By Sarah Mearhoff/VTDigger It is high time, a coalition of state political interest groups said Thursday, that Vermont’s wealthiest residents pay their “fair share” in income taxes. Members of the newly formed coalition, which is dubbing itself Fund Vermont’s Future, gathered in front of the Vermont House chamber Thursday morning to call on legislators to…

  By David Goodman/VTDigger Ken Squier, an American broadcasting legend and a beloved champion of Vermont, died on Nov. 15, following a brief illness. Squier, who spent most of his life in Waterbury and Stowe, was 88 years old. In January 2018, Squier became the first journalist inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a recognition of…

  As the year comes to a close, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking annual reports on surface water use. Under the newly enacted Act 135 of 2022, any person withdrawing surface water must file an annual report with DEC by January 15, 2024. The purpose of Act 135 is to collect baseline…

  Where did cords with old-fashioned plugs go? I was surprised not too long ago when I bought a new electric toothbrush. I took it out of the box and searched for the plug that would go into an electric outlet. It was quite a surprise to find none! I know I live in yesteryear…

  Natural motivator "Every day, you should do something that scares you a little and excites you a lot." -Eleanor Roosevelt I was ready to wander. My completed book manuscript had been sent to the printer. I packed for a solo trip that I was afraid to take. As a happy, busy grandmother for 10…

  Saturday, Nov. 4, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.—SPRINGFIELD—Watercolorist Robert J. O’Brien will teach a one-day workshop on painting the vibrant colors of fall using watercolors. This workshop is open to all abilities, although some experience with watercolors is suggested. The workshop will take place at the Gallery at the VAULT in Springfield. The instructor, Robert J.…

 Representatives from VBA will be on-site to help initiate, check the status of, and answer questions related to disability claims.     Sunday, Oct. 29 atm 10 a.m.—FAIR HAVEN— The Fair Haven American Legion Post 49, White River Junction Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System and Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA) are teaming up for a veterans’ outreach…

    Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Rutland City Recreation & Parks will celebrate the 62nd year of the Rutland City Halloween Parade. Expect street closures around the downtown area beginning at 5:15 p.m. and re-opening at approximately 8:30 p.m.  There will be limited parking along the parade route on Wales Street, West Street, Strong…

      A weekly report from the Agency of Transportation (AOT) lists of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways and interstates in the local region. The following are those that affect driving in Rutland and Windsor counties. I-89 White River Junction: AOT partners at NHDOT are working on a…

Mosher Excavating will finish work on the upper section of East Mountain Road (from Roundabout to the bridge) this week and will move to the lower section (Bear Mountain Road and down to Route 4) next week Oct. 23-Nov. 3, with that portion closed from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.  There will be signs at the…

The Agency of Natural Resources Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) fined Ascutney Fire District #2, the owner and operator of a public water system in Weathersfield,  of the Vermont Water Supply Rule (VWSR) on Oct. 13. It has been directed to bring the water system into compliance. Many Vermonters use public community water systems for…

“October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a pumpkin,” said Rainbow Rowell. There is a chill in the air and maybe even the smell of wood smoke. The days are shorter and the night’s are cooler. October is considered a time when both nature and people start preparing for…

Roaming around pumpkins, The black cats sit, Smiling, As the pumpkins are carved, Turned into jack o’lanterns. Now the black cats roam, Around art, Creepily watching you, Their eyes follow you, The moon as bright as fire, Whole and beautiful, Shining down on the Pumpkins, Jack o’lanterns, And the black cats, That roam around them.…

  Civil Air Patrol Rutland Composite Squadron celebrated the promotion of two of its members who happen to be brother and sister. David Burch, 15 years old, was promoted to C/CMSgt, the second highest before becoming a cadet officer.  Burch joined the squadron in 2021, and has taken on a number of leadership roles within…

By: Dom Cioffi Not long after college and prior to getting married, my wife and I traveled to England for a vacation. She’d been there for a semester during school and wanted to return to show me how wonderful the country was. We visited many of the popular attractions and did our best to find…