By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger The Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont approved its preliminary findings on Monday, Dec. 16, without making any recommendations about how to contain costs in the short term.  During the 2024 legislative session, as average education property taxes were slated to rise almost 14%, lawmakers created the commission as a…

By Debra Heleba, Extension Community Horticulture Program Director, University of Vermont Did you receive a poinsettia as a gift and wonder how to extend its life through the winter? Is your favorite houseplant dropping its leaves? Or are you already thinking ahead to spring and want to know when to start your seeds indoors?  The…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger The Conservation Law Foundation expects Vermont to miss its first legally mandated deadline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9%-12%. The group’s estimates marked the latest in a debate between state officials and data experts over the accuracy of the data used to assess Vermont’s compliance with its emissions deadlines.  A 2020 state law, known…

Green Mountain State maintains No. 2 ranking for outdoor recreation as part of GDP New data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Dec. 19 reinforces outdoor recreation’s significant and growing impact on Vermont’s economy. The BEA found outdoor recreation created $2.1 billion in value added for Vermont in 2023, accounting for…

Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing announced Dec. 17 the recipients of the Transformational Tourism, Events, and Regional Marketing (T-TERM) Grant Program. The T-TERM grant program was created to help events and communities offering unique visitor experiences to expand and/or market themselves to attract more out-of-state visitors and increase overnight stays. “These grants are…

By Karen D. Lorentz Friday, Dec. 20, was Town Clerk and Treasurer Lucrecia Wonsor's final day on the job after working 24 years for the town of Killington. Peggy Neisner, CMC, who stepped into the role of assistant town clerk in November 2021 was appointed the new town clerk by the Select Board on Dec.…

A celebration of life will be held for Nessie Bale at the Clear River Tavern in Pittsfield on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 2-5 p.m. Agnes “Nessie” Bale, a longtime resident of Ossining, New York, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 22, at her home surrounded by her loving family.  Nessie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on…

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the state’s minimum wage will increase from $13.67 to $14.01 per hour — an increase of $0.34. If full-time, a minimum wage worker would earn $29,140 in a year. This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The “Basic Tipped Wage Rate” for service, or “tipped employees,” equals…

Dear Editor, As 2024 draws to a close, I resolve to start the new year with optimism and determination to protect what we care about. Our shared connection to the natural world lies at the heart of Vermont’s identity. We love the beauty and bounty of our state. We also know that a healthy environment…

 The West Rutland community recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Marble Village Apartments, a transformative project co-developed by The Housing Trust of Rutland County and Evernorth. This initiative aims to provide 24 energy-efficient, permanently affordable homes for low- and moderate-income households. The redevelopment project involves remediating three vacant properties into a three-story building featuring outdoor community…

Dear Editor, Picture a young woman, nine months pregnant, compelled by forces beyond her control to leave home and make an arduous journey with her betrothed to a foreign land, unsure of their welcome there. At this time of year, most of us raised in the Christian tradition would pretty immediately, if unconsciously, imagine this…

Dear Editor, Let’s look at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board and Department and tell me if it needs modernizing. And for those unaware, the Board is a 14-member volunteer group comprising hunters, trappers, hound hunters, and anglers from every county. The Board makes public policy decisions on our shared public wildlife without fair representation…

RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center invites amateur and professional photographers of all ages to participate in its annual photo contest, “Faces in Harmony.” Entrants must submit photos at the Chaffee Art Center during drop-off hours: Jan. 17, noon-4 p.m., and Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  This year, a professional category will be introduced alongside existing categories…

Dec. 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.—KILLINGTON — The Killington ski resort invites guests to cap off 2024 with a day and evening of festive fun at the K-1 Base Lodge. Featuring family-friendly activities, live music, outdoor treats, and an exciting fireworks show, this New Year’s Eve celebration promises a memorable send-off to the…

By Ben Kinsley Editor’s note: Ben Kinsley has over a decade of Vermont public policy experience working for non-profit organizations. He currently serves as the interim executive director for Campaign for Vermont, a non-partisan advocacy group seeking to grow the state’s middle class. As a property taxpayer, I was relieved to see that the Dec. 1 …