By Rob Roper Editor’s note: Rob Roper is on the board of directors for the Ethan Allen Institute, a non-profit that lobbies for conservative principles in politics. He lives in Stowe. As gasoline prices hover around record highs, putting tremendous pressure on family budgets, stressing businesses, and making life generally more expensive, the Vermont Climate…

By Katy Savage Three Democratic candidates are seeking two positions as assistant judge for Windsor county in the primary election on Aug. 9. David Singer, who was assistant side judge from 2004-2012, is running against incumbent Michael Ricci, who was appointed by Gov. Phil Scott in 2021, and newcomer Alison Johannasen. Singer, 82, of Hartland,…

By Sarah Mearhoff/ VTDigger U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is not just backing Lt. Gov. Molly Gray’s Democratic bid for the U.S. House with financial and institutional resources. On Friday, July 28, he said he has already cast his own ballot for her. “Like many Vermonters I voted early,” Leahy said in a written statement…

By Curt Peterson Local residents are worried about endless variants of Covid-19, and the new Monkeypox. As usual, these important topics are clouded by unanswered questions and misinformation. Both Dr. Rick Hildebrant, Rutland Regional Medical Center’s chief information officer and department chair of medicine, and Dr. John Perras, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center’s CEO,…

Thursday, Aug. 4 — RUTLAND — Same Sun of Vermont announces the completion and commissioning of two ground-mounted solar arrays: a traditional array and a solar carport, designed in partnership with TimberHomes VT, located at The Royal Group, Inc. facility at 150 Woodstock Avenue. Rutland Mayor David Allaire will cut a ribbon at 10 a.m.…

Cliffs clear to hike and climb again Aug. 1 Hikers and rock climbers can return to Vermont cliffs starting August 1, now that peregrine falcon nesting season has ended. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has confirmed that all the young falcons have learned to fly and should not be disturbed by human presence on…

By Curt Peterson Scams targeting seniors is big business, according to AARP Fraud Watch Network volunteer Bill April. “An identity is stolen every two seconds,” April told an audience at the Thompson Senior Center last Thursday July 21. “Each year 21 million people lose $19 billion through scams or fraud.” Several in the audience reported…

By Curt Peterson Three Democrat candidates are seeking two seats in the Windsor 1 House district, serving Hartland, Windsor and West Windsor on Aug. 9 Incumbent John Bartholomew (D- Hartland) said his constituents are interested in transportation costs and housing issues, which have become expensive and scarce, and the expense of traveling to work is…

By Curt Peterson Incumbent Democrat Sens. Alison Clarkson of Woodstock and Richard McCormack of Bethel are running against Democrat Rebecca White and Republicans Dana Colson, Jr and Alice Flanders for three Windsor County Senate seats. All candidates will be represented in the primary election on Aug. 9 with division in the November midterm election. Clarkson…

By Dr. Carolyn Dwyer Editor’s note: Dr. Carolyn Dwyer is a 25-year veteran of local and national Democratic politics. She has managed campaigns for Senator Leahy and Congressman Welch and supported many more candidates for office at all levels in Vermont. She is not employed by any candidates running in 2024. Senator Leahy’s announcement that…

By Declan McCabe Earlier this summer, I joined graduate school friend and beetle biologist, Kristian Omland, in search of the elusive cobblestone tiger beetle (Cicindela marginipennis). We loaded a canoe with insect nets, jars, and binoculars to view beetles while minimizing handling. Absent from our kit: entomologist’s killing jars. Ours was a catch-and-release mission. The…

Saturday, Aug. 6 —PLYMOUTH — The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is hosting Plymouth Old Home Day on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The featured event of the day is a re-enactment of the presidential oath of office administered to then-Vice President Calvin Coolidge by his father on Aug. 3,…

Friday, Aug. 5 — RUTLAND — Friday Night Live continues to rock downtown Rutland with free musical performances featuring Grammy Award winning All-4-One Aug. 5 at 5 p.m. on Center Street. “The first Friday Night Live event had a great attendance,” said Tiffany Saltis, executive director of the Downtown Rutland Partnership. “We’re excited to keep…

Dear Editor, My friend David Singer is running for assistant judge, a position he held for eight years before retiring in 2012 to be a grandfather and resume his position in the family business as a producer on Broadway. The man has incredible energy and I might note that he and his group won more…

Dear Editor, Are we prepared to help the many, many people who have lingering health problems from a Covid infection? Long Covid means health problems linger for weeks, months, or years after a Covid infection. Symptoms include but are not limited to brain fog, profound fatigue, exercise intolerance, and shortness of breath. How many “long…