Williston Observer 10-16-2025

Williston

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Recycling center cleared to break ground

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Construction of the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s new recycling center is set to begin this fall after the Williston Development Review Board’s unanimous approval Tuesday of the district’s development plans on Redmond Road.

District Executive Director Sarah Reeves said the approval provides final clearance for the project, which county voters supported with a $22 million bond authorization in November 2022.

Since then, the 70,000-squarefoot building has been reconfigured and relocated multiple times to account for wetlands and wildlife corridors on Redmond Road.

Finney crosses the finish line

“I think the end product is much improved,” board member Peter Kelley said.

With favorable winter construction weather, Reeves said new recycling processing equipment could be installed next summer and tested throughout next fall. That would put the opening of the facility in January 2027.

The recycling center will

replace the district’s existing Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) off Industrial Avenue.

That facility, managed for the district by Casella Waste Systems, has been the county’s primary hub for commercial and residential recyclables since 1993. The new center will not only increase capacity, but also will automate material sorting that is currently

done by hand.

“The new MRF will be significantly more efficient and effective, offering extensive environmental benefits and ensuring affordable, in-state processing of recyclables for Vermonters for years to come,” the district states on its website.

The building will be situated see RECYCLING CENTER page 5

Clothing boutique launches in neighborhood’s final building

BY JASON STARR Observer staff Eighteen years after the Town of Williston approved a master plan for a new residential and commercial neighborhood called Finney Crossing, workers are now putting the finishing touches on its final building.

The neighborhood is home to hundreds of people in apartments and condominiums built since 2007, and has attracted a slew of national retailers, two hotels, a grocery store and locally owned restaurants.

On Saturday, Jane Boutique opened its doors at 27 Market St. — the last building on the master plan, finalizing Finney Crossing’s vision of a walkable neighborhood in Williston’s state-designated “growth center.”

“I could not be more excited,”

said Jane owner Samantha Sleeper.

“When I first started looking for a location, this was the first location that popped up, and it was the only location I looked at. It just felt like the right spot in Williston to be.

It’s very central to everything.”

The boutique will be joined in the building by an Italian restaurant called Spaghet Red Sauce Joint, and a book store and café called Wild Meadows — owned by the owners of this newspaper.

Spaghet and Wild Meadows are both planning to open their doors this winter.

Sleeper moved to Vermont about 12 years ago after starting her career in clothing design in New York City. She has worked all sides of the business, from building relationships with brand representatives and working with see JANE BOUTIQUE page 7

Samantha Sleeper opened Jane Boutique on Saturday at Finney Crossing.

Join Us for Farm-to-Table Brunch!

Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 282 Holland Ln, Williston • farmhousetg.com

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

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Williston Observer • October 16, 2025

Halloween Trunk or Treat CORRECTION

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2-3:30 p.m.

Village Community Park

An item in the Around Town section on Page 4 of last week’s Observer had an incorrect date for the Halloween Trunk or Treat event. The date of the event is Sunday, Oct. 26 at Village Community Park.

Around COMMUNITY CALENDAR Town EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

Police lieutenant resigns

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15-SATURDAY, OCT. 18

The Williston Police Department lost one of its highest ranking officers last week with the resignation of Lt. Eric Shepard. Town Manager Erik Wells said the town will begin recruiting to fill the position, and added that two current patrol officer vacancies are expected to be filled by new recruits entering the Vermont Police Academy next year.

The Williston One Acts ♦ One-act plays to inaugurate new Vermont Repertory Theatre space.

7-9 p.m. 179 Commerce St. More information at www.vermontrep. com.

Industrial Avenue update

Winter’s Coming . . .

Still digging around? Do it safely.

Before you dig, you or your contractor must contact Dig Safe® at Digsafe.com or 811 at least 72 hours prior to digging.

Before the work begins, Dig Safe will notify member utilities, who will then ensure the locations of buried facilities they own are clearly marked. Please insist that any work within 18 inches of the marked lines be done by hand.

How to Detect a Gas Leak Smell: Natural gas is normally odorless. A distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs, is added so that you will recognize it quickly.

Sight: You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying.

Sound: You may hear an unusual noise like a roaring, hissing, or whistling.

If you suspect a leak:

Be safe Scan the QR Code or visit vgsvt.com/ be-safe for more safety information.

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Move immediately to a safe location.

Call VGS at 800-639-8081 or call 911 with the exact location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might result in a dangerous condition.

Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

10/7/25 12:47 PM

The south end of Industrial Avenue is closed through Thursday, Oct. 23 as the Town of Williston reconstructs a pedestrian bridge over the Allen Brook. Turns onto Industrial Avenue from Route 2A are not permitted. Mountain View Road is expected to reopen to westbound traffic Friday, Oct. 17 after two weeks of closure that was part of the ongoing reconstruction of the Industrial Avenue-Route 2A intersection.

Williston Historical Society sets annual meeting and special presentation The Williston Historical Society has scheduled its annual meeting for Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.

Following a vote on WHS officers, there will be a presentation open to the public about the history of the Burlington airport.

Lucy McCullough, daughter of Grace and Harold Pugh — key figures in the airport’s early development — will lead the presentation: “From a Field of Cornstalks to BTV: The Story of the Pughs & the Development of the Burlington Airport.”

Refreshments will be served.

Grace Pugh was Vermont’s first licensed woman pilot. Harold Pugh was the airport manager from 1932-1945. The presentation will feature personal anecdotes, original logbooks, rare photos and a discussion of how the couple dedicated their lives to transforming a modest airstrip into today’s international airport.

SATURDAY, OCT. 18

Rec path beautification ♦ Williston-Richmond Rotary Club invites people to join in planting daffodil bulbs along the Williston rec path. Meet at 9 a.m. in the Allen Brook Nature Trail parking lot behind the Korner Kwik Stop.

SUNDAY, OCT. 19

Benefit concert at Cochran’s ♦ Adam Ezra Group plays in fundraiser for Team Soren, a home-building organization. 3 p.m.

Cochran’s Ski Area, Richmond.

TUESDAY, OCT. 21

CVSD School Board meeting ♦ 6 p.m. CVU High School library.

Agenda at cvsdvt.org.

TUESDAY, OCT. 21

Williston Selectboard meeting ♦ 7 p.m. Town Hall.

Agenda at town.williston.vt.us.

THURSDAY, OCT. 23

“10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Name” ♦ 7:15 a.m. Williston-Richmond Rotary Club speaker. Kaomi Joy Taylor, founder of the Museum of Names, will speak at Williston Federated Church and on Zoom. RSVP by email to RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.

October 16, 2025

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Federal office in Williston vandalized with threatening graffiti

BY SHAUN ROBINSON VTDigger

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security building in Williston was vandalized with threatening graffiti early Saturday morning, according to local police, about a week after news broke about the department’s plans to bolster surveillance on social media sites at a different Williston office.

The building that was targeted is on Harvest Lane, across the street from a national U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement intelligence hub. At another site in Williston, off Industrial Avenue, public records released earlier this month show ICE plans to hire a dozen contracted workers to expand its surveillance capabilities.

Williston Police Chief Patrick Foley said the building was vandalized between 2:45 a.m. and 3 a.m.

Saturday morning. On Sunday, black graffiti was visible around all four sides. It included phrases such as “kill yourselves,” “shoot yourselves” and “hang yourself,” as well as “not safe” and “die.”

The word “scum” appeared to

be written in large letters across the entrance. Another message appeared to read, “We will kidnap you and your kids.”

A Boston Globe story earlier this month described the building as being used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The building was flanked by police tape Sunday afternoon. Several federal law enforcement officers were, for a time, parked outside the ICE facility across the street. Both the ICE facility, and the building that was vandalized with graffiti, appeared to be almost or entirely empty inside.

A protest against the surveillance plans was held on the road in between both buildings that afternoon (see related story, Page 4).

It was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a national, anti-capitalist political movement that has a chapter in Vermont.

An organizer of the protest, Cora Honigford, said the group was not responsible for the graffiti and had no information about who had done it.

The vandalism comes as President Donald Trump’s

administration has ratcheted up homeland security operations nationwide, prompting protests and, in some cases, clashes between protestors and federal law enforcement.

Foley, the Williston chief, said Sunday afternoon he had assigned a detective to investigate the vandalism but was in the process of working with federal law enforcement to determine who would take the lead on the case going forward. He said he had no other information to share at that point.

Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for more information Sunday afternoon.

Graffiti was visible on the outside of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security building on Harvest Lane in Williston on Sunday.

PHOTO BY SHAUN ROBINSON/VTDIGGER

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Williston Observer • October 16, 2025

Dozens protest ICE surveillance plans

BY SHAUN ROBINSON VTDigger

About 100 people gathered outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intelligence hub on Harvest Lane in Williston on Sunday to protest the agency’s plans to build out its surveillance capabilities at a nearby office off Industrial Avenue.

The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a national, anti-capitalist political movement with a chapter in Vermont. Speakers decried ICE’s plans, laid out in federal contracting records, made public earlier this month, to hire at least a dozen contracted workers at the agency’s National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center. It uses intelligence-gathering networks to generate leads for immigration enforcement agents operating across the eastern U.S. Demonstrators gathered in the middle of Harvest Lane, the road that runs in front of ICE’s Law Enforcement Support Center — a facility that houses a national ICE

tip line — with local police routing traffic around them.

Across the street from that center is another building run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which, on Saturday morning, was vandalized with threatening graffiti that appeared aimed at federal workers (see story, page 3). The vandalized building was cordoned off by police tape on Sunday afternoon while the protest was taking place.

Cora Honigford, one of the protest’s organizers, said the group was not responsible for the graffiti and had no information about who had done it. Local and federal law enforcement were beginning to investigate the vandalism on Sunday.

The National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center, which is where the plans that sparked Sunday’s protest would be based, is located about 1.5 miles away from where the demonstration took place and the site of the vandalized building.

Contractors at the targeting center would use social media

People protest on Harvest Lane in Williston outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement intelligence hub on Sunday.

PHOTO BY SHAUN ROBINSON/VTDIGGER

platforms and online databases to help federal agents locate people who could be facing deportation, as well as friends and coworkers of those people, according to federal records. The plans are preliminary but say work could start as early as May 2026.

“We need to tell ICE our message that their surveillance will not slow us down. It will not stop us. It will only bring us out

stronger,” said Honigford, who’s from South Royalton, in remarks to the crowd, drawing loud cheers.

Protestors held signs bearing slogans such as “No ICE Surveillance” and “ICE Fuera,” using the Spanish word for “out.”

They chanted, among other refrains, “No justice, no peace! No ICE or police!”

Several speakers described ICE’s plans for social media

surveillance in Williston as an escalation in the agency’s operations, on top of the sharp increase in immigration enforcement that has defined President Donald Trump’s second term. The proposed surveillance is likely to target people already impacted by that enforcement the most, said Kate Paarlberg-Kvam, of the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project, a legal advocacy network for immigrants.

“Make no mistake that the primary targets for this enforcement would be our black and brown neighbors, who are advocates for their own dignity,” Paarlberg-Kvam told her fellow demonstrators.

Michelle and Scott Stinson traveled up to Williston for the demonstration from Ludlow.

Michelle held an upside-down American flag, which she said was a protest against ICE’s actions and future plans in the state.

“This is wrong,” she said of the proposed surveillance. “They should not be using us as a hub — for anything.”

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Supreme Court going ‘on the road’ to CVU Justices to hear oral arguments on three cases in high school auditorium OBSERVER STAFF REPORT The Vermont Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in three cases at Champlain Valley Union High School this Thursday, Oct. 16.

The justices usually hear oral arguments in the Supreme Court building in Montpelier, but in the fall they go “on the road” to hear arguments at a Vermont high school.

The CVU auditorium will be transformed into a courtroom for the day so that students and teachers can experience the process. Arguments will follow the same pattern as ones

Recycling Center continued from page 1

on about 4 acres of a 38-acre parcel near the Winooski River at the end of Redmond Road. The district, which also runs a trash dump and compost center on the road, acquired the parcel earlier this year after state regulators

held in the Supreme Court courtroom: Each side will have 15 minutes to argue its case.

Three cases are scheduled for oral arguments, presenting questions regarding a town’s taking of private property to build a stormwater facility; the division of ownership between family members of a seasonal camp; and the modification of property distribution in a divorce order.

The public is welcome to attend the hearings, scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

The goal of the event is to help students better understand Vermont’s judicial system by

observing the state’s highest court up close and interacting with the Supreme Court Justices. The judicial branch is probably the least understood branch of government, and this event is a way to show the community how it works.

“I am excited to meet students and to hear from them,” Chief Justice Paul Reiber said. “I hope that students will understand more about the justice system and become interested in public service or a career in the law.”

The students will have an opportunity to interact with the justices during a question-and-answer

session.

“Teaching what it means to be responsible and involved citizens is a key part of CVSD’s vision for all

of our learners,” said CVU Principal Katherine Riley. “We appreciate the court’s interest in sharing their work and connecting with our students.”

deemed its original site — further south on Redmond Road — to be too wet to build on.

The Development Review Board gave preliminary approval in May of building plans for the new site, but a subsequent wildlife habitat assessment recommended that the building be reconfigured

to preserve a wildlife corridor leading to the Winooski River. Working with Krebs and Lansing Consulting Engineers, the district moved the building footprint closer to the road to preserve a 300-foot undisturbed corridor between the building and the river.

“This redesign will be a

better project for the surrounding forested wildlife habitat and allow a functioning wildlife corridor to persist west and north of the project site,” the wildlife habitat assessment states.

The redesign also more than doubled the space for trucks delivering material to queue outside the building, alleviating

concerns about traffic backing up onto Redmond Road.

“This should be able to adequately meet even the busiest traffic times,” Williston Conservation Planner David Moroney said.

The new MRF will be open to receive material on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CVU will host the Vermont Supreme Court Justices on Thursday.

OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

Sunday, October 26, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Museum grounds.

Join us for a family-friendly, fun, fall frolic with activities, games, and trick-or-treating throughout the grounds! Costumes encouraged!

Admission is $5. Members free. Children under 3 are free.

AT S H E L B O O R N E M U S E U M

Supported by

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WILLISTON: BUSINESS HUB OF VERMONT

Orvis to close 36 locations by early 2026

BY ETHAN WEINSTEIN VTDigger

The Orvis flagship store located off Main Street in Manchester.

PHOTO BY TIFFANY TAN/VTDIGGER

Howl' ween

The Vermont-based outdoor gear and apparel company Orvis will close 31 stores and five outlet locations by early 2026.

Orvis President Simon Perkins confirmed the looming closures in a statement Thursday.

“We will be concentrating on a more focused retail store portfolio, as well as brick-and-mortar opportunities through our valued dealer network,” he said. “We know this impacts people who are significant members of the Orvis family.”

The closures are the latest in a tough year for Orvis, a hallmark of Vermont’s outdoor economy

s: Categorie st o M t, s Sillie Best Pup Original, r, and & Owne all! r Best Ove

and the fly fishing and bird hunting communities in general. Last October, the company announced it would lay off 8 percent of its workforce, 112 people, and discontinue its catalog. Then in June, citing tariffs, Orvis announced another 50 layoffs, representing 4 percent of its staff.

Founded in 1856 in Manchester, Orvis claims to have been the oldest mail-order retailer in the United States. It sells fishing equipment, bird hunting gear and outdoor apparel.

In his statement Thursday, Perkins said the retail downsizing represented an attempt to focus on the business’ core strengths: fly fishing and bird hunting. The shift

will also bring a “tightening” of the products the company offers, he indicated.

“We are investing in the areas where Orvis makes its greatest impact — world-class gear and apparel, unforgettable experiences, and a deep commitment to conservation,” he said. As the company reduces its offerings, he suggested there will be sales at the closing stores and on discontinued products.

The company declined to provide details on which stores will close or on Orvis’ existing retail footprint. A store locator on the company’s website appeared to show at least 64 retail locations and five outlets.

It’s Vermont Road Trip Season

Dog Costume Contest

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Vermont Tech Jam, presented

by Seven Days, Hula and Marvell, will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hula on Lakeside Avenue in Burlington.

Recruiters from some of Vermont’s largest employers will be on hand looking for talent, and speakers will discuss robotics and artificial intelligence.

For more information, a list of exhibitors and to register for the free event, visit www.techjamvt. com.

Minimum wage jumps to $14.42 Beginning Jan. 1, Vermont’s minimum wage will increase from $14.01 to $14.42 per hour, the Department of Labor announced.

The minimum wage for tipped employees will increase from $7.01 to $7.21 per hour.

The minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are adjusted annually in accordance with Vermont law.

Governor recognizes workplace wellness efforts More than 100 Vermont employers have won awards this year from the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and

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Sports for their efforts to promote wellness in the workplace.

This year’s “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Worksite Wellness” recipients include schools, banks, utilities, retailers, food co-ops, bakeries, municipalities, nonprofits, health care organizations, retailers, manufacturers, insurance companies and ski resorts.

Awards will be presented Oct. 31 in Killington in conjunction with the Vermont Safety and Health Council annual expo.

For a full list of recipients, visit www.healthvermont.gov/ wellness/worksite-wellness

Lenny’s makes annual warmth donation For the 15th year in a row, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel, Darn Tough Vermont and Smartwool have joined forces to donate more than $19,000 worth of socks and financial support to local agencies serving low-income individuals and families.

Their partnership helps ensure that neighbors across the region have access to warm Merino wool socks and resources as the colder months approach.

From Aug. 28–30, Lenny’s pledged a monetary donation for every pair of Darn Tough Vermont and Smartwool socks

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HUB Jane Boutique

HUB Happenings Time for Tech Jam

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sold. In addition, both Darn Tough Vermont and Smartwool contributed boxes of socks to be distributed.

This year’s donations will benefit Cathedral Square, Capstone Community Action in Barre, the Samaritan House in St. Albans, and JCEO in Plattsburgh.

Chamber announces new board members

Elizabeth Mauch (l) and William Cahill have been named to the Vermont Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has welcomed two new directors to its board: William Cahill of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and Elizabeth Mauch of Vermont State Colleges.

The board also elected a new slate of officers, naming Sharon Rossi of FoodScience Corp. as chair, Walter Frame of Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort as vice chair, Mike Hackett of Gallagher, Flynn & Company as treasurer, and Thomas Dunn of VELCO as past chair.

boutique owners, to consulting on store launches and working for large department stores.

When she moved to Vermont, she landed with Jess Boutique and Expressions, women’s clothing stores on Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace, where she honed her customer service skills.

“She reached a point where she had done everything in (the industry) except run her own store. So that is the next step,” said Jennifer Coppins, Sleeper’s mother and co-worker at the store. “It’s her passion working with customers, and this allows her to do it the way she wants to.”

The store is named after Coppins’ mother — Sleeper’s grandmother — who raised a family in Ohio before joining the workforce in retail and banking.

“She was an inspiration to me and also to Samantha, and I know she would have been extremely proud of her being able to take the reins and open this business,” Coppins said.

Sleeper’s vision for Jane is centered around the customer experience. Her knowledge of product will ensure a unique array of women’s clothing, but it’s the store’s curated vibe that will leave a lasting impression.

“I want to look for opportunities to build relationships in this community,” said Sleeper, who lives in Hinesburg. “For me it’s not just about shopping. It’s about having a place for people to come in, feel welcome, hang out with their girlfriends, have fun. It’s not about the dollars, it’s not about the clothing, it’s really about the friendships, the relationships and just making it a really enjoyable experience.”

Yum! WILLISTON A special section featuring some of the best eateries and restaurants in the area appears monthly in the Williston Observer!

If you would like to advertise in this section

call Rick at 802-373-2136 or email rick@willistonobserver.com Williston

Serving our community since 1985

Turkey Drive Saturday, Nov. 22 • 400 Cornerstone Dr. Drop off turkey(s) to the Williston Community Food Shelf between 8 A.M & 11 A.M. Or donate gift cards ($15-$20 are best) from local grocery stores, which we can give our clients to purchase their own turkeys. Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to the Williston Community Food Shelf at P.O. Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495 The number of clients that the Williston Community Food Shelf is serving has risen dramatically! Please help us to reach our goal of having a turkey for each one of our less fortunate neighbors.

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Williston Observer • October 16, 2025

GUEST COLUMN

Regulate social media or further enrich technocrats?

BY BILL SCHUBART Knife-making began in the paleolithic era (35,000-10,000 BCE) from animal bone and obsidian.

Through the millennia, the evolution of one of man’s earliest tools became more sophisticated as flint and polished stone came into use. In the neolithic period, metallurgy emerged in the Middle East among the Chaldeans, and knives became a vital tool for hunter-gatherers.

As in the emergence of all tools, humankind has found both good and evil uses for them. A knife can be used to slice bread, to hunt or … to kill another person and steal their worldly goods.

Around 1,000 AD, primitive “guns” appeared. By 1,300, they had a metal barrel and, using gunpowder, could fire a projectile into an animal or into a human being.

As technology has advanced, humankind has developed more complex tools to ease the work of survival, but few have

the capacity for death and destruction that firearms have.

Civilized communities develop laws to prevent using them for criminal purposes, to reduce crime and to enhance the common good.

Meanwhile, we’ve developed

It’s clear we have chosen to accelerate the accretion of wealth over the wellbeing of future generations. more complex tools to ease (or complicate) the work of survival. I’ll spare you the emergence of electricity, cars, planes, phones, nuclear power … and for the time being, will ignore artificial intelligence (AI). But let’s turn to one of the most powerful tools technologists have evolved to date: social media. It emerged in the 1990s and bloomed in the first five years

of the new millennium with Myspace, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

By 2015, with the emergence of smartphones, studies showed users were spending some four hours a day staring at a phone. By 2023, some 60 percent of the world, almost 4 billion people, were using social media.

Many of my friends use social media as a tool that supports family and community adhesion, sharing news, ideas and images of births, weddings, deaths and other details of family life. I get it. I see the value.

But I am loath to use a tool that offers little privacy and shares my personal interests and information for profit, and is used by pedophiles to groom young children. I was taught that “we are known by the company we keep.”

Watching the evolution of social media, I made a decision in 2022 to sign off of it … generally considered suicidal for an author with nine books on the market. Instead, I use old tools and go the extra mile to visit, write or call a friend or family member. When I just need to escape the daily chaos, I sit near the sounds of a nearby running brook or on a beach and stare at blue water, or I have coffee with a friend, or just look at a photo of a loved one.

The overarching problem with social media is rampant corruption, wherein big tech firms lobby Congress and legislatures against any effort to tax or regulate them.

As to market potential, as of 2025, there are an estimated 5.24 billion social media users worldwide (64 percent of the world’s population.) with gross

sales revenue expected to reach over $252 billion in 2026.

As to lobbying, Meta (Facebook, Instagram) alone has spent $13.7 million so far just this year. While combined, Meta, Alphabet (Google, YouTube), Microsoft, ByteDance (TikTok), X (Twitter), and Snap (Snapchat) spent $61.5 million lobbying Congress in 2024 — an increase of nearly 13 percent compared to 2023. Together, these six companies employed nearly 300 lobbyists in 2024 — or one for every two members of Congress.

If technocrats are allowed to bribe Congress and legislatures to not regulate or tax social media to prevent this tool from damaging social and ethical norms, what will that mean for the future as mega tools like artificial intelligence (AI) are deployed to further enrich

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www.willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499 ADVERTISING Rick Cote, Associate Publisher rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136 EDITOR Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jan Kenney jan@willistonobserver.com

ADVERTISING SPACE DEADLINE Friday at 5 p.m. for the next Thursday issue rick@willistonobserver.com, 802-373-2136 CLASSIFIED ADS Deadline is Friday 5 p.m. There is a fee for business, real estate, help wanted and legal ads. Free classifieds must be 25 words or fewer and are printed on a space available basis.

PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com

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.

BILLING INQUIRIES Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com

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.

A publication of Twin Ponds Publishing LLC

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Burlington Area Newspaper Group

see SCHUBART page 14

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October 16, 2025

GUEST COLUMN

Making Halloween less scary for pets

BY M. KATHLEEN SHAW While Halloween is enjoyable for people, it can be dangerous for pets. The increased noise, unfamiliar costumes and abundance of off-limits candy all contribute to a stressful environment for our furry friends. By being mindful of these potential hazards and making a few simple adjustments, you can minimize the chances of injury, poisoning or your pet getting lost.

Dressing pets in Halloween costumes can be stressful for them. If you choose to dress up your pet, make sure the costume is loose-fitting and does not limit your pet’s movement. It is important to avoid tight bands and paint, as these can cause harm or discomfort. Always supervise your pet while they are wearing a costume to prevent them from chewing on or swallowing any costume parts.

If you plan to take your dog out trickor-treating, make sure it wears a reflective vest or collar, and always use a secure leash or harness. Keep in mind that other dogs and children will also be full of energy and excitement, and the presence of unfamiliar or frightening costumes can make your dog feel territorial or fearful, which can increase the risk of your dog reacting aggressively or even biting.

If you have any doubts about your dog’s temperament or ability to handle the excitement and unpredictability of trick-or-treating, it is best to leave your dog at home.

Pets left at home can be frightened by the bustle of the night and can bolt out the door, getting lost or being hit by a car. Keep their collars with identification on.

It’s best to keep dogs and cats in a closed room for their own safety. If your dog gets anxious with repeated visitors, or if it is prone to stress-induced gastrointestinal upset, talk to your veterinarian about a sedative well before the holiday.

Please do not wait until the last minute: Your veterinarian may not be able to accommodate an inf lux of requests for

medications the day before the holiday.

Sadly, there is a significant spike in cruelty to black cats on Halloween: so much so that many shelters will not adopt them out in the weeks preceding.

So, even if your black or other cat is used to being outside, keep them inside on Halloween.

Poisoning is a real concern on Halloween. Chocolate, raisins and xylitol (a sugar substitute) are all toxic to pets. Often you cannot tell what is in the candy just by looking at it, so it is best to keep it all safely away from pets.

Dogs particularly can eat enough candy in a short time to send them to the emergency room, so remind your kids not to share their sweets with pets.

Cellophane, foil, sticks and other candy wrappers can cause intestinal blockage.

There is also a high incidence of pets ingesting batteries around Halloween, which can be toxic.

Decorations pose a threat, as well.

Cats often like to chew on glow sticks and jewelry. While usually not life-threatening, the chemicals in the glow sticks can cause mouth pain, irritation, drooling and foaming. Long necklaces and decorations such as fake cobwebs can cause intestinal upset or blockage if ingested. Jack-o-lanterns can tip over and burn your excited pets, so it is best to keep pets away from jack-o-lanterns and candles.

If you suspect your pet has ingested something it shouldn’t have, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year toll free at (888) 426-4435. While a consultation fee may apply, it is well worth it to potentially save your pet’s life and for your peace of mind.

By taking these precautions, you can all have a fun, safe holiday.

M. Kathleen Shaw is a member of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association.

LETTER POLICY A few ground rules: We ask that letters run no longer than 300 words.

We edit for length, clarity, style, spelling and grammar. Include your name, town/city where you live and a phone number (which we won’t print) so we can verify you wrote the letter.

The deadline is Monday for letters to be printed in Thursday’s paper.

EMAIL: editor@willistonobserver.com or mail to Williston Observer, P.O Box 1401, Williston, Vt. 05495

•

Williston Observer •

Page 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ‘Good News’ at Williston Central School?

I was recently surprised to learn that a national organization, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), is running a “Good News Club” at Williston Central School. On the surface, it looks like any other after-school activity with songs and crafts, but CEF’s mission is to evangelize elementary-aged children into a specific religious doctrine.

The concern isn’t that it’s religious; people of faith are a valued part of our community. The issue is that the club meets immediately after dismissal, inside the school building, using facilities and transportation that families associate with public education. Young children often cannot distinguish between a school-sponsored activity and an outside group, which creates confusion and raises serious constitutional questions.

Equally concerning is that a school employee has promoted this club multiple times on social media during school hours. Even if well-intentioned, this gives the appearance of official endorsement of a religious organization by a public employee, something prohibited under the separation of church and state.

CEF’s national materials teach that those who do not share its beliefs are “separated from God.” For LGBTQ+ families and children from diverse faith traditions, that message is exclusionary and harmful, especially when delivered in a public-school setting.

Equal access laws require that community groups be treated fairly, but they also demand true neutrality and transparency. I urge the Champlain Valley School District to review its facility-use and employee conduct policies to ensure that after-school programs reflect the inclusive values of our community.

Tracy Wasserman Williston

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Page 10

•

Williston Observer •

October 16, 2025

You can install a bathroom faucet yourself

Transforming your bathroom into a modern oasis doesn’t require a large budget or a team of professionals. In fact, a few inexpensive do-it-yourself projects can significantly improve the look and feel of your bathroom. This includes replacing outdated fixtures with new, modern ones you can install yourself.

While installing a new faucet can seem daunting, with the right tools and a little patience, it’s a relatively simple task that can refresh the look of your bathroom and improve functionality.

Before you begin, gather the necessary tools — an adjustable wrench, basin wrench, plumber’s tape and putty or sealant — then consider this guidance to easily transform your space and achieve a professional finish.

PREPARE YOUR WORKSPACE

INSTALL THE NEW FAUCET

Clear the area under the sink to provide ample workspace.

Turn off the water supply valves by rotating them clockwise. Place a bucket under the faucet connections, then open the faucet to let any remaining water drain out. If your sink has a pop-up drain assembly, remove it to give yourself more room to work.

Apply a bead of plumber’s putty or a ring of silicone sealant around the base of the new faucet. Insert it into the mounting holes on the sink. From beneath the sink, secure the faucet in place with the provided nuts, tightening them using a basin wrench. Reconnect the water supply lines to the corresponding hot and cold inlets on the faucet. Turn the water supply back on to check for leaks.

Adjust as necessary to ensure a tight fit. Finally, reattach the pop-up drain assembly if you removed it earlier.

REMOVE THE OLD FAUCET

Using an adjustable wrench, disconnect the water supply lines. Once disconnected, use a basin wrench to loosen and remove the nuts securing the faucet. Gently lift the old faucet out of its mounting hole, using a putty knife to carefully pry it free, if necessary. Then clean the area to remove any residue and ensure a good seal for the new fixture.

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•

Williston Observer •

Page 11

Saving tender perennials through the winter

BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT Special to the Observer

When considering plants for our gardens, we usually think in terms of annuals or perennials.

Annuals complete their life cycle in one year and must be replaced each spring. Perennials grow for many years.

It might surprise you that some plants sold as annuals are actually perennials. A perennial grown in a region that’s too cold will die when freezing temperatures arrive in the fall. These plants are referred to as “tender perennials” and are sold as annuals in colder climates like Vermont.

Because they’re perennials, you can keep summertime favorites such as coleus and fuchsia beyond the current growing season. The trick is to bring them indoors before the first frost.

By overwintering tender perennials indoors, safe from freezing temperatures, you can keep favorite plants for the next growing season and save the expense of purchasing replacements in the

Coleus cutting, with lower leaves removed, can be rooted in water to save for next growing season.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH BENOIT

spring.

The simplest way to do so is to save the entire plant. Hanging baskets and other pots are easy to carry indoors. Before you bring them inside, give them a good spray with a hose and check under leaves for any pests that might try to hitch a ride.

Plants growing in the ground can be dug up. Potted plants in contact with garden soil should be repotted. To prevent overwintering soil borne pests, remove soil from the roots, check for pests, and repot in fresh potting soil.

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Check foliage for signs of damage, pests or disease. Up to a third of the foliage can be cut back.

Keep in mind that conditions indoors will be very different from outdoors. Available light will be less intense even with the use of grow lights, and the air may be dry.

To make the transition less stressful, do a reverse of the garden acclimation process you used to harden off seedlings in the spring. Bring plants indoors gradually, moving them from their current growing location

to a porch or other sheltered area for several days before bringing them indoors.

Rooting cuttings is a good option if you have limited space to overwinter plants. This is also a good way to save plants that have grown leggy or have been damaged over the course of the growing season. Cuttings can be rooted either in water or in potting soil.

Select healthy stems and cut in sections of 4-6 inches in length from the tips. Be sure to include several nodes (where a leaf meets the stem). Trim leaves from the lower half of the cuttings. Place cuttings in a container of room temperature water, being sure no foliage is beneath the water’s surface. Place the container in indirect sunlight.

Roots will grow from the underwater nodes. Once roots are over an inch long, the cutting can be potted up in a container of potting soil.

You can also start cuttings in moist potting mix. For more information on rooting

cuttings, see: https://go.uvm.edu/ plantcuttings.

Whatever method you choose to overwinter plants from your garden, be sure to keep them in a sunny window or provide supplemental light with a grow light. In addition, keep plants away from hot or cold drafts such as wood stoves and exterior doors.

Don’t panic if overwintering plants drop leaves. This may be a result of stress related to the move indoors. Continue to water as needed and watch for new growth.

For home gardening questions, contact the University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Helpline online at https://go.uvm.edu/gardenhelpline or by phone until the end of October at (802) 656-5421, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Deborah Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener who volunteers as a garden columnist and participates in Bennington County Extension Master Gardener Chapter activities.

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Williston Observer •

October 16, 2025

SPORTS

Won by one CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Amelia Oppenheimer works to get by Mount Mansfield’s Marah Cramer during the Redhawks’ 1-0 win over the Cougars on Monday in Jericho. CVU’s Emery Thompson and Mount Mansfield’s Taylor Davidson battle for possession. CVU’s Cordelia Thomas gets by Mount Mansfield’s Harlow Hier.

OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

honestly can’t imagine “ Idriving anything else.”

—Doug, Hinesburg VT

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October 16, 2025

•

Williston Observer •

Page 13

SPORTS

Celebrating

53

Gridiron grind CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Alex Jovell tackles Colchester’s Colton Lefebvre during the Redhawks’ 20-7 loss to the Lakers on Saturday in Hinesburg.

Carter Matthews avoids the tackle of Colchester’s Liam McHugh. Ian Kennelly hands the ball off to John Saladino. Jacob Barrett hooks the pass into his arms. Blake Companion uses a stiff-arm to get away from Colchester’s Brody Coppins. Alex Jovell catches an Ian Kennelly pass.

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Williston Observer •

October 16, 2025 as its rationale.

Left free to simply harvest billions in profits from this new tool and others yet to emerge, it’s clear we have chosen to accelerate the accretion of wealth over the wellbeing of future generations.

Jean M. Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and the author of “10 Rules for Raising Kids in a HighTech World,” makes clear that, “There’s no substitute for legislation that requires tech companies to take the lead in verifying their users’ ages.” She continues, “Lately I’ve been coming around to one conclusion that might seem obvious decades from now: America can have social media or we can have a healthy democracy — but it might have been foolish to think we could have both for

Schubart

continued from page 8

them? Big tech and social media firms are already paying astral sums to attract AI professionals. Bloomberg reports that OpenAI is now the world’s most valuable privately held startup. Previously-vested employees managed to sell $6.6 billion worth of their stock for $500 billion, a level that surpasses the entire value of SpaceX at $400 billion.

The sad excuse for dropping content moderation of social media posts and evading regulation is “freedom of speech.” Meta has dropped fact-checkers and will “dramatically reduce the amount of censorship” using free-speech

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long.”

As long as wealth trumps social good, our decline will only accelerate. To survive our inventions and protect our most vulnerable, we must understand their potential for good and evil and be willing to create laws that prevent their use to cause harm and to further enrich the top 0.1 percent of American families, which as of last year held 22 percent of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom half held 4 percent.

Our future generations will hold us accountable if we can’t account for ourselves.

Bill Schubart of Hinesburg is a writer, retired businessman and former chair of the Vermont Journalism Trust, the parent organization for VTDigger.

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Williston Observer •

Page 15

Scott announces new county court for repeat offenders

BY CHARLOTTE OLIVER VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday afternoon that he’s creating a new court in Chittenden County that will address the county’s backlog in legal cases by trying repeat offenders.

The new court, called The Community Accountability Court, is part of Scott’s “response to increased concerns about quality of life crimes and disorder in Burlington,” according to a press release from his office.

The initiative comes about a month after Scott declared he had a plan to address public safety concerns, many related to drug use, in the Queen City. Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak previously claimed that Scott wasn’t doing enough to help the city combat persistent social and economic challenges.

The new court will channel additional resources for three to four months toward trying repeat offenders who have many pending legal cases against them, the press release said. It’s part of a multistep plan Scott plans to roll out in the coming days.

“These additional resources for the Chittenden County Superior Court will help

alleviate the backlog, ensure people receive a trial, and provide the kind of immediate follow up that is necessary for (Burlington Police Department)’s enforcement activities to be most effective,” Mulvaney-Stanak said in the governor’s release.

She and Scott are discussing immediate solutions, like the new court, as well as long-term strategies, Mulvaney-Stanak said in the release.

A dedicated judge will be appointed by the judiciary to oversee the new court, and Scott will select a prosecutor to handle the cases litigated within it, the release said.

‘TRULY BIG CHANGES’

The day before the governor’s announcement, Defender General Matt Valerio sat in front of lawmakers in a Joint Justice Oversight Committee meeting, and told them he had “horrible news coming.”

His data, from July through September of this year, showed a large uptick in criminal cases in Chittenden County.

“I’m predicting a nor’easter for the next six months, lots of snow and ice and lightning and terrible stuff in the public defense system,” Valerio said.

Public defenders in the county are handling a 37 percent increase in criminal

cases compared to the same quarter of last year, he said.

That’s a big issue because 39 percent of total legal cases in the state come from Chittenden County, Valerio said. So when that county’s courts are backed up, it has a really outsized impact on the state, he said.

In Vermont criminal court, public defenders represent more than 90 percent of people accused, Valerio said in an interview Friday. That means his office’s data offers a pretty accurate picture of the court’s overall

caseload.

“Whenever you see big changes in Chittenden County, they’re truly big changes,” Valerio said.

Tim Lueders-Dumont, executive director of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, wasn’t surprised by the recent increase, he said Thursday.

“In Chittenden County, we’re seeing that the same group of people are cycling through repeatedly,” Lueders-Dumont said. see SCOTT page 22

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October 16, 2025

42 (25)

Next Week: Our states: Kansas

Founded by Betty Debnam

Conjure Up a Spooky Party Halloween trick-or-treating is lots of fun, but this kid-friendly holiday is also a great time to host a party! Talk to your family about how many guests to invite. With your parents’ help, you will want to plan the:

t list √ gues tions √ invita rations o c e d √ y s to pla e m a g √ √ food

Your invitations can be made by hand or on a computer. For a fun twist, you might dress in a costume and hand-deliver them!

Haunt your own house!

As your guests come in, tell them that you are taking them one by one on an eerie adventure.

• Big boxes taped together make an ideal witches’ maze to wander through.

• Music playing too slow or too fast creates a scary mood.

• Make up a group ghost story. Sit in a circle. Everyone adds a sentence to the story as you go around the circle.

What’s that?!

• Blindfold your guests and guide them as they walk around a table and describe what icky things they are feeling.

Mini Fact:

Americans buy about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins at Halloween!

You might use: (clean) chicken bones = witches’ fingers dried apricots = dried-up tongues cooked spaghetti = brains pantyhose = hanging vines peeled grapes = eyeballs

Fun activities

• “Bob” for apples. String a clothesline across a corner of the room and hang apples with string. Each person takes bites of their apple without using their hands. The first one done is the winner.

• Decorate pumpkins. Ask each guest to decorate a small pumpkin using cut paper and markers. Give awards like “scariest” or “fanciest.”

• Play musical chairs. Use spooky music!

• Play pass the orange. Get in a line or circle. Try passing an orange from person to person without touching it with your hands.

• Do a mummy wrap race. Divide into teams. Each team wraps one member with toilet paper like a mummy.

The first team to complete their mummy wins.

• Do your best monster moves with a freeze dance.

When the music stops, strike your best monster pose.

Anyone who’s still moving is out.

Trick-or-treat Safety Quiz

Unscramble these things that you’ll need to have a safe and fun Halloween.

And don’t forget to say “thank you” for each treat!

1. Using aumpke on your face is best.

A mask can block your view of traffic and other kids.

2. Your ustmoec should be made of a light color or trimmed with tape that shines in the dark.

3. Your family should look over your estart before you dig in.

4. Carry a lhalftgsih if you’ll be out after dark.

5. Your essoh should be comfortable and easy to walk in.

Your answers 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Don’t forget

• Stay in neighborhoods you know.

• Go trick-or-treating with a group.

• Cross the street only at an intersection.

Don’t run between parked cars.

• Don’t go into strangers’ homes, even if you’re invited in.

Answers: 1. makeup; 2. costume; 3. treats; 4. flashlight; 5. shoes

Issue 42, 2025

Resources On the Web:

• bit.ly/4fVPWno

At the library:

• “Plinky Witch and the Happy Haunted House” by Liz Cooper

The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Try ’n’ Find Observer rack locations Mini Jokes

Rehab Gym Goodwater Brewing Williston Essex/Essex Jct. Price Chopper Words that remind us of Halloween parties are hidden in this Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Hannaford Adams Farm Market Essex Automotive puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some Hannah: How should aQuality Bake Shop Simon’s Mobil Williston Healthy Living Williston Aromas of India Five Corner Variety River Road Beverage ghost’s eggs be cooked? letters are used twice. See if you can find: Chef’s Corner

Home2Suites

Simply Divine Café

DANCE, DECORATION, Dorothy Alling Memorial N D IIsland A Homemade E C N IceACream D YSonesta D H Y P R FOOD, FUN, GAMES, StopN V R QSunoco Library B E GKorner N Kwik F U A TStation R F B Town of Williston Marriott Courtyard Fairfield Inn GUEST,atHALLOWEEN, Y C U B V Z C A N L R E T OOffices T Rick Cote CallHAUNT, UPS Store Men At Wok Folino’s Pizza l ai INVITATION, em I O E H S I C Y L A T A A O P or (802) 373-2136 erver.com Gardener’s Supply S R SM&TTBank MUMMY, istonObs S S T O P SVermont R MMeat E &DSeafood U Rick@WillMONSTER, copies e lik ld ou w Williston Coffee Shop Ramunto’s Green Mountain Bagel u yo if MUSIC,tioPARTY, PUMPKIN, G A T U W E W A N M I U R Z M n for your loca A T M W F E T O T X C M T O P SAFETY, SCARY, STORY, M I B A E B M N M I K M R W K TREAT, TRICK. E O S N H A U N T P O Y V L I

Hal: Terrifried!

Hannaford Richmond Inn at Essex Cumberland Farms Mac’s Market Richmond Free Library Martone’s Deli Eco Note Richmond Market Williston

A meteorite that crashed through the roof of a Georgia home on June 26 is estimated to be 4.56 billion years old, making it older than Earth. Researchers at the University of Georgia confirmed

• Blindfold your guests and guide them as they walk around a table and describe what icky things they are feeling.

At the library:

your best monster pose.

Anyone who’s still moving is out.

• “Plinky Witch and the Happy Haunted House” by Liz Cooper October 16, 2025

The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Try ’n’ Find

Page 17

Hannah: How should a ghost’s eggs be cooked?

Hal: Terrifried!

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

Eco Note A meteorite that crashed through the roof of a Georgia home on June 26 is estimated to be 4.56 billion years old, making it older than Earth. Researchers at the University of Georgia confirmed the age of the cherry tomato-sized rock using microscopic analysis of 23 grams of fragments recovered from the site in McDonough. The meteorite, part of a group of asteroids believed to have originated from a breakup event 470 million years ago, rattled homes and was widely visible as it fell.

Cook’s Corner

7 Little Words for Kids Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

HUR

OP

ISL

MON

ANK

ELLO

RIC

BOR

AND

OLY

CA

BL

ANE

CAB

DER

BIN

The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

For later:

Look in your newspaper for party ideas for a Halloween get-together.

Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!

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• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne You’ll need: pepper (optional) • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 4 cups russet potatoes, • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour peeled and cubed • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon onion powder • cooking spray • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon pepper What to do: 1. Combine Parmesan cheese, flour and spices in a large plastic bag. Add cubed potatoes and shake to coat.

2. Spread olive oil in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

3. Add potatoes and toss to coat with olive oil. Spray potatoes lightly with cooking spray.

4. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 1 hour. Flip potatoes every 20 minutes. Serves 6.

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

Parmesan Potatoes

1. house made of logs (5) 2. it’s surrounded by water (6) 3. singer Camila (7) 4. storm with high winds (9) 5. not filled in (5) 6. line between two countries (6) 7. property-buying board game (8)

Williston Observer •

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of Halloween parties are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: DANCE, DECORATION, FOOD, FUN, GAMES, GUEST, HALLOWEEN, HAUNT, INVITATION, MONSTER, MUMMY, MUSIC, PARTY, PUMPKIN, SAFETY, SCARY, STORY, TREAT, TRICK.

•

Answers: cabin, island, Cabello, hurricane, blank, border, Monopoly.

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AL

Page 18

• Williston Observer • October 16, 2025

SAVVY SENIOR What is a lump sum Social Security payment?

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve read that the Social Security Administration offers a lump-sum payment to new retirees who need some extra cash. I haven’t yet filed for my retirement benefits and would like to find out if this is true. What can you tell me?

Born In 1958 Dear 1958, There is indeed a little-known Social Security claiming strategy that’s been around for many years that can provide retirees a lump-sum benefit, but you need to be past your full retirement age to be eligible, and there are financial drawbacks.

First, let’s review the basics. Remember

that while workers can begin drawing their Social Security retirement benefits anytime between ages 62 and 70, full retirement age is 66 and 8 months for those born in 1958, but it rises in two-month increments every birth year to age 67 for those born in 1960 and later.

At full retirement age, you are entitled to 100 percent of your benefits. But if you claim earlier, your benefits will be reduced by 5 to 6.66 percent every year you start before your full retirement age. While if you delay taking your benefits beyond your full retirement age, you’ll get 8 percent more each year until age 70.

LUMP SUM OPTION

If you are past full retirement age, and have not yet filed for your benefits, the Social Security Administration offers a retroactive lump-sum payment that’s worth six months of benefits.

Here’s how it works. Let’s say for example that you were planning to delay taking your Social Security benefits past your full retirement age of 66 and 8 months, but you changed your mind at 67 and two months.

You could then claim a lump-sum payment equal to those six months of benefits. So, for instance, if your full retirement age benefit was $2,500 per month, you would be entitled to a $15,000 lump sum payment.

If you decided at age 67 that you wanted to file retroactively, you’d get only four months’ worth of benefits in your lump sum, because SSA rules prohibit you from claiming benefits that pre-date your full retirement age.

DRAWBACKS

The downside is that once you accept a lump-sum payment, you’ll lose the delayed retirement credits you’ve accrued, and your future monthly retirement benefit will be reduced to reflect the amount you already received. It will also affect future survivor benefit to your spouse or other eligible family members after you die.

Also, depending on your income, Social Security benefits may be taxable, and a lump-sum payment could boost the amount of benefits that are taxed.

The federal government taxes up to 50 percent of Social Security benefits at

DON’T HIBERNATE. BUTTON UP. Sign up for Weatherization Wednesdays!

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October 29: Demystifying heat pumps

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ordinary income tax rates if your combined income — defined as adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest income plus half of your Social Security benefits — exceeds $25,000, and up to 85 percent of benefits are taxable if combined income exceeds $34,000. For married couples, the comparable income thresholds for taxing benefits are $32,000 and $44,000.

To help you calculate this, see IRS Publication 915 “Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits” at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf, or call 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a copy.

In addition, if the lump-sum payment of retroactive Social Security benefits boosts your yearly income over $106,000 (or $212,000 for married couples filing jointly), it will increase your future Medicare premiums. ​ For detail see Medicare.gov/Pubs/ pdf/11579-medicare-costs.pd.

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

October 16, 2025

•

Williston Observer •

Page 19

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 21

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

• In 1923, brothers Walt and Roy Disney founded Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio (now known as The Walt Disney Company) in Los Angeles.

• In 1964, China detonated its first atomic bomb.

• In 1995, hundreds of thousands of Black men joined the Million Man March, led by Louis Farrakhan in Washington, D.C.

TODAY’S FACT:

• In 1986, Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner reached the summit of Lhotse in Nepal, becoming the first climber to ascend all 14 of the world’s “eight-thousanders” -- mountain peaks more than 8,000 meters (26,248 feet) above sea level.

SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 21

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Page 20

• Williston Observer • October 16, 2025 website, willstonrec.org. Location: the R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane.

ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA EDUCATION

The Alzheimer’s Association provides care and support to those affected by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia through free education programs.

Explore learning opportunities focused on Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving, communication and more. Thursday, Oct. 23, 6-7 p.m.

FAMILY PROGRAMS VOCAL PERCUSSION AND IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR

Ages 13-plus. Root7, a local contemporary a cappella group, will host sight-reading sing-alongs of winter and holiday music for beginner, intermediate and experienced vocalists who want to learn and work in groups. Thursday, Nov. 13 or Friday, Nov. 21. Times are 7-9 p.m.

Join attorney Lisa Companion of LMC Law to 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 while protecting you and your loved ones. Thursday, Oct. 16, 5-6 p.m.

ADULT PROGRAMS SENIOR COMMUNITY MEALS

PICKUP PROGRAMS

Ages 60-plus. The Recreation Department and Age Well will offer a free meal from 12–12:30 p.m. for anyone aged 60-plus and their spouse, regardless of age. Pre-registration is required, and spots are limited. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. with meals served at noon.

Following lunch, enjoy a free senior-focused program from 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Check out the meal menu on the recreation

Come out and play, stay fit and meet new people. These programs are open to all experience levels, meeting once a week October through May. Register at willistonrec.org.

— Basketball: There are programs for men 20-plus, men 30-plus and women 19-plus.

— Table Tennis: adults 18-plus. Players

Small Animals and Exotics Urgent Care General Medicine & Surgery Imaging & Laboratory Dentistry House Calls

should bring their own paddles (a limited number of loaner paddles are available).

— Volleyball: adults 18-plus.

JAZZERCISE CARDIO SCULPT

Instructors will show you how to take it high or low. Cardio Sculpt Low, Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Cardio Sculpt High, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:45-5:45 p.m. and Sundays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Instructor: Kit Sayers.

R.E.C. ZONE FITNESS PROGRAMS Ongoing fitness programs held at the R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane TAI CHI INTRO

Ages 50-plus. Mondays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Instructor: Adina Panitch.

BONE BUILDERS

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

SENIOR STRENGTH & FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY

Ages 50-plus. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-10:45 a.m. free. Instructor: Jazmine Averbuck.

ZUMBA GOLD

Ages 18-plus. Thursdays, 8:45-9:45 a.m. free. Instructor: Ciara Gregory.

WILLISTON

POLICE

Sept. 7 at 10:38 a.m. — Report of a male who broke into an apartment at Zephyr Place. Male was issued a citation to appear in court for burglary and petty larceny.

Sept. 7 at 3:55 p.m. — Customer causing a disturbance at Walmart. Customer was gone before officer’s arrival.

Sept. 8 at 12:53 p.m. — Retail theft reported at LL Bean. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

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Sept. 8 at 4:15 p.m. — Assisted Williston Rescue with a male who attempted to harm himself. Male was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

Sept. 9 at 10:03 a.m. — Report of a car that attempted to run another car off the road. Officers could not locate vehicle.

Sept. 9 at 11:26 a.m. — Assisted a female who had her computer and phone hacked.

Sept. 10 at 8:39 a.m. — Assisted with collecting drugs that were located at Chili’s.

Sept. 10 at 11:20 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Suspect was gone before officer’s arrival.

Sept. 11 at 8:44 a.m. — Assault took place on Harvest Lane. Case is still under investigation.

Sept. 11 at 12:00 p.m. — Assisted with a runaway juvenile. Juvenile was located and returned to

YOUTH PROGRAMS HOOPLA AND SENSORY PLAY FOR FAMILIES

A joyful movement class where tots and caregivers play, move and explore together. Designed for children ages 5 and younger to experience with their grownups. This class blends beginner hooping, music-led movement and hands-on sensory play to support connection and healthy movement for all bodies. Instructor: Ms. Karla. Thursday, Oct. 23, 9-10 a.m.

GOBLIN AND GHOUL GOURMET COOKING

Ages 8-16. Young chefs will whip up a variety of spooky sweet and savory treats while learning real kitchen skills they can use for a lifetime. From creepy creations to festive bites, this hands-on class blends creativity, confidence-building and fun, all with a spooky twist. Instructor: Lynn Brown. Thursday, Oct. 23, 1-4:30 p.m.

BABY AND PRESCHOOL SWIM LESSONS

Ages 6 months-2.5 years. The Recreation Department and The Edge on Morse Drive in Essex are teaming up to offer preschool group swim lessons. The lessons introduce swimming techniques and increase safety skills around the water.

Programs begin in November and are on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Dates and times are listed at www.willistonrec.org. school.

Sept. 11 at 8:35 p.m. — Assisted Williston Fire with an elevator emergency at Falcon Manor. No one was trapped.

Sept. 12 at 4:48 p.m. — Report of a bike in the Old Navy parking lot with an adult and child on it with no helmets. Officer located the bike and advised they should wear helmets.

Sept. 12 at 6:18 p.m. — Report of a female harassing another female at Zephyr Place. Both parties were advised to separate and leave each other alone.

Sept. 13 at 12:26 a.m. — Officer attempted to stop a vehicle that was speeding on South Brownell Road. Vehicle took off and fled from the officer.

Officers did not locate the vehicle.

Sept. 13 at 6:41 a.m. — Report of gunshots on Mountain View Road. Parties were goose hunting.

Sept. 13 at 3:49 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court.

Sept. 13 at 4:44 p.m. — Report of a male and female who stole from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Both the male and female were located and issued citations to appear in court for retail theft.

Sept. 13 at 5:05 p.m. — Report of a male and female who stole from Old Navy. Both the male and female were located and issued citations to appear in court for retail theft.

Officers also conducted 47 traffic stops and responded to five alarm activations and 13 motor vehicle crashes during this time frame.

October 16, 2025

•

Williston Observer •

Page 21

OBITUARIES

Joan M. (Roberts) Krans Joan M. (Roberts) Krans, 98, of Colchester, passed away on Oct. 9, 2025, at Green Mountain Nursing & Rehab following a long illness. She was born Dec. 27, 1926, in Burlington, the daughter of Orphier and Rose (Godbout) Roberts.

Joan loved playing bingo, taking bus trips to various casinos, cooking delicious meals, and spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Michael and Susan Krans of Culpepper, VA; Debra and Brian Montgomery of New Bern, NC; Sherry Reed and William H. Newton, Jr. of Westford/St. George, VT; Mark

Krans of Brandon, VT; and Jay and Janis (Audet) Krans of Bristol, VT: 18 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren: sister, Beverly Zivitski of Williston, VT: and several nieces and nephews.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Marshall M. Krans, Jr.; brothers William, Richard, and James; sisters, Shirley and Mae; and granddaughter, Allison.

The Krans family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Luebbers, the Green Mountain Nursing & Rehab nurses and staff, and the University of Vermont hospice team, especially nurses James and Blaine, for the care and compassion provided to Mom. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Williston. Inturnment will immediately follow in East Cemetery. In lieu of f lowers, memorial donations in Joan’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 75 Talcott Road STE 40, Williston, VT 05495.

Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To share online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com.

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Joy Anne Parsons (Papin) Joy Anne Parsons (Papin), 83 years of age of Williston died peacefully, surrounded by her family, Oct. 1, 2025 at the McClure Miller Respite House.

A memorial gathering was held Oct. 13, at Ready Funeral & Cremation Service, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road in Burlington with interment following at Deer View cemetery in Williston. A reception for friends and family was held at the Community Center in Williston Woods immediately following the interment ceremony.

Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral & Cremation Service. To read the full obituary and send online condolences, visit www.readyfuneral.com.

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LOCAL BUSINESSES HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES One contact to advertise in any or all

Puzzle found on page 19

SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 19

Local Businesses

Rick Cote: 802-373-2136 | rick@willistonobserver.com Williston Observer Shelburne News The Other Paper (SOUTH BURLINGTON) The Citizen (CHARLOTTE/HINESBURG) Stowe Reporter News & Citizen (LAMOILLE COUNTY) The Valley Reporter (MAD RIVER VALLEY)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Page 22

• Williston Observer • October 16, 2025 CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN STATE AND CITY

Scott

continued from page 15

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Data he presented to the committee that afternoon showed that as of May 1 of this year, 44 percent of legal cases in the state involved people with three or more cases against them.

That issue necessitates the new court, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George said in the governor’s press release.

“When a handful of people are cycling through the system with multiple pending dockets, we must pivot from simply delaying accountability to providing quick, meaningful court interaction paired with necessary treatment,” she said.

Throughout the month of September, the court system made significant headway on its backlog of cases, according to Valerio.

But the recent uptick in the state’s most populous county could make things much worse, he said.

“I’ve never seen that ever before,” he said, referring to the spike in new cases.

Lueders-Dumont and Valerio, along with a host of other officials in the state’s criminal justice system, worked with the governor to create the new court, Scott’s press release said.

During a recent Burlington City Council meeting, Mulvaney-Stanak said she and Scott would be meeting to discuss how the state can best serve Burlington.

Ahead of his meeting with the mayor, Scott met with a number of people in the Burlington community, Mulvaney-Stanak said.

“He’s been doing fact finding, as I understand it, around his own understanding of Burlington,” she said.

Mulvaney-Stanak said her office, after consulting organizations in the community, prepared a specific list of the city’s needs for housing, support for at-risk youth and support from the court system.

She hoped her meeting with the governor would address the “ongoing chronic issues around drugs and that low level stuff that continues to plague our city,” she said.

Scott called his meeting with the mayor “very productive” during a press conference.

“They had some suggestions of their own, more long-term than short-term,” Scott said, adding that he was waiting to hear back from the mayor’s office before moving forward with any plans.

“We’re not trying to force our way into Burlington, we’re just trying to help,” Scott said.

CLASSIFIEDS

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MARKETING & ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER The Williston Observer, an independent community newspaper, is looking for an advertising sales professional to join our team.

The Account Manager will support a thriving local economy by helping area businesses grow through advertising in the Williston Observer and our six partner BANG (Burlington Area Newspaper Group) newspapers. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys engaging with the community and is genuinely interested in helping others promote and market their businesses effectively.

The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in sales or customer service. Our ideal team member lives in or near Williston. Preference for candidates with knowledge of the local towns, businesses and communities served by the Williston Observer.

If you are someone who enjoys building relationships, is creative, and thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven setting, join us at The Williston Observer and make a difference in our community while advancing your career.

Williston

FULL-TIME POSITION – MAINTENANCE WORKER HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT The Town of Fletcher, VT, is accepting applications for a full-time highway employee with knowledge of highway equipment, general maintenance, and repairs. The qualified candidate must have a current CDL (Class A minimum), a clean driving record, and understand that the position includes random drug and alcohol testing. Duties include summer and winter maintenance of roads and bridges. Overtime required during adverse weather conditions. Pay range is $26 to $30 per hour, based on experience and qualifications. An excellent benefit package is provided.

A full job description and application are available on our website at: tinyurl.com/2nud3ndr or picked up at the Fletcher Town Offices during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday evening, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.).

Applications will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025.

Please contact the Town Office at (802) 849-6616 or town@fletchervt.net.

The Town of Fletcher is an EOE.

• Paid time off • Flexible hours - Both part-time and full-time candidates will be considered

Looking for volunteer opportunities?

Send resume and cover letter to

The United Way of Northwest Vermont has a wide variety of options.

What we offer: • Training and mentorship for success • The opportunity to play a big role on a small team • A generous base salary plus commission • Health benefits

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Shelburne Historical Society will have a display and president Dorothea Penar will lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food vendors round out the event with everything from coffee and lemonade to burgers and creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and

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Page 24 •

Williston Observer •

October 16, 2025

PUBLISHING

Be a part of the Williston Observer’s

OCT 30 2025

Community Giving Guide!

The Observer will be highlighting the groups and organizations in our area who would welcome the support of the community through donations and volunteers in a special pull-out section.

To be included in the Guide…

Nonprofit organizations

susan@willistonobserver.com 802-489-5499

Advertisers

rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136

Deadline is Friday, Oct. 24 for Oct. 30 publication.

Williston

Serving our community since 1985

Giving Guide Advertising Bundle Advertise for six weeks beginning with the Williston Observer’s annual Giving Guide on October 30.

Special discounted rates for non-profits and for company ads featuring non-profits.