By Jim Lengel Editor’s note: Jim Lengel, of Duxbury and Lake Elmore, started teaching in Vermont in 1972, worked for the state board of education for 15 years, and retired back in Vermont after helping schools all over the world improve the quality of teaching and learning. Our executive and legislative branches have failed during…

Dear Editor, As a longtime anti-hunger advocate, a former SNAP recipient, and a proud Vermonter, I am deeply alarmed by proposals moving through Congress that would gut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known here in Vermont as 3SquaresVT. If passed, these cuts would devastate thousands of families across the Green Mountain State that rely…

By Sen. Ruth Hardy Editor’s note: Ruth Hardy, of East Middlebury, represents Addison County in the Vermont Senate. She wrote the following reflection (originally posted at ruthforvermont.com) on voting “no” on H.454, the eduction transformation reform bill that passed last week.  On Monday, June 16, the Legislature passed H.454, the education transformation bill that was…

Attorney General Charity Clark announced June 16 that all 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, have agreed to sign on to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. This settlement was reached after the previous settlement was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. It resolves…

This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on local state highways and interstates for the week of June 23. For a full statewide list of construction this week visit: vtrans.vermont.gov. I-89 Royalton Construction continues Monday through Friday on the I-89 bridges near Exit 3. Traffic is reduced to…

More Vermonters than ever now qualify for free tuition at the Community College of Vermont (CCV), thanks to a major expansion of the 802Opportunity program. The initiative, led by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) in partnership with CCV, now offers full tuition coverage to Vermonters with household incomes of up to $100,000—doubling the previous…

For many years—decades even—dreams of addressing Rutland’s downtown core have been deferred. Master plans drawn, community meetings held, revitalization goals articulated, and yet limited change has been possible. There has been no large-scale action. That is, until now. But what makes this effort now, with the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District in play, so different…

By Brett Yates State Representative Jim Harrison, the Republican legislator serving the Rutland-11 district, visited the local select boards in Chittenden and Killington on Monday night, June 23, to discuss the end of the legislative session in Montpelier. Predictably, the conversation turned to H.454, the controversial education reform bill that passed on June 16. “ I…

June 29 at 4 p.m.—WESTON—The acclaimed Mowitz-Hong Duo will open the 27th season of the Sundays On The Hill concert series in Weston at the historic Parish Church, located at 144 Main St. The duo— pianist Sahun Sam Hong and cellist Zachary Mowitz—will perform works by Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, Leos Janácek, and Johannes Brahms.…

June 27-29—WEST WINDSOR — Now in its fourth season, the West Windsor Vermont Music Festival returns this weekend with four live performances showcasing acclaimed classical and jazz musicians in an intimate historic setting. The festival will once again be held at the West Windsor Town Hall, an accessible, air-conditioned venue with on-site parking. Under the…

Killington Parks and Recreation Department is still accepting registrations for the Fourth of July Parade and the inaugural Pie Baking Contest. The theme for this year’s parade is “50 Years of Johnson Recreation Center.” “Gather your friends, colleagues, and family and enter as a float or walking group,” said Emily Hudson, town rec director. “All floats…

CHESTER—This summer, the Community Art Garden is offering a colorful lineup of art classes and creative camps for families, teens, and adults at its studio on Main Street. Designed to nurture imagination and connection through hands-on experiences, the offerings will run from June through August and take place both indoors and outdoors, including near Cobleigh…

By Sultana Khan Editor’s note: This commentary is by Sultana Khan of Randolph, executive director of YWCA Vermont and Camp Hochelaga. Right now, so many of Vermont’s small, wonderful communities are struggling to combat divisiveness, financial hardship, the impacts of climate change and so much more. During times of uncertainty, it often seems easier to…

By Jessica Savage Editor’s Note: Jessica Savage is the director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at the Vermont Council on Rural Development We almost missed the turn. Even though my GPS was telling me to take that right, it came up sooner than expected. The first thing I saw was a person standing outside a…

By Nicole Mace Editor’s note: Nicole Mace, of Winooski, is vice chair of the Commission on the Future of Public Education and vice chair of the Winooski School District board of trustees. She has previously served as the general counsel and executive director for the Vermont School Boards Association and the director of finance and operations…