At the press conference today (Monday) at 11 a.m. Governor Phil Scott announced that 80.2% of Vermont’s eligible population — those age 12 and older — have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, making it the first state to reach this major milestone. Gov. Scott also announced he has rescinded all state…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger On the heels of abnormally dry conditions, softened but not eliminated by last week’s rain, early June has brought several days of increasingly common record-breaking heat to Vermont.  Swimmers flocked to lakefronts and rivers over the weekend and early this week, and at least one school district closed early on Monday, lacking air…

Staff report At 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, a crew from Awesome Graphics hung a gigantic “All Are Welcome Here” banner on the front of Rutland Regional Medical Center, just under the hospital’s logo. “This is about championing messages that support diversity, equality, and inclusion,” said Claudio Fort, president & CEO of Rutland Regional Medical…

At 79.4%, officials are hopeful that threshold could be reached this week By Polly Mikula As of Tuesday, June 8, 79.4% of the eligible population in Vermont has received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, leaving just 3,139 to go before the state hits its goal of 80%. At that point all remaining…

The Ludlow Gathering Spot project is a collaboration between the town of Ludlow, Ludlow Parks & Recreation, the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (OVRCC), the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts & Crafts and the Expeditionary School at Black River. Above are their designer “art infused” picnic tables!   [ngg src="galleries" ids="19" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]

Staff report Friday, June 11, marks the end of the school year for Killington Elementary School (KES) students — and three long-serving staff members.  “This year, I will not only say goodbye to an amazing group of sixth graders who will go on to middle school, but also to some faculty and staff who have…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger RUTLAND — Flanked by stacks of pizza and a paper mural with notes about community inclusion, several dozen people gathered Monday night, June 7, at “a celebration for the RHS Ravens of 2021,” which supported permanently changing the Rutland High School mascot to the Ravens. “It is time to embrace our new mascot…

By Polly Mikula The Huck Finn Catfish Derby, held Saturday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Summit Pond in Killington, raised over $1,000 for the Killington Elementary School (KES) Kids' Kingdom Initiative. Participation cost $5 for a bamboo rod, hook, bobber and corn for bait. Lunch was also for sale. Prizes…

By Neil P. Allen RUTLAND — The pandemic has proved to be a mixed bag when it comes to the impact on businesses. For some, it resulted in the closing their business. For others, it led to the opportunity to expand their business. When Park Place Florist closed a year ago after having been in…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Homeowners-turned-volunteers on Lake St. Catherine — on Route 30 southwest of Rutland — have worked to preserve the lake’s ecology for 40 years. They’ve monitored invasive species, measured water clarity and tested for nutrients, such as phosphorus, that can cause toxic algae blooms.  Now, through a $38,000 grant from the Lake Champlain Basin program,…

On June 2, acting state director for USDA Rural Development in Vermont, Cheryl Ducharme, announced a $1.9 million loan to The Sharon Academy (TSA) in Sharon, Vermont, to fund the construction of a new science and arts wing. The addition will house modern classroom and laboratory space for students in grades 7-12.  USDA made project…

By Curt Peterson On June 1 the Killington Select Board unanimously approved reimbursing the Vermont Agency of Transportation for $51,753, costs of repairing a stream crossing on Stage Road damaged by Tropical Storm Irene Aug. 28, 2011, almost 10 years ago. The payment is part of  the amount Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) originally paid…

By Neil P. Allen The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission’s (TRORC) energy work with towns has expanded following town meetings in Norwich and Bradford where voters approved funding to utilize the services of the Intermunicipal Regional Energy Coordinator (IREC), Geoff Martin. The newcomers join the towns of Barnard, Sharon, Strafford, Thetford, and Woodstock, who all re-approved…

Special use airspace request granted for Windham County, portions of southern Rutland and Windsor counties The Chugs Temporary Military Operations Area (TMOA) will be in effect in the vicinity of Windham County, including portions of southern Windsor and Rutland counties in Vermont June 1-30. The TMOA supports Exercise Eagle Claw 21-01. The Eagle Claw exercise…

On Monday, June 7, the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) announced the final design of the Wildcat Road wetland restoration feasibility study in the town of Chittenden. The goal of the study was to assess how road relocation or repair may reduce nutrient and sediment loading to East Creek, restore the wetland, and increase floodplain…