Since July 2015, when requirements for food diversion took effect for medium-sized institutions under Vermont’s universal recycling law, the Vermont Foodbank has seen a 24 percent increase in food donations from retailers over last year. On Thursday, Sept. 24, state agency officials, representatives from the Vermont Foodbank, and local grocers joined together at the Chittenden…

By Stephen Seitz Rutland is planning a 100-year project to make the city’s water infrastructure sustainable and easily maintained by the time it’s finished, according to Rutland Department of Public Works commissioner Jeffrey Wennberg. Wennberg recently appeared on the cable access program “Insight,” hosted this week by Rutland Herald editor Alan Keays c and the program’s…

By Gov. Peter Shumlin When I came to office in 2011, I made expanding broadband Internet access to every last mile a priority. No one thought achieving that goal would be easy, especially since previous governors had set similar goals, only to fall short in the end. The same features that make Vermont an ideal…

$252,344 bonus recognizes state’s efforts administering federal food benefit program Gov. Peter Shumlin and Agency of Human Services (AHS) secretary Hal Cohen announced Sept. 30 that for the second time this year Vermont has received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture a bonus for increased performance in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers…

By Deborah T. Bucknam, Esq. Act 46, the new state law which provides for mergers of school districts into larger districts, protects forever all school districts’ present systems, whether the district tuitions its students or operates its own school, or a combination of both. The State Board of Education has interpreted Act 46 to mean…

Dear Editor, I support David Rosenblum who called out leaders on road safety. Rosenblum is a stalwart volunteer for the town and I fully understand his frustration with paid bureaucrats’ inaction. I’d wager things would play differently if said bureaucrats resided in the town locale. Municipalities get sued all the time for avoidable tragedies. We…

Dear Editor, I got interested in hydroelectric power in an instant on Dec. 26, 2008. While driving and listening to an NPR news piece regarding the skyrocketing price of oil, I had an epiphany. I live in a mill town and there are five dams within one mile of my home. I was deeply disturbed…

By Dom Cioffi Several months ago, after finding my son and his two friends indoors playing video games, I demanded that they exit the house. It was a beautiful summer day and they were wasting it staring into a television monitor. I barked something about never being allowed to stay inside when I was a…

LISA LAMPANELLI Thursday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. — RUTLAND — Comedy’s lovable “Queen of Mean,” Lisa Lampanelli will bring her “Leaner, Meaner” tour to Rutland’s Paramount Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. Never shying away from an insult or taboo subject, the seasoned comedian is well known for her fearless style of comedy. Brash,…

Courtesy of Billings Farm & Museum Coachman Alayna Perkins reins Belgian draft horses Tom and Jerry, pulling a wagon full of  Billings Farm visitors. Oct. 17-18 — WOODSTOCK — Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage, will feature the 8th annual Autumn Wagon Ride weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, from 10…

Courtesy of Rutland Building Bright Futures Twin boys explore play with musical instruments at a prior Building Bright Futures event. Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. — RUTLAND — Play prepares a young brain for life, love, and even schoolwork. To celebrate the benefits of play, Rutland Building Bright Futures (BBF) is holding its third annual Free Family…

Courtesy of Zip Barnard The Rutland Garden Club maintains this Blue Star Garden, where a WWII commemorative plaque stands, paying tribute to those who served in the war. Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. — RUTLAND — The Rutland Garden Club and American Legion Post #31 will sponsor a spaghetti dinner on Sunday, Oct. 18 to benefit…

Submitted Bombshell brides wanted! Head to Okemo for the fall bridal show to get your wedding planning started. Sunday, Oct. 18 at 11:30 a.m. — LUDLOW — The 9th Annual Okemo Bridal Show is Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Jackson Gore Inn at Okemo Mountain Resort. Meet and greet the area’s top wedding professionals, taste hors d’oeuvres…

Courtesy of Rutland Youth Theatre Young cast members ready for the upcoming production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at Rutland Intermediate School. RUTLAND — The Rutland Recreation Department has a busy weekend ahead, brimming with activities. The 11th annual Leaf Chase 10K will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17. Lace up those shoes and hit…

Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. — WOODSTOCK — Over the last decade, the bat population in Vermont has significantly declined due to the white-nose syndrome. Recently though, there has been some stabilization in populations. On Oct. 21, come and learn about Vermont’s nine species of bats, what habitat is important to the various species, and how you…