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Newport / Derby

Your Community, More Completely.
Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
Edition archive
October 29 · Creative Writing Series, Derby Line, 1 p.m.October 30 · Real Big Blues at Kingdom Brewing, 6:30 p.m.November 2 · Newport charter informational hearing, 6 p.m.November 3 · Election Day and Newport charter vote
Weather at a glance · Newport / Derby
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Today in Newport / Derby

A Creative Writing Series session with Marguerite Dunlop meets today, Thursday, October 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 93 Caswell Avenue, Derby Line.
The National Weather Service expects near-critical fire weather conditions today, with gusts of 20 to 35 mph and dry leaf litter.
Real Big Blues play Kingdom Brewing in Newport tomorrow, Friday, October 30, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Newport votes November 3 on an amended city charter; an informational hearing is Monday, November 2, at 6 p.m.
Vermont ballots can be returned to the town clerk or a town drop box before close of business Monday, November 2, or handed in at the polls by 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 3.
The next NCUHS Paint Your Own Pottery Night is Wednesday, November 4, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., raising money for student ceramics trip scholarships.

NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason. All local times are Eastern Daylight Time.

Elections

ONGOING

Newport votes on an amended city charter November 3

Newport voters will decide on Tuesday, November 3, whether to approve an amended city charter dated September 21, 2026. The question is on a separate City of Newport Special Meeting ballot, voted by Australian ballot at the Newport Municipal Building, 222 Main Street, with polls open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The city's August notice called the proposed amendments substantial. The ballot lists 31 charter sections, from the mayor's powers and the City Council to police and fire services, water and sewer systems, a city manager and a harbor commission.

An informational hearing on the article is set for Monday, November 2, at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building, in person or online. The full charter amendment is posted on the city website and available at the City Clerk's office.

ONGOING

How to return general election ballots in Newport and Derby

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

Under Vermont law, a returned ballot is counted if it reaches the town clerk's office by any means before the close of business on Monday, November 2, or is placed in the town's secure ballot drop box before the close of business that day. A ballot sent by mail is also counted if it reaches the clerk's office before the polls close on Election Day, and a ballot can be handed to the presiding officer at the voter's polling place before the polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

City, Roads & Planning

BACKGROUND

Regional planning board approves new Northeast Kingdom plan

The board of NVDA, the regional planning commission serving the 55 towns and cities of Orleans, Caledonia and Essex counties, approved the organization's regional plan at its annual meeting October 15 at Le Belvedere in Newport, the Barton Chronicle reported. The vote came shortly after the third public hearing on the plan.

The Chronicle reported that this year's plan drew extra attention because it was written to meet the requirements of Act 181, the 2024 law that changed Act 250, and that residents raised concerns at the hearings. The Legislature repealed the most disputed parts of Act 181 earlier this year, according to the report.

Arts, Culture & Events

ONGOING

Paint-your-own pottery nights at NCUHS raise money for student ceramics trip

The next Paint Your Own Pottery Night is set for Wednesday, November 4, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at North Country Union High School, 209 Veterans Avenue, Newport. Participants paint a food-safe ceramic mug with help from NCUHS art students, and no experience is needed, according to the event listing on the Discover Newport calendar.

The cost is $30, which covers a mug, materials and student support; additional mugs are $20. The listing says all proceeds help provide scholarships for students to attend the Ghost Ranch Ceramics Trip. Registration is through an online form linked from the listing.

ONGOING

Creative writing series meets October 29 in Derby Line

A Creative Writing Series session with Marguerite Dunlop is set for today, Thursday, October 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 93 Caswell Avenue in Derby Line, the U.S. address of the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, according to the Discover Newport events calendar.

The listing describes interactive exercises and personal feedback for writers at any level, with refreshments and materials provided. It says spaces are limited and encourages people to reserve early.

ONGOING

Real Big Blues play Kingdom Brewing October 30

Real Big Blues will play live at Kingdom Brewing, 353 Coburn Hill Road, Newport, tomorrow, Friday, October 30, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., according to the Discover Newport events calendar. The listing bills the night as "Brews and Blues."

ONGOING

Wellness open house set for November 7 on Newport's Main Street

A Wellness in Community open house is set for Saturday, November 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 194 Main Street in downtown Newport, according to the Discover Newport events calendar.

The event listing describes The Nest, a community wellness studio on the third floor of the Montgomery Ward Building, reachable by stairs or elevator. Wellness teachers can use it for classes, and residents and businesses can book it for projects, events and groups through memberships or by the hour.

Public Safety & Weather

NEW

Weather service warns of near-critical fire conditions today

The National Weather Service in Burlington says near-critical fire weather conditions are expected today, Thursday, October 29, across most of Vermont, including Orleans County, Newport and Derby. The forecast calls for southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts of 20 to 35 mph, relative humidity as low as 45 to 50 percent and temperatures of 60 to 66 degrees.

The special weather statement says recent dry weather has dried out leaf litter across the region, and that any fire that starts could quickly get out of control and be difficult to contain. It points residents to state forestry and environmental protection websites for fire danger ratings and any burn restrictions.

Still Developing

The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.

OPEN

Future of the North Country Union High School and Career Center buildings

The North Country Supervisory Union says North Country Union High School and the North Country Career Center, both approaching 60 years of age, have major building systems nearing or past their expected lifespan, and that PCB contamination found through the state's testing program has added urgency. A building committee of staff, parents, community members and others is studying the buildings' condition and possible long-term solutions. A community survey on the facilities' future was open through October 13.

First covered October 23, 2026.

Source: North Country Supervisory Union: Community input on future of NCUHS, NCCC facilities
OPEN

North Country and Orleans Central begin Act 170 merger talks

Board members from districts in the North Country and Orleans Central supervisory unions met in Newport October 8 to begin merger discussions required under Act 170, the Barton Chronicle reported. The law does not require districts to combine, but it does require good-faith consideration of a merger plan. The state named Heather Boucher, a former interim secretary of education, to facilitate.

First covered October 23, 2026.

Source: Barton Chronicle: North Country and Orleans Central begin merger talks

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