Lowe honored for helping to save American Kestrels RANDOLPH—Brian Lowe, of Randolph, has helped hundreds of American kestrels successfully hatch and fledge in Vermont and was named the winner of the 2019 GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. Lowe was announced as the 2020 winner rather than receiving the honor in person, in keeping with current Covid-19 physical…

Rutland’s Summer Market will open at Depot Park downtown Saturday, May 16 By Katy Savage RUTLAND—After a four-week mandated closure, the Vermont Farmers’ Market in Rutland is coming back Saturday, May 16. Gov. Phil Scott gave farmers’ markets permission to open May 2, but only if they follow certain guidelines. Vermont Farmers’ Market president Paul…

Summer day camps will also be able to operate this summer By Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger Child care centers can begin to reopen on June 1 and summer day camps will be able to operate this summer, Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday, May 8. The state will put out safety guidance for both child care facilities and day…

Golf courses, parks, trail networks can open along with other low or no direct physical contact operations; out-of-state visitors are still encouraged to stay home (or come up and stay long-term) On Wednesday, May 6, Governor Phil Scott announced that outdoor recreation and limited social interactions may resume under strict health and safety precautions, as…

By Kit Norton and Xander Landen/VTDigger Once the state cashes the checks it received from Washington, D.C., Vermont’s coffers will have $1.25 billion in funding that can be used to cover costs related to the Covid-19 crisis. Gov. Phil Scott and lawmakers have until the end of the year to decide how to spend the money granted to…

By Katy Savage After a week of uncertainty about the immediate future of Vermont colleges, the chancellor of Vermont State Colleges and president of Castleton University both resigned. CU President Karen Scolforo is leaving May 31 while Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Jeb Spaulding’s resignation was effective April 29. Both announcements were made at an April…

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…