The federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) pumped $1.19 billion into the Vermont economy in April, May, and June to help employers hang onto nearly 114,000 jobs during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. To put that in perspective, in normal times Vermont has about 315,000 non-farm payroll jobs, and the state’s total output of…

The following editorial was first published in the Deerfield Valley News in Wilmington, Vermont. Just in case readers haven’t noticed, it’s an election year. Of course, there is much focus on the presidential election. Understandably so, given all that is at stake with the future of the country and everything. But there are also statewide…

53% of adults hold a certificate, degree, or industry certification, 17% short of state goal The number of Vermonters who have completed education and training after high school is on the rise. According the Lumina Foundation, 53% of working age Vermonters hold a certificate, degree or industry-recognized certification. The figure, up from 49%, is based on 2018…

Beginning Tuesday, July 14, individuals who established an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits with the Vermont Department of Labor started receiving phone calls to confirm their identity and intent to file. This extra step is being taken to protect Vermonters against fraudulent filers using their personal information. This type of “impostor fraud” has been…

Governor Phil Scott announced Tuesday, July 14, that Vermont has joined 15 states and the District of Columbia in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate electrification of the medium- and heavy-duty bus and truck market. The agreement calls for 100% of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales to be zero emission vehicles…

By Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger Vermont officials are continuing to prepare for children to return to the classroom next month, with Gov. Phil Scott saying at a press conference Friday, July 17, that it is “vitally important” to reopen schools. Administration officials and public health experts said Friday that Vermont’s situation with Covid-19 continues to support state plans…

Rutland lawyer became Civil War officer, governor, senator, secretary of war and marble magnate Redfield Proctor, who served in the Civil War, made Rutland County the center of the marble universe, and served as governor, U.S. senator and secretary of war, will be honored with the 10th work of art on the Rutland Sculpture Trail.…

Staff report RUTLAND—BROC Community Action collected over 800 pounds of food in the first annual Stuff-A-Ruck event held in Rutland, Friday, July 17. Departing from the recruitment office at 10 a.m. the Vermont Army National Guard carried donated food in their rucksacks to BROC. “If there are two things the Vermont Army National Guard loves,…

By Curt Peterson Four residents of legislative district Windsor-1 (Windsor, Hartland and West Windsor) hope to win the Democratic Primary on Aug. 11. There are two open House seats: John Bartholomew is seeking his sixth term while Representative Zacharia Ralph is leaving the district. Their seats are “in play.” Paul Belaski of Windsor, Elizabeth Burrows…

Former KMS director of freestyle skiing loved life and it showed Diana Millichamp Williams, 56, founder of Hidden France, a boutique travel and tour service, died in her home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on June 18, 2020. The cause was complications from colon cancer, her husband Alex Gambal said. Williams was a resident of Jackson…

By Lee J. Kahrs PITTSFORD — The story of the animals seized from a farm on Kimball Road in Brandon five months ago is heartbreaking, inspiring and expensive. The Rutland County Humane Society knows that all too well, having spent roughly $35,000 to care for and re-home the animals it took in from the farm.…

Castleton University announced Wednesday, July 15, that it will offer students and families the option of a residential campus experience for the fall 2020 semester and deliver its academic courses online. Interim President Jonathan Spiro said moving the university’s courses from in-person to remote delivery required careful consideration of many factors. “Vermonters are doing a…

By Polly Mikula Governor Phil Scott opened the Tuesday, July 21, press conference stating that Vermont now has the lowest number of total Covid-19 cases in country, moving past Hawaii this week to gain the top spot. “The state’s positivity rate is also among the best, if not the best in the country,” he said.…

By Katy Savage As trucks beeped and concrete was dug up on Library Avenue to install pipe that would reduce wastewater overflows into Otter Creek, Congressman Peter Welch outlined a plan to federally fund similar infrastructure needs on July 16. Welch’s $1.5 trillion Moving Forward Act passed the House on July 1. The bill includes…

Every few years, the old chestnut of the 13th signs gets re-opened, leading everyone to think their star sign has changed. It hasn’t. While sharing the same name, the constellations and the Zodiac are not the same thing. Around the time that ancient sky priests were observing correlations between earthly matters and celestial events, the…