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More than a newspaper

The Commons is the public face of a larger nonprofit organization, Vermont Independent Media, Inc.

We came to life from the ground up in 2004, as members of the community became increasingly concerned about the consequences of absent corporate ownership of the daily newspaper in town and the need for local people to have access to the skills to create their own grassroots media.

VIM came to life lovingly and carefully thanks to indefatigable volunteers. The first public programs of the Media Mentoring Project began in 2005, and the first issue of The Commons was published in 2006. The newspaper was published monthly until 2010, when we began a weekly schedule. We are published on Wednesdays 51 times a year.

Our mission

Recognizing that a vigorous exchange of ideas and information allows democracy to function and is the lifeblood of a community, Vermont Independent Media:

• creates a forum for community participation,

• promotes local independent journalism,

• fosters civic engagement by building media skills

through publication of The Commons and commonsnews.org, and through the Media Mentoring Project.

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We attempt to keep our small newsroom open during the day on weekdays. But we are sometimes out covering the news, many of us are part-time, and we keep odd hours. We welcome your visit, but please make an appointment so you don't make a special trip.

Directions to the office

We're at 139 Main St., Brattleboro, Vermont (the Hooker-Dunham Building).

Office #601A: Newsroom

Office #604: Business/Advertising

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The Commons
P.O. Box 1212
Brattleboro, VT 05302

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Recent PDFs

These PDFs are built from the final files that were printed and represent an accurate facsimile of the issue’s content.

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We maintain files of a limited number of back issues in our office. Please email info@commonsnews.org, and we will make them available if we can.

Issue #506

Apr 17, 2019

Issue #505

Apr 10, 2019

Issue #504

Apr 03, 2019

Issue #503

Mar 27, 2019

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Search The Commons from 2010 to present

TODAY’S FEATURE/NEWS

U.S. atty. vows ‘relentless’ response to drug crime

After raids, 16 face federal, state drug charges as area reacts to three violent deaths

BRATTLEBORO—If a show of force was needed against the drug and crime situation in the area, United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan delivered one on Tuesday at a press conference in the roll-call room at the Brattleboro Police Department.

Nolan’s visit to southern Vermont came on the heels of a three-day drug sweep in Brattleboro and Putney that netted 16 suspects.... Continue reading story

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TODAY’S FEATURE/NEWS

U.S. atty. vows ‘relentless’ response to drug crime

After raids, 16 face federal, state drug charges as area reacts to three violent deaths

BRATTLEBORO—If a show of force was needed against the drug and crime situation in the area, United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan delivered one on Tuesday at a press conference in the roll-call room at the Brattleboro Police Department.

Nolan’s visit to southern Vermont came on the heels of a three-day drug sweep in Brattleboro and Putney that netted 16 suspects.... Continue reading story

CALENDAR

CALENDAR

NEWS

Act 46 ruling creates more complexity

Windham Southeast School District Transition Board continues working on governance as judge hands down a mixed ruling and legislative solutions appear dim

BRATTLEBORO

Veterans organizations seek embrace of a new generation

American Legion’s national commander comes to Brattleboro to boost support for veterans old and young

MARLBORO

Accidental homeowners face uphill challenge

Marlboro couple seeks to move 19th century building to higher — and drier — ground, a dilemma that sparks a larger conversation about young artists and their housing needs

BRATTLEBORO

U.S. atty. vows ‘relentless’ response to drug crime

After raids, 16 face federal, state drug charges as area reacts to three violent deaths

• Heavy rain Friday afternoon into Saturday, but sunnier early next week

• 16 people face state, federal drug charges

Browse News stories through the archives

TOWN & VILLAGE

• Around the Towns

• Brooks Memorial Library offers foundation fundraising workshop

• BMH, CCV host open houses for accelerated medical assistant program

Browse Town & Village stories through the archives

MILESTONES

• Weddings

• Milestones

Browse Milestones stories through the archives

SPORTS

Colonels win a chilly baseball opener

By Randolph T. Holhut

Browse Sports stories through the archives

VOICES

VIEWPOINT • Bin Laden’s strategy of disunity: We need to engage our neighbors in an empathetic and genuine way if we are to be able to figure out how to bridge the chasm that is now destroying our country

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE • Our military fights against this generation’s Agent Orange: Burn pits release at least 51 toxins into the atmosphere in military theaters — and into the lungs, eyes, and skin of our armed-forces personnel

LETTERS FROM READERS • Propaganda’s constant din of chaos

LETTERS FROM READERS • Hospital salutes team of volunteers

LETTERS FROM READERS • Storytellers’ charity event raises $30,000 for Groundworks

LETTERS FROM READERS • Let’s address the risks we are far more likely to die from

LETTERS FROM READERS • Legislature needs to fund clean-water projects

LETTERS FROM READERS • Play offers ‘aching relevance to present conditions’

LETTERS FROM READERS • Putney purged teachers for being Quakers — but eventually elected one

Browse Voices stories through the archives

ARTS

BRATTLEBORO

Bowlerama seeks to help feed the hungry

Potters donate their time for annual Empty Bowls Dinner

PUTNEY

Charting the geographies of self

In ‘My Body, My Country’ at Landmark College, three poets search for meaning in an ever-shifting landscape

• NECCA ProTrack students reimagine what circus can be in ‘Fractured’

• Strolling of the Heifers presents Walk for Amber StorySlam

• Green Writers Press presents a spring books party at Next Stage

• BMC Chamber Series continues with ‘Music Making Amongst Friends’

• Works of Fiona Morehouse on display at Main Street Arts

• Mitchell-Giddings gallery presents paintings of David Rohn

• Stabach 4Tet honors Earth Day with jazz, haiku

• Ella Wilson selected as Grammar School’s Opus 34 composer

• HDT presents new play based on life of poet Robert Lowell

• Bread and Puppet Theater returns to Next Stage

Browse Arts stories through the archives

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