Carla Occaso

Writer, photographer and editor with The Bridge on and off since 2014. Managing editor of The Bridge from 2014 to 2017. Writer and editor for the Caledonian Record. Correspondent and contributing writer for The Barre Montpelier Times Argus, Burlington Free Press, Green Mountain Trading Post, North Star Monthly, Science Magazine, Country Woman, Vermont Magazine, The Northland Journal, and other publications. English teacher and Interventionist in the Montpelier Roxbury School district. Born in Montpelier.

A-Frame center building surrounded by attached motel rooms, pavement in front.

News and Features

Good Samaritan Haven Requests Out of Courtesy Payments to Berlin

September 1, 2026

Julie Bond and Luke Racker, co-executive directors for Good Samaritan Haven, went before the Berlin Selectboard seeking property tax abatement for future years. The nonprofit organization has paid $31,000 per year for…

Man Allegedly Threatens Medical Staff, Kicks Doctor

August 29, 2026

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER – A Burlington man allegedly tried to punch both an ambulance medical worker and a police officer who were trying to help him…

Adults Cited for Allowing Underage Drinking

August 24, 2026

by Carla Occaso

Lucky Boardman and Sophie Bowater have been cited to appear in court for allegedly allowing minors to drink alcohol in East Montpelier, Vermont.…

Woman Arrested at Montpelier Park and Ride

August 15, 2026

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER — Police arrested a woman appearing to be unresponsive amid drug paraphernalia at the Park and Ride near Dog River Park on Aug.…

UPDATE: Wonder Cards and Comics $100K Heist — Owner Provides Details to The Bridge

August 14, 2026

by Carla Occaso

BERLIN — Police arrested a New York man Aug. 12 for allegedly stealing around $20,000 worth of collectibles from Wonder Cards and Comics in…

Montpelier Man Questions Berlin’s Ditching Practices

August 7, 2026

by Carla Occaso

A Montpelier resident urged Berlin officials to take additional steps to prevent sediment runoff into Berlin Pond after recent ditch work. Town officials said…

Heard On The Street

August 4, 2026

by Carla Occaso

This week's community briefs include Calais officials addressing problems at Curtis Pond, approval of the Berlin Pond race, annual rabies vaccine bait drops across…

Highlights from Area Law Enforcement: Missing Rabbits, Disturbances on Church Properties, and More

August 4, 2026

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER — It has been a busy month for Montpelier police, who recently lost four key employees including the chief and deputy chief. The…

History Corner: An Unremembered Montpelier Writer and Activist

July 25, 2026

by Carla Occaso

Once a nationally known reformer, Montpelier-born Angelia Louise French Thurston Newman devoted her life to education, missionary work, prison reform, and aiding women escaping…

Heard on the Street, July 22, 2026

July 22, 2026

by Carla Occaso

A Corporal and a Citizen Save a Life MONTPELIER — The Montpelier Police Department presented Life Saving Awards to Corporal Jonathan Bullard and Louis…

Heard on the Street, July 8, 2026

July 22, 2026

by Carla Occaso

The Manghis’ Bread Celebrates 45th Birthday MONTPELIER — Central Vermonters have had the joy of delicious bread, rolls, cinnamon buns, challah braids, and hot…

Man in black shirt with gray hair sits at the head of the table with four other individuals at the table, with American flag in the background.

Berlin Welcomes New Zoning Administrator

July 21, 2026

by Carla Occaso

Bethany Towne, Berlin’s new assistant town administrator and zoning administrator, capped off her first day on the job July 13 by attending that night’s…

Rules Stand-Off and Homelessness Debate Spark Friction at City Council

July 8, 2026

by Carla Occaso and Cassandra Hemenway

MONTPELIER – Although the June 24 city council meeting opened with a review of the rules of order, a grounding moment, and a reading…

Four Vie for Three Democratic Senate Seats in Primary Race

July 8, 2026

by Carla Occaso

Longtime local politician Ann Cummings, veteran senator Andrew Perchlik, and seasoned leader Anne Watson have been challenged by real estate developer Gabriel LaJeunesse of…

History Corner: A Look Back at the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration

July 1, 2026

by Carla Occaso

On the eve of this country’s semiquincentennial, I remember the fuss made about the bicentennial celebration 50 years ago. East Montpelier started planning in…

State Trooper Stages Uniformed Mannequin in Cruiser

June 30, 2026

by Carla Occaso

A Vermont State Trooper placed a mannequin dressed in a trooper uniform, complete with a badge, in his cruiser parked on Waterbury’s main drag…

Old newspaper clipping style illustration of two women on the street, one leaning out a window, the other leaning in to whisper.

Heard on the Street, June 24, 2026

June 30, 2026

by Carla Occaso

Barre and Montpelier Open Cooling Centers BARRE/MONTPELIER — Montpelier will open the doors of its city council chambers as a cooling center when temperatures…

White man in white hat and white shirt sits at wood round talbe addressing several city councilors sitting behind podiums.

Mayor Gwinn Tries Unsuccessfully to Eject Whitaker from Meeting

June 16, 2026

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER — Four years ago this week, frequent city council meeting attendee Stephen Whitaker was forcibly removed from a Montpelier City Council meeting for…

Council Authorizes $81,040 for Flood Resiliency Plan

June 10, 2026

by Carla Occaso

Homelessness Discussed as new standing agenda item. MONTPELIER – Montpelier took another step in planning for the next flood, when City councilors unanimously approved…

“Swatting” Bomb Threat at Three Montpelier Schools Under Investigation

June 5, 2026

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER – All three of the Montpelier Roxbury Public schools and an independent school went into lockdown June 3 because of a reported bomb…

Large stone building with clock tower against a light blue sky. Three arches and a staircase in front.

Council Authorizes $81,040 for Flood Resiliency Plan and Discusses Homelessness

June 2, 2026

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER – Montpelier took another step in planning for the next flood, when City councilors unanimously approved $81,040 for a public-private partnership with the…

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Carla Occaso

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