The state is appealing a ruling by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that denied full funding for a culvert in Townshend destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene.

A stream crossing in Townshend is the test culvert for building back town infrastructure in a more resilient fashion after the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it won't pay for larger culverts like the one in Townshend that the state says are needed to withstand future floods. FEMA says the state is applying inconsistent standards.

Photographer, Karl Decker, is a photographer who has spent nearly a decade in the homes and gardens of Townshend's residents, learning their stories and taking their portraits. Those photos and stories are now published in a book called "The People of Townshend, Vermont."

A persistent drought struck large swaths of the country this summer, and Vermont towns also report concerns about the lack of rain. The state climatologist says aquifer levels continue to drop because there was so little rainfall.

In Townshend, the Select Board is considering a ban on firearms in all public buildings - a local measure that, if passed, would violate state law.

Some advocates would like to see Vermont towns go back to the renewable energy future by relying more heavily on hydroelectricity. They say a bill to simplify the permit process that's pending on Governor Peter Shumlin's desk would make that more likely, but skeptics say hydro is still too inefficient and expensive.

As Gov. Peter Shumlin is asking President Obama to increase the state's federal reimbursement for damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene from 75 to 90 percent, the cost of Irene-related repair work continues to saddle city and town finances.

Transportation Secretary Brian Searles says the historic covered bridge in Townshend has been patched several times over the years, and last week the Vermont Agency of Transportation decided to close it to all traffic.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation says a recent inspection of the Scott Bridge in Townshend showed that it had extensive deterioration, and that it should be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians.

The Townshend fire chief says there's been an increase in chimney fires because of the warmer weather.

People in Townshend are raising concerns about a suboxone clinic slated to open in their community. They worry it will attract drug addicts and invite crime to the town situated on the Upper West River.

The town of Townshend is seeking state funds to expand a community-designed senior housing complex that proponents say will mostly benefit low-income tenants.

A community-designed senior housing complex in Townshend is about to grow. Valley Cares, the nonprofit that runs the project, says its assisted living units are so much in demand that it plans to build more.