News/Business

Construction to begin by year’s end for Newport workforce housing project 

By PATRICK O’GRADY

NEWPORT — Almost seven years after the Planning Board first approved a proposal to convert the former Ruger Mill on Sunapee Street into housing, the project is ready to move forward. Work is expected to begin before the end of the year.“We are ready...

Troubled timber industry joins trade association for voice in Montpelier 

By FRANCES MIZE

RANDOLPH — An Upper Valley timber harvest all but ruined by this summer’s flooding and persistent rain is one in a chain of challenges that have axed earnings for Vermont’s loggers in recent years.Looking for solutions, industry leaders have turned to...

Developer buys long-closed nursing home in Wilder, eyeing change to school or housing

By PATRICK ADRIAN

WILDER — After sitting vacant for several years, the former Brookside Nursing Home has new owners and a fresh coat of paint, giving hope to neighbors that the property will be put to productive use.In August, a real estate firm owned by Upper Valley...

Applicants line up for chance at apartments that won’t be open for six months

By PATRICK ADRIAN

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — On Monday, the nonprofit Twin Pines Housing Trust began accepting applications for two multi-family housing projects that are expected to open in about six months.Combined they will provide 82 apartment units for people making...

Former Element Hotel owners seek zoning change to extend lease lengths

By PATRICK ADRIAN

LEBANON — The owners of the former Element Hotel on Route 120 are asking the city to allow long-term residential leases at the property AAM Lebanon Residences, a private equity firm based in Burlington, Mass., is seeking a zoning variance to allow...

COVER to celebrate 25th birthday and renovations 

By LIZ SAUCHELLI

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — This Friday, COVER Home Repair will celebrate two milestones: Its 25th anniversary and that its renovations are almost finished.From 5 to 6:30 p.m., the nonprofit home repair organization will host a “Books and Beer Birthday...

Gile Hill condo owners face steep fee hikes

By PATRICK ADRIAN

HANOVER — Condominium owners at Gile Hill are facing steep increases in their monthly homeowner fees to cover the costs of insurance and long-term maintenance.Last month, the board of directors for the Gile Hill Condominium Owner Association notified...

Riders welcome expanded Upper Valley bus routes and hours

By LIZ SAUCHELLI

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Upper Valley residents are taking more advantage of the region’s public transportation options, which area organizations have expanded in recent weeks.On the second Saturday of Advance Transit’s weekend routes, a bus that went...

Owners look ahead from closing Bistro Midva in Windsor

By CHRISTINA DOLAN

WINDSOR — The dining room at Bistro Midva was full of warm light and lively conversation on a September weeknight. At the small tile-topped bar, Kurt Dermody, a West Windsor resident and Ascutney Outdoors board member, and Ryan Palmer, the Windsor...

Feds have rejected visas for eight investors; money raised before reforms in visa for jobs program

By MARK HAYWARD

Sixty-six of the 71 foreigners who lined themselves up for a U.S. green card by investing in the Ragged Mountain ski area come from China or Russia, according to court documents.The investors — including 36 from Russia and 30 from China — anted up...

Report: Without more housing and child care, employers won’t find workers

By ANNMARIE TIMMINS

When adjusted for inflation, the average hourly wage in New Hampshire over the last 12 months is lower than it was in 2021. For every unemployed person, there are more than three unfilled jobs, due in part to limited affordable housing and child care....

Photos: Market rebound in Woodstock

Lead cashier Nina Paczykowski opens The Woodstock Farmers Market for the first time in 56 days in West Woodstock on Friday after is was forced to close by the floods of July. Customers began congregating at the doors shortly before 8 a.m.Valley News...

Older adults in Upper Valley keep working for money and purpose 

By PATRICK ADRIAN

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Evelyn Adams, who turns 69 this month, had hoped to fully retire by now. She has worked over 50 years in the customer service industry, beginning as a waitress at the age of 15 to her present job as a cashier at the Co-op Food...

Liberty proposes rate hike for New Hampshire gas customers

By MARA HOPLAMAZIAN

Liberty Utilities is proposing an increase in gas rates for many of its heating customers. The plan would add about $220 per year to the average customer’s bill.The proposal is part of the company’s rate case, a process they go through every few years...

Three Claremont development projects receive regional grants

By PATRICK O’GRADY

CLAREMONT — Three different development and revitalization projects in the city have been awarded more than $1 million in combined grants from the Northern Borders Regional Commission’s Catalyst Program.Melissa Richmond, founder and executive director...

Public forum will focus on Woodstock Aqueduct Co.

By FRANCES MIZE

WOODSTOCK — Thursday evening, residents of Woodstock will get a chance to discuss the Woodstock Aqueduct Co., the privately-held company that came under scrutiny after it left customers on “do not drink” notice for 10 days last month after historic...

Clean energy future hinges on workforce

By FRANCES MIZE

SHARON — Demand for solar panels and heat pumps has skyrocketed, but rapidly approaching deadlines for climate goals in the Twin States underscore a lack of workers who actually know how to install them.“How do I put this bluntly?” said Rob Adams,...

Upper Valley efforts aim to support victims of Lahaina wildfires 

By FRANCES MIZE

CLAREMONT — Recovery efforts continue in Lahaina, the town on the Hawaiian island of Maui that has been devastated by wildfires that began two weeks ago. Across the Pacific Ocean and then some, Upper Valley residents are trying to pull their weight....

Inflation Reduction Act money is starting to flow in NH

By MARA HOPLAMAZIAN

The federal Inflation Reduction Act, which marked a first-of-its-kind investment in climate solutions, was signed one year ago. But much of the funding from that law is still in the beginning stages of making its way to Granite Staters. The law...

Dan Fraser steps down as manager at family-owned Dan & Whit’s in Norwich

By JOHN LIPPMAN

NORWICH — Dan Fraser, whose warm smile, bright shirts and colorful shoes are familiar to customers of Dan & Whit’s General Store in Norwich, has stepped down from running the family-owned store, his father, George Fraser, confirmed to the Valley News...