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…

  Gov. Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) announced Sept. 7 the third round of Community Recovery and Revitalization (CRRP) grant winners. These grants will help transform communities by adding jobs, childcare and affordable housing, improving infrastructure, and helping spur the creative economy. Awardees cover 31 projects in 12 counties…

  By Brenna Galdenzi  Editor’s note: Brenna Galdenzi of Stowe is the president of Protect Our Wildlife. It’s tempting to claim that bear populations are “exploding” in Vermont, but the uptick in bear sightings is largely due to the animals having learned, over time, that food is easily accessible in people’s trash cans, bird feeders,…

  By John W. Casella Editor’s note: John W. Casella is the chairman and CEO of Casella Waste Systems Inc. From time to time, the good people of DUMP — Don’t Undermine Memphremagog’s Purity — gather in a room, wring their hands, and manufacture another round of hyperventilated boilerplate letters to the editor.   While…

  Dear Editor, It was probably inevitable in this partisan age that even a good-faith initiative to replace a nondescript state flag with a new design that more vividly captures a state’s history would — in the words of The New York Times — “prompt furious backlash that shows how politically risky such a change…

  By E. Thomas Sullivan & Stephen C. Terry Editor’s note: E. Thomas Sullivan is resident emeritus and professor of law and political science at University of Vermont where he writes and teaches in constitutional law and history. He is also a former Provost, Dean of the Law School, and Professor of Law at the…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger The Rutland County state’s attorney said he has determined that the fatal shooting of a Castleton man by a Fair Haven police officer earlier this year was justified and he will not file criminal charges. The shooting by Fair Haven Police Detective Shaun Hewitt took place June 19 in Fair Haven, killing…

  By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Vermont forests have experienced floodwaters, a general excess of moisture, wildfire smoke, unexpected frost and heat waves this growing season. Still, according to state officials, none of those conditions are expected to disrupt the fall foliage season. “In general, things look really good,” said Josh Halman, forest health program manager for the…

  Enrollment is open to ages 5 and older  The University of Vermont Medical Center and the Vaccine Testing Center at UVM’s Larner College of Medicine will operate as a study site for a worldwide Phase 3 clinical study to investigate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of an investigational Lyme disease vaccine candidate. The study,…

  The University of Vermont announced Sept. 5 the Vermont Pitch Challenge, a new entrepreneurial-focused competition that gives high school students from across the world in grades 10-12 a chance to pitch innovative and impactful business plans — all while competing for individual cash prizes and full tuition scholarships to UVM, valued at up to $180,000. …

  By Emma Cotton/VTDigger A new report from Efficiency Vermont concludes that, while Vermonters have been paying relatively steady percentages of their income on energy over the last several years, programs designed to lower energy burdens haven’t reached many people who need them most.  Authors of the 2023 Vermont Energy Burden Report picked up from where a 2019…

  By John Flowers/Addison County Independent RIPTON — In addition to abundant rainfall, this summer has brought numerous housing inquiries from people seeking to relocate to an Addison County that has few available homes to offer. The Guilbeau family of Austin, Texas, was among those seeking to lay down new roots in greener and steeper…

  Ludlow’s Lake Pauline was transformed from a muddy collection back into an exquisite place to spend Labor Day weekend, thanks to the dedicated efforts of about 30 people who came together the previous Saturday to clean up debris from the July 10 flood. The event, under the auspices of the Lake Rescue Association (LRA),…

  By Curt Peterson Acting Hartland Town Manager Martin Dole told the select board Wednesday evening the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not going to include Hartland’s July 21 flooding with its  latest emergency declaration. “FEMA declares a state emergency when damages from an event exceed $ million” Dole said. “Towns that incurred damage…

  During a recent community meeting with representatives from the State of Vermont to exchange information on state assistance in flood recovery and to inform them about the damages, Thomas Ray, Ludlow Area Rotary Club president, reported that Ludlow Area Rotary will spend about $100,000.  Funds available so far in response to the recent flooding…