New data from the Vermont Dept. of Health measuring health risks and behaviors among middle and high school students indicate progress on long-term challenges like youth drug, alcohol and tobacco use, while the number of young people reporting mental health challenges like stress, anxiety and depression remains high.  The 2023 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey…

By Shaun Robinson/VTDigger Vermont Castings, a well-known manufacturer of stoves and fireplace inserts, plans to furlough most of the workers at its facilities in Randolph and Bethel around the start of next week. Hearth & Home Technologies, the parent company, plans to furlough 78 employees in Vermont starting on Nov. 25, said Sarah Wellcome, the firm’s…

By Greta Solsaa/VTDigger On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 20, more than 75 local residents from Wells, Poultney and other nearby towns packed into the town of Wells town clerk’s office or joined online for a meeting held by the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation. The crowd had gathered to learn more about a draft decision by the…

By Noah Diedrich, Community News Service Editor’s note: This article is provided by Community News Service, which provides local reporting from the University of Vermont. For this story, Diedrich, along with photographer Catherine Morrissey, braved the dark depths of Wilson Castle to follow ghost hunters. If the assembly of tents outside Wilson Castle on a mid-October…

Rutland County Head Start (RCHS) and Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum, two of the Rutland area’s leading play-based early childhood education organizations, announced a new partnership to enhance learning opportunities for the youngest Rutlanders. The new partnership will include free monthly playdates for the community with children under the age of 5 and Wonderfeet memberships for all…

By Andrea Knepper, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont Amaryllis bulbs and blooms make popular and appreciated holiday gifts. Gifted in full bloom to brighten the winter months or lovingly tended to bloom after the new year, amaryllis add vibrant color and joy to the dreary season. Amaryllis are commonly available during the winter holidays…

Killington’s Spartan office was a concrete block structure above the maintenance area. I had a tiny office adjacent to the lower maintenance area. Preston Smith’s cousin, Barry Leete, was assigned to me, and he shared my small office with no other place to put him. At his request, I gave him the task of redesigning…

WOODSTOCK—Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. The Zack’s Place 2024 Turkey Trot 5K Thanksgiving race returns, bringing together runners and walkers of all ages for a cherished holiday tradition. This annual event, now a staple in the Woodstock community, kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 10 a.m. with the starting line at Woodstock Elementary School.…

Winter is the perfect time to observe and learn about Vermont’s bird species. “Winter bird feeding is a great way to observe and learn about our year-round bird residents and winter visitors,” said Jillian Kilborn, Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s bird project leader. Bird feeding tips: The right mix: Black oil sunflower seeds are popular, but…

SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield Community Players, Vermont’s oldest continuously operating amateur theater group, urgently need funding to replace the roof of their South Street studio.  While the nonprofit theater group is hopeful the 35-year-old roof will withstand the upcoming winter, the threat of leakage looms large. Water and mold could damage the group’s vast collection of costumes…

The Chaffee Art Center in Rutland invites gingerbread enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds to participate in its 2024 Gingerbread Contest, inspired by this year’s theme: “BELIEVE.” The annual event offers bakers, schools, organizations, businesses, families, and individuals a chance to showcase their creativity and holiday spirit. How to Participate Entry is free, but participants…

WOODSTOCK—Friday through Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This Thanksgiving weekend, Billings Farm & Museum invites families and friends to enjoy the warmth of holiday traditions, history, and crafts at a family Thanksgiving.  Step Back in Time The 1890 Farm Manager’s House will be bustling with festive preparations, with the table set…

KILLINGTON—Killington Resort received a positive snow control announcement from FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation), the governing body of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. With this announcement, Killington Resort can assure international race teams and ski racing fans traveling to central Vermont for Thanksgiving weekend that both the giant slalom and slalom races will…

BROC Community Action was the beneficiary of the Mission Farm Veteran’s Day coat drive event in Killington. BROC received a significant donation of new and lightly used winter coats from the coat drive. These coats are essential to keeping area friends and neighbors warm during the cold winter months. If anyone is looking to contribute,…

By Alan J. Keays / VTDigger Two Massachusetts men pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon, Nov. 18, to charges in the killing of a Rutland man. The prosecutor said the Friday night shooting was drug-related, and the two suspects may have been targeting someone else. Dylin Wainscott, 28, of Westfield, Massachusetts, faces charges of first-degree murder,…