Dear Editor, Last March my wife and I spent two weeks way down south. One week was on the Florida coast just north of Miami, the second on coastal Georgia.  While it was wonderful to enjoy warm weather, the beaches and lots of sunshine, we could not fail to notice the profound cultural differences.…

  By Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman The Legislature reconvened for a special summer veto session — a time to review the bills that the governor vetoed and vote on whether those vetoes should be overridden. At the end of the session there were seven bills passed by the legislature that saw the governor’s veto pen,…

   By Amelia Seepersaud/Addison County Independent Vermont is small in population and land mass, but it is very big in at least one thing. Maple syrup. The United States Department of Agriculture’s final tally of this spring’s season showed that Vermont is once again the leading producer of maple syrup nationally.  According to the recently…

   Keeping a small flock of chickens at home to provide eggs and meat has become increasingly popular, but many first-time small-scale poultry farmers are discovering that several species of wildlife like the taste of chicken as much as we do.  The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department urges poultry owners to use electric fencing and…

   The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says many people are having problems with bears looking for food near their homes, and with the food scrap ban in effect the department is providing tips for people who are composting at home so they can avoid attracting hungry bears.   “We have been receiving lots of reports…

Funding is now available through the Samara Fund, which is directed by a group of queer and trans Vermonters committed to a vision of transformational grants and scholarships to the people and groups throughout Vermont who demonstrate their dedication to the empowerment, health, and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV positive (LGBTQ+)…

  Vermont Auditor Doug Hoffer released a memo June 27 announcing that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department cannot be audited at this time due to financial management irregularities. Arriving at such a conclusion is extremely rare for a public agency, Hoffer said, and reflects a judgment that the sheriff’s books cannot be relied upon to…

   Beginning on July 1, changes to Vermont Adoption Law will allow adopted Vermonters greater access to their adoption information.   “This new law makes original birth certificates, information about former parents, and details about their adoptions available to adoptees,” said Dept. for Children and Families Commissioner Chris Winters. “The adoption registry is there to help…

  Parts of Vermont continue to experience 'moderate drought,' while other areas are just 'abnormally dry' Staff report Rain fell over much of Vermont this past weekend and was forecast to continue, disrupting some Fourth of July celebrations. Fireworks at the Vermont State Fairgrounds scheduled for Monday evening, July 3, were canceled Monday morning. A Vermont…

  Michael Aponowich, 76, was a long time Killington resident who passed away April 12, 2023.  Join Nikki Aponowich and his friends to remember him on July 14 at the Rutland Country Club from  noon to 3 p.m. Michael Aponowich was a member of the Rutland Country Club for many years.

  By Paige Fisher/VTDigger Rutland Regional Medical Center announced on Friday, June 30,  that its board of directors has named Judi Fox as president and CEO. Fox has been the hospital’s interim president and CEO since November 2022, when Claudio Fort resigned. She previously served as the hospital’s treasurer and chief financial officer for seven…

  Rutland motel resident struggles with uncertainty after new legislation last week By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Susan Ladmer, of Rutland, first wrote to reporters in early June, asking for help. “I am currently housed in a homeless motel. I am a 77-year-old woman who suffered a stroke in December. Despite tremendous efforts to find out where I…

  By Katy Savage  The Rutland Redevelopment Authority has a new executive director. Ed Bove, who was the executive director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission for eight years, is starting his new role Sept. 6. “It is an honor to be chosen to lead this prestigious organization,” Bove said in a news release. “I…

  New director, teacher hired for 3- to 5-year-olds Fox Hollow Forest School in Chittenden has hired Jennifer Popp, of Pittsford (the current director of the Pittsford Recreation Center) to be the school's first director.  Popp previously owned and ran the Children’s Garden Daycare for 19 years, a highly regarded nature-based childcare program.  Joining her…

  The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Tygart Trading Post in Lamere Square in Ludlow, June 30. Chamber Director Carol assisted owners Angie and Patrick in cutting the ribbon along with Jared (inventory and online director), Abbey (trading post general manager) and Charlie…