The Vermont Department of Labor announced that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for May was 3.1 percent. This reflects no change from the revised April rate. The national rate in May was 4.3 percent. As of the prior month’s preliminary data, the Burlington-South Burlington Metropolitan area was tied for the 12th lowest unemployment rate in…

Work on local roads and bridges continues this week, causing some delays for travelers. Here is the latest travel update: Route 4 Crews are scheduled to continue paving on milled surfaces and shoulder work  throughout this week. Crews have also begun to pave driveway aprons on the Rutland Town/Mendon side of the project. This operation…

Senator Patrick Leahy announced Tuesday, June 20, that Vermont will receive more than $11 million in new affordable housing and community development funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Earlier this year, as vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Leahy successfully negotiated the fiscal year 2017 Appropriations Act, which included…

The Hunger Council of Rutland County has announced free meal sites for youth 18 and under from June through August. There is no application or registration fee. To find drop-in summer meal sites in Vermont, call 211 toll free or text “FOOD” to 877 877. Neshobe Elementary School, 17 Neshobe Circle, Brandon. Contact: Nancy Bird,…

By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger School board members who are frustrated with the Vermont School Boards Association’s lobbying priorities have formed a rival group. Members of the Alliance of Vermont School Board Members are frustrated with the association’s stance on the school district consolidation law, Act 46. In a news release, the leaders of the…

By Troy Shaheen, VTDigger Mercy for Animals, an animal protection group based in California, is calling for an investigation into Vermont Packinghouse for what it calls “unfair and deceptive business practices.” The advocacy group filed complaints last week with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Attorney General. State regulators fined the slaughterhouse shortly…

Get in on the action as top mountain bikers compete in Killington in an Enduro World Series Qualifier. The first $10,000 Clif Enduro East event, brought to you by the Vittoria Eastern States Cup crew, will take place at Vermont’s Green Mountain Trails and Killington Resort on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2. Day one…

Public welcome to enjoy food, drink, music, at Woodchuck Cider House on July 1 For the first time in its four years of welcoming riders from around the globe to Addison County’s world-class cycling routes, the Vermont Gran Fondo will invite cyclists to literally ride into the event’s après-ride party. Woodchuck Cider House at 1321…

Saturday, July 4—ROCHESTER—Rochester runs for the fourth! The Pierce Hall Community Center’s (PHCC) annual Independence Day 5K walk/run, and the children’s one mile run for ages 5-15 will take place behind the Rochester School (Route 100) beginning at 9 a.m. on July 4, before the town parade. Registration ($15) begins at 8:30 a.m. There will be…

Sunday, July 2 at 9:45 p.m.—RUTLAND—Don’t miss the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Fireworks Extravaganza, the area’s largest fireworks display, taking place on Sunday, July 2 promptly at 9:45 p.m. at the Vermont State Fairgrounds. Also on July 2, the fairgrounds hosts the annual Summer Smash demolition derby with gates opening at 2 p.m. Activities…

Wednesday, July 5, 6 p.m.—PROCTORSVILE—The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA) and the Town of Cavendish invite everyone to spend an evening having fun on the Proctorsville Green Wednesday, July 5, starting at 6 p.m. when the annual summer music series kicks off with the sounds of Gypsy Reel. The Celt band that rocks, Gypsy…

Tuesday, July 4—KILLINGTON—The Fourth of July celebration and fireman’s barbecue is one of Killington’s most popular events of the summer, held each year on July 4. This year, events begin at 10 a.m. at the Johnson Recreation Center on River Road. Enjoy food cooked by the fire department and other volunteers throughout the day. During the…

Tuesday, July 4—WOODSTOCK—Celebrate Tuesday, July 4 in Woodstock, rain or shine! Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with the 41st annual John Langhans 7.1 Green Mile Road Race and Kids Fun Run sponsored by the Spectrum Teen Center. Runners and walkers will enjoy a challenging course through Woodstock, starting and finishing at the Village Green. The Kids…

Saturday, July 1, 7 p.m.—KILLINGTON—Now in its 35th season of presenting fine chamber music, the Killington Music Festival (KMF) announces  its Music in the Mountains Classical Concert Series schedule for 2017. On Saturday evenings from July 1-29, the internationally acclaimed musicians will perform at Rams Head Lodge at Killington Resort at 7 p.m., with the…

Friday, June 30, 5 p.m.—BRANDON—In July and August, the Brandon Artist Guild (BAG) will celebrate one of its own founders, Warren Kimble, with an exhibition featuring the universally appealing folk art that has made him famous beginning in 1987. The twist is that the folk art imagery he presents this summer is a new body…