By Kristen Fountain/VTDigger For the third year in a row, the Green Mountain Care Board has approved double-digit increases in the cost of annual premiums for individual Vermonters and small organizations who purchase their health insurance plans on Vermont Health Connect.  The approved premium increases will affect both individual and small group plans available on the…

Election saw lowest turnout in a decade Staff report The fact that there were few contested statewide races likely contributed to the lowest voter turnout in a decade. Those that did vote, last Tuesday, overwhelmingly voted for the incumbents. Governor Republican Governor Phil Scott ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. He will run for a…

Vermont’s black bear population is estimated at roughly 6,300 to 7,600 based on 2023 data, the most recent available, according to a Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept (VTF&W) news release Monday, Aug. 19. “The 2023 population estimate is a little lower than in 2022, which was a five-year high for Vermont’s bears,” said wildlife biologist Jaclyn…

By Curt Peterson Perhaps because of traffic volume on Quechee Road, and although there are much worse and less-used Hartland roads, conditions on the main route from Hartland Three Corners to Quechee village is the topic of frequent complaints on the local listserv. The section between Gilson Road and Webster Road is particularly bad, featuring…

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) publishes this weekly report of planned construction activities that will impact traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont, Aug. 19-23 and ongoing. I-91 Springfield-Hartland: Lane closures will be in place on I-91 South from north of Exit 9 to just south of Exit 7. A speed limit reduction…

This week Killington Road is closed again from Anthony Way to its intersection with Route 4 for paving. The detour is up West Hill Road. The road will reopen Monday, Aug. 26.

Part of $1.3 million to state for rural development On Friday, Aug. 16, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, celebrated major investments by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Vermont communities, totaling nearly $1.3 million.  The announcements include funding to advance economic…

The Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is launching the Automotive Emissions Repair Assistance Program Pilot with partner repair facilities in Shelburne and Bennington, the state announced Aug. 19. As a small-scale pilot, this program will help low-income vehicle owners with repairs required to pass the emissions portion of the annual state inspection. The pilot…

The Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC) announced Aug. 15 that Kevin Blum will be its head swim team coach.  “With an impressive and diverse background in both collegiate and club coaching, Blum brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success to UVAC,” the organization stated. Blum joins UVAC after serving as the…

Monday, Aug. 14, marked what was intended to be the first of two matches against Rutland Country Club for the Killington Junior Golf League. The first was held at Green Mountain National Golf Club (GMNGC); the second scheduled for Monday, Aug. 19, at Rutland Country Club, but was postponed a week due to rain.  The…

A new statewide room cap is prompting officials to prioritize who gets a spot By Carly Berlin/VTDigger When Mary Mojica’s Waterbury apartment flooded last summer, all she could grab were a couple of boxes, some clothes, and her dog, Bella. Since then, Mojica, 59, has taken up residence at the Days Inn in Colchester, with the…

This Saturday is the penultimate rodeo of the summer season at Pond Hill Ranch in Castleton. The Pond Hill Pro Rodeo Company has produced rodeos for over 50 years in western Vermont. The ranch hosts 10 events throughout the summer on Saturdayevenings at 7:30 p.m. The final rodeo of the season will take place Aug.…

By John Flowers,Addison Independent A recent, massive infusion of new money into Vermont’s childcare system through a new law has helped create 1,000 new slots statewide and spurred a renaissance in the industry, which had sustained major losses in childcare offerings during the Covid pandemic. State and local officials on Aug. 7 converged on Middlebury’s…

Remembering Dan Kelly Dear Edtior, We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Dan Kelly. He was truly a “Great Waiter” and most importantly a great person. He was an unique character, not short on personality. Many customers asked to be seated in his section and would wait until tables became available. He…

By Ann Hazelrigg, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Vermont     Cucumber and squash production is in full swing in the garden, but there is a key pest that can affect the yield and quality of the fruit. The striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatumare) can be a destructive pest on all cucurbits (cucumbers, summer and winter squash,…