By Tom Evslin Editor’s note: Tom Evslin is an entrepreneur, author and former Douglas administration official and was the former chair and co-founder of NG Advantage, which brings natural gas to energy-intensive enterprises not located on a gas pipeline. Both sides are ready to cry foul. President Donald Trump has infamously refused to say whether he’ll…

During the pandemic, Vermont has ensured every child has access to free meals daily As a result of Covid-19 and waivers granted at the federal level, for the first time ever, all Vermont schools are currently providing universal school meals to their students and will through the end of the 2020/21 school year. Universal meals…

  As life continues in the shadow of the pandemic, Vermonters should be talking about how to feel comfortable and stay safe before seeing friends and family. The Vermont Dept. of Health has posted  four tips to help have the “Covid Talk” – a conversation to negotiate boundaries and establish expectations ahead of holiday gatherings.…

The University of Vermont Medical Center and Vaccine Testing Center at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine have been selected to take part in a Phase 3 trial for a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. Governor Phil Scott announced the plans at the regular press conference, Tuesday, Oct.…

By Curt Peterson As first responders, including firemen, search and rescue and police, begin moving into Killington’s new Public Safety Building, the Select Board is sorting through final bills and funding. At a special meeting on Oct. 27 Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth told selectmen project costs have exceeded the expectation by more than $400,000 for…

Dept. of Justice funding will expand reach in rural communities Senator Patrick Leahy announced on Oct. 30 Vermont’s DREAM program will receive a three-year, $1.25 million grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support peer mentoring for elementary-aged youths in rural communities whose lives have been affected by the opioid epidemic. This is the…

No out-of-state travel; spectators limited for indoor events; social events discouraged Due to rising Covid-19 case counts throughout the Northeast, and the decisions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire officials to suspend ice rink activities due to numerous outbreaks, the state of Vermont has announced updated policies to reduce risk. Vermont-based youth and adult recreational sports…

By Curt Peterson Sherry Sousa’s “Superintendent’s Report” was scheduled for five minutes on the Windsor Central Supervisory Union board meeting agenda, but the ensuing discussion helped put the meeting into overtime – totaling three hours. Maintaining a high level of learning while coping with masks, social distancing, hybrid and remote learning, frequent testing and a…

City of Rutland Fire Dept. addresses repairs needed Many people have heard that the “10 of 9” whistle has sounded a little off the last week or so. Many more have taken to Facebook to find out what’s going on, the City of Rutland Fire Department posted on Facebook Nov. 1. The Department explained‚"We have…

By Christopher Ross ORWELL — Six loose cows appear to have been shot and killed Friday night, Oct. 30 in Orwell, according to a press release issued by Vermont state police Saturday. The cows had been running wild most of the summer and fall, said Brian Kemp, who owns Mountain Meadows Farm in Sudbury/Whiting, in…

Jane Dewey Langill of Rockford, Illinois, died Oct. 15, 2020. She was born Dec. 13, 1935, in Concord, New Hampshire, the daughter of Claude and Helen (Matthews) Dewey. She graduated from Concord High School in 1953, married Stephen H. Langill in 1958, and one month later graduated from the Concord Hospital School of Nursing. Jane…

By Curt Peterson From Oct. 12 through Nov. 12, individuals who spend $30 or more at participating businesses and ask to use "Real Bucks" in participating towns will receive $10 off their total purchase (while supplies last). Participating businesses will receive the $10 discount back after redeeming the Real Bucks with their Area Association. Killington…

  Rutland Regional Medical Center has opened a new Specimen Collection Center (SCC) in the former Physiatry and Physical Medicine space on the Allen Street side of the hospital. This new location will improve the service, flow, and safety of specimen collection at the hospital. (Physiatry and Physical Medicine is now part of the Vermont…

Slate Ridge, a center for military-style training and “professional gunfighting,” posts life-threatening messages, but breaks no laws? By Staff Report, VTDigger WEST PAWLET — In the remote hills of southwestern Vermont, a group of locals gathered last week to talk with a reporter about chilling experiences they’ve had with a nearby property owner. The property owner,…

By Katy Savage Stephen Frankel has a Chinese proverb he lives by: “Man who sells oranges will always tell you his is the sweetest. Taste them and decide for yourself.” Frankel, a martial arts teacher, heard the proverb from his former teacher, acclaimed martial art instructor Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming. “I think it applies to everything,”…