By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Lawmakers from across the Northeast are urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to strengthen enforcement and close loopholes in the National Organic Program that put regional farms at a disadvantage. A bicameral, bipartisan letter from lawmakers, sent to Vilsack on Wednesday, said that the industry is vital to the region and…

By Mike Dougherty/VTDigger As the pace of vaccinations slowed this spring, some experts began floating a new vision of Covid-19’s future as endemic. Rather than focusing on herd immunity — the threshold at which enough people had been vaccinated or previously infected that the full population would be protected against the disease — endemicity provided…

Dear editor, Since 1964, Oct. 15 has been designated White Cane Safety Awareness Day to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired, and to recognize the importance of that tool for independence. The white cane is a symbol of strength and independence for blind and visually impaired people. As a blind…

Dear editor, Vermont is at an interesting crossroads with the fossil fuel empire. On the one hand, our Attorney General is suing ExxonMobil, Sunoco and Citgo for deceptive and unfair practices, as a consumer protection issue. Included is a proposal to prevent said companies from engaging in future unfair and deceptive acts, as well as…

By Karen D. Lorentz While Sarah Forward’s parents met and married in Vermont, they moved to North Carolina before she was born, so Forward grew up away from Vermont. Trips to visit extended family in Vermont provided a “special time” for her while growing up, but it was an aunt in the Rockies who got…

Rutland school board adopts attorney’s report By Emma Cotton/VTDigger RUTLAND — After a contentious year debating the validity of the mascot for the city’s school system, it appears the new “Ravens” moniker will stick — for now. The board last fall voted to abandon the former “Raiders” mascot following concerns from students, faculty and alumni…

By Lindsey Rogers CHITTENDEN —Ms. Leslie Ladabouche’s 3rd grade class at Barstow Memorial School in Chittenden is hosting a Socktober sock drive from Oct. 1-31. This year is the debut of the event, but Ms. Ladabouche plans to make it an annual drive if it is successful. The students decorated 12 boxes, and “are going…

With a wide array of resources available, access to mental health services in Vermont continues to be ranked first in the nation, according to the annual report, State of Mental Health in America. “It’s an achievement Vermonters should be proud of,” said Emily Hawes, commissioner of the Dept. of Mental Health for Vermont. “Having equitable…

1-year-old. Spayed female. Pit mix. Brindle and white. Energetic sweet girl looking for her forever home! Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT • (802) 483-6700 • Tues. – Sat. 12-5p.m. Closed Sun. & Mon. • www.rchsvt.org "I'm a handsome, gray 15-year-old kitty looking for a retire- ment home. Troy adores people and…

By Brooke Geery This time last year, Vermont was in a drought. The woods were in danger of catching on fire, and even did once or twice. As a newbie mushroom forager, I relished the challenge (and thrill) of finding good edibles. I had some success, and when I did, I gleefully gloated on social…

Sunday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. — PITTSFORD — The Pittsford Sheep Festival has been offering free family entertainment for over 25 years. This year it will be held on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pittsford Recreation Area off Furnace Road in Pittsford. Local craft vendors, felters and spinners…

Saturday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. — LUDLOW — The Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) is sponsoring its 30th annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The cook-off will be located at the traffic light on Depot Street. Proceeds will benefit the Ludlow Rotary Charitable Fund to enable the LRC…

Oct. 9-10 — RUTLAND — Chaffee Art Center’s 60th annual Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival will be held on Oct. 9-10 in Main Street Park at the junction of routes 4 & 7 in Rutland.  The show features juried fine artists, craftspeople, and specialty food producers.  Rounding out the festival are food vendors,…

Oct. 9-10 — WOODSTOCK — Dig in the dirt and do-si-do at the Billings Farm & Museum’s Harvest Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The weekend features traditional harvest activities, homemade foods, and a barn dance set against the colorful backdrop of green, red and gold…

Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 7:15 p.m. — RUTLAND — A song circle will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer St. in Rutland, and virtually by Zoom, from 7:15-9:15 p.m. The song circle welcomes singers, players of acoustic instruments, and listeners. The so-called Wild Woods Song Circle has gathered acoustic…