Reopening complicated by high Covid-19 cases nearby By Polly Mikula Vermont appears to be unique in its low Covid-19 infection rate, availability of testing and measured approach to reopening. In fact, it may be among the only states to satisfy the national guidelines for reopening: 1) A downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses and confirmed cases…

By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the…

Karen Scolforo joined VSC chancellor Jeb Spaulding in announcing her resignation Wednesday night. Spaulding's resignation was anticipated, Scolforo's was not.  By Lola Duffort/VT Digger The president of Castleton University submitted her resignation Wednesday, becoming the second top administrator in the Vermont State Colleges to announce her departure during an extraordinarily turbulent month for the system.…

Staff report The state of Vermont released new data on Monday, April 27, showing the number of coronavirus cases by the cities and towns in which patients reside. The data reflects lab-confirmed cases of Covid-19 among Vermont residents only. Residents of a long-term care facility or inmates at a correctional facility are reflected in the…

Safety enhancement work on Goshen Dam re-routes fish to other waterways, recreation continues on Sugar Hill Reservoir GOSHEN—The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announced April 21 that trout originally planned for stocking at Sugar Hill Reservoir, also known as Goshen Dam, in Goshen will be added to other area waterways for anglers. The shift is…

LUDLOW—The Black River Independent School Committee has hired Andrew Lapham Fersch to be their inaugural Head of School for the 2020/2021 academic year. Prior to joining Black River, Fersch—a 10 year teaching veteran of public schools—founded and ran an independent school in New Hampshire (the Penn Program) for several years. As a teacher and educational…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger NORTH CLARENDON — Shawn Dayton, 35, of Rutland, drove out of the Rutland Southern Vermont Airport in North Clarendon on Friday, April 24, with a supply of food for his family of five. Dayton lost his job when the restaurant where he worked was forced to close as part of the state’s…

By Bonnie Kirn Donahue Spending time planning your vegetable garden and thinking about what food you will produce is an excellent way to find some stability in these unsettling times. While growing our own food is an asset, as well as a source of comfort and enjoyment, I’d like to propose that we also consider…

By Merisa Sherman Let the rain kiss you.   Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.  - Langston Hughes The rain would announce its arrival by the pitter patter of drops on the roof. A random drop here and there until they would find their…

Phased re-opening expands health and safety measures, including mandatory training   On Friday, April 24, Governor Phil Scott outlined some additional openings as part of the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, introduced last week. The Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order remains in effect, but with modeling continuing to indicate Vermonters are significantly slowing the spread of the virus, the…

By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Twin brothers Cleon and Leon Boyd followed each other seemingly everywhere, from their births 64 years ago at the old Putnam Memorial Hospital in Bennington to their frequent arrivals at Deerfield Valley coffee counters such as Dot’s in Wilmington. “I never regretted seeing them walk in the door,” recalled Laura Sibilia, a former…

Killington Resort purchased 700 blocks of local cheese, 350 gallons of local milk to include in grocery packages KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced Friday, April 17, that it would be hosting a Community Grocery Giveaway Tuesday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The giveaway is part of Killington Resort’s Play Forever commitment to protect the environment, inspire participation, and pledge to support…

Bramhall Wilderness Preserve is 359 acres in the Chateauguay No-Town Conservation Area BRIDGEWATER—Northeast Wilderness Trust purchased 359 acres from Paedra Bramhall earlier this month, creating the first privately protected, forever-wild preserve in the Chateauguay No-Town Conservation Area, according to a news release April 10. The Wilderness Trust is a non-profit land trust that conserves forever-wild…

By Curt Peterson It’s been over a month since Vermont governor Phil Scott declared a state of emergency (March 13) and a month this week since he made the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order (March 24) to inhibit the spread of Covid-19, making a significant change in everyone’s life. Katie Williams of Quechee, eight-plus months…

Scott administration data shows Vermont past its peak, announces cautious protocols for reopening On Friday, April 17, Governor Phil Scott outlined an approach for the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, emphasizing the state’s modeling indicates initial steps can be taken while the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order remains in effect. To begin to execute this strategy, Governor…