More than 70 businesses and organizations that employ Vermont workers have been selected to receive a 2022 Vermont Governor’s Award for Excellence in Worksite Wellness. Developed more than 20 years ago by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and presented in partnership with the Dept. of Health, the annual awards provide an opportunity…

By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger The Vermont House gave final approval on Monday, May 9 to a bill intended to ban racist and offensive school mascots, overriding objections that the legislation would erode school districts’ autonomy. S.139 would direct the Vermont Agency of Education to create a state policy for school branding, including mascots, slogans, logos and…

By Jack Lyons/VTDigger Since 1954, the 251 Club has been a collective for people who endeavor to visit all of Vermont’s 251 cities, towns and unincorporated communities. But last month, the club faced an unprecedented consideration: On July 1, Vermont will add the city of Essex Junction to its ranks when the village splits away…

Gov. Phil Scott visited “Vermont’s Largest Job Fair” on April 26 to promote the many trades jobs available in Vermont and to champion proposals to reverse Vermont’s workforce shortage. Labor economist and Director of Economic and Labor Market Information Mathew Barewicz presented data on Vermont’s labor force and demographic trends, illustrating the significant challenge these…

Green Up Day is a 52-year-old Vermont tradition that spans generations of volunteers and continues to impact our landscape and quality of life. This Saturday, May 7, grab a friend and your green Green Up bags and head out to beautify a local roadside. “Many residents have been contacting the Green Up Vermont office, concerned…

By Rep. Jim Harrison While the 2022 session was scheduled and budgeted for a normal 18 weeks (May 13), House and Senate leaders are pushing for an adjournment on May 6. There is plenty of motivation to get done early with campaigning to do by several key Senators and House members that are running for…

By Rob Roper Editor's note: Rob Roper is on the board of directors of the Ethan Allen Institute. On the morning of April 15, after weeks of discussion and just hours before they voted 4-1 to advance legislation that would saddle Vermonters with a radical, economy transforming “clean heat standard” for home heating fuels, senators…

Rutland's VFFC received $37,348 to purchase a new cargo van fit with refrigeration The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets announced April 21 $300,000 in sub-awards to five regional nonprofit food hubs as part of a Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) award. This investment will support Vermont food hubs with critical infrastructure needs, allowing…

The owners of Blake Hill Preserves in Windsor are the 2022 Vermont small business persons of the year. Vicky Allard and Joe Hanglin are being recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for Blake Hill Preserves’ employment growth, success in the marketplace, company expansion and community involvement. “We feel so honored for Blake Hill Preserves…

“I can no longer sit silent while the people of Ukraine suffer such inhuman devastation from this unprovoked violence,” said John Bob Siemienowicz. He asked members of district 7870, covering Rotary clubs in southern New Hampshire and southern Vermont, of Rotary International to “band together to offer humanitarian aid to alleviate the grief and suffering…

By Rep. Jim Harrison With only 3-4 weeks left in the 2022 legislative session, key lawmakers in both the House and Senate are staking out positions on various bills moving through the process. The House education committee, for example, has been working on an initiative to provide free lunch and breakfast for all K-12 students…

Attorney General T.J. Donovan today announced April 13 that his office has reached settlements with two different online sellers of electronic cigarettes for violations of Vermont’s Delivery Sales Ban and Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act. Under the settlements, the companies resolved claims that they sold electronic cigarettes, e-liquids, or other tobacco paraphernalia to individual consumers. As…

By Ethan Weinstein / VT Digger Every morning, before she’s fully rubbed the sleep from her eyes, Natalia May checks social media for the latest updates from Ukraine’s more than 4 million refugees. Then, she starts digging. “I basically became, like, a concierge of research,” said May, who grew up in Russia and has lived…

By Liz DiMarco Weinmann On first meeting Avaloy Lanning, the executive director of Rutland’s NewStory Center, one is most impressed with her generous laugh, relentless drive, and abundant positivity. That NewStory Center is a nonprofit helping survivors of domestic violence every single day, makes Lanning’s approach to her work — and to life overall —…

By Katy Savage After two near-tragedies on the same day, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is reminding people to stay off of train tracks.  Toni Clithero, the state operation coordinator of Operation Lifesaver of Vermont, Inc. at VTrans, said a couple walking their dog on the Ethan Allen Express rail line in West Rutland…