Uncategorized

Education spending saw its biggest jump in years in fiscal 2025, and school taxpayers are noticing the change in their bills. The increase this year was due to a lot of factors outside both schools’ and taxpayers’ control—inflation, healthcare costs, and the loss of pandemic-era federal support chief among them. All of that led to…

RUTLAND — The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) welcomed the community back into Farmers Hall on Nov. 2. “We are incredibly happy to host the Winter Farmers Market again in Farmers Hall,” said an enthusiastic Heidi Lynch, the VFFC’s executive director. During the renovation of the VFFC buildings at the former industrial site at 251…

Dear Editor, I am a delivery driver and service technician for a home heating company. The candidates on the ballot who will not destroy the home heat industry, which my coworkers and I rely upon to support our families in Vermont, are Republicans. The candidates on the ballot who will not increase our home heating…

Dear Editor, I urge my friends and neighbors to elect Joe Major and to re-elect Alison Clarkson and Becca White to the Vermont Senate. Major offers intelligence and extensive management experience. He listens with an open heart and an open mind. Clarkson and White have risen to the challenges of governing in a time of…

By Carly Berlin/VTDigger This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public. Some service providers and municipal leaders are suggesting that the Gov. Phil Scott administration’s plan to assemble three family shelters in state-owned buildings amounts to too little, too late.  For weeks, local officials, lawmakers, and service providers have been…

On Oct. 10, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced the successful launch of the Vermont Saves program’s pilot phase. Vermont Saves was unanimously approved by the Vermont Legislature and signed into law by Governor Scott in 2023.   The program establishes a workplace retirement plan for Vermonters who are not offered a plan through their employer.  Seven businesses are participating in…

In collaboration with Attorney General Charity Clark, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas shared a new webpage and two PSA videos on Oct. 9 to warn voters about disinformation and scams they may encounter this election season. “Election season is when we come together to engage with our communities and advocate for the visions and values we…

As General Election ballots begin arriving in Vermont mailboxes, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas urged voters to make a voting plan. The General Election, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, will determine officeholders for the U.S. president, vice president, U.S. senator, U.S. representative, and several state offices, including governor, lieutenant governor, and state legislators.…

Staff report “It’s not every day that a middle or high school student—and their school and family—get to participate in a study that contributes to academic research on both a national and global scale,” wrote interim principal of Woodstock Union High School/Middle School (WUHSMS) Aaron Cinquemani. “In partnership with the University of North Carolina (UNC) and the Winston…

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 12-13.—WOODSTOCK—Celebrate the creativity of local artisans at the Woodstock Rec Center’s annual apples, crafts, and food truck festival. Over 100 juried craftspeople will showcase stunning jewelry, paintings, pottery, photography, and more. Enjoy offerings from specialty food producers and food trucks as you explore unique handmade treasures. The event runs Saturday, Oct. 12, from…

Friday, Oct. 18, you have a chance to see a hometown guy, have a hometown show, at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre when Troy Ramey comes back to town. You may have seen Troy on "The Voice" Season 12, back in 2017, when he turned all four chairs, picked Gwen Stefani as his coach, and…

By Michael J. Caduto The Northeast is famous for its fall foliage, as the lush, green leaves of summer transform into bright hues, turning hillsides and valleys into quilts of scarlet, ochre, and gold. Among the brightest foliage is that of our region’s various maple species. But as our summers have become, on average, warmer and…

Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.—POULTNEY—Every fall for more than 30 years, downtown Poultney has hosted the annual chili cook off. This year, Poultney Rotary Club is thrilled to announce that the event will be filling the streets once again on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. In addition to the Chili Cook…

At Noah Kahan’s Benefit Concert in Essex Sept. 19, Ben & Jerry’s scooped a very limited-edition flavor: Northern Latte-tude. Created in partnership between Kahan and Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Gurus, the flavor is a maple latte ice cream with graham cracker cookie dough & graham cracker pieces. Northern Latte-tude is inspired by Kahan, his Vermont roots and…

The stars of late summer Before the trees put on their colorful autumnal cloaks, the newly rewilded fields at my home turn to gold and purple. New England American-aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) begins blooming in August or September and continues to splash the meadows with deep purple color well into October, mixing with the bright yellow…