By Kevin O'Connor/VTDigger His sound bites for the common good and against corporate greed haven’t changed. But facing the biggest test of his political career, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said the stakes had never been higher. The Vermont Independent toured his home state this Labor Day weekend in support of a $3.5 trillion budget…

Vail Resorts announced reopening dates across North America for 2021-22 season Vail Resorts has announced its schedule of opening dates for its 34 North American resorts. The action kicks off at Keystone in October, with the resort set to open as early as possible thanks to recent investments in an energy-efficient snowmaking system. As a…

2-1⁄2-years-old. Female. English Bulldog mix. Brindle and white. I am an easy going gal that may seem a little on the lazy side but don’t be fooled, I enjoy brisk walks and need regular exercise with a careful diet to stay trim. Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT • (802) 483-6700 •…

By Curt Peterson School district administrators are normally under pressure as opening day roars toward them like a freight train. Picture General George Washington astride his white horse, circulating among shivering troops before the Battle of Trenton, discussing strategy, boosting morale, everything at stake. That kind of pressure. Add the reemergence of Covid in Vermont,…

By Katy Savage With the 41st annual Quechee Balloon Festival coming up Labor Day weekend, many balloon pilots are remembering a lost colleague. Balloon pilot Brian Boland, 72, of Thetford, died July 15 after he fell out of his basket and became entangled underneath. Boland was well-known and beloved among the pilot community. He built…

By Virginia Dean One of the unique aspects of the newly-opened Elderflower Esthetics is its true emphasis on the client — not just individual lifestyle and needs but customized products that touch the skin. With the business launched Aug. 20, owner Emily MacGregor operates her small, independent skin care studio under the premise that our…

By Katy Savage The Woodstock Select Board approved last week the Economic Development Commission’s proposal to spend $110,000 to market the town. Class Four, a marketing firm in Burlington, will be hired under a one-year contract to develop videos and photos that capture the Woodstock lifestyle to increase tourism, attract new residents and entice new…

By Ethan Weinstein Bridgewater’s Aug. 17 Select Board meeting devolved into disarray when the board entered into executive session but failed to end its Zoom meeting, allowing the public to hear the private discussion. Town clerk and recently board-appointed treasurer Nancy Robinson proceeded to claim former treasurer Vicky Young wasted time making frequent trips to…

By Curt Peterson On Aug. 16, the Windsor Central Unified Union School District board, parents and students learned what the Covid-related requirements will be when campuses open on Sept. 1 and witnessed an open meetings law training session conducted by attorney Dina Atwood of Stitzel, Page & Fletcher, P.C. A Vermont school board is considered…

Claude B. Blais, 68, of Killington, a restaurateur and bon vivant, died of the ravages of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 22, 2021. Claude was born in Newport, the third child of Benoit and Floride Blais. He grew up in the family home in Derby Line, traveling by bus during the school year to attend the…

By Brooke Geery Sadie Boroff, 12, of New Canaan, Connecticut, sat on top of a ramp in the parking lot of the Darkside Snowboard shop watching as a few younger girls practiced their drop-ins. The sun baked down for the fifth day of skateboard camp, and Boroff wasn’t the only one showing signs of fatigue,…

By Katy Savage The Woodstock Economic Development Commission and Village trustees are trying to bring more food to town to accommodate a shortage of lunch options and a striking volume of tourists. EDC chair Jon Spector said the “unprecedented surge in demand,” combined with lack of employees, has created an “impossible equation” for restaurant owners.…

By Curt Peterson The Windsor Central Unified Union School District convened a special board meeting Monday night, still on a “hybrid” regimen — about half the participants were present in the Middle School library, while the other half attended remotely via Zoom. The formula worked, although Chair Bryce Sammel (Barnard) had to wait 18 minutes…

By The Boston Globe MYTH: The Covid-19 vaccines were developed too fast to be safe. FACTS: It’s understandable that people would have this concern. The vaccines were rolled out in record time, two of them using a novel technology. The government entity that led the effort was even called “Operation Warp Speed.” But in reality,…

By Katherine Lazarus PITTSFORD — Vermont’s idyllic countryside has a way of enticing out-of-staters. Just ask Mason Jarboe, 27, and Kasey King, 32, who left their 70-hour work weeks and small apartment in New York City in September 2019 to move to Pittsford, Vermont, and open Rose Valley Farm. The couple were opera singers in…