By Michelle Monroe, St. Albans Messenger “Appalling” and “un-American,” those are the words Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., used to describe conditions in a processing center in southern Texas where children have been separated from their parents. Welch spoke with the Messenger by phone Sunday, June 17 after visiting a processing center known as “The Icebox,”…

Attorney General T.J. Donovan has announced the launch of a permanent unit within his office known as the Elder Protection Initiative. This unit will focus on supporting and protecting Vermont’s aging population. The unit is the result of a listening tour that solicited ideas from stakeholders on how best to assist older Vermonters. The announcement…

By Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon All was quiet last week at the State House with the full House and Senate off (except for some committee meetings on Friday, June 15), waiting on what Gov. Phil Scott would do with the new budget, H.13. As expected, Scott vetoed it last Thursday June…

By Alan J. Keays / VTDigger WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Vermont State Police say the death earlier this year of an 11-month-old boy from Ludlow has been ruled a homicide, with the cause of death determined to be asphyxiation from strangulation or smothering. While police are tight-lipped about their ongoing investigation, including if they have any…

PLYMOUTH—The Farm & Wilderness Foundation (F&W) and the Ninevah Foundation of Plymouth and Mount Holly have combined to ensure the stewardship of 4,800 acres of land, water, and wildlife habitat in southern Vermont. This affiliation, five years in the making, brings together one of Vermont’s largest summer camps and a distinguished conservation organization, furthering their…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg I always look forward to the Long Trail Century Ride after party because I get to DJ alongside some really great bands. This Saturday, June 23 at the Long Trail Brewery is no different. The two greats are the Steal Your Peach Band, which is a Grateful Dead/Allman Brothers tribute band,…

By Katy Savage KILLINGTON­—Stephen Klepner’s parents jumped out of bed around 1 a.m. Sunday, June 17 to the sound of their car horn honking and dogs barking. A bear had locked itself inside their 2010 Subaru Forester on Coffeehouse Road in Killington. It was leaning against the horn and all the airbags were blowing. “We…

By Katy Savage WEST RUTLAND—Haley Bania and her sister Michaela couldn’t be more different. Haley is reserved; Michaela is outgoing. Michaela is competitive; Haley is laid back. Michaela is athletic; Haley is artsy. But Haley, 17, and Michaela, 14, are both ranked top in the world of rodeo. Michaela is in the middle of packing…

By Karen D. Lorentz RUTLAND—White Memorial Park in Rutland City will debut its two new pools with a community opening from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 21 and Friday , June, 22, followed by a gala celebration from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 23. The Saturday festivities begin with an 11…

Home gardens and local farm fields are beginning to fill up with fresh produce as the growing season gets underway. And with it, the Vermont Foodbank’s gleaning teams are taking to the fields to harvest surplus fresh food for people struggling to afford it. The Vermont Foodbank operates the largest gleaning program in the state…

Cal Garrison (a.k.a Mother of the Skye) writes weekly horoscopes for The Mountain Times. If you would like an emailed notification sent to you weekly, sign up for the newsletter, below. Want to hear more from Mother of the Skye? Check out Mother's Celestial Inspirations for a deeper look into this weeks horoscopes Mother of the Skye has…

By Cal Garrison a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Virgo Moon. From what I can see the picture looks relatively pleasant, with aspects that are easing things up just long enough for our faith to be restored, and for the rocky road of change to level off…

Courtesy Dave Hoffenberg The Samples By DJ Dave Hoffenberg  Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the street. You can also dance at a music festival and summer has so many good ones to choose from. There is only one though that features The Samples and that is Jerry Jam at the…

Courtesy BFM Guests enjoy Plymouth cheddar cheese samples during Billings Farm’s  Dairy Celebration. Saturday & Sunday, June 16-17—WOODSTOCK— Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage, announces the 8th annual Cheese & Dairy Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Vermont’s rich dairy heritage during this two-day event by meeting New England cheesemakers,…