By Curtis Hier Some of us are old enough to remember when Mr. Rogers welcomed Officer Clemmons into his neighborhood and onto his television show. They famously shared a foot bath. And a towel. It was a momentous television event because Francois Clemmons was black and also, as Fred Rogers knew at the time, was gay.…

The Small Business Administration (SBA) began rolling out the Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) Feb. 1, which provides businesses located in low-income communities with additional funding. Applicants located in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000 will have first priority to apply and will be the first group…

Governor Phil Scott announced Feb. 10 that the state will provide a suite of identity protection services to all unemployment insurance claimants who will receive a 2020 1099-G from the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL). This service is being provided in response to the inadvertent disclosure that occurred on Jan. 29 when VDOL mailed incorrect…

The Vermont State Police is hiring a new victim services specialist to work with people who have experienced the trauma of a crime, helping victims and witnesses navigate challenging circumstances and access needed resources while cases are under investigation. The new position, housed in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), is the result of the…

By Xander Landen/VTDigger Vermont lawmakers on Thursday, Feb. 11, approved a plan to use nearly $100 million worth of federal funding to help low-income Vermonters who are struggling to pay their rent during the pandemic. The money comes out of a $200 million pot of funding for housing and utility assistance included in the $1.3 billion Vermont received from Congress’…

Tests of Burlington wastewater point to virus strain known as the “UK variant” Burlington’s testing of wastewater has detected the presence of two Covid-19 virus mutations that are associated with the B.1.1.7 variant, first detected in the United Kingdom. Detection of these two mutations is a strong indicator that the B.1.1.7 variant is present in…

By Katy Savage Two candidates are seeking an open Select Board seat in Woodstock. Jill Davies is running against Woodstock Police Sgt. Joe Swanson for a three-year seat vacated by Butch Sutherland, who is retiring. Davies has served on the board for four years. As her two-year term was up this year, she decided to…

By Brett Yates It’s official: the Rutland Raiders will become the Rutland Ravens. On Feb. 9, a 6-4 vote by the Rutland Board of School Commissioners authorized the new athletic mascot, logo and symbol following a presentation by members of a student advisory committee from Rutland High School (RHS) and Principal Greg Schillinger. The decision…

By Hannah Diction The second annual Vermont snowmobile festival took place Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland. Machinists of all ages attended. Admission was open to the public and free to viewers who delighted in watching as competitors raced around the track, and trophies were handed out. The event was spread…

Sculpture designer honored to see his work for the first time during Black History Month By Victoria Gaither The Martin Henry Freeman sculpture took its place on the Downtown Rutland Sculpture Trail and Vermont African American Heritage Trail on Nov. 20, 2020. But Black artist Mark Burnett made his first trip to see the statue…

By Brett Yates Gun owners in Mendon may soon face new rules regarding when and where they can fire their weapons within town limits. On Feb. 8, the Mendon Selectboard agreed that it would adopt a firearm discharge ordinance following an attorney’s review of legislation drafted by Constable Phil Douglas and a public hearing. Reacting…

  By Emma Cotton and Lola Duffort/VTDigger Sen. Joshua Terenzini, R-Rutland, introduced a new bill on Thursday, Feb. 11, that would expand police presence in school districts around the state. Terenzini and Sen. Brian Collamore, R-Rutland, held a press conference in front of the Rutland Police Department  offices  to announce their sponsorship of S.76, which would allocate $1 million…

Camp Sangamon Pittsford Boys, ages 9-16 Overnight 2, 3, 4 and 5 week sessions campsangamon.com The Camp with the Pioneer Spirit!  An independent overnight camp for boys located in Pittsford. Operating since 1922, this is a boys’ overnight summer camp focused on true freedom of choice. Arts, crafts, sports, outdoor pursuits, and other traditional camping…

Ski Country Real Estate is pleased to welcome Carolyn Bianchi to its team. Carolyn has been enjoying the Killington region for over 25 years with her husband Jim, who grew up in Killington. Their three children fell in love with skiing at a very early age, participating in the Killington Ski Club programs and continuing…

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund through its farm to plate initiative, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) have released the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030. With over 1,500 Vermonters providing input and helping to shape its content over an 18-month period, the plan lays out a vision, 15…