Sunday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. —PITTSFORD—The Pittsford Sheep Festival returns to the Pittsford Recreation Area off Furnace Road, offering a free day of entertainment. This event has brings together local craft vendors, felters, and spinners to showcase their skills and products. Festivalgoers can experience sheep shearing demonstrations at 11:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3:15…

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 12-13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. —WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum invites guests to its annual Harvest Celebration, offering two days of family-friendly activities, seasonal treats, and hands-on harvest fun. Set against the backdrop of vibrant fall foliage, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, traditional barn dances with live music by Shady Rill, pumpkin bowling, crafts for children,…

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 12-13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. —RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center will host the 63rd Annual Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival in Rutland’s Main Street Park at the junction of Routes 4 and 7. This two-day event features juried fine artists, craftspeople, specialty food vendors, and free activities for children. Guests can enjoy live…

By Jeffrey Reel Editor’s note: Jeffrey Reel is a writer from Hartland. He serves as the general manager of the Rutland Food Co-Op. The debate on how to lower healthcare costs in Vermont is of paramount importance. Of equal importance is balancing that debate with discussions on the quality of life we can achieve right…

Dear Editor, Do you remember the days if a politician even mentioned raising taxes they were duly excluded from getting your vote?   Well, it’s time for Vermonters to wake up and pay attention. On top of Vermonters dealing with 30%-100% inflation and lingering hardships from Covid lockdowns, the Democrat supermajority in our Vermont Legislature has…

Dear Editor, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Becca White, and Joe Major deserve our vote here in Windsor County. This is a statement of my strong support for the Windsor County Senate district Democratic ticket: Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Becca White, and Joe Major. Clarkson and White are seeking re-election, while Major hopes to bring his…

By Elizabeth Bridgewater and Chris Campany Editor’s note: Elizabeth Bridgewater is the executive director of the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust. Chris Campany is the executive director of the Windham Regional Commission. Housing remains at the top of the media cycle for good reason: there are still not enough homes for people. Recently, Vermont’s Department…

By Carly Berlin Editor’s note: This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public. Nearly 100 Vermont legislators and Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman called for Gov. Phil Scott to intervene on a mass wave of evictions currently underway from the state’s motel voucher program…

By Peter D’Auria, VTDigger Two Medicare Advantage plans will cease operations in Vermont in January, leaving several thousand covered residents in the state in need of new coverage by the beginning of 2025.  The two plans, operated by MVP and WellCare, a subsidiary of health care giant Centene, will no longer be offered in the…

A combination of known factors and previously unexamined issues contributed Public Assets Institute Newly released analyses outlining factors that contributed to the FY25 education tax spike. The new analyses revealed that some districts and taxpayers have been facing disproportionately higher bills prior to FY25.  “Low- and moderate-income Vermonters can see big tax jumps even when spending doesn’t…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger A Granville, New York, man charged with killing three family members in Pawlet last month appeared via video from a Rutland jail Thursday afternoon, Oct. 3, to face arraignment on three charges of aggravated murder. Brian Crossman Jr., 22, appeared from a jail conference room in red prison garb, his head bowed…

By Arra Derderian The Killington Junior Golf League finished up its season with a scramble format golf tournament at Stonehedge Golf Course in North Clarendon this past weekend, Oct. 5-6.  “Stonehedge is a par 3 course that’s great for new golfers and kids to get out on the course and test their skills,” coach Arra Derderian…

By Neal Goswami/VTDigger Orvis, a 168-year-old Vermont-based company, said Friday it will lay off 112 workers, close some undisclosed retail locations, and discontinue its catalog “to enable a smaller and more agile business.” “Orvis is in a period of business evolution that requires us to think differently. Over the course of our nearly 170-year history, the…

The Obama Foundation Leaders program selected Tinmouth resident and former Mill River Unified Union School District (MRUUSD) school board member Asha Carroll among 205 leaders selected to join its program for 2024-2025. The program trains participants around the world in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across…

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 Glascow, Scotland on July 7, 1942, and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Lee) Mc Lean. She was a former secretary for NBC and…