By Ed Baker and Jay Diaz Vermont is in the midst of a “syndemic,” a synergy of epidemics: Covid-19 and drug overdose fatalities due to opioids and stimulants. But only Covid-19 is getting the attention it deserves. The Covid-19 pandemic has rightly seen massive investment in public health tools, like vaccines, testing, surge centers, contact…

By Katy Savage As the threat of Covid-19 apparently dwindles, local towns and organizations are rescinding their face mask policies. The Woodstock Village Trustees and Select Board unanimously voted to no longer require a face mask in public buildings during a joint meeting on Feb. 28. “Individual businesses may still make their own requirements,” Woodstock…

By Erin Petenko/VTDigger Vermont has the seventh-highest rate of LGBTQ people in the nation, according to a survey analysis from the Williams Institute at the University of California-Los Angeles. It also has the highest rate of same-sex couples in the nation. The data comes amid a recent report that the number of LGBTQ-identifying adults is…

RUTLAND — Due to continued uncertainty with Covid-19, the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR), will postpone the popular fundraising event, Dancing with the Rutland Stars. “This was a tough call to make,” said Carrie Allen, committee chair. “This event is an incredibly important event for pediatric programs and services at the VNA…

By Dom Cioffi Music has the uncanny ability to transport us back in time. For example, just the other day, Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys are Back in Town” came on the radio and I was immediately jettisoned back to my older brother’s bedroom, circa 1976. There I was sitting on the edge of his bed…

By Curt Peterson Killington Treasurer Lucrecia Wonsor said the town will receive $156,624 from the state as the town’s share of the rooms and meals and alcohol option tax paid during the fourth quarter of 2021, (paid Nov. 13 through Feb. 8, according to Wonsor). The previous record revenue from fourth quarter options taxes, $131,205,…

By Sandra Dee Owens Have you ever felt overwhelmed, or lost clarity and confidence? I have. “Empty The Room” is my simple approach to removing mind (and room) clutter, to regain clarity and confidence. But, of course, simple—is not the same as easy. Paint I hated the deep, pumpkin orange from its first roll on…

By Joyce Amsden It’s midwinter and you reach into your paper bag of carefully stored garlic. You pull out a bulb and see a sprout emerging from the top. There is nothing wrong. It is the nature of garlic cloves to sprout at this time of year. The problem is that over the next weeks…

RANDOLPH — The Summer Youth Musical at Chandler, a nearly quarter-century tradition, continues this year with “Legally Blonde, the Musical,” a fun, upbeat story of self-discovery with Harvard’s beloved Elle Woods taking the stage by pink storm. Auditions begin in March with performances scheduled for June 30 and July 1- 3. The Chandler production features…

Five of Vermont’s 14 counties (including Rutland) are considered high risk, per CDC, and should not unmask By Polly Mikula The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed its Covid-19 precautions Friday, Feb. 25, by allowing people in areas of low and moderate transmission to remove masks indoors. “This new framework moves beyond just…

It’s your chance to own a piece of Okemo history Last summer, Okemo began a project to update trail signs all over the mountain — starting with Jackson Gore. On March 4-5, 22 of the first signs to be replaced are going up for auction with proceeds to benefit the EpicPromise Employee Foundation which supports…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger After more than an hour of discussion and questioning, the Vermont House preliminarily passed H.697, a bill that would allow some landowners to enroll passively managed land in the state’s Current Use program. Lawmakers voted 83-43 on Friday morning, Feb. 25, with 22 members absent. Before passing on the House floor, the…

Vermont’s spring snow goose hunt will be held from March 11 through April 23. Since 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has annually issued a “conservation order” to allow the reduction of the population of migrating greater and lesser snow geese as well as Ross’ geese. The numbers of these geese have grown so…

31,000 square foot building on Nanak Way is reimagined, Act 250 permit pending By Curt Peterson A new hotel is proposed for the site behind Hillside Inn on Nanak Way in Killington. The owners made a presentation to the Development Review Board (DRB) on Jan. 20, and have responded to a list of conditions set…

It’s customary for people participating in Lenten fasting to skip meat and poultry dinners on Fridays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. It is a sacrifice symbolic of the sacrifices of Jesus Christ. However, opting for vegetables and fish in lieu of meats doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor. Seafood pancakes from “Judy Joo’s Korean…