By James Finn/VTDigger A requirement that laid-off workers must actively seek work if they want to qualify for unemployment benefits is being reinstated, Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington announced at Gov. Phil Scott’s press conference Tuesday, April 27. The work-search requirement was suspended after Covid-19 entered Vermont last March, battering the state’s economy. But now, with a…

In recognition of Earth Day, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT), Thursday, April 22, announced that it has joined the effort to protect the monarch butterfly by enrolling highway right-of-way lands throughout the state in a voluntary nationwide conservation program. The eastern monarch population has declined by approximately 77% since 1995. “AOT’s participation in this…

West Rutland and Proctor are two of the Vermont parishes affected by delay in green card processing Significant clergy and parish realignments within Vermont Roman Catholic Diocese were announced May 3 as a result of changes to U.S. immigration policies and processes. Four international priests — three from the Philippines and one from Nigeria who…

The state Natural Resources Conservation Council (NRCC) has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to support its Vermont stream restoration and protection program. Vermont’s NRCC Districts will deliver environmental and habitat benefits including improved aquatic organism passage and…

Vt on track to be the first state to offer breakfast to all On Friday, April 30, the Vermont Senate approved a bill that would bring universal school breakfast to all Vermont schools by 2022. The bill (S.100) would make Vermont the first state in the nation to provide breakfast free of charge to all public school students every school day.…

By Rep. Jim Harrison Last Thursday, April 29, the House approved changes to the Brattleboro charter that will allow 16-year-olds to vote in municipal elections and serve on town boards such as select boards. Additionally, 15-year-olds can vote early or absentee if they will be 16 on election day. The proponents of the measure believe…

By Seamus McAvoy/VTDigger Vermonters can expect a return to amusement rides, fried food and demolition derbies this summer, as most fairs plan a revival after a year off due to Covid-19, including the Vermont State Fair at the Rutland fairgrounds, which will celebrate its 175th anniversary Aug. 17-21 with two demolition derbies and a rodeo, among…

Out of concern for Lake Champlain’s underwater ecosystems, the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) and the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) have appealed a permit issued by the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to allow the sinking of a 152-foot-long ferry near the Burlington waterfront. The permit authorizes the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation and the…

New robocall team formed to stop scams to Vermont phones Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced April 28 a settlement with a small Florida-based company that routed thousands of foreign scam robocalls to Vermonters. The Attorney General investigated the company—Strategic IT Partner—after reports of scam robocalls to the Vermont Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). The settlement will…

By Brooke Geery Scott Downs, from Middleton, Massachusetts, and Lincoln, New Hampshire, comes to Killington in the spring after Loon Mountain (New Hampshire) closes.  In addition to skiing as many spring days as he can, “I always try and make the June 1 days at Killington,” he said.  With the Icon Pass he also comes…

Rutland Northeast and Northwest Primary Schools selected The Children’s Literacy Foundation announced April 28 the 11 Year of the Book schools in New Hampshire and Vermont that were selected for the 2021-2022 school year. The Year of the Book is a $25,000 literacy grant awarded to elementary and middle schools with a significant percentage of…

Rutland businesses and organizations came together on Saturday, May 1, to participate in the annual, statewide Green Up Day clean up effort in downtown Rutland. Over 30 volunteers from Rotary Club of Rutland, Rutland South Rotary, Rutland County Solid Waste District, Rutland Dismas House, The Richards Group, Grow Vermont, Unlimited Potential, and the Downtown Rutland…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger When Ed and Barbara Morrow founded Northshire Bookstore in 1976, they moved with their son, Chris, into an apartment below the shop. Chris, who was 9, remembers climbing a ladder from their home through a trap door that led to the service desk. The Morrow family has owned the Northshire Bookstore ever since.…

The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) recently bestowed tree steward awards on several Vermonters, including two from the Rutland area, for their commitment to protecting and preserving their communities' forests and trees. Tom Estill, Rutland, a longtime science teacher and outdoorsman, was recognized with the Leader award, presented annually to an individual…

On Tuesday, May 4, motorists saw a traffic pattern change  in Hartford at the intersection of US Route 5 and Sykes Mountain Avenue and at the intersection of Sykes Mountain Avenue and Ralph Lehman Drive, as motorists began using two new roundabouts. In the immediate future, motorists are advised to use caution as new signage…