Around the Towns

Sheriff's Office warns of jury duty scam

NEWFANE - The Windham County Sheriff's Office says it has received numerous reports that an individual identifying himself as Sergeant John Scott of the Windham County Sheriff's Office is calling Windham County citizens.

He tells them there is a warrant for their arrest for failing to show up for jury duty or other offenses. He then attempts to obtain money to pay the fines to clear the warrant.

According to the Sheriff's Office, these calls are fraudulent. If you should receive such a call, do not send money or provide credit card or checking account information. Instead, notify the Windham County Sheriff's Office immediately at 802-365-4942.

Landmark College hosts 'Lucy Speaks' during Black History Month

PUTNEY - Landmark College will present “Lucy Speaks: Rights, Witness, and Voice” with Shanta Lee Gander on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m., in the Greenhoe Theater. This event is free and open to the public.

“Lucy Speaks” was developed as part of the “Peoples, Places, and the History of Words in Brattleboro, Vermont” project.

During the hour-long program, Gander will engage audience members in a conversation about rights, witness, and voice through the lens of Lucy Terry Prince, who is considered to be the first African-American poet and resided in Guilford after being freed from slavery.

The presentation will include Gander performing Prince's only surviving poem, “Bars Fight.”

Gander is a writer and artist living in southern Vermont. She is the former president of the Arts Council of Windham County and currently designs their “Nourishing the Inner Artist” forums.

Public hearing planned on proposed FY2019 state budget

SPRINGFIELD - The Vermont House and Senate Committees on Appropriations are seeking public input on Gov. Phil Scott's recommended fiscal year 2019 state budget, and will hold community-based public hearings on Monday, Feb. 12, at six locations around Vermont.

The only southern Vermont location is in Springfield, at the Town Hall, 96 Main St., third floor Conference Room (Selectman's Hall), from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

An additional public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 6 to 7 p.m., in Room 11 of the Statehouse in Montpelier.

Anyone interested in testifying should come to one of the hearings. Time limits on testimony may apply depending on the number of participants.

For more information about the format of these events, or to submit written testimony, contact Theresa Utton-Jerman or Rebecca Buck at [email protected] or [email protected] or at 802-828-5767 or toll-free within Vermont at 800-322-5616.

BF Woman's Club to meet

BELLOWS FALLS - Members of the Bellows Falls Woman's Club will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the United Church on School Street, beginning at 1:30 p.m.. The program will be presented by Alex Stradling of Falls Area Community Television.

Members are reminded to bring nonperishable food and personal-care items for Our Place Drop-in Center. In honor of American Heart Month, members may choose to wear red.

The Jan. 9 meeting featured first grade students from Central Elementary School and their music teacher, Alisa Daigneault. She explained and demonstrated the program she uses with her students, which motivates the children to respond to music and rhythms.

Mike Smith, CEO of Greater Falls Area Services, spoke to the group about the Feb. 22 public community forum regarding the opioid crisis. This event will be held in the BF Opera House, beginning at 6 p.m. Club members are encouraged to attend and participate.

Sign up now for free AARP Tax-Aide program

BRATTLEBORO - Free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older, is now available from AARP Foundation Tax-Aide through mid-April. You don't need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, are offering help with personal income tax returns at various locations in the Brattleboro area. Call for an appointment.

Tax-Aides are available at the Brattleboro Senior Center on Main Street (802-257-7570) on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m., and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon; at Community Bible Chapel on Atwood Street (802-257-1594) on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and at the VFW on Black Mountain Road (802-490-8745) on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Time to register for Brattleboro kindergarten

BRATTLEBORO - Kindergarten registration for the Brattleboro Town Schools will be held on Monday, March 5, at Holton Hall on the Winston Prouty Center campus, 130 Austine Drive.

Any Brattleboro resident with a child who will be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2018, should call Sue Dyer at 802-257-7924 for further information and to schedule an appointment. Appointments will be confirmed by mail.

A Kindergarten Information Night will be held on Thursday, March 8, at 6 p.m., at Green Street School. At this event, parents will have the opportunity to meet the Brattleboro Town School principals and learn about the kindergarten program.

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