Dear Editor, Lisa earned her high school diploma at age 59 this past June. Born in Vermont, her education was interrupted due to an unplanned pregnancy. Lisa spent 20 years working as a nurse’s aide and raising her two children before being sidelined by a career-ending back injury. “I was sitting at home. I knew…

By Jack Hoffman Dithering in Washington has left a lot of states scrambling to figure out how to pay for the support and services their citizens desperately need. In Vermont, Washington’s paralysis means the Legislature will have just over a month to determine whether the $7.1 billion budget Gov. Phil Scott proposed for the current…

Staff report The Vermont House gave final approval to H.688, the Global Warming Solutions Act, in a vote of 102-45 on Sept. 9. The House concurred with the Senate proposal of amendment and the bill was delivered to the Governor on Sept. 10. The Vermont Senate passed its version of the Global Warming Solutions Act on June 25 in…

Attorney General T.J. Donovan has prevailed against a motion to dismiss filed by Clearview AI in the lawsuit to stop the facial recognition company from collecting and selling images of Vermonters. The Court’s ruling means the case, which was filed in April, may now move forward. In its motion, Clearview failed to persuade the Court…

The Vermont House gave preliminary approval to the fiscal year 2021 Budget, H.969 on a vote of 140-4 on Sept. 10. Then final passage on Friday, Sept. 11. Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Kitty Toll (D-Danville) presented the bill on the floor, saying, “building on priorities from our work at the beginning of the year,…

Continued vigilance required By Polly Mikula National Health Advisor Dr. Anthony S. Fauci addressed Vermont by video Tuesday, Sept 15, at Gov. Phil Scott’s weekly news conference. “I’m a big fan,” said Scott of Fauci’s role guiding the nation through the coronavirus pandemic. “He tells it like it is. And in a way that most…

On Sept. 9, the boards of Vermont PBS and Vermont Public Radio unanimously voted to join together to create a new public media organization, to better serve the community. The new organization will be led by Scott Finn, current president and CEO of VPR. Steve Ferreira, acting Vermont PBS CEO, will serve as COO. VPR…

Vermonters put $425,000 of stimulus money to work purchasing cards for nearly 1,000 businesses The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) announced Sept. 10  that the BuyLocalVermont program is now fully subscribed and $425,000 is on its way to 959 locally owned businesses. The pilot program, funded through an allocation of the Federal Coronavirus…

By Rep. Jim Harrison Essentially, that was the message to the governor last week when the Legislature sent him H.688, the climate bill that imposes strict greenhouse gas reduction requirements on Vermont. Approved by veto proof majorities in both the House and Senate, Speaker Johnson (D-So Hero) and Senate leader Ashe (D/P-Chittenden County), are putting…

Democratic nominee for Vermont lieutenant governor Molly Gray announced a series of socially-distant public community forums on town greens and outdoor spaces across Vermont. “The purpose of these forums is to hear directly from Vermonters about the most important issues and greatest opportunities facing our communities. Now, more than ever, we need to put people…

By Polly Mikula Windsor Central Supervisor Union Unified School District (WCSUUSD) has reported a significant increase in enrollment this fall. Woodstock Elementary saw the greatest increase with 46 new students — a 16.6% increase over last year. Barnard Academy was next with nine new students — an 11.4% increase, followed by Killington Elementary also with…

Peter Gregory, AICP, executive director of Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) in Woodstock, is the recipient of the 2020 Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership. The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) presents this honor annually to a Vermont resident who has made a lasting contribution to their community, region or state in the ways they integrate…

By Katy Savage After 167 years, the Woodstock Pharmacy is shutting down Oct. 4. Owner Gary Smith, who had tried selling the store to retire, said plans for a group of investors to purchase the building fell through. “In searching for a buyer, I have concluded that the best outcome is a sale to CVS…

Heritage Family Credit Union, headquartered in Rutland is pleased to announce that they have reached a deal with the City of Rutland for the City’s purchase of a 20+ acre portion of the property that previously housed the College of St. Joseph, located at 71 Clement Rd. in Rutland. The city signed a purchase and…

By Brooke Geery Early in the morning of Aug. 27, Hurricane Laura slammed into DeRidder, Louisiana, causing widespread destruction. Ruth Tolar, a 30-year resident of Killington, watched from afar as her hometown, and her entire family, sat directly in the hurricane’s path. “Even though the floods were not what was expected, there is extreme damage…