On Thursday, Aug. 3, Scott Whittier, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the Vermont office for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), presented a StormReady Certification to Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC). “I’m pleased to present this certificate to Rutland Regional Medical Center,” said Whittier. “This demonstrates that the hospital has met all of the criteria…

  Recent flooding has altered Vermont’s landscape and property owners understandably have questions. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has prepared answers to frequently asked questions:  Recent flooding moved the stream/river extremely close to my home/business. Will the state come and fix it?  If you feel your home or business is unsafe, take necessary measures…

  Staff report The Killington Fire Department needed to be called in Wednesday, Aug. 2 after 42 animals got stuck on the roof at the Sherburne Memorial Library. The animals climbed up the roof in the middle of the night, with the pigeon, a notorious troublemaker, leading the way. The annual event, which takes place…

  By Katy Savage Vermont’s animal shelters have achieved a “no-kill” status for the first time. The status comes from Best Friends Animal Society, a Utah-based  national nonprofit animal welfare organization. To achieve that status, all shelters in the state have to have at least a 90% save rate for animals.  “That’s a tremendous achievement,”…

  Once again this summer, on Thursday, July 27, Maclure Library was able to host a book giveaway thanks to a grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF). The event was attended by 62 children and their families gathering at the Lothrop School gym to watch Vermont author Marv Klassen-Landis’ engaging storytelling, and each child…

  Staff report The Proctor Skate Rink opened a new playground this summer, thanks to a $50,000 town grant. Megan Cannucci and her husband, who started running the rink about six years ago, wanted to bring another summer activity to the park, in addition to roller skating.  Playgrounds in the area are located at schools…

   At its annual meeting on July 19, the Vermont Farmers Food Center’s (VFFC) Board of Directors voted in four new board members and thanked two outgoing board members for their dedicated service to the organization.  “VFFC would not be where it is today without its many talented and dedicated volunteer board members. We are…

  Vermont members of the New England Independent Bookstore Association (NEIBA) are supporting each other after flooding. “Bookstores Helping Bookstores,” a fundraising effort to help Bear Pond Books of Montpelier and Next Chapter Bookstore of Barre, both member bookstores that were devastated in the recent FEMA declared disaster flood in central Vermont. On Saturday, July…

  After the recent July floods, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VTF&W) is asking recovery efforts to prioritize river resilience and help impacted fish populations when possible. “The first priority in flood recovery is human safety,” said Aquatic Habitat Biologist Will Eldridge, Friday, July 28. “During Tropical Storm Irene, we learned that retaining and recovering…

  Applications to open Aug. 3 The Department of Economic Development has created the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP), a $20 million grant program for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages from flooding dating back to July 7.   “My team and I are committed to doing whatever we can to support businesses who…

  Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams from FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are going door-to-door in Vermont communities, canvassing neighborhoods and helping flood-impacted residents register for disaster assistance. DSA crew members are visiting homes, schools, nonprofits and communities with limited access. They are also meeting with local officials and community leaders to identify…

  By Curt Peterson Hartland tax rate is up 8% and the education rate is up 6% from last year.  The municipal homestead rate for FY24 is $.6507, and the education rate is $1.8202, for a total homestead rate of $2.4709 per $100 of assessed property value.   Interim Town Manager Martin Dole translated the tax…

  By Curt Peterson Anyone wanting to travel East Mountain Road between Bear Mountain Road and Route 4 (where it connects just east of the Skyeship gondola) in Killington should change plans, Killington town officials said at a recent meeting. That portion of road is still inaccessible. East Mountain Road is accessible now from the…

The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced the recipients of the Vermont Community Leadership Award last Wednesday, July 26. The awards will be presented at VCRD’s 2023 Vermont Community Leadership Summit on Aug. 15 at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus. The Vermont Community Leadership Award is presented each year to celebrate Vermonters who…

  By Shaun Robinson/VTDigger Vermont’s freight railroads took a beating in July’s floods. But rail officials say repairs are happening quickly, and the lines that are still damaged should be back on track soon. “Our entire system was affected,” said Selden Houghton, president of Vermont Rail System.“Hopefully, by next week, we’ll be 100% put back together.”…