Dear Editor, “The evidence is clear,” stated Mary Newman, head of school at The Sharon Academy (TSA). “Starting the school day later makes a big difference to high school students.” For years, educators have known that starting the school day later helps teenage students’ sleep patterns, mental health, and academic achievement, explained Newman. “There is…

By Angelo Lynn Hunters and reasonable gun owners may be the only Americans capable of talking sense to Republican representatives in the U.S. House and Senate. That’s because political leeches like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, believe he is crowing to his base with his shoot-from-the-hip snipe that any calls for gun reform in the wake…

By Michael Shank Editor's note: This commentary is by Michael Shank of Brandon, communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and an adjunct faculty member at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs. A local zoning administrator once told me — when I served as chair of the Brandon Planning Commission — that Vermont was…

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Thursday, March 25 that the state’s 11 federally qualified health centers will receive $33.37 million to expand access to vaccines, provide for ongoing testing and treatment, and ensure Vermonters are getting the care they need. This funding will be provided to health centers as a result of the American…

By Julia Purdy “Nearly 1 in 500 Americans is homeless, mostly on the West Coast and in the Northeast, according to estimates. Homeless advocates say people without permanent housing are chronically undercounted,” USAToday reports. One temporary albeit less-than-ideal solution can be seen in the explosion of older model RVs as primary residences. ... if you…

By Rep. Jim Harrison If it was easy, the pension dilemma would have been solved. There is no hitting the Staple’s “Easy” button to solve this one. The unfunded pension liability for teachers and state employees has grown from $1.0 billion to approximately $5.7 billion in the past 13 years. This is despite an extended…

Governor Phil Scott, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) and the Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD) today announced that $262,500 has been awarded to the towns of Bethel, Lyndon and Poultney through the Better Connections Grant Program, which seeks to help cities and towns build stronger communities that are more livable and walkable. “Vermont’s…

Will create additional outdoor gathering areas The village of Ludlow was recently selected as a recipient of a Better Places program grant for its "Gathering Spot Project." This project was one of  eight place-making grant award winners selected statewide.  These funds were provided to improve the vitality of state-designated downtowns and village centers. Grants award…

Rutland’s Makerspace, The Mint, is in the process of expanding into an additional 9,100 square feet at its current location. As a result, many new shops will be added, and the “quiet” side will be shifted towards the back of the building, according to a the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) newsletter,…

On March 25, the Vermont State Police became the first statewide law-enforcement agency in the country to sign on to the 30x30 Pledge — a series of low- and no-cost actions that police agencies can take to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement. The actions will help policing agencies assess the…

By Brett Yates Amid a statewide push for broadband expansion, Mendon has become the 12th municipality in the Otter Creek Communications Union District (CUD), thanks to a 3-0 vote by the town’s select board on March 23. CUDs are municipal entities that allow Vermont’s cities, towns, and villages to band together to create financeable plans…

Resort will close April 4 to facilitate construction By Karen D. Lorentz Skiers and riders at Okemo Mountain Resort will benefit from a new six-seat chairlift and a highspeed bubble quad replacement of the Green Ridge Triple for the 2021-22 season. The new Leitner-Poma detachable six-pack, manufactured in Colorado, will replace the current Quantum Four…

By Brooke Geery In May 2020, Vermont Adaptive made the decision to delay the start of creating its new adaptive sports facility at Sugarbush’s Mt. Ellen due to the global pandemic. “I am excited to announce that this project is back on track, and we will be breaking ground for the new building this spring — Our…

Reinforces strategy to boost skier market By Karen D. Lorentz Vail Resorts announced an epic decrease in the prices for its 2021-22 season pass products on March 24, a day later than anticipated due to the tragic shootings in Boulder near the company’s corporate headquarters. The 20% decrease applies to the various iterations of Epic…

By Katy Savage Elizabeth Bailey was in Publications class at West Rutland High School on Tuesday, March 23, when she got a phone call that she needed to gather all her belongings and go to the art room. When she got to the room around 11:45 a.m., Bailey saw her basketball coach, principal,  guidance counselor…