Commissioner Ken Schatz announced Feb. 26 that the Department for Children and Families (DCF) is providing $375,000 to the state’s five community action agencies to fund additional crisis fuel assistance grants through their WARMTH programs. “When a family asks for crisis fuel assistance, it means that their tanks are on empty,” said Hal Cohen, secretary…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org Senator Anthony Pollina (D/P/W-Washington) wants Vermont to hold its presidential primary the same day as neighboring New Hampshire, and he’s introduced a bill to do just that. The former gubernatorial candidate and longtime state Legislator says the purpose is twofold: it would give the state an “economic shot in the arm,”…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org In the ups and downs of the proposed 2016 budget for the Agency of Human Services, there are a few big winners, and many small losers. Under the proposal, the agency’s overall budget would be $3.8 billion, including some $1.4 billion from federal funds. More than $651 million of the AHS…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org The Senate gave unanimous preliminary approval to S.9, a hefty child protection reform package, in a roll call vote Wednesday, Feb. 25. The bill has loomed large on the Senate’s agenda since the beginning of the session and followed a lengthy summer study. “To say that this is an important bill…

KILLINGTON—Killington Mountain School and the Killington Ski Club jointly hosted a Ruby Gala to celebrate Academy and Development athletes and to recognize the 40th anniversary of Killington Mountain School. Guests donned red dresses, red neckties, Nantucket red slacks, and red shoes in keeping with the evening’s ruby theme. A wide variety of items were generously…

Dear Editor, ARC Rutland Area, an organization that works with citizens with developmental disabilities and their families (short for Advocacy, Resources and Community) wants to say “Thank you” to Rutland Lodge of Elks #345 for again having sponsored a Valentine barbecue and dance for approximately 70 members, family and friends of ARC Rutland Area on…

By David E. Raven Most of us have heard the phrase “pay yourself first” at one time or another when referring to personal savings plans. The idea is simple, designate a portion of your weekly paycheck to automatically go into your personal savings account, just as you would pay your mortgage, car loan, or child’s…

We have a long way to go until we are all able to make an informed decision about legalizing marijuana. The recent report released by the RAND Corporation is a good first step in learning more about the issue, but it is imperative that we do more information gathering, research and data collection before Vermont…

By Governor Peter Shumlin Putting together a budget is never an easy task–everyone knows that from personal experience–and it is harder when finances are lean. But we all do what we need to do to make ends meet. Perhaps we cut back on dinners out, cancel a family vacation or keep the family car another…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger Rural Vermont schools with high poverty rates have higher numbers of first-year teachers than other schools in Vermont, according to information in a federal report that looks at educator equity in public schools nationwide. The greatest concern identified in the report—that high-poverty rural schools have more first-year teachers—is the point…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org A House bill that would introduce paid time off is not sitting well with everyone in Vermont’s business community. H.187, introduced last week, proposes to establish three days of paid leave for the next two years, eventually increasing to five days of leave. A letter from the Vermont Retail &…

By Dom Cioffi I learned at a very young age that a sport coat is a highly necessary life item. After all, you never know when someone is going to die or get married or ask you to interview for a new job. In each of these cases, a sport coat provides a level of…

KILLINGTON—With the deep snowpack outside, it might be hard to imagine turning over soil in garden beds and planting seeds, but spring will be here soon, and it will be time to get vegetable and flower gardens ready for planting. Killington Mountain School was recently awarded a grant of $600 for its community garden from…

The New England housing market felt the effects of historic or near-historic levels of snowfall across much of the region in January. Many states accumulated more than 60 inches of snow in a two-week period, forcing potential homebuyers to put their plans on hold. Month-over-month, home sales reflected the inclement weather with a decrease of…

By Polly Lynn KILLINGTON — On Feb. 28, The Inn at Six Mountains sold for $3.3 million to a group of investors. Killington Hospitality Group 1 LLC, a Vermont-based company owned by John Kalish, and Innisfree Hotels, a Florida-based resort company are two major investor groups involved in the purchase and renovation plans. They will now…