The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced Jan. 8 that the Paycheck Protection Program will re-open the week of Jan. 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday,…

By Polly Mikula As the contagious effect that the Christmas and New Year's holidays have had on the spread of Covid-19 in Vermont becomes better known, the state's prognosis for the coming month worsens. Just last week the plateau in cases was predicted to max out at around 200 cases per day — now it's…

On Jan. 7, the Vermont State Police (VSP) received a report of personal, off duty, social media posts by Lucas Hall of the Shaftsbury barracks. The posts appear to support the criminal insurgency that occurred Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol and to advocate for such insurgency to continue. “God Bless America!!!!” Luke Hall, allegedly…

Whereas, on January 6, 2021, President Donald J. Trump addressed thousands of supporters, urging them to go to the U.S. Capitol in support of his false claim that he won the 2020 presidential election, and Whereas, the President’s supporters marched to the Capitol and violently stormed the building, attacking police officers, ransacking offices, terrorizing the…

On Jan. 8 the Vermont House of Representatives voted 130-16 in favor of a resolution to condemn the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The bill enjoyed tri-partisan support. According to a release from the Vermont Democratic Party, “130 Democratic, Republican, and Progressive House members voted in favor of the resolution in…

Once a student, Elizabeth Frascoia is now the executive director of GIV The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) is excited to announce that this month the nonprofit organization will welcome Elizabeth Frascoia as its new executive director. This is the first time that a graduate of the Institutes has taken this leadership role, and she…

By Brooke Geery The Vermont National Guard is in the midst of its largest foreign deployment in 10 years. On Sunday, Jan. 10, members of the guard shipped out  with bellies full of Texas-style BBQ lovingly crafted by Theresa House and her crew at Mama T’s Country Kitchen in Rutland. House and the crew cooked…

On Thursday, Jan. 7 in Center Street Marketplace in Downtown Rutland, Chris Ettori officially announced his campaign and platform for mayor. Ettori is focusing his campaign on providing active and inclusive leadership, creating opportunities for economic development, and building community connections. As an active community member and current three-term alderman, Ettori acutely understands the current challenges and…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger December’s Project VISION monthly meeting marked the last for Joe Kraus, who has chaired the organization since its inception in 2013. Mark Stockton, CEO and founder of Stockton Security, has succeeded Kraus in leading the coalition. Project VISION was born out of concern about the opioid crisis, which hit Rutland particularly hard in…

On Monday, Jan. 11 at 6:40 p.m., troopers from the Vermont State Police – Rutland Barracks responded to a two-car head-on collision on Route 4 in Mendon. Preliminary investigation revealed Thomas Yuri Savransky, 23, of New York, New York, was traveling westbound on Route 4 in a GMC  Yukon, when he crossed the center line…

By Katy Savage Coaches and athletes are navigating a challenging season since Gov. Phil Scott gave winter sports the green light to start practicing Dec. 26. Scott didn’t announce when or if competitions could begin. Some sports are more affected than others. High-contact sports, like wrestling, can’t practice at all, while cheerleaders can’t practice vocal…

By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger About 50 Vermonters made the trip to Washington on a coach bus that left Vermont Tuesday night, Jan. 5. With a mixture of pride and defiance, the organizer who helped 51 people travel to Washington, D.C., for Wednesday’s planned demonstration at the Capitol building described a festive occasion where like-minded people shared…

Gov. Scott cautions Vermonters: 'Don't be played; don't be used as a pawn' By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger and Polly Mikula Vermont law enforcement officials are preparing for possible armed rallies at the State House. The FBI issued a warning Monday, Jan. 11, that demonstrations by gun-toting protesters are planned at state capitals across the country. ABC…

By Nadie VanZandt, Extension Master Gardener intern, University of Vermont Dominated by shades of gray, the landscape appears bleak in winter. Look closer and you may glimpse muted mauves in the distant mountains or the warm glow that envelopes the land at the golden hour. If that doesn’t satisfy your yearning for color, consider planting winterberry…

By Mary Ellen Shaw I know the skiers aren’t thinking like I am. Their season has just begun and they don’t want to think about it ending. I, on the other hand, am excited because flower and veggie seeds are in the stores! Seed catalogs have begun to arrive and I get to spend time…