Ready for a change

The Millerton News has been a trusted source of news and information for our community for nearly a century. That’s at least four generations of readers who have turned to the paper for a weekly report on life in our towns, maintaining a tradition as a reliable go-to for news and information. And we’re still here, thanks to our readers, advertisers and donors.

It’s reassuring to realize that through all those decades — and all the necessary change that came over time — the many generations of reporters and editors have stayed the course, fulfilling our mission of providing in-depth news and arts coverage of the communities we serve.

Today, the paper once again is ready for a change — to hand over the reins to the next generation. John Coston, Editor-at-Large, who has spent a career in newsrooms — including The Millerton News and The Lakeville Journal since 2022 — will step back from the top editorial role in September. This week, we will launch the search for an Executive Editor who will work with Managing Editors Nathan Miller and Riley Klein, Arts & Lifestyle Editor Natalia Zukerman and the rest of the newsroom staff to lead the newsroom into the next era.

You, our readers, can be assured that through this transition, one thing that won’t change is our commitment to community-centered journalism. But it is an opportunity to build on the progress we’ve made — to expand our coverage, grow our digital presence, and continue finding new ways to serve and connect with our communities.

Our newsroom is stronger, even as we continue to tackle the challenges facing local journalism. Because of community support from our readers, advertisers, and donors, we have been able to bring on additional staff, making it possible to expand our coverage to give you a solid weekly report on what’s happening in your towns and across the region.

That continued support has also put The News on stronger footing, allowing us to plan for a change like this without missing a beat. As it has for generations, the paper will continue to evolve — not only to keep pace with the times, but to serve our communities with deeper, more meaningful coverage in the years ahead.

Latest News

Village will not pursue local ICE law; police say they will cooperate with federal agencies

Village of Millerton and Town of North East residents crowded into the NorthEast-Millerton Library annex to have their voices heard on police policies regarding immigration enforcement for the Tuesday, July 29, Village Trustees meeting.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — After a packed public meeting brought immigration enforcement to the forefront of village politics on Tuesday, July 29, trustees signaled they will not pursue a proposed local law aimed at limiting police cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Local police, for their part, said they would fully cooperate with federal agencies — including ICE — tempering hopes for the kind of change some residents had called for.

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Deputies respond to downtown Amenia political dispute

Kimberly Travis, right, during the early days of her daily "No kings" anti-Trump administration protests at downtown Amenia's Fountain Square in front of the Bank of Millbrook on Saturday, July 5. Travis has become a regular fixture on downtown Amenia after weeks of the daily protests.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputies broke up a political dispute between two Amenia residents at Fountain Square in downtown Amenia on Tuesday, July 15.

Kimberly Travis of Amenia was conducting her daily “No Kings” anti-Trump administration protest at Fountain Square at 1:15 p.m. when Jamie Deines of Amenia, a candidate for Town Board in the Nov. 4 election, approached her.

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East Twin Lake
finds new hope 
as hydrilla fades

Gregory Bugbee, associate scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), where he heads the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (OAIS), was a guest speaker at the Aug. 2 annual meeting of the Twin Lakes Association.

Debra A. Aleksinas

SALISBURY— A fierce and costly battle to halt the spread of hydrilla in East Twin Lake may have finally paid off.

All but three remaining small patches, one near the shoreline at O’Hara’s Landing Marina and two others in deeper water as boats exit the marina and head out, have been destroyed by this summer’s treatment with the aquatic herbicide fluridone, which began on May 20. None of the remaining plants are thriving.

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Oblong Books to celebrate 50 years with block party bash

Dick Hermans in the Oblong Bookstore on Millerton's Main Street in 1985.

Photo provided

MILLERTON — To celebrate its golden milestone, Oblong Books is throwing a “good old-fashioned block party” this Saturday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on South Center Street in Millerton. The free, family-friendly event will feature live music, food trucks, raffles and entertainment for all ages.

While the festivities mark 50 years since the founding of Oblong Books, co-owner Suzanna Hermans sees the party as something more. “We want to celebrate our friends, neighbors and generations of customers who have kept us here for 50 years,” she said. “It’s a thank-you to the people of Millerton, in particular, without whom we’d never be here.”

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