By Dr. David McKay Editor’s note: Dr. David McKay is a retired physician from Middlebury and past president of both the Vermont Medical Society and the Vermont Psychiatric Association. As Yogi Berra famously said: “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Vermont has found some powerful new tools to make Covid disappear. Since the very beginning…

Staff report Lothrop Elementary School in Pittsford went into lockdown on Thursday, June 9 after a threat of violence. Police said a man walked into a Rutland health facility Thursday morning and made a number of threatening statements. Some of the comments made referred to the school shooting in Texas and his desire to carry…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger BRIDGEWATER — At the corners of Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington and Stockbridge rises a hundred square miles of rugged, rocky land. Twenty-five years ago, the four towns banded together, working alongside conservation-minded nonprofits, to form the Chateauguay No Town Conservation Project, with the goal of conserving as much of the 60,000-plus acres as possible.…

Andrew Pearce Bowls of Hartland is celebrating its 10 anniversary this month as a Vermont owned business known and respected world-wide for its unique craftsmanship and design of wooden bowls and wood cutting boards. “This is a milestone that I am extremely proud to have achieved, and I am deeply grateful as I share it…

Vt Dept. of Health says 'get take-home tests now' Vermont Health Dept. testing sites will close June 25. Vermonters are encouraged to pick up free take-home tests from these sites to keep at home and use if needed. Vermonters can get up to four antigen test kits for each appointment, but only one LAMP (similar to…

By Kevin Theissen The Social Security trustees have issued their 2022 report to Congress, officially called “The 2022 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds.” It is also available to the public and presents the current and projected financial status of the…

By Katy Savage The construction of a proposed hut on Silver Lake in Leicester has drawn unexpected controversy from the public. A number of residents attended a public information meeting on Wednesday, June 8. One described the lake as an “oasis of solitude” and many had concerns about development. Don Brush, a neighbor to the…

CASTLETON — Castleton University, in partnership with Heritage Family Credit Union, will present the 27th annual Castleton Summer Concerts at the Pavilion on Tuesday evenings from June 28 through Aug. 9 at the Castleton Pavilion. Heritage Family Credit Union Presents: Castleton Summer Concerts at the Pavilion features a lineup of outstanding local and national bands…

Housing Trust of Rutland County (HTRC) has relocated to 27 Wales St., Suite 201 in downtown Rutland. HTRC will hold an open house and annual meeting on Thursday, June 30 from 4-6 p.m. The open house and annual meeting are open to the public. Housing Trust of Rutland County’s Open House and Annual Meeting will…

By Merisa Sherman I was shaking from the inside out. I could feel it in my chest, my arms and legs and all the way into my fingers and toes. My heart was racing faster than if I had climbed Trail A up Killington. My voice came out raspy and I couldn’t catch my breath.…

Dear Editor, Why are those Vermont legislators who sponsor bill after bill to recognize fetal personhood and insist on legal protections for women and preborn babies con- sistently stonewalled, their bills never making it out of committee? It’s time to vote out of office those who deny protections for and refuse to recognizethesanctityand equality of…

June 17-19 —QUECHEE — The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival, the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England, will celebrate its 42nd anniversary, when thousands are expected to flock to central Vermont, June 17-19, 2022 (Father’s Day weekend). Twenty balloonists headline the event with five flights slated throughout the weekend…

Eric Maguire of Rutland is running for Vermont House of Representatives to represent the city’s southeast quadrant that votes at Christ the King school. Prior to this year’s redistricting, it was Rutland 5-2, but now will be called Rutland-5. Rep. Larry Cupoli, having served in the House for 10 years, will be retiring from office…

Sunday, June 19 — PUTNEY —Next Stage Arts presents avant-garde jazz legends William Parker and Hamid Drake, in a concert setting the poetry of David Budbill to music. The concert is at 5 p.m .on Sunday, June 19, at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. “Vermont’s artistic treasures know no bounds. David Budbill…

Given that I have played, coached, and ref'ed the game of basketball for much of my life, it’s not surprising that my son also ended up interested in the game. Admittedly, some of this was by design. Prior to my son being able to walk, I used to sit him in front of me on…