As spring temperatures arrive, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is inviting Vermonters to report when lakes and ponds lose their ice cover, known as the “ice-out date.” The spring date when a lake becomes completely ice free from shore to shore lets DEC staff scientists know the best time to begin their seasonal…

By Elise Tillinghast On a cold November 2020 day, my daughter Lucy and I detected a strange floral scent in our woods. I challenged her to find its source, and promised a reward of chocolate cake. After some sniffing, she led the way several feet upslope, stopping at a rotting log which bridged the air…

Everyone should have a go-to sangria recipe in his or her cocktail repertoire. Sangria, when done right, can be a highly refreshing punch that is at home any time of the year. Sangria can be enjoyed on its own and sipped on a lazy, sunny afternoon, or paired with a delicious meal. Sangria recipes also…

Sweet yet savory ground meat served on a bun is a comfort food classic that has been a staple for restaurants and home cooks for decades. Sloppy Joes are beloved sandwiches that feature meat paired with a lip-smacking, tomato-based sauce. Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where in…

Friday, April 1 — RANDOLPH — Once again, on April 1, Randolph’s streets and riverside trail will become a village-wide anthology of poetry. PoemTown Randolph will launch its ninth annual celebration of National Poetry Month. Posters of over a hundred selected poems by poets from every corner of Vermont will be on display in the…

By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger Once they complete the sixth grade, students in the towns of Dover and Wardsboro must leave their school district to attend class. The small River Valleys school district, in rural Windham County like many rural schools in the state, does not operate a high school or a middle school. Under Vermont’s school…

By Christopher Ross/Addison County Independent BRISTOL — It took just six presentation slides by Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer to astonish the audience of a virtual healthcare talk hosted by Bristol Democrats earlier this month. State healthcare costs are soaring, transparency is declining and the University of Vermont Health Network (UVMHN) exerts outsize influence on…

By Katy Savage Killington Elementary School Principal Mary Guggenberger has been named principal of the year by the Vermont Principal’s Association. Guggenberger said she got a call from VPA Executive Director Jay Nichols two weeks ago saying she was nominated and won. “I was a little bit floored to tell you the truth,” Guggenberger said.…

Staff report At-home antigen or LAMP Covid-19 tests will now be provided at state-run testing sites, rather than PCR tests, according to state officials. Health Commissioner Mark Levine said PCR tests — which are administered at the testing site and take longer to produce results — will still be available for certain situations, such as…

By Robin Alberti On Saturday, March 26, a group of volunteers helped host the annual “Drive Up & Poke! Rabies Clinic” at Woodstock Union Middle School/High School. This was the second clinic; the first had been held in Springfield the weekend prior. Dr. Philippa Richards, DVM at Kedron Valley Veterinary Clinic make this important service…

Editor's note: The following commentary was submitted by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT), the Vermont Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and the National Circle of Parents, whose mission is to promote and support healthy relationships within families, schools and communities to eliminate child abuse. Visit pcavt.org The child advocates from Prevent Child Abuse Vermont…

By Curt Peterson Killington selectmen reviewed a resolution Monday night, March 28, making the Killington Fire and Rescue (KF&R) organization a department within the town after more than 65 years of independence. Previously, KF&R, nee Sherburne Volunteer Fire Department, has been its own corporation staffed entirely by volunteers. At one time it owned its own…

$75,000 awarded for Killington trails, $141,488 for Velomont By Polly Mikula The Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC), a division of the Forests, Parks & Recreation branch in the Agency of Natural Resources, has selected 24 projects throughout the state to receive $4,546,813 in community grants. It was a competitive process with over $7.1 million…

Cobra Gymnastics wrapped up its regular season with success at the Vermont State Championships on March 19 and 20. In total, 322 gymnasts competed in 12 different levels over the weekend, all hoping to achieve individual and team state titles. For some individuals, a qualifying spot for the Vermont Regional team was also a coveted…

By Brett Yates Conversations in Chittenden about what the town should do with its allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have coalesced into a formal list of nine potential projects. President Biden signed ARPA, a $1.9 million economic stimulus, into law last spring, sending Covid-19 recovery funds (with flexible spending guidelines) to municipalities…