The Vermont Department of Libraries, in collaboration with the Department of Corrections, has provided over $42,000 in books to the six state correctional facilities. The books will refresh the facilities’ library collections available to incarcerated individuals. The funding was part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant provided to the Vermont Department of Libraries…

“Hunting is one of the safest outdoor activities, thanks to advances in education as well as science,” said Vermont Hunter Education Program Coordinator Nicole Meier. “Our volunteer hunter education instructors stress that wearing orange during hunting season is important, and studies prove that wearing fluorescent hunter orange keeps hunters visible to other people in the…

State officials are calling a program to reduce lead in school and child care drinking water a success, following a new report that found 98% of Vermont schools and child cares have completed testing for lead in their drinking water and taken any needed steps to keep water safe. A law passed in 2019 requires…

The colors of Vermont’s fall foliage season are right around the corner, reminding us all of the changing seasons. Cooler temps, sweatshirts, flea markets and the red, yellow and orange leaves of our state’s maple trees are all part of our shared Vermont fall experience. In celebration of the many year-round benefits of our maple…

By Curt Peterson The controversial Sunnymede Farm Stand project attracted many to two events on Monday, Sept. 19— a 9:30 a.m. site tour and a 10:30 a.m. Act 250 commission public hearing at Hartland’s Damon Hall. Peter Kopsco, commission coordinator, said 40 people attended the hearing. People walked through tall, wet grass along Route 5/12,…

By Curt Peterson The Hartland Select Board voted unanimously to adopt the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion Monday night, becoming the 65th Vermont town to sign onto the movement. Chair Phil Hobbie told the Mountain Times one very minor wording amendment was made to better reflect the feelings Hartlanders want to express. The adopted amended declaration…

By Fred Thys/VTDigger Nine McDonald’s locations in Vermont and New Hampshire and 12 Dunkin’ locations in Vermont have been fined for violations of federal law regulating child labor. The McDonald’s franchise locations in Barre, Berlin, Rutland, Springfield, Middlebury, Randolph and Bennington, as well as one location in Claremont, New Hampshire, allowed 142 14- and 15-year-olds…

By Fred Thys/VTDigger The Vermont Marble Museum, which bills itself as the world’s largest marble exhibit, will be able to remain in its historic building in Proctor under a deal between the Preservation Trust of Vermont and ZION Growers, a hemp company. “It’s a big deal,” said Ben Doyle, president of the Preservation Trust of…

The scholarship organization is seeking candidates, registration is open Registration to compete to become the next Miss Vermont and Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen is now open, according to a news released last Wednesday, Sept. 7.  The competition is an official preliminary in the Miss America Organization. Miss Vermont and Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen 2023 will…

By Mary Jo Teetor Editor’s note: Mary Jo Teetor of Poultney, a longtime member and trustee of the Lake St. Catherine Association, where she is currently the treasurer. She is on the water quality committee and has been a lay monitor on Lake St. Catherine for more than 20 years. There have been so many…

By Alison Whritenour, Donna Carpenter and Matthew McCarthy Editors note: This commentary was written by Seventh Generation CEO Alison Whritenour, Burton Snowboards co-founder, owner and chair Donna Carpenter and Ben & Jerrys Homemade, Inc. CEO Matthew McCarthy. These companies are all Certified B Corporations and longtime members of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. Silence is…

By Katy Savage Police are investigating an incident at the Killington Motel after two people were found dead of an apparent overdose on Saturday, Sept. 17 and a third person was revived with Narcan. Police said Darlene Parker, 56, of Swanton and Thomas Dodge, 53, of Montpelier, were staying in the same hotel room and…

About a year ago, Polly Mikula, editor and publisher of Mountain Times, graciously agreed to meet with me about work I was doing for several nonprofits. She was warm and enthusiastic, especially as she shared poignant stories about leading a thriving media enterprise during the struggles of Covid. I took a leap and pitched her…

Governor launches short-term forgivable loan program Gov. Phil Scott, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) today announced the launch of the Short-Term Forgivable Loan Program designed to support Vermont businesses experiencing continued working capital shortfalls as a result of the pandemic. “Supporting businesses in every region…

Green Mountain Power intentionally destroyed a heavy-duty truck that was well used by a Rutland-based field electric maintenance team and replaced it with an all-electric Lion stake body truck. The Destroy-a-Truck event took place Sept 15 at GHR Recycling in Pittsford, where guests got to check out the new all-electric truck. Making the old truck…