As the civilian toll in Ukraine grows, state lawmakers are fast-tracking legislation to send humanitarian aid to the besieged nation. Legislature suspended its rules last week to fast track the bill, H.717. The House passed it on Tuesday, March 8, the Senate on Thursday, March 10, and it was delivered to the governor’s desk, March…

Dear Editor, There are times when silence says more than words. But it is words and courage that are now required. The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) has been outspoken in our support of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because what we say and do matters, we support communities and institutions within…

By Victoria Gaither Vermont is more than 4,500 miles away from Ukraine, but for Daniela Blaga Carr, it might as well be at her back door in Mendon. “My home country is Romania, which borders Ukraine on the northern side. I grew up very close to the Ukrainian border,” said Carr. To watch what is…

Youth, advocates, legislators, and activists met March 10 to discuss their criminal justice legislative priorities during crossover week in Montpelier. Speakers included Addie Lentzner of the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Sen. Dick Sears, Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, DeRay McKesson and Cassie Ippaso of Campaign Zero, Mia Schultz of NAACP-Rutland, and Falko Schilling…

Vermont drops guidance for masking indoors, at school By Polly Mikula Starting Monday, March 14, it’s ok to for everyone to unmask in public, including indoors and in K-12 schools, the state announced Thursday, March 3. “As our statewide hospitalization rate is low, and hospitals are no longer facing the Covid-related strains of the recent…

Staff report In a letter sent to Windsor Central Supervisory Union parents, at 7:54 p.m., March 9, Superintendent Sherry Sousa announced that the district's elementary schools would move to voluntary mask wearing on Monday, April 4 — three weeks after the governor announced general guidance for unmasking would take effect (March 14). "I’ve spoken with…

By Brett Yates With Bob Baird’s decision to step down at the end of his term, Chittenden voters had a vacancy to fill on the Select Board on Town Meeting Day. In an uncontested election for a two-year term, Dave Sargent won 182 votes. As the newest member of the board, Sargent is not really…

By Curt Peterson Local school district boards have been scrambling after the state announced last Thursday, March 3, that new guidelines would stop advising mandatory masking within school buildings after March 14. The new guidelines came out just three days after the state’s previous guidelines (setting an 80% vaccination theshold for schools to unmask) went…

By Katy Savage After a recount, Rutland City finally has new School Board members. The ballots were recounted Sunday, March 6 after a very tight race. Ten candidates battled for four open seats, with the third, fourth and fifth candidates getting within five votes or less of each other. But the recount didn’t change the…

Celebrate the final days of KBL with a smashing good time March 20, spring skiing/riding won't be adversely affected, resort says — and new lodge to open in November They say all good things must come to an end, and after a run spanning more than six decades, the classic K-1 Lodge (formerly known as…

By Katy Savage Woodstock’s 1% option tax is heading for a recount. The option tax, which would add 1% to the state’s 6% sales tax locally, failed 426-417 on Town Meeting Day, March 1. Woodstock Town Clerk Charles Degener said the close vote was rare for the town. “The last time we had a recount…

Staff report Two people, including a toddler, died in head-on collision on Route 103 in Chester on March 2, according to police. Police said a minivan traveling erratically without headlights crossed the center line and struck another car near Peck Road. The driver of the minivan, Janice Bergeron, 80, from Rockingham sustained significant injuries. She…

Staff report Woodstock’s varsity girls' hockey team defeated Hartford’s 5-1 in the Division 2 state championship game on Monday evening, March 7. It was the program’s first championship in its history. The game was held at Gutterson Fieldhouse, a 4,035-seat hockey arena in Burlington, where the UVM Catamounts men’s and women’s ice hockey teams play…

By Brett Yates The Pittsfield Rescue Plan Committee will hold its first meeting on March 24 at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall, with additional virtual access via Microsoft Teams, the Select Board determined on Thursday, March 3. Pittsfield will receive $165,306 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), last year’s $1.9 billion federal stimulus.…

By Curt Peterson Local Select Board races ended in upsets this year in Barnard and Hartland, where two long-time board members were ousted on Town Meeting Day. Tim Johnson, a 21-year Barnard incumbent, was unseated by Richard Lancaster, 67, who has served as lister, and at one time, selectman, by 10 votes from the floor,…