Each year, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the CDC by state health departments. As stated by the CDC, “There is no way of knowing exactly how many people get Lyme disease. A recently released estimate based on insurance records suggests that each year approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for…

By Victoria Gaither Olympic mogul skier Hannah Soar is on a high after spending a week in Washington, D.C., visiting the president and first lady. Soar, along with 600 fellow Olympians and Paralympians from the Tokyo 2020 Summer and Beijing 2022 Winter games, traveled to Washington, D.C., and was welcomed by President Joe Biden and…

Vermonters turned in almost 3.5 tons of unused, unwanted and expired medication on the 22nd nationwide prescription drug take-back day Saturday, April 30. The total of 6,950.1 pounds collected eclipsed every previous prescription drug take-back day except for the event held in spring 2021. “The continued success of this program is a testament to how…

By Rep. Jim Harrison There was no shortage of surprises last week in Vermont politics. Treasurer Beth Pearce announced she would not be seeking reelection this fall due to health reasons. And, clearly with inside information, Commissioner Mike Pieciak, who had just two weeks ago indicated he was leaving his post at the Department of…

According to John Bob Siemienowicz, governor of Rotary District 7870, covering 57 Rotary clubs in southern New Hampshire and Vermont, the district has reached $150,000 in funds raised for Ukrainian relief. This represents a $36,000 increase in funds raised in two weeks. Siemienowicz indicated that he expects donations to increase as more of the clubs…

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…