Special delivery
Outside story
Driver crashes into Shelburne Post Office
For white-throated sparrows, opposites really do attract
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Volume 53 Number 12
Wild Hart Distillery shutters its doors
POSTAL CUSTOMER
ECRWSSEDDM
shelburnenews.com
March 21, 2024
New school budget plan cuts $4 mil, 42 positions
Slow burn
COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
After seven years, Wild Hart Distillery, a craft distillery and tasting room in Shelburne, ran its last batch of specialty spirits at the end of February. Craig Stevens, owner and operator, said that he had let staff know about the decision in December to allow ample time for employees to find their footing. “My biggest regret is disappointing folks,” he said. “It’s always a mixed bag when you do something that’s good for yourself, but it does impact other people both in terms of having a tasting room where people were able to come and listen to music as well as our products in the liquor stores.” Since its founding in 2017, Stevens’ product has catered to people who crave a luxury spirit brand but at a price that doesn’t leave too big a dent. His goods can be bought at just under $30, a price point he has remained committed to keeping since the distillery’s beginning. “The flavor profiles that we’ve developed have been things that See WILD HART on page 12
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH
PHOTO BY LEE KROHN
The Shelburne Fire Department holds a wildland fire training with a controlled burn in a field of grass. Early springtime is a high-risk time for brush fires. With warmer temperatures and no leaves on the trees, the sun dries out leaf litter and brush quite easily. Be sure get a burn permit before burning leaf piles or brush, and always have a water source immediately available in case things get out of hand.
After its first budget failed on Town Meeting Day, the Champlain Valley School District is now moving forward with a $101.8 million budget that would reduce spending by $4 million and cut 42 full-time positions. The district’s original $105.8 million budget was voted down by nearly 2,000 votes. The new budget eliminates 17 support staff positions, previously funded through federal dollars that board members hoped to fund on their own, as well as $1.5 million in one-time spending for various school infrastructure. Tax rate hikes expected for the district’s five member towns would be reduced by several points but would still remain in the double digits. A revote is now set for April 16. Champlain Valley Superintendent Rene Sanchez, during the board’s emergency March 12 meeting, said that the district “took the message to heart about reducing the tax impact that largely led to the March failed vote and the community feedback that we See BUDGET on page 16
Hercules Chicken Sammie, Anyone?
Shelburne Road, S. Burlington Maple Tree Place, Williston
Tzatziki Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato & Roasted Peppers
GetBlissBee.com
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