By Dom Cioffi My son has been working at a grocery store for over a year, and while he usually hates going, it has proven to be one of the most influential experiences of his life. I had always told my son that, whether he liked it or not, he would be required to get…

By Cathy Davis Editor’s note: Davis is the president of the Lake Champlain Chamber. In the past two months, I have heard about housing challenges almost as much as I’ve heard about staffing shortages. Of course, they’re related. If employees can’t find housing, they have to move to where they can find it. That might…

By Sandra Dee Owens Session 5 I have no memory of counseling session 5. Session 6 At the end of session 6, the last one my husband and I would attend, the counselor suggested we find a Plan B before winter arrived with us still living in a small garage with two young children and…

Dear Editor, Phoners, that’s the term I coined for those people that have decided it’s their god-given right to drive and phone at the same time. I have been the near victim to these phoners five times in as many years. Lucky for me I have quick reflexes and I was paying attention. As recently…

By Brooke Geery The idea of homesteading — living a simple, off-the-grid life free of many bills modern society requires and taking advantage of the earth’s abundance — may sound enticing in these pandemic times. For many generations, brave and outdoorsy types had chosen to make a go at the lifestyle. So many, in fact,…

Daylight Savings Time will be ending this weekend, so while you and your furry friends are resting up with that extra hour of sleep, remember that it also means earlier sunsets are coming and so more dog walks will be after dark. With reduced visibility comes safety concerns for you and your pup. Drivers can’t…

By Tiffany Tan and Alan J. Keays/VTDigger State health officials learned something in October: An animal sedative is increasingly contributing to opioid overdose deaths among Vermonters. The drug, xylazine, is used as a sedative, muscle relaxant and pain reliever in animals such as horses and cattle. It is not approved for human use. In people,…

Announcing annual Chaffee's Gingerbread Contest Nov. 17-18 — RUTLAND — Interested bakers, schools, organizations, businesses, families, individuals, and young people are invited to submit their imaginative gingerbread creations. Entries do not have to pre-register but are appreciated. All entries must be delivered to the Chaffee Arts Center on either Nov. 17 or 18 between the…

By Tiffany Tan/VTDigger Rutland City school officials say it could cost about $184,000 to change the mascot on athletic team uniforms, sporting equipment and buildings and other structures. When that work will start, and how many years it will take, is still being discussed. School Superintendent Bill Olsen delivered the cost estimate last week to…

By John S. McCright Middlebury photographer Josh Hummel teamed up with pumpkin grower Ethan Nelson of Brandon and giant pumpkin-growing support specialist Jenna Baird from Baird Farm in Chittenden to create an unusual nautical opportunity for Dane VanNosdeln, a Charlotte resident who teaches fifth grade at Bristol Elementary School. On Sept. 26 they hollowed out…

Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. — BRANDON — Brandon Music welcomes the return of singer-songwriter and guitarist Steve Hartmann with special guest and friend, bassist Drew Breder. Steve recently did a guest spot with Chelsea Berry at Brandon Music on Sept. 18. Steve had composed a new song for Chelsea and in her words,…

Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. — RANDOLPH — JigJam, an award-winning quartet from the heart of the Midlands in Ireland, will bring their unique blend of traditional Irish music with bluegrass and Americana to the Chandler stage at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6. Tickets are $20 with reserved seating to allow for social…

Event raised $$7,735 for Wonderfeet By Katy Savage After students left school for the day, teachers at Rutland Town School danced down the hallways, in the classrooms and on the playground in a choreographed dance to “Let’s Groove Tonight” by Larry D and the Sly Guys. They sang the lyrics to “Hooked on a Feeling”…

On Oct. 30, at about 4 a.m., the state police responded to an alarm at the Jiffy Mart on Business Route 4 in the town of Rutland. Upon arrival, the state police, along with Rutland City police, found the building had been broken into via a window and an undisclosed amount of cigarettes had been…

Panel goes all in on single-member House districts By Lola Duffort & Erin Petenko/VTDigger and Polly Mikula Not for the first time, a special panel advising state lawmakers about how to redraw House and Senate district maps has proposed the wholesale elimination of multimember districts. But whether the seven-member Legislative Apportionment Board sticks to its…