State and federal officials announced May 27 that more than $1 million in FEMA aid has been delivered to the state to help cover the costs of the Dec. 9-12, 2014, winter storm that wreaked havoc on Vermont’s infrastructure, downing trees and power lines. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the aid package…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org A recent listing of the 100 most affordable small colleges in the country includes three of Vermont State College system’s four-year institutions: Castleton, Johnson and Lyndon. The list was published last month by a website called Best Value Schools. The website whittled the top 100 from 700 eligible schools overall.…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org Vermont will soon join a number of other states in launching a children’s savings account program aimed at encouraging more low-income children, and their parents, to consider higher education. Under a bill passed by the Legislature, savings accounts will be opened for every baby born in Vermont—$250 will be deposited…

Courtesy of Town of Killington A rider crashes into hay bale barriers in the inaugural Downhill Throwdown in 2014. Riders will exceed 60 m.p.h. down the steep, winding course View an event preview video Here KILLINGTON–Killington’s Downhill Throwdown freeride event is back for a second year, with three days of high-speed action, June 6-8. The…

By Lisa Lynn Ten endurance athletes began the 888K, 10-day, race but only one finished: Greg Salvesen completed the 551 miles in 8.88 days. Those that did not finish include Jess Pendleton and  Joel Gat who each completed 456 miles, Rebecca Hansen with 419 miles, John Sharp with 403 miles, Jordan Wirfs-Brock with 377 miles,…

Courtesy of MemorEvents Emily Packard returns to Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, June 6, for the American-Canadian Tour’s People’s United Bank 100. WEST HAVEN – Stock car driver Emily Packard, age 18, returns to Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday night with a mission: win the People’s United Bank 100. The East Montpelier, Vt., native will use…

By Barb Wood KILLINGTON — The Killington Mountain School Cycling team had a home-turf advantage for the legendary Killington Stage Race, a three-day event over the Memorial Day weekend marked by steep climbs and spectacular Green Mountain scenery. KMS cyclists performed solidly, with some outstanding results and podium ascents. Ian Clarke won the General Classification lead,…

By Julia Purdy On Saturday, May 23, the Vermont Marble Museum celebrated its grand reopening, with all exibits intact, after several years of standing silent. In all, the day was a success, with 450 visitors browsing through exhibits and the gift shop. The Museum’s revival began with the purchase in December 2015 of the cavernous…

By Cal Garrison, a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week's Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a full, Sagittarius Moon, with aspects that look like we're in for a few days of ease and calm. The lighthearted vibe that underlies everything when the Sun is in Gemini plays a big part in this.…

On Sunday, May 31, Cristina Kumka a previous Body Transformation Challenge participant from Pittsford, ran 104 miles in 48 hour as part of the Endurance Society’s Infinitus challenge. Participants ran a figure-eight loop around Goshen, Moosalamoo and Silver Lake out with headquarters at Blueberry Hill. (The first loop was 10 miles, the second loop was…

By Lee H. Hamilton A few weeks ago, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia made a small splash in the press when he took Congress to task for failing to authorize our nation’s ongoing war against Islamic militants. “The silence of Congress in the midst of this war is cowardly and shameful,” he said. “[T]his Congress,…

Dear Editor, Everyone has an opinion, everyone has a right to differ. We all have a say! There is currently  a  controversy in Taftsville regarding the installation of a commercial solar farm by an out of state developer on the scenic Route 4 Byway and Historic District. It is a village historic neighborhood. This will be…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org Vermont’s unemployment rate fell again in April to a seasonally adjusted 3.6 percent. The drop from 3.8 percent in March is statistically significant, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Vermont is now tied with South Dakota for the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the U.S. The unemployment rate…

Dear Editor, With Rutland Blooms’ biggest project to date now complete, thanks to the support of dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals, more than 200 trees have been added to the cityscape, improving it for generations.  Flowering crabapples now dot streets throughout the northwest neighborhood, and majestic maples will shine bright this fall and for…

Courtesy of Sanders for President Students hold up letters that read “Bernie for people” near the Burlington waterfront. By Angelo Lynn, Addison Independent Here’s why I’m standing with Sen. Bernie Sanders in his run for the presidential Democratic nomination and why it’s smart politics for other Vermonters—and moderate to liberal voters everywhere—to support him as…