By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger - A sign at the Shaw’s supermarket of Ludlow promised shoppers that the store would reopen, but it took over 11 months to fulfill that promise. On Friday locals rejoiced at the grand re-opening. 
Submitted - The Paramount Theatre and Richardson Building (to the left if facing the main entrance) are undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion, aided recently by a $1 million grant. 
Local News
Mountain Bike trails are in ‘ideal’ condition across the region
July 3, 2024
Staff report The relatively dry spring and early summer has meant trails across the region are in great shape — very few washouts, debris, or “bones” (rocks and roots exposed after washout) are evident anywhere — and riders are rejoicing! “Trails are in great shape!” riders echo in the reports from Woodstock, to Killington, to…
Gov. Phil Scott proclaims July as Lakes Appreciation Month
July 3, 2024
On Monday, July 1, Governor Phil Scott proclaimed July as Lakes Appreciation Month in Vermont. Lakes and ponds are among Vermont’s most valuable natural resources. They offer countless benefits from drinking water and recreation to crucial fish and wildlife habitat. The governor’s proclamation stresses the importance of the state’s 800-plus lakes and ponds for this and future…
Vermont’s unemployment rate holds at 2.1%
July 3, 2024
On June 25, the Vermont Dept. of Labor released data on the Vermont economy for the time period covering May 2024. According to household data, the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for May was 2.1%. This reflects no change from the prior month’s revised estimate. The civilian labor force participation rate was 65.% in May, an…
Vermont 211 to resume 24-hour coverage
July 3, 2024
Vermont 211, the program hosting Vermont’s one-stop number to call for information about community, health, and human services has announced its hours will return to 24/7/365 service as of July 1. “The restored hours are the result of an appropriation by the Vermont Legislature,” said Vermont 211 Executive Director Elizabeth Gilman. The hours were cut…
Pieciak announces $3.7m in savings as Vermont credit ratings hold strong
July 3, 2024
Treasurer Pieciak announced Monday, June 24, that Vermont’s credit ratings were affirmed by the major credit rating agencies, S&P Global Ratings (AA+), Fitch Ratings (AA+), and Moody’s (Aa1). Leveraging this fiscal strength, Pieciak and his office successfully refinanced outstanding higher-interest bonds, resulting in savings of approximately $3.7 million. The ratings reaffirmed that Vermont’s financial outlook is…
Opinions/Columns
Good edu. results but at a high cost
July 3, 2024
Dear Editor, The Vermont Legislature has passed a 13.8% increase in Vermonters’ property tax to fund our public education system. Now that we are paying more, what educational outcomes are we getting for our money? According to Forbes Magazine, Feb. 7, 2024: “Which states have the highest standardized test scores,” Vermont ranks 10th in the nation…
Act 76 is leading to newfound stability forchild care programs and families
July 3, 2024
Dear Editor, Editor’s note: This letter is authored by 15 child care program directors and owners from across the state. They are listed at the end of the letter. Last year, we came together as child care program owners and early childhood educators from around Vermont to sound the alarm on the dire state of Vermont’s…
Political courage will help build a stronger Vt
July 3, 2024
By Don Tinney Editor’s note: Don Tinney is a longtime high school English teacher at BFA-St. Albans and now represents 13,000 educators as president of Vermont-NEA. No political insiders in Montpelier were surprised when Sen. Jane Kitchel condemned the Scott administration’s proposal to zero out the education fund reserves to provide short-term property tax relief,…
Working together toward affordable, quality ed solutions
June 26, 2024
Dear Editor, Back in late February, I had to stand up at Town Meeting and tell my community that I anticipated our taxes would increase by double digits. It wasn’t fun. We’re looking at a 15% increase and I’m not at all happy about it. I have to pay it, too. My town elected me…
VSBA seeks to address root cause of high ed spending
June 26, 2024
Dear Editor, As this school year ends, schools are celebrating graduations. This is an important moment for all our students, families, and educators across Vermont. It is a celebration that public education is at the center of our communities and the foundation of our democracy. As our high school graduates around the state go out…
Top Events
State News
Program to store carbon in forests grows in the Green Mountain State
June 19, 2024
By Cecilia Larson/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. Forged by the American Forest Foundation and the Nature Conservancy, a program that pays people to set aside forest to store carbon…
Two prescription drug bills aim to lower pharmaceutical prices
June 19, 2024
Governor Scott signed both into law By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger New legislation signed by Gov. Phil Scott May 30 will help patients afford prescription drugs, as rising pharmaceutical prices push up health care costs across the state. As legislators scrambled to wrap up the legislative session earlier this month, they passed two bills that aim to reform…
Gov. Scott announces $1.7m in transportation fund grants
June 19, 2024
Three projects in Windsor County are among the 11 to receive awards Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Downtown Development Board announced Monday, June 17, the allocation of $1,787,989 in Downtown Transportation Fund grants to support projects to improve safety, access, and transportation in 11 Vermont downtowns and villages across seven counties. “Revitalizing our downtowns is important…
Money available to protect against future flooding, no cost to towns
June 19, 2024
On Monday, June 3, Governor Scott and Vermont Emergency Management announced $90 million of federal funding is now available to Vermont municipalities to implement hazard mitigation measures that reduce future flood risk. These funds are available to all Vermont towns with no local match requirement. The federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides funds to…
Protect nesting loons and loon chicks by keeping your distance
June 19, 2024
Few birding experiences rival hearing the haunting call of the loon or seeing them glide by in protected coves on a lake. However, for the birds’ protection, Vermont Fish & Wildlife (VTF&W) is asking boaters and anglers to enjoy loons from a safe distance this summer. “Loons were removed from Vermont’s endangered species list in…
Arts & Entertainment
Fourth of July celebrations, gratitudeand other July tidbits
July 3, 2024
July is a picnic and a red canoe and a sunburned neck and a softball game and ice tinkling in a tall glass. July is also the 4th of July. Among the red, white and blue, the parades, the picnics and the pool parties is the patriotism that might show up as a few tears…
Operation Dry Water: Boat sobriety heightened enforcement takes place July 4-6
July 3, 2024
The state of Vermont is reminding all Vermonters to boat safely this Fourth of July weekend. Recently released 2023 U.S. Coast Guard data show that alcohol use remains the primary known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. In addition, 85% of people who drowned in a recreational boating incident were not wearing a life jacket. The…
Cynthia Huard performs her final concert at RCMS
July 3, 2024
Sunday, July 7 at 4 p.m. - ROCHESTER - After thirty years as artistic director of the Rochester Chamber Music Society, Cynthia Huard will perform her final concert on Sunday, July 7, at 4 p.m. in the Federated Church. She will be accompanied by the newly appointed artistic director, violinist Adda Kridler, violinist Mary Rowell…
Know the good bugs for your garden
July 3, 2024
By Dr. Vern Grubinger, UVM extension Insect pests get a lot of attention because we see the damage they cause. Less obvious are beneficial insects that provide “biocontrol” of insect pests. These include predators that kill or disable their prey quickly and parasitoids that kill pests more slowly. Predators include lady beetles, ground beetles, lacewings…
Rockin the Region with Scott Forrest
July 3, 2024
A big weekend is upon us and a great way to celebrate it is by going to the Foundry on Saturday to see Scott Forrest at 6 p.m. I’ve known Scott for a while but recently reconnected with him musically. He did a showcase that George Nostrand and I put on at A Sound Space…
