Emerge Vermont, the state’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, announced Dec. 14 that it has selected its 2024 class. This year’s chosen group of 18 future women and non-binary political leaders hails from all parts of the Green Mountain State and from diverse backgrounds, and spans…

Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) in collaboration with Preservation Trust of Vermont, is launching a special competitive grant round to offer one to three grants of up to $5,000 for communities seeking to build momentum toward flood-resilient community development. Applications for this special round of funding for the Small Grants for Smart Growth program are due Jan.…

  On Dec. 18, the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (VTFSC)  filing a federal lawsuit challenging Vermont’s 72-hour waiting period law and its ban on standard capacity firearm magazines that are commonly owned in Vermont and across the nation. “The inherent right to self-defense” the Supreme Court has explained “is central to the Second Amendment…

  Residential re-entry centers offer transitional services for those re-entering their communities after being incarcerated — Vermont is one of two states without a center The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont), wrote to U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters Dec. 13 to…

  By Curt Peterson Dan Jerman, vice chair of the nine-member Hartland Planning Commission, approached the Select Board during review of the FY2025 municipal budget, on Dec. 18, to ask for additional funding for “possible” legal fees, which might be incurred during the commission’s appeal of the Environmental Commission’s grant of an ACT 250 permit…

by Robin Alberti  Pictured in the first row (l-r) are Luca Morris, Matilda Richardson, Heidi Thompson and Violet Alexander. In the second row (l-r) is Kamron Yuengling, Quinn Eckler, Elliot Namkung, Lylah Zeitlin. The performers in the third row on the stage are Lia Gugliotta, Finn Farrell, Jackson Fellows, Tula Klock, William Obbard and Sam…

  Courtesy KPAA Mike Coppinger and Beth Sarandrea awarded Megan Wagner of Dream Maker Bakers (center left photo) with the Outstanding Community Member Business plaque and Kelsey Cruickshank the Outstanding Community Member award on behalf of the KPAA.   Friday night, Dec. 15, the Killington Pico Area Association (KPAA) reintroduced two awards and presented them to deserving…

Sumbitted Havah Armstrong Walther   The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) has appointed Havah Armstrong Walther as its new executive director. With an impressive background in advocacy, fundraising, and business consulting, she brings a wealth of experience, passion, and strategic vision to lead the Chamber, the board stated. “We are delighted to welcome Havah…

  Earlier this month, $635,465 in federal grant funding was awarded to Vermont State University (VTSU) to expand educational opportunities and workforce development in rural communities. The grant is authorized through the USDA’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) grant program, which provides rural communities with key resources to access advanced telecommunications technology and promote more opportunities in…

  By Shaun Robinson/VTDigger New details released Thursday, Dec. 14, in the Vermont Attorney General’s lawsuit against Meta describe how the tech giant studied teenagers in Vermont as part of efforts to make its social media platform Instagram more addictive — and how top company leaders allegedly ignored repeated warnings that the popular app is harmful to young…

By Zach Godwin/Killington Resort Professional Ski Instructors of America enjoyed Killington.   By Brooke Geery, Killington Resort In mid-December, Killington Resort welcomed hundreds of snowsports instructors from across the Eastern Region for the PSIA-AASI ProJam and Master’s Academy. This event, which has been running since 1986, is the largest gathering of snowsports professionals in the…

By Curt Peterson  The Hartland Planning Commission displayed results from its 2023 vision survey of residents and non-resident property owners. Mill Moore, who had organized the results, projected a very professional presentation that revealed many interesting and unexpected results.  The town has about 3,400 residents, according to the latest census, including adults and children. Oversimplified,…

  By Glenn Heitsmith  Rotarians Tom Rice, president, and Melanie Gulde, who runs the Divided Sky Recovery Retreat in Ludlow, with County Sheriff Ryan Palmer.      By Glenn Heitsmith Sheriff Ryan Palmer recently joined Rotarians at DJ’s Restaurant in Ludlow. No arrests were made. No speeding tickets were issued. And the meal was typical…

  Staff report Rutland city’s water is slightly contaminated.  Mayor Mike Doenges told the Board of Aldermen Dec. 18 that haloacetic acid was found at 60.5 parts per billion in the water, which is just above the federal limit of 60 parts per billion. Doenges said there were no immediate health risks to the public.…

  By Shaun Robinson/VTDigger Noah Kahan, a Strafford-born singer-songwriter, plays for young patients, their families and hospital staff members at the UVM Medical Center on Friday     Kahan, fresh off a Grammy nomination, played his viral hit “Stick Season” for young patients and their families, on Friday, Dec. 15 By Shaun Robinson/VTDigger Noah Kahan has…