Local News
Donald “Don” Williams, 85
July 24, 2024
Donald “Don” Williams, 85, of Mendon passed away on July 10, 2024. Born on November 28, 1938, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Don was well known for his straightforward, honest demeanor, always telling it like it is, yet with a big hearted and kind spirit underneath. Don proudly served in the U.S. Army 1959 to 1962 and…
Dave Bienstock, 78
July 24, 2024
Dave Bienstock of Killington VT passed away from interstitial lung disease, peacefully on June 25, 2024, with his wife, Diane Benton, by his side. Bienstock, originally a music teacher from Brooklyn, New York, worked for many years at Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, New York. He was passionate about skiing and would travel to Killington to ski…
Vt turkey brood survey: report sightings July-August
July 24, 2024
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. (VTF&F) is asking for help with monitoring wild turkeys. Since 2007, the department has run an annual online survey in August for reporting turkey broods. Beginning in 2021, the survey was expanded to include July. The use of citizen scientists in this way facilitates the department’s ability to collect important turkey…
‘Farmacy’ program notches 10 years
July 24, 2024
The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC), Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), and Community Health Clinics of the Rutland Region (Community Health) are celebrating the Farmacy Project’s 10th year this month. Farmacy, which began at VFFC as Health Care Shares, is a produce prescription program that provides fresh locally grown produce to people facing chronic diet-related…
Five Elements Salon & Day Spa manager buys spa
July 24, 2024
Staff report When Five Elements Salon & Day Spa owner Kelly Sweck decided it was time to retire she decided the ideal buyer was the person who had been running the spa for the past five years: her manager Sarah Lemery. The sale of the business was finalized in May. Lemery said she is “excited…
Opinions/Columns
Study reveals flaws with “Best Practices” for trapping
July 24, 2024
Dear Editor, A new peer reviewed paper, “Best Management Practices for Furbearer Trapping Derived from Poor and Misleading Science,” was recently published and debunks Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s attempt to convince the public that “Best Management Practices” for trapping result in more humane trapping practices. They don’t. In 2022 there was a bill to ban leghold traps—a straight-forward bill that…
Criminalization is not a solution to homelessness
July 24, 2024
By Frank Knaack and Falko Schilling Editor’s note: This commentary is by Frank Knaack, executive director of the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, and Falko Schilling, advocacy director of the ACLU of Vermont. Homelessness in Vermont is at its highest level on record, as more people struggle to afford sky high-rents and housing costs. According…
Open Primaries: Free andfair elections?
July 24, 2024
Dear Editor, I don’t know where the idea of open primaries came from or the history of how they began in Vermont. I was originally from Connecticut and when you registered to vote you had to declare your party affiliation. Only if you were registered in a political party, could you take part in that…
The arc of agingand leadership
July 24, 2024
By Bill Schubart Like a good novel, our lives have a narrative arc, during which we are actively participating in and relevant to our world. We are born, rise slowly into sensual consciousness and gradually process what we see and feel. Our juvenile perceptions gradually become knowledge, and, if all goes well, that knowledge binds…
Setting the record straight on education funding in Vermont
July 17, 2024
By Representative Pattie McCoy Editor’s note: McCoy, from Poultney, is the House Minority Leader. She has been a Republican house rep since 2015 serving Rutland-1. What’s the worst thing to do when you are stuck in a hole? Continuing to dig. And what is the worst thing to do in an affordability crisis? Make things…
State News
BlueCross BlueShield of Vt seeks to raise insurance rates further
July 24, 2024
If accepted, the new request would increase premiums for individual health plans by 21% and small group plans by 24% in 2025 By Peter D'Auria/VTDigger BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont is seeking to raise health insurance premiums by an additional 4.3% next year, further increasing a request for already near-record-high rate hikes. The proposed increase would increase premiums for individual…
Gravel rides tell Vermont’s story top to bottom on VTXL cycling route
July 24, 2024
By Charlotte Oliver/Community News Service Editor’s note: The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost. From the top of the Northeast Kingdom down toward the Berkshires, the VTXL carves a path the length of Vermont. The biking route takes…
Living with wildlife: Bats in your house?
July 24, 2024
Bats are everywhere! It may feel that way to some of Vermont’s human residents. Summer is when some species of bats gather in colonies to raise their young in human-made structures such as houses, barns, office buildings, and bat houses, but fall is the safe time to get them out. “Summer is the time of…
Annual count shows rise in homelessness
July 24, 2024
The 2024 census recorded 3,458 people homeless in Vermont, a nearly 5% increase over the number tallied in January 2023 By Carly Berlin Editor’s note: This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public. The number of unhoused Vermonters living without shelter jumped last year,…
AG Clark sues pharmacy benefit managers for illegally driving up prescription drug costs
July 24, 2024
Attorney General Charity Clark filed a lawsuit July 17 against pharmacy benefit managers Evernorth (owner of Express Scripts) and CVS as well as nearly two dozen affiliated entities for unfairly and deceptively driving up prescription drug prices in Vermont. Pharmacy benefit managers (sometimes referred to as PBMs) are the middlemen who negotiate contracts with pharmaceutical…
Arts & Entertainment
Mountain bike festival unveils exciting activities and events
July 24, 2024
Friday, July 26—ASCUTNEY—The premier mountain bike festival returns this weekend to Ascutney, offering an array of activities including bike demos, guided rides, skills clinics, live music, and more. This year's event promises a mix of new and revamped trails for all skill levels, ensuring every participant can explore something new. E-bike enthusiasts are invited to…
Poetry Picnic at Rotary Park, Rutland features the Paper Poet Bianca Z
July 24, 2024
July 26, 2024, 6-8 p.m.—RUTLAND—Join Come Alive Outside for an evening of snacks and poetry at Rotary Park, 142 North Main St., Rutland. This free event, part of the NatureRx programming, features the Paper Poet Bianca Zanella, who will lead attendees through poetry writing exercises and readings. Although there is no charge for participation, RSVPs…
Vermont cheeses win 34 ribbons in international competition
July 24, 2024
Vermont took home 34 individual ribbons at the American Cheese Society‘s (ACS’s) National Judging and Competition event this year, including 10 first place positions, 14 second place positions, and 10 third place positions. Winners were announced at the American Cheese Society‘s annual conference, held in Buffalo, New York, July 10-13. The competition is the most…
The Killington Wine Festival photo gallery
July 24, 2024
The 23rd annual Killington Wine Festival, held on July 19-20, celebrated exquisite wines against the stunning backdrop of Vermont’s Green Mountains. The event began with the elegant Estate Gala on Friday evening at the Peak Lodge at Killington Resort, where guests sampled exclusive estate and reserve wines while enjoying live music by the Summit Pond…
Grand Reopening of Kingsley Covered Bridge
July 24, 2024
Thursday, July 25 from 5-7 p.m._CLARENDON—The grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Kingsley Covered Bridge will take place on Thursday. The event will be held at the Kingsley Historic District, adjacent to the bridge on East Street Extension, Clarendon. The celebration will feature a cookout, non-alcoholic beverages, and friendly conversation, organized by local neighbors,…