By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger Vermont spends about $130 million on early education and pre-K each year, but it’s not enough, according to a Blue Ribbon Commission tasked with studying how to create and pay for quality care and schooling for children from birth to age 5. It will take an investment of somewhere between…

By Jasper Craven, VTDigger.org In his first news conference in more than a month, Republican Gov.-elect Phil Scott shared updates Monday, Dec. 12, on his budgeting and hiring process, tiptoed around any talk of the recent controversial pronouncements and political appointments by Donald Trump, and outlined details about selling his ownership in a construction company.…

On the heels of America Recycles Day—a national celebration of recycling held each Nov. 15—the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its first “Universal Recycling Status Report,” according to the Dec. 5 news release. The 16-page report summarizes the status of recycling, composting, and food donation across the state. Vermont’s Universal Recycling law (Act 148)…

Dear Editor, The Rutland United Methodist Church held a luncheon in the Church Fellowship hall on Dec. 6 to distribute funds raised at the October Chocolate Festival and Silent Auction. It is fitting that this can be part of our Christmas spirit to the community. Pastor Rogers and the co-chairs presented 13 different Rutland area…

Dear Editor, On Nov. 19, the Recreation Department sponsored the annual holiday craft sale. The Recreation Department would like recognize Kelly Connaughton, the craft fair coordinator. She volunteered a lot of time out of her very busy schedule to help raise money for the kids in our community. The town of Pittsford and Lothrop School…

Dear Editor, In 1986, a few friends and I threw a small dinner party and asked everyone invited to bring a toy, instead of wine or snacks, that we would donate to a local shelter. On Saturday, Dec. 3, at The Foundry at Summit Pond, hundreds of friends and neighbors helped us celebrate the 30th…

By Lee H. Hamilton Franklin Roosevelt once said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.” He was talking about why education matters in a representative democracy, but it’s a safe bet that had he known about fake internet news, he’d have said the same thing—except maybe with more…

By Angelo S. Lynn What does it say when President-elect Donald Trump invites Al Gore for a visit to talk about climate change on Monday, then on Wednesday nominates Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency? What does it say when he calls the president of Taiwan in a direct affront to China, and…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg “I’m funny how, I mean funny like I’m a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I’m here to freakin’ amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?” said Tommy DeVito in “Goodfellas.” If you want to see how people are funny, then head to…

QUECHEE—The Vermont Institute of Natural Science has re-opened its spectacular outdoor exhibit titled “Ice Age Mammals on the Meadow.” This year, the exhibit features an Irish elk, a dire wolf, a saber-toothed Cat, and a handful of mastodons. The sculptures will be on display in the VINS meadow for visitors to see through April 2017.…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org RUTLAND — In a highly anticipated ruling, U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford has denied a motion by Donald Fell’s defense seeking to declare the Federal Death Penalty Act unconstitutional as cruel and unusual punishment. The 57-page decision issued Tuesday, Dec. 13, states that it is not within a trial judge’s purview…

This holiday season marks the 117th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a favorite tradition among Vermont’s birding community.  Birders in Vermont are encouraged to participate in the count, which is happening in Vermont from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2. Even novice birdwatchers can participate because every event is led by an experienced birder. Organizers and…

LUDLOW—As it plans its programming schedule for 2017, Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA) has decided it will introduce the ability to stream live programming for the benefit of its audiences. Streaming is essentially the process of presenting live events, such as Broadway musicals, sporting events, and national public interest events, as they actually are occurring.…

RUTLAND—In November, Rutland Area Farm and Food link (RAFFL) launched an effort to raise $75,000 to expand its current programming and outreach within the current communities it serves. With a successful campaign by year’s end, RAFFL will be able to continue its efforts to capture fresh, seasonal food from local farms for those in need…

Nissan relocation is back under consideration RUTLAND—Early in 2016, Garvey Nissan filed an Act 250 application to build a new auto dealership on 16.5 acres at the border of Rutland Town and North Clarendon. The dealership had requested the application be held in abeyance while it worked to ameliorate “unforeseen technical issues,” but now the…