On Tuesday, Nov. 10, six months after signing the historic education reform law known as Act 46, Gov. Peter Shumlin highlighted its early success in sparking local conversations statewide about how to enhance educational quality for Vermont’s kids. The governor made the announcement at Essex High School a week after voters from the towns of…

By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog State lawmakers on Thursday, Oct. 29, sent a letter to Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe and State Board of Education Chair Stephen Morse, urging the board to reverse a ruling that prevents many districts from keeping school choice as they merge with other districts. “We are writing regarding Act 46, and…

November marks the beginning of the three-month open enrollment window Many Vermonters getting their insurance through the online marketplace will see their monthly health care premiums decrease next year, Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Oct. 29. The open enrollment period is a once-a-year opportunity for Vermonters using VHC to reevaluate their health care needs and change…

By Rebecca Holcombe and Scott Giles Fifty years ago, on Nov. 8, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Higher Education Act of 1965 into law. This historic act marked our first commitment to universal access to higher education, and represented one of the great achievements of the Civil Rights movement. Reflecting on the momentous occasion, President…

Those who grew up in Vermont likely experienced a childhood with adventures through snowy woods, discoveries in neighborhood brooks, and foot races through grassy fields. In Vermont we’re so fortunate to be surrounded by a natural world that offers so much. It truly is nature’s playground that we all get to enjoy. For many, it…

Dear Editor, One of the articles recently, regarding the status of the Rutland State Fair, mentioned the "Master Gardens." I think it is important for people to know that the Fair staff has nothing to do with maintenance, or even creation of the landscaping of the grounds, except to mow the lawn. There is a group…

Dear Editor, On Sunday, Oct. 25, approximately 70 members, friends and supporters of ARC-Rutland Area arrived at the Bomoseen Grange Hall for their annual Halloween Dance. That afternoon the hall was filled with music, munchies, costumes and plenty of dancing. Lori Anna and Bob Mason, did a super job as DJs and provided a delightful assortment of…

Dear Editor, I am writing to you today to share a vision for Vermont that is guided not by what is lacking but by what is working. I have so much optimism about our beautiful state. Vermont has incredible resources and resilient people. We see it in our working landscape, our revitalized downtowns, in our…

Dear Editor, My question on transparency (two books, two reports, two financials) gets really confusing when the town is not using one set of financials for all. In the 2013 Town Report “Goodnight Irene” on page 5, it states: “By completing construction of new bridges on Stage and Ravine Roads and repairing a series of…

Dear Editor, I love the wind...waves lapping against my dock, the whispering of the tree leaves, the way my flags blow. All are moving with this crisp wind blowing through my land. I even have a little windmill in my garden that I love watching! So you may wonder why I'm opposed to industrial wind…

Courtesy of Dave Hoffenberg BRIAN BLUMENTHAL a.k.a. “BLOOMER” Brian Blumenthal makes his long awaited return to Mogul Sports Pub this Saturday at 6 p.m. for one night only. Blumenthal, or Bloomer as he is better known, is excited to be back playing in Killington as this is one of his favorite places to play. He…

By Dom Cioffi I received two premiere tickets to see an NFL game this past weekend. They were given to me free of charge along with an incredibly convenient parking pass located right next to the stadium. The plan was to take my son and meet up with other friends and their kids who were…

By Tom Rogers courtesy of Vt. Fish & Wildlife Hunters are urged to wear a fluorescent orange hat and vest during Vermont’s popular Nov. 14-29 rifle deer season. Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s statewide traditionally popular 16-day rifle deer season that begins Nov. 14 and ends Sunday, Nov. 29. A hunter…

By Kate Troy Rutland’s Dan Beauregard, carries the ball in an “eight-man pick” off the base of a scrum in Rutland’s third place victory. By Maxx Steinmetz New England Rugby Football Union’s (NERFU) fourth division held their end of season tournament this weekend in Keene, N.H. hosted by their local club, the Monadnack Wolfpack. Rutland…

RUTLAND — It was a busy week in sports for College of St. Joseph athletics. With men’s and women’s basketball just getting started, and men’s soccer coming to an end, we look forward to an exciting winter season and look back on what was a terrific fall. Men’s soccer lost their opening round match in…