By Katy Savage After declaring farmer’s markets non-essential businesses and ordering them to close March 24 to the dismay of farmers, Gov. Phil Scott said Friday, April 17 that farmers markets will be able to reopen on May 1 under strict guidelines. Scott made the announcement as part of a plan to slowly reopen the…

The possible closure of three VCS campuses sparked protests, debate on state’s funding priorities By Polly Mikula There was a a torrent of public backlash over the weekend after Chancellor Jeb Spaulding on Friday, April 17, proposed the closing of three Vermont State College campuses, cutting 500 employees under a radical restructuring proposal. The plan…

By Curt Peterson It’s been over a month since Vermont governor Phil Scott declared a state of emergency (March 13) and a month this week since he made the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order (March 24) to inhibit the spread of Covid-19, making a significant change in everyone’s life. Katie Williams of Quechee, eight-plus months…

Scott administration data shows Vermont past its peak, announces cautious protocols for reopening On Friday, April 17, Governor Phil Scott outlined an approach for the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, emphasizing the state’s modeling indicates initial steps can be taken while the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order remains in effect. To begin to execute this strategy, Governor…

By Merisa Sherman It has been cold. Not that wonderful “let’s go skiing” kind of cold but the kind of cold that gets you way down deep in your spine. A spine-chilling cold that you never seem to get away from. My mom would tell me to turn the heat up, but I’m the kind…

Having a Ball By Dom Cioffi At some point during my early teenage years, I decided that basketball was going to be my thing. I don’t remember there being an epiphany or single moment when this dawned on me. Rather, the sport slowly enveloped my attention until it was the most important part of my…

By Mary Ellen Shaw If you are looking for something different to do with the free time you may have right now why not try growing plants from seed? I have been doing this for about 30 years and it’s a great way to obtain exactly what you want for flowers or veggies. There are…

By Kevin Theissen It is not difficult to understand that with the Covid-19 crisis, we all should know the value of having an established emergency cash fund. Beyond this crisis, have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name…

by Olivia Box I love that time in spring when the hills around my house change from gray and brown to shades of yellow, green, and red. The trees have not yet leafed out, so what’s painting the forests these wonderful colors? The answer: most of our northern hardwood trees are flowering. It begins with…

By Cal Garrison This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of an Aries Moon. The Sun entered Taurus on April 19, which puts us in the last hours of the “Old Moon.” This means we will be wrapping things up, dealing with elements of endings and completion, until the Moon turns “New” at…

By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger When it comes to liquor purchases made in the first weeks of quarantine, Vermonters went for quantity over quality, buying more 1.75-liter bottles of inexpensive brands, and less of the artisanal spirits that have defined their purchasing habits in the past. Liquor sales from state stores increased by 14% in March over…

While it’s not fun to imagine us getting sick, the Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) thinks it’s important to plan for it and our pets, just in case. Gather your family around and put a plan together to ensure your animals will be well cared for in the event of an emergency. First, know the facts. According…

Rutland County Humane Society Update from the Rutland County Humane Society We wanted to touch base and let you know how things are going at RCHS during these times.  A big shout out to everyone who has offered to be foster parents for RCHS! We currently have 99 animals in foster care! That’s amazing. At the shelter on Stevens Road in Pittsford, we only have 24…

A successful hunter in Vermont’s April 25-26 Youth Turkey Weekend and the May 1-31 spring turkey season must, by law, report their turkey within 48 hours to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.  In the past, this could be done at a local reporting station.  This year, because of Covid-19 precautions, hunters are required to…

Wednesday, April 22—RANDOLPH—Randolph is hosting a community pop–up exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in a manner that reflects our pandemic lives in 2020, starting on April 22. This outdoor drive-by or walk–by  exhibit is designed to be safe to participate in and view as we celebrate our stewardship of the Earth and our…