Residents of far northern Franklin County want the federal government to change its mind about shuttering a tiny border crossing with Canada because they say it could strain economic and cultural ties.

These were some of the voices in the news this week.

John Pfeifer is Deputy Chief of the Swanton Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol. He spoke with VPR's Jane Lindholm about tightened security along the border with Canada and and what people say is a heavy handed approach to enforcement being taken there.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with publisher Scott Wheeler of Derby and author Matt Farran of Stanstead, Quebec about the history and culture of border communities.

Many residents in the Canadian border town of Derby Line are rallying behind a village trustee wrangling with the US Border patrol.  Roland "Buzzy" Roy has become a symbol of what some say is an increasingly heavy-handed approach to border protection.

In Derby Line the Department of Homeland Security is closing side streets that have always allowed Vermonters and Canadians to mingle easily.

Citing a rise in illegal crossings, the U.S. Border Patrol wants to tighten security between Derby Line, Vermont and Stanstead, Quebec.