CogniLocal Your Community, More Completely.
Vermont edition
CogniLocal

Newport / Derby

Your Community, More Completely.
Friday, October 30, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
Edition archive
October 30 · Real Big Blues at Kingdom Brewing, 6:30 p.m.October 31 · "How AI Works?" at Haskell Free Library, 10 a.m.November 2 · Newport charter informational hearing, 6 p.m.November 3 · Election Day and Newport charter vote
Weather at a glance · Newport / Derby
Loading weather...
Weather data: Open-Meteo

Today in Newport / Derby

Real Big Blues play Kingdom Brewing in Newport tonight, Friday, October 30, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Two Tents has its final performances at the Haskell Opera House in Derby Line on October 30 and 31 and November 1.
The Haskell Free Library lists a "How AI Works?" session Saturday, October 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.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, four days from now, 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. Monday, November 2, is the last day to return a ballot to the town clerk's office or to a town drop box.

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 55 municipalities in 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

Real Big Blues play Kingdom Brewing tonight

Real Big Blues will play live at Kingdom Brewing, 353 Coburn Hill Road, Newport, tonight, 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.

NEWDerby Line

Two Tents plays its final weekend at the Haskell Opera House

Two Tents, a fundraiser play for the Haskell's 125th anniversary, has performances listed Friday, October 30, Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, the last dates in its run at the Haskell Opera House, according to the Haskell Free Library's 2026 fall program. The program lists no show times.

The play was written and directed by Stanstead writer Ross Murray. The Barton Chronicle reviewed the production this week and reported that it is his third play performed at the Haskell Opera House.

Tickets are sold during Haskell Free Library office hours or at the Opera House box office a half-hour before show time.

NEWDerby Line

Haskell Free Library lists November author events and workshops

The Haskell Free Library's fall program lists a Local Author Reading on Thursday, November 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., a Local Author Storytime on Saturday, November 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and a French Writing Workshop on Thursday, November 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Monthly programs continue as well, including Crafty Adults on the first Saturday of the month (November 7) from 1 to 3 p.m. and the Coding Club for Kids on the second Saturday (November 14) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The library is at 93 Caswell Avenue in Derby Line.

Public Safety & Weather

NEWNewport

Morgan man pleads innocent to assault charges from Newport incident

Ezra Foss, 28, of Morgan has pleaded innocent to felony charges of first-degree aggravated domestic assault and first-degree aggravated domestic assault with a weapon, plus three counts of reckless endangerment, the Barton Chronicle reported. A judge in the Criminal Division of Orleans County Superior Court in Newport ordered him held without bail.

According to a Newport City Police affidavit cited by the Chronicle, a woman called police just before 9 p.m. on October 19 and said Foss was armed and holding her and her child. The affidavit places Foss at Cumberland Farms in Newport at the time. The charges are accusations and have not been proven in court.

AI in Your Community

NEWDerby Line

Haskell Free Library lists a "How AI Works?" session October 31

The Haskell Free Library in Derby Line lists a program called "How AI Works? (The Mystery Sandwich Showdown Game)" for Saturday, October 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., according to the library's 2026 fall program. The library's U.S. entrance is at 93 Caswell Avenue.

The same program lists Therapy Dog Story Time that afternoon, Saturday, October 31, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Library membership is free for people living within 30 miles of the library.

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

About CogniLocal

CogniLocal is human-led community information supported by AI-assisted research, source discovery, verification and story tracking. Editorial judgment and final publication decisions remain human. Meet the publisher and read the editorial standards.

News tips and corrections: editor@cognilocal.com.