Dear Editor, I recently drank my last glass of Thomas Dairy milk.  It was sad to hear this local business with a long history in Rutland Town was closing.  In addition, the pandemic and outbreaks of Covid-19 at faraway food processing plants in the Midwest have highlighted the critical importance of a strong and vibrant…

Dear Editor, My wife and I live in West Virginia have traveled and skied at Killington for 30 years since we retired have made a trip in the fall and between four to five trips in the winter. With the Vermont restrictions we canceled our trip and went to the smoky mountains in Tennessee for…

By James Duff Lyall In an unprecedented year, perhaps it’s only natural that we have an unprecedented election—the first in our lifetimes to occur during a global pandemic, and one in which an astounding number of votes will be cast after being mailed to voters. While many of us are used to staying up late…

Dear Editor, I am running as a bipartisan candidate for Rutland Town’s House seat, inviting ALL residents to build a bold new legislative agenda for our town. If elected, I will represent everyone in our town —all Republicans, Independents, and Democrats —constantly communicate and continually seek input. We are one town. Covid-19 requires a decisive…

Dear Editor, I believe Michael Shank is exactly the kind of leader we need right now. At a time when it feels like the fabric of our society is being torn apart, almost every politician I see is busy talking about whose fault it is. Shank is busy working on how to bring people together…

Dear Editor, I breathed a sigh of relief when Governor Scott allowed the new statewide use of force legislation to become law, rather than vetoing it. Why?  Over the past 10 years, 17 people have been killed by Vermont police.  And upon review by the Attorney General’s office, all have been deemed “justified.” Under the…

Dear Editor, We are writing to support Scott Milne for Lieutenant Governor. Not only does Milne show that he has the knowledge of what our state needs, but he has proven what it takes to be a determined and focused Lieutenant Governor. We have known Milne for several years and he listens, he really listens…

By Alison Notte As chair of the Rutland City Public Schools Board of Commissioners, my safety and family’s well-being has been threatened due to my role in facilitating discussion around changing the racist Raider mascot. It is hard to ignore the pattern (in Vermont and nationally) of threats against elected officials and/or people speaking up for…

Eligible Vermonters can sign up for coverage or change their health insurance plans with Vermont Health Connect from Nov. 1 - Dec. 15, 2020. The Office of the Health Care Advocate’s (HCA) helpline is available to provide free  advice to Vermonters trying to figure out their  options for health coverage for 2021. Contact the HCA…

Governor Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, detailed the state’s framework for distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine, at the press conference Friday, Oct. 23. The plan will be ready for once a vaccine is produced and distributed to the state. The state has submitted responses to a series of questions from the Centers…

Research released in CDC report An investigation conducted by Vermont Dept. of Health scientists and released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that transmission of Covid-19 can occur during multiple brief exposures with someone who is infected. Staff from the Health Dept. and the Dept. of Corrections looked into an instance in…

By Matt A. Sheen With Rutland’s signature Halloween Parade canceled this year due to the pandemic, people in the city of Rutland have stepped up to create alternatives creative (and creepy) experiences for the community to enjoy. "We made the decision a couple months ago not to do a float this year, just not knowing…

As officials investigate school-based cases, students and teachers are not considered contacts if masking, social distancing protocols adhered to By Lola Duffort/VTDigger On contact-tracing Covid-19 cases within schools, the state is following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and generally considers anyone who comes within 6 feet of a confirmed or probable case for at…

By Lee J. Kahrs MENDON — If Larry Courcelle is elected to one of three senate seats representing Rutland County next month, he’ll happily cut back on his board and committee memberships. Courcelle, 70, is from Mendon and one of nine candidates in a crowded field vying for three Rutland County Senate seats. Two incumbents,…

Josh Terenzini running for Rutland County senate seat By Lee J. Kahrs RUTLAND TOWN — Rutland County Senate seat candidate Josh Terenzini was talking about an issue important to him, the lack of reliable, quality cell phone service in the area. “It’s 2020 and in my opinion, it’s unacceptable that Rutland County and the state…