Chester Telegraph

The Chester Telegraph is an independent online news publication serving Chester and neighboring communities in southern Vermont through local reporting, breaking news coverage, and community information. Founded in 2011 by longtime editor and publisher Cynthia Prairie, the outlet emerged after the creation of ChesterVermont.org, a website initially developed to support local businesses and residents during major bridge reconstruction projects in Chester. The publication expanded significantly following Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, when residents, visitors, and second-homeowners sought reliable information about storm damage and recovery efforts across the region. Recognizing the need for a dedicated regional news source, Prairie transformed the project into The Chester Telegraph, building a digital-first local newspaper focused on community reporting.