracked seals where the roof meets the walls or sagging gutters that aren’t capable of funneling water away from the house. Stay up to date on roof maintenance and clear leaves,

TRIM TREES AND LANDSCAPING

Dead trees or weak branches can break and turn into projectiles during storms, potentially causing damage to your house, car or nearby power lines. Next time you have yardwork on the agenda, factor storm preparation into your landscaping plans.

Keep trees and bushes trimmed and consider bringing in a professional to assess the health of any trees near your home that could be at risk of toppling. STRENGTHEN YOUR HOME’S WEAK SPOTS

Windows and doors are some of the most vulnerable places during storms, so pay extra attention to weatherproofing there. Look for any cracks in the glass,

check for worn seals or drafty areas and make sure doors close securely and don’t rattle. If you live in an area prone to strong winds or hurricanes, consider upgrading your home with storm shutters for extra peace of mind when debris starts flying. TURN YOUR YARD INTO A NO-FLY ZONE

When there’s bad weather in see STORMS page 14

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Williston Observer •

September 17, 2026

Home & Garden Storms

continued from page 13

the forecast, you probably aren’t planning to go out and lounge on patio furniture as the skies open up — so pack it up. Secure any items that are too large to bring inside and check around the yard for lightweight items like gardening tools, toys and anything else that could become airborne during strong gusts. MAKE A POWER OUTAGE PLAN

During a storm, nobody wants

to fumble around in the dark trying to find batteries for a dead flashlight. Save yourself the trouble by assembling an emergency kit to help your household get by without power if the lines go down. Know where to find flashlights, fresh batteries, power banks to charge your phones, nonperishable food and first-aid supplies or essential medications. If you plan to use a generator, test it and make sure you know how to use it before you need it. Discover more tips to protect your home at eLivingtoday.com.

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Crops

continued from page 12

Testing Laboratory (https:// go.uvm.edu/soiltest). One nutrient that is not tested, however, is nitrogen. Nitrogen levels change rapidly over the season in response to weather, microbial activity and crop uptake. After a season of growing vegetables, your soil is likely depleted of nitrogen. Therefore, by planting a legume such as hairy vetch, crimson clover, winter peas, or fava beans, you can take advantage of their nitrogen-fixing properties. Nitrogen fixation is a result of the Rhizobia bacteria which live in the root nodules of legumes, pulling nitrogen from the air and converting it to a form usable by plants. The legumes in turn offer the bacteria carbohydrates. Once the legume plant dies, the nitrogen is released back into the soil for use by the next plant. Other fall cover crop plants, such as wheat, rye and oats, work as scavengers. Their roots

seek out nutrients in the soil not used up during the growing season and incorporate them into their tissues. The nutrients become available in the soil after these plants die off.

Planting cover crops in your vegetable garden now is a fabulous way prepare your soil for the next growing season. Once you have chosen the cover crops that are best for your soil’s needs, plant the seeds and water them, just as you would for crops grown for harvest. Ensure that you are providing them with the growing conditions they need to be successful. Make a note of whether the plants will die off naturally during the winter. If they will not, you will need to terminate them before the beginning of the spring growing season. Some

² ²

wood

plants, such as rye, should not be left to grow after late May, or it can become more difficult to manage. When the plants die, they can be chopped up and turned into your soil, thereby adding organic matter. Microorganisms in the soil get to work decomposing the plant material. This process releases nitrogen. Soils with high organic matter are also better at retaining essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Planting cover crops in your vegetable garden now is a fabulous way prepare your soil for the next growing season. For questions about cover crops and other gardening topics, contact the University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Helpline online (go. uvm.edu/gardenhelpline) or by phone at (802) 656-5421 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursdays from April to October. Amy Simone is a UVM Extension Master Gardener volunteer from South Burlington.

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Lt. Gov. Rodgers pledges to settle weed growing violation ‘Sometimes you drop the ball’ BY SHAUN ROBINSON VTDigger Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers plans to pay a reduced fine to state regulators in order to settle a case in which he grew at least 100 cannabis plants for his business at a site in Glover where he did not have permission to do so, he said. Rodgers acknowledged in an interview that he “made a mistake” by failing to follow the Cannabis Control Board’s rules on providing information about where growing operations are located. The control board initially said in a notice to Rodgers that he was facing a $5,000 fine. But at a meeting with Rodgers last week — which was not open to the public — state regulators agreed to cut the fine in half to $2,500, the lieutenant governor said. “I said that I would pay it to have it behind me,” Rodgers said.

He said he disagreed with having to pay any fine at all, though, for what he maintained was a simple oversight and not evidence he was trying to hide any part of his operations from the state. He called the settlement “an outrageous penalty.” Patrick Crowley, a spokesperson for the control board, confirmed in a statement Monday that regulators discussed a resolution to Rodgers’ case last week but did not provide specifics on the terms of a settlement. The full details of the agreement would be made public, he added, but did not say when. Crowley said such settlements are a common way to address violations of the board’s rules. Rodgers, who has grown cannabis and hemp for years, has permission to grow cannabis at a site on Rodgers Road — named for his family — in Glover. But in June, a state inspector found him growing plants in a greenhouse at a site about a mile away, even though Rodgers had never told the state he was doing so there. The plants were small starts,

Rodgers said, which means they had no or very little THC in them. He said there were 120; the board’s violation notice described “approximately 200.” State rules require cultivators to update regulators on the precise location of where plants are growing, including by keeping up-to-date maps on file of their operations, Crowley said. “This is necessary for the State to ensure the relevant site is rightfully occupied, insured, secured, monitored, and otherwise fit for lawful use in regulated cannabis cultivation,” he said. Rodgers said in an interview that his son, who’s his partner in the cannabis business, failed to include the building on the most recent updated information he and Rodgers shared with state regulators. It was Rodgers’ intention to include the greenhouse details, he said. “But that’s what happens,” he said. “He has two businesses. I have several businesses, and I’m the lieutenant governor, and we work six or seven days a week. Sometimes, you drop the ball.”

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Williston Observer • Page 15

Lt. Gov. John Rodgers presides over the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier in 2025. FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

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Williston Observer •

September 17, 2026

OBITUARIES

Jill Hunt Jill Marie Hunt, of Winooski, VT, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 8, 2026. She was born on July 9, 1955, in Burlington, VT, to Carlyle and Ruth Hunt, and grew up in Jericho. Jill graduated from Mount Mansfield Union High School and attended cosmetology school before owning and operating Salon 62 in Winooski. She cherished the relationships she built with her customers and the connections she made through her work. Health challenges eventually led her to retire. Jill found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved nature and music, followed UVM basketball and soccer, cheered on the Celtics, and cherished time spent at the family farm, where even everyday chores were made more enjoyable by being together. She looked forward to summers at Georgia Shore, where she enjoyed beautiful sunsets, s’mores, and time spent with family and friends. She loved growing flowers, visiting with friends, and spending time with animals, especially her beloved cat, Stella. Aunt Jill

had the most loving and comforting shoulder for her “little ones” to cuddle into — a place where they always felt safe, comfortable, and loved. Family and the traditions they shared held a special place in Jill’s heart. One of her favorite fall traditions was helping her Aunt Gert peel apples for her homemade apple pies — a simple ritual that brought them both happiness and created lasting memories. It was these everyday moments, shared with the people she loved, that Jill treasured most. Jill is survived by her soul sister, Diana Poirier (Jim) of Champlain, NY; sister-in-law, Brenda Hunt of Colchester, VT; nieces, Michelle DiStiso of Winooski, VT, and Erica Hutchins (Ethan) of Williston, VT; nephew, Ryan Hunt (Liz) of Jericho, VT; great-nieces and great-nephews, Cassie, Peter, and David DiStiso, Emery and Emmett Hutchins, and Margaret and Wesley Hunt; sister, Lori (Tom) Cook of Arizona; and numerous other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Carlyle Hunt; sister, Sandi Menard; brother, Brian Hunt; brother-inlaw, Ray Menard; aunt, Gertrude Hunt; and nephew, Jonathan DiStiso. Jill’s family would like to thank all of the healthcare workers who supported and cared for her over the years. Their knowledge, compassion, encouragement, and kindness were deeply appreciated. She is now at peace and will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Per Jill’s request, there will be no public funeral arrangements and a private burial service.

Carmelle Boutin Roberts Carmelle Boutin Roberts, 56, of Williston, VT, passed away on Sept. 2, 2026, while on vacation in Benson, VT. Carmelle was born on April 14, 1970, in Burlington, VT, to Rose (Giroux) and Gerard “Jerry” Boutin. She came home to South Road, where she lived for the remainder of her life. She graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 1988. After high school, Carmelle worked for a short time at Chittenden Bank and the Korner Kwik Stop in Williston, but her love of animals soon drew her to Fitzgerald’s Animal Hospital, where she worked for many years as a veterinary technician assistant and office assistant. On May 28, 2000, Carmelle married Maurice “Moe” Roberts. Together, they owned and operated VT Lamp and Shade for many years. During this time, Carmelle also owned and operated South Road Stables and Stable Laundry out of the Boutin family farm on South Road in Williston. Carmelle cherished the

time she spent with her family, friends, and animals. She will be remembered for her caring nature, warm heart, generous spirit, and the many friendships she made throughout her life. She had a way of making people feel welcome and cared for. Carmelle is survived by her husband of 26 years, Maurice “Moe” Roberts; her stepdaughters, Tanya Hartman (Kyle) and Toni Roberts (partner Ryan Cousino); her mother, Rose Hanson, and stepfather, Charles Hanson; her mother-in-law, Janice Roberts; her brothers, Curtis Boutin (partner Katie), Kenneth Boutin (Tina), and Kevin Boutin (Lisa), all of Williston; sister in-laws Tina Roberts, Kathy Wrigley (Jeff) and her four grandchildren, Jaxson, Lyla, Madison, and Sophia. She is also survived by her uncle Gene Giroux and aunt Janie McCauliffe (Bill); and many nieces and nephews; as well as many special cousins and friends. Carmelle was predeceased by her father, Gerald “Jerry” Boutin; her father-in-law, Maurice Roberts, Sr.; several aunts and uncles and cousins. A remembrance service for Carmelle was held Sept. 9, 2026, at A.W. Rich Funeral Home in Essex Junction. Burial services will be private and held at the convenience of the family at a future date. Carmelle will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrf h. com.

Nancy Leonard Born Jan. 14, 1947, in Elizabeth, NJ, Nancy Leonard graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1964 and went on to attend Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College). Following her graduation, she began her teaching career in Rutland, VT, where she taught fifth grade. A devoted and gifted educator, Nancy served as the primary librarian at Williston Central School and later taught first and second grade at both Allen Brook School and Williston Central School, where she remained until her retirement in 2009. Throughout her distinguished career, she touched the lives of countless students and colleagues with her kindness, patience, and enduring love of learning. After retiring, Nancy continued her commitment to service through volunteer work at the local food bank. She also found great joy in travel, visiting Costa Rica, the Azores, Amsterdam, Italy, London, and many other destinations, including treasured summer weeks spent with her “Island Girls.” Always elegant in spirit,

2026 WILLISTON COMMUNITY

The Observer will be producing a special pull-out guide in the newspaper that contains a list of nonprofit organizations located in or serving Williston who would welcome the support of the community through donations and volunteers.

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September 17, 2026

•

OBITUARIES unfailingly kind, and deeply loving, Nancy delighted in cooking, gardening, reading, and working on puzzles. Nancy is survived by her husband, Robert Leonard; her daughter, Jennifer Marshall and her partner, Andrea Chait; her two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Benjamin Marshall; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Elma Gardner, her sister Susan Gardner, and her brother, Todd Gardner. Nancy will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, quiet grace, and unwavering devotion to her family, friends, students, and community. Her loving influence will continue to live on in all those fortunate enough to have known her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Williston Food Shelf or the University of VT Community Hospice Program in Nancy’s memory. Per Nancy’s request, there will be no public funeral arrangement at this time.

Robert Stockwell It is with profound sadness that we have to announce the unexpected passing of our dear son, brother, and friend Robert Stockwell, 41 of Richmond VT on Aug. 25, 2026. Robert was born on Sept 30, 1984 in Burlington VT to Harland and Karen Stockwell. He grew up in Richmond where he is known throughout the community for his kind outgoing personality. Ready to make a new friend with anyone who was lucky enough to interact with him while taking one of his

RC cars for a walk, riding his bicycle or lawnmower around town, or standing at the rivers bank fishing. He could easily spark up a conversation with anyone while he was in the community or in line at Shaw’s. Anyone who knew Robert will certainly remember his infectious kind soul and willingness to help any neighbor, friend, or customer in need. Robert graduated from Mount Mansfield Union High School in 2002, after which he started his career at Shaw’s supermarket in Williston VT where he worked with such pride and diligence for 23 years. If there was a job that needed to be done at Shaw’s, he could do it. On any given day throughout his career there you could count on him to say hello as you were passing through. Robert also started a lawn mowing service as a teenager in the village of Richmond (Dashound Mowing) where he could be found on his mower pouring attention to detail into the service he gave his customers. At a young age Robert was known to show up at your house and mow your lawn without

asking. It wasn’t long after that his business was born. Robert was a master LEGO builder with countless hours and probably years of his life dedicated to building any and all builds. Many of his pieces were original builds which any master craftsman would be proud of. Robert would find vintage sets from his childhood to reconstruct while reminiscing of days gone by, while still building new sets being released today. If someone was getting rid of LEGOS, they knew Robert would be more than happy to have them. He had rooms dedicated to his love of LEGOS. Robert leaves behind his parents Harland and Karen Stockwell of Richmond, his sister Joann Stockwell of Duxbury and his dearest life long friends Mark Brown, Kyle Suchman, and Michael Gilbeau. A celebration of life will be held on Sept. 26, 2026 from 2:30 - 5:30pm at the Richmond community space above the Richmond town library. We look forward to seeing everyone there. Bring your favorite memories to share.

Williston Observer •

Page 17

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Page 18release • Williston Observer dates: Sept. 19-25, 2026• September 17, 2026

38 (26)

Next Week: Our states: Utah

Issue 38, 2026

Founded by Betty Debnam

The Great American Bison

Mini Fact:

photo by AditiStargazer

Bison are social animals who live in herds. They have dark brown fur, with a beard and longer hair on their heads.

Have you ever seen real bison? Perhaps you call them buffalo. Most people do. Early settlers called bison “buffalo,” and the name stuck. But North America’s largest land animal is not a member of the Asian or African buffalo family. Bison have bigger heads than buffaloes, and they also have large humps by their shoulders. The Mini Page takes a closer look at bison this week.

Male bison, or bulls, weigh up to a ton (2,000 pounds) and may be 6 feet tall. Bison cows, or adult female bison, weigh around 1,100 pounds and are 4 to 5 feet tall. Baby bison are sometimes called “red dogs” because their fur is reddish in color when they’re born. When they’re a few months old, their fur starts to turn dark brown and the typical bison hump begins to grow.

The American bison is the national mammal of the United States and is a close relative of cattle. There are herds at some national parks and refuges in places like Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and South Dakota. Many Native American reservations and ranches also have photo by U.S. Department of Energy herds. Bison can eat tough grasses and can forage, or search, for grass under snow with their large heads. They also eat flowering plants, lichens and woody leaves.

Experts say there were about 60 million bison in America when the Europeans first arrived. By the 1880s, the settlers had killed all but about 500. Bison were nearly extinct. However, today there are about 500,000 bison raised as livestock and another 30,000 that live in conservation herds. They are no longer endangered.

American bison

Bison subspecies

There are two subspecies of bison: the plains bison and the wood bison. The wood bison is generally larger.

Bison herds

Native Americans and Bison

Native Americans thought the bison were sacred animals. They hunted the large animals for food, clothing, shelter and fuel. The Plains Native Americans needed the bison to survive. For example, people built tepees and used bison skins to cover the poles. They ate the animals’ meat and used the fat for fuel.

National Bison Day

In the United States, the first Saturday in November is celebrated as National Bison Day.

Observing bison

The biggest wild free-roaming herd of bison in the world is at Yellowstone National Park. There are almost 5,000 in the Yellowstone herd. About 100 years ago, in the early 1900s, the park had only about 23 of them. People love to view these majestic animals. However, like all wild animals, bison are unpredictable. Although they appear gentle, bison can get upset fast if people get too close. If the animal is moving away from you, watching you carefully or reacting in any way to your presence, you are too close. Bison can run up to 30 mph. A 2,000-pound charging bison is very dangerous. photo by Matthew Paulson The National Park Service recommends staying at least 100 feet (or two bus lengths) away from them. If you see a bison 100 feet from the road, they suggest observing the bison from the safety of your vehicle. Bison, especially the mothers, are protective of their red dogs, so experts recommend staying at least 100 yards (the length of a football field) away from them.

Resources On the Web:

• bit.ly/4eHR65u

At the library:

• “Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure” by Ilona E. Holland

Try ’n’ Find Observer rack locations Mini Jokes

Hannaford Williston Price Chopper Words that remind us of bison are hidden in this puzzle. Some Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Essex/Essex Jct. What’s a bison’s Quality Bake Shop Healthy Adams Farm Market EssexBodhi: Automotive words are hidden backward or diagonally, and Living someWilliston letters are Simon’s Mobil Williston favorite instrument? Simply Divine Café Home2Suites India Five Barnaby: Corner Variety River Road Beverage used twice. SeeAromas if youofcan find: The cow-bell! Chef’s Corner

Island Homemade Ice Cream Sonesta

BISON, BROWN, O P UKorner W Kwik S DStopN U O PSunoco S TStation A M P Dorothy Alling Memorial BULL, COW, FORAGE, N O TMarriott O OCourtyard O T E H LTown E ofAWilliston G UOffices B Library FUR, GRASS, HERD, UPS Store Men At Wok Fairfield Inn S V L F S C O F E A I L O E K Rick Cote at MAMMAL, CallLICHENS, Folino’s Pizza K Q TM&TI Bank E M E F R IVermont C L Meat D &VSeafood L email (802) 373-2136 orerver.com Williston Coffee Shop Ramunto’s Gardener’s Supply bs PARKS, PLAINS, POUNDS, nO R I B T C L D U D N E J D Q F to is Rick@Will would like copiesREDGreen Mountain Bagel DOG, if youPROTECT, A D ORehab O Gym W H B A W S P Q E L B for your location P R E G U F E R W F S D R D M REFUGE, SPECIES, TALL, P L A M M A M N O F O R A G E TON, WOOD. L L U B I Z P Q S W K Y U G W

Hannaford Richmond a buffaloFarms that lives Inn atBraxton: Essex What do you call Cumberland 200 years? Mac’s Market Blaire: A bison-tennial! Richmond Free Library Martone’s Deli Richmond Market Williston

Eco Note Artificial light from coastal development is disrupting the sleep of coral

There are two subspecies of bison: the plains bison and the wood bison. The wood bison is generally larger.

At the library:

In the United States, the first Saturday in November is celebrated as National Bison Day.

• “Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure” by Ilona E. Holland

September 17, 2026

Try ’n’ Find

Williston Observer • Page 19

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of bison are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: BISON, BROWN, BULL, COW, FORAGE, FUR, GRASS, HERD, LICHENS, MAMMAL, PARKS, PLAINS, POUNDS, PROTECT, RED DOG, REFUGE, SPECIES, TALL, TON, WOOD.

•

Bodhi: What’s a bison’s favorite instrument? Barnaby: The cow-bell! Braxton: What do you call a buffalo that lives 200 years? Blaire: A bison-tennial!

O P U W S D N U O P S T A M P N O T O O O T E H L E A G U B S V L F S C O F E A I L O E K K Q T I E M E F R I C L D V L R I B T C L D U D N E J D Q F A D O O W H B A W S P Q E L B P R E G U F E R W F S D R D M P L A M M A M N O F O R A G E L L U B I Z P Q S W K Y U G W E E G R A S S V Z K N G P F R

Eco Note

Cook’s Corner

• 1/4 teaspoon pepper You’ll need: • 2 yellow squash, sliced • 2 baking potatoes, peeled and sliced • 1 cup shredded cheddar • 1 small onion, sliced cheese • 2 tablespoons butter • 1/4 teaspoon salt What to do: 1. In an 8-by-8-inch baking dish, layer potatoes and onion slices. 2. Dot with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 3. Cover and cook in a microwave oven on high for 8 minutes. 4. Remove and layer squash on top. 5. Cover and cook in microwave on high for 5 minutes. 6. Remove and sprinkle with cheese. 7. Cook, uncovered, in microwave on high for 3 more minutes. Serves 6.

* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.

Microwave Cheesy Potato and Squash Casserole

Artificial light from coastal development is disrupting the sleep of coral reef fish, according to a study published in Current Biology. Researchers found that blue-green damselfish exposed to nighttime lighting slept less, became more aggressive, fed at unusual hours and wandered farther from their protective coral shelters. The fish also showed elevated biological markers associated with DNA damage after prolonged exposure. Scientists say roughly 22% of the world’s coastlines and 35% of marine protected areas are already affected by light pollution. adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

For later:

Look in your local newspaper for stories about bison.

Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase! Visit willistonobserver.com to see current and past photos of events, school sports, nature shots and more!

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Place your order online or email afrey202@gmail.com

Page 20

• Williston Observer • September 17, 2026

SAVVY SENIOR

How to better protect your Social Security number By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’m retired and was a victim of identity theft a while back. I’ve already frozen my credit to protect myself, but I recently heard that I can also “lock” my Social Security number. What exactly does that mean, and is it something I should do? — Recently Scammed

Dear Recently, Freezing your credit was one of the smartest steps you could take after identity theft. But there’s another layer of protection many people don’t know about: limiting how your Social Security number (SSN) can be used. While you can’t actually “lock” your Social Security number the way you can freeze a credit report, you can block two of the most common ways criminals misuse it: using it to get a job and gaining access to your online Social Security account. Your Social Security number is the master key to much of your financial life. It’s linked to

your taxes, Social Security benefits, Medicare, banking and employment records. With data breaches becoming routine and identity thieves using increasingly sophisticated tactics — including AI-generated scams — protecting your SSN is more important than ever. Criminals don’t need your Social Security card; they only need the number. E-VERIFY SELF LOCK

The first tool is E-Verify Self Lock. It prevents someone from using your SSN to get a job with employers that participate in the federal E-Verify system.

If someone uses your Social Security number to get a job, the wages they earn may be reported to the IRS under your name. That can trigger IRS notices, delay tax refunds and require months of work to correct your tax and Social Security records. To activate Self Lock, create a free myE-Verify account at e-verify.gov and answer a few identity-verification questions. Once the lock is in place, employers using E-Verify won’t be able to confirm your Social Security number unless you first remove the lock. It remains in effect for one year and can be renewed annually. If you ever return to work for an

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employer that uses E-Verify, you can temporarily remove the lock online and reactivate it afterward. ELECTRONIC ACCESS BLOCK

The second protection is the Social Security Administration’s Electronic Access Block, which helps prevent criminals from taking over your online Social Security account. An Electronic Access Block disables online and automated telephone access to your Social Security record — including your own. That prevents scammers from changing your direct deposit information, redirecting your benefits or updating your personal information. To set it up, call the Social Security Administration at 800772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office and request an Electronic Access Block. If you later want online access restored, you’ll need to verify your identity before the block can be removed. For many retirees — especially those who’ve already experienced identity theft — that extra step is well worth the added security. EXTRA SAFEGUARDS

A credit freeze remains one of the best defenses against identity theft, but it only prevents someone from opening new credit in your name. It won’t stop someone from using your Social Security number for employment or trying to access your Social Security see SAVVY page 22

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September 17, 2026

•

Williston Observer •

Page 21

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 22

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1787, delegations from 12 states voted to approve the proposed Constitution at Philadelphia’s Constitutional Convention. • In 1862, more than 23,000 people died or were wounded in the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Maryland, resulting in the bloodiest single day in U.S. military history. • In 1978, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin reached a historic accord at Camp David. • In 2001, the New York Stock Exchange reopened, having been closed since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

TODAY’S FACT:

• NASA unveiled its first space shuttle, Enterprise, at a ceremony in Palmdale, California, on this day in 1976.

SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 22

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Page 22

• Williston Observer • September 17, 2026

WILLISTON

FIRE DEPARTMENT FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 • 11:37 a.m. — Firefighters responded to a citizen assistance/service call at Falcon Manor. • 11:46 a.m. — Crews responded to a fire alarm activation on Tyler Way. • 4:39 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a confined cooking appliance fire on Zephyr Road. SATURDAY, SEPT. 5

• 8:18 a.m. — Crews provided a lift assist at Eagle Crest. • 2:20 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a citizen assistance/service call on Central School Drive. • 2:49 p.m. — Alarm prompted a fire department response at Falcon Manor; no emergency reported. • 3:40 p.m. — Crews responded to a good-intent call. No incident was

Savvy

under your Social Security number. You can get one by searching “Get an IP PIN” at irs.gov. Identity theft has become a fact of modern life, but taking a few simple steps now can help protect your Social Security benefits, tax records and financial future, and give you greater peace of mind.

continued from page 20

account. For even greater protection, create your personal Social Security account before a scammer does by visiting ssa.gov/ myaccount. Keep your credit reports frozen unless you need to apply for credit, and request a free IRS Identity Protection PIN. The six-digit PIN acts like a second password for your tax return, preventing someone else from filing

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

found upon arrival. SUNDAY, SEPT. 6 • 12:11 a.m. — Firefighters responded to a malfunctioning alarm on Blair Park Road. • 10:11 a.m. — Crews responded to an alarm activation on Market Street. MONDAY, SEPT. 7 • 6:05 a.m. — Firefighters responded to a smoke alarm on Tyler Way. • 9:14 a.m. — Crews provided a lift assist on Southridge Road. • 7:36 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a malfunctioning alarm at Falcon Manor. • 9:05 p.m. — Crews responded to

Recs & Parks continued from page 11

their own unique creation. Note: This is a parent-child program. Instructor: Rec staff. Monday, Oct. 5, 4-5 p.m., $10. NATURE EXPLORERS

Ages 2-6. Young adventurers will gear up with their very own Nature Explorer Kit (included in your registration fee), including binoculars, a bug catching net, and other exploration tools, before

a citizen assistance/service call on Southview Lane. TUESDAY, SEPT. 8

provided standby assistance on West Street in Essex Junction. THURSDAY, SEPT. 10

• 8:45 a.m. — An accidental alarm prompted a fire department response at Falcon Manor. • 12:38 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a confined cooking appliance fire on Windridge Road. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9

• 11:07 a.m. — Firefighters responded to a smoke alarm at Falcon Manor. • 4:05 p.m. — Crews responded to a smoke alarm on Tyler Way. • 9:24 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a vehicle collision on South Road. • 9:27 p.m. — Crews responded to a smoke alarm at Eagle Crest.

• 7:35 a.m. — Crews responded to a smoke alarm at Eagle Crest. • 9:06 a.m. — Firefighters responded to a good-intent call. No incident was found upon arrival. • 8:36 p.m. — Williston firefighters

The Williston Fire Department also responded to 20 medical emergencies during this time frame.

heading out on a guided nature walk around the park. This is a parent-child program. Instructor: Rec staff. Thursday, Oct. 8, 4-5 p.m., $30. SWIM LESSONS

Monthly swim lessons are offered through the Recreation Department with the Edge of Essex. Lessons are for children ages 2.5-5 and 5-plus. Lessons meet weekly for a month. Under 5 years old, 4-4:30 p.m.; ages 5-plus, 4:30-5 p.m. Instructors: Edge of Essex staff.

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL

TOWN OF SAINT GEORGE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Development Review Board will convene a public hearing at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in accordance with the provisions of §7.10 of the Town’s Land Use Regulations and 24 V.S.A. §4460(e)(8) for a Final 3-Lot Subdivision hearing regarding an application by Charles & Judith Scott. The application involves the creation of a 25.01-acre lot (Lot 3) and a retaining a 66.29-acre (currently 91.3 acre) lot with

an existing single-family home (Lot 1) and an undeveloped 10.14-acre lot (Lot 2). Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85786269072 Meeting ID: 857 8626 9072 Dial by your location • +1 646 931 3860 US • +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) The application is available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s office by appointment. Please contact Town Clerk, Lisa Laramee, at townclerk@stgeorgevt. com or 802-482-5272 for an appointment. To submit written testimony, please contact Acting Zoning Administrator Maya Balassa, at zoning@stgeorgevt.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21

com. Participation in the hearing is necessary to establish status as an ‘interested person’ and the right to appeal a decision rendered in that hearing, according to the provisions of 24 V.S.A. 117 §§4465(b) and 4471(a). Participation consists of offering, through oral or written testimony, evidence or a statement of concern directly related to the subject of the hearing. Respectfully submitted, Maya Balassa, Acting Zoning Administrator

GARAGE SALES OAK KNOLL ROAD — Garage Sale, Sept. 18 & 19, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 459 Oak Knoll Road, Williston. Household items, camper stuff, collectibles, salt & pepper shakers, lots of other stuff. Something for everyone.

BAZAAR WILLISTON WOODS BAZAAR—

Saturday, Oct. 3, 26 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Raffle, vendors, bake sale, white elephant items, soups & pizza too!

SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21

GARAGE SPACE Apartment dweller looking for indoor space to work on cars. Willing to rent or trade for yard/handy-man chores. Contact Ben at 802-777-0177.

To place a classified ad, email Adam@williston observer.com or call (802) 338-1655 Deadline for classifieds is Monday.

September 17, 2026

•

Williston Observer •

Page 23

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Page 24 •

Williston Observer •

September 17, 2026

SPORTS

Tigers tackle ‘Hawks

Overtime upset

CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Hugh Graham makes a sure tackle on the Middlebury running back during the Redhawks’ 12-7 loss to the Tigers. Alex Schad runs for daylight. Middlebury’s quarterback scrambles as CVU defenseman Kofi Spencer comes bursting though the line.

CVU’s Sierra Kenney, above, makes a kick save during the Redhawks’ 2 - 1 overtime loss to the South Burlington Wolves on Sept. 9 in Hinesburg. Emery Thompson, right, gets away from her South Burlington defender.

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