By Julia Purdy Who doesn’t love a covered bridge? Nothing symbolizes Vermont’s heritage better than covered bridges – in fact, with just over 100 remaining publicly owned covered bridges out of originally 700-800, Vermont can boast more per square mile than anywhere else in the U.S. At one time, almost every public highway crossed a…

By Gary Salmon This is the business end of a purple sticky trap. It is a three-sided affair which is suspended from a tree nearly 20 feet in the air. We have all seen these hanging from “trees of concern” to help determine the presence of Emerald Ash Borer. Even our roads in Shrewsbury had…

By Sandra Dee Owens Every summer, my skin was covered in ooze. My immune system’s response to the itchy rash of blisters caused by southern Vermont’s most prolific crop—poison parsnip. Minutes after mowing, weed trimming, or hiking, the skin on my hands, arms, chest, torso, and legs would become hot and itchy, a precursor to…

Friday, Aug. 5 — FAIR HAVEN — This Friday is Family Movie Night Prior to the start of the show, we will have a bike parade around the park and pony rides will be available. Free Stewart’s ice cream has been donated, so we will have free ice cream, too. A second movie night will…

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…