By Jeanne Zimmerman Offering treatment and then releasing people back to the streets, while blaming the individual for not “successfully participating” in ongoing treatment sets individuals up for immediate and repeated failures.  Public safety, overdoses, effective substance treatment and re-housing concern all of us. Kudos to John Bossange for writing in support of rehousing…

  Dear Editor, In the heart of Vermont, a market transformation is underway in the world of homebuilding construction, and it’s not your average headline.  This isn’t just about bricks and beams; it’s about creating homes that are healthier, more energy efficient, and built to last. Picture this: The year is 2023, and the Legislative…

  Dear Editor, The Castleton Woman’s Club would like to thank all of the individuals and families and organizations/businesses who made donations in memory or honor of family and friends for the 2023 Tree of Remembrance.   The Woman’s Club would like to thank the librarians from the Castleton Free Library for all their hard…

Submitted   By Carolyn Weir Editor’s note: This commentary is by Carolyn Weir of Weybridge. She is executive director of the McClure Foundation, an affiliate of the Vermont Community Foundation that works to close opportunity gaps in the state by strengthening college and career training pathways to Vermont’s most promising jobs. Young people deserve to…

Submitted Rep. Peter Conlon, D-Cornwall, is the chair of the House Committee on Education.     By Ethan Weinstein, VTDigger On the first day of the 2024 legislative session, Jan. 3, state education officials presented lawmakers with the latest estimates for Vermont’s school construction needs — a whopping $6.3 billion in the next 21 years.  And that number,…

Last week marked the start of the 2024 Vermont legislative session. It also included the governor’s State of the State address to a joint assembly of House and Senate members. (Editor’s note: see page 1 for related story). Scott opened with a quote from Governor Weeks’ second inaugural address following the 1927 floods. Weeks noted…

On Jan. 3 at 10 a.m., the Vermont Legislature opened its 2024 legislative session. As it is the second half of a two-year biennium, we spent far less time on the formalities, pomp, and circumstance of a new biennium. And, with committees and leadership in place, we got right to work. Which is good as…

Courtesy VTF&W Three to four inches of clear black ice in a drill hole below the top layer of snow, is the minimum for safe ice fishing.  Ice conditions across Vermont are inconsistent due to warm and variable weather, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. is urging anglers to put safety first if they…

Photo provided by VTF&W Hunters took more than 16,000 deer in 2023, data from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. shows.    The final number of deer taken in Vermont’s 2023 hunting seasons will not be available for a few more weeks, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. says the final tally will be…

By Brooke Geery, Killington Resort  Killington and Pico Resorts strive to create an enjoyable environment to participate in skiing and snowboarding. New for this season, we’ve introduced the Mountain Safety Attendant program. These team members will be on hill to directly communicate with guests through verbal and visual cues, seeking to be a positive influence…

By Liz DiMarco Weinmann   As one of the bitterest cold months of the year is in full swing in Vermont, idyllic images abound — of roaring fireplaces, ice-skating on frozen ponds, steaming cups of cocoa, and puffy snowsuits that make even the tiniest human look like an overstuffed king-size pillow. Those images are worlds…

   Beginning this week, the Rutland Regional Planning Commission will ask residents to participate in the Rutland Regional Plan 2026 Online Survey. Survey results will be used to guide policies and actions for the eight-year plan update, which is intended to help shape coordinated and efficient community economic development. The plan is a vision for…

  Staff report There will be no in-person Town Meeting in Woodstock this year. The Woodstock Select Board voted Jan. 8 to make Town Meeting by Australian ballot only this year under Act 1. The temporary act gives towns the option to do away with in-person town meetings and make all decisions by Australian ballot…

  By Katy Savage Woodstock voters could decide to buy the privately owned Woodstock Aqueduct Company and make it a municipal operation on Town Meeting Day in March.  The aqueduct company, owned by the Billings family and other investors, is being offered for sale for the value of the debt.  It’s unclear how much debt…

  By Glenn Russell/VTDigger Col. Mark Anarumo leaves post as president of Norwich.   By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger The president of Norwich University said he is departing the military school over three years on the job. Mark Anarumo said Friday, Jan. 5, that he was leaving by “mutual” decision. Provost and Dean of the Faculty Karen Gaines…