Outdoor dining, close-contact businesses like salons, and others could be permitted to open by June 1. By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger With just one Covid-19 patient now in an ICU in a Vermont hospital, Gov. Phil Scott on May 15 continued to open the state to an economic recovery. Scott promised he would relax the stay home/stay…

By Polly Mikula and Colin Meyn/VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott announced Monday, May 11, that a “gradual reopening” of the retail sector will be permitted to begin on May 18. Scott said that all employees at retail outlets will need to wear face covering. Stores will also be required to stay under 25% of their maximum legal…

By Colin Meyn/VTDigger Some of the messages read like field reports: “The sidewalks between Price Chopper and Walmart had groups of people standing together no mask or social distances,” and others like warnings: “I want to make you aware of the health crisis that is ongoing at the floating bridge in Brookfield. Since fish were stocked…

Milk from Vermont dairies will be processed to feed Vermonters in need The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has coordinated an effort to recover raw milk from being disposed while creating a new, temporary food supply for the Vermont Foodbank. In collaboration with the Vermont Community Foundation, $60,000 has been made available to…

By Julia Purdy Even when schoolchildren are required to stay home, the school meals program must go on. And this year, in addition to seeing that kids don’t miss out on nourishment, the program helps to relieve the extra financial hardship of parents being out of work as well as offering paid work to paraeducators,…

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…