NEWPORT — The Vermont Department of Corrections is reporting 19 new cases of Covid-19 among incarcerated individuals and two new staff cases in the outbreak at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport. The cases were detected both independently and in testing conducted on March 11. The outbreak began after one staff member and 21 incarcerated…
BARTON — Community National Bank CEO Kathy Austin has confirmed that an employee at the bank’s Barton office has tested positive for the Coronavirus. “The Barton office has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized based on the CDC’s enhanced cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for workplaces with confirmed COVID-19 positive individuals, and we are continuing to follow…
NEWPORT — Health Department staff teamed up with Northeast Kingdom Emergency Medical Services units Wednesday as part of a training to conduct specimen collection for COVID-19 testing. The EMS units are among 10 around the state being trained by the department to help Vermont meet the goal of collecting 1,000 specimens a day. The units…
NEWPORT — The ONE Response Team is continuing to meet weekly to review resources to bring to the community, and on Friday they posted some recent updates. The United Church on Third Street in Newport has expanded its food shelf with extra bags available throughout the month. Bags are available from Monday through Friday from…
MONTPELIER – Governor Phil Scott outlined some additional openings today as part of the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, introduced last week. The Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order remains in effect, but with modeling continuing to indicate Vermonters are significantly slowing the spread of the virus, the administration says they are taking a “cautious,…
NEWPORT — The Vermont Foodbank and Vermont National Guard say they will continue to be distributing food to those in need across the state next week. On Friday, May 1, they will be visiting the Northeast Kingdom International Airport, in Newport. Those in need of food can come out and receive a seven-day supply of…
NEWPORT — Food insecurity in Vermont has increased by one-third during the coronavirus pandemic, from 18.3 percent to 24.3 percent, according to a statewide survey conducted by the University of Vermont at the end of March. The increase in food insecurity was strongly correlated with employment status. Among survey respondents overall, 45 percent had lost…
NEWPORT — Area executive directors and leaders have been working over the last few weeks to form the Orleans and Northern Essex COVID 19 Response Team. ONE, as it is also called, was formed to keep residents informed and safe. The team says their goal is to assess the needs of those in the community…
NEWPORT — Governor Phil Scott announced on Friday a flag-lowering procedure to honor Vermonters who have died due to COVID-19. Sunday, April 19, will mark one month since Vermont’s first two fatalities as a result of COVID-19 took place. In honor of all the Vermonters who have lost their lives to the disease, Scott said…
NEWPORT — Newport residents will notice a temporary reduction in city services from the public works department, recreation department, city landscaper, city clerk/treasurer, zoning, and city manager’s offices. Essential services, which include the police and fire department, as well as the wastewater treatment facility, are still fully functional. City Manager Laura Dolgin said in a…
NEWPORT — Vermont airports have received more than $9 million from the federal government to deal with the fallout related to COVID-19. Locally, Northeast Kingdom International Airport in Newport will receive $30,000. The funds are part of $10 billion in federal assistance for airports included in the CARES Act that was passed by Congress and…
NEWPORT — As of Friday, April 10, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Orleans County has remained at 8 according to the Vermont Health Department. Around the Northeast Kingdom, Caledonia County also remains at 8 cases, with only 1 case in Essex County. New data also shows only 3 cases per 10,000 people in…
NEWPORT – Governor Phil Scott today extended Vermont’s State of Emergency through May 15, which also extends the expiration date of all corresponding orders and directives issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original State of Emergency, issued on March 13, was set to expire on April 15, as were the subsequent mitigation measures.…
NEWPORT — As Dr. Umair Malik and his family were homeward bound from a trip to Japan in early March, he says he looked forward to getting back to his routine of seeing his patients each day at North Country Primary Care in Newport. Before landing, North County Primary Care Director Laurie Stewart contacted Dr.…
NEWPORT — Starting on Wednesday, April 8, RCT says they will be implementing changes to its shuttle bus service in an effort to maintain the highest levels of safety for drivers and passengers during this time. The Jay-Lyn/Jay-Lyn Express and Highlander shuttle bus services will operate on a dial-a-ride basis for access to essential goods…
DERBY — Walmart has joined other large retailers in announcing a move to limit the number of customers in each store during the coronavirus crisis. Starting today, stores will limit capacity to roughly 20 percent or five customers per 1,000 square feet of space. Customers will be directed to enter the store through one entry…
DERBY — The Agency of Commerce and Community Development has directed large “big box” retailers, such as Walmart in Derby, to cease in-person sales of non-essential items in order to reduce the number of people coming into the stores. The new measures went into effect today, and aisles were closed off. Gov. Phil Scott’s executive…
NEWPORT — For Tod Pronto and Cynthia Shelton, nothing can stop the music. Hunkered down in reaction to the global pandemic, the two have teamed up to form a “Socially Distant Chorus,” inviting the community to harmonize and play along with Pronto on his version of “What a Wonderful World.” So here are the rules:…
NEWPORT — Bear hunts are underway in Newport City. Stuffed bears, puppies, unicorns, and cows are popping up everywhere in the windows of businesses and homes throughout Newport City. The trend is in response to a call from Newport Parks & Recreation Friday encouraging residents to participate in a community-wide “Bear Hunt,” a socially distant…
NEWPORT — Healthcare organizations have been turned upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic, but North Country Hospital says they are well prepared. Many new protocols have been put into place to protect patients, their families, hospital staff, as well as the public, which include a strict no visitor policy and restricted points of entry into…
NEWPORT — A staff member at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport has tested positive for COVID-19. According to a statement issued by the Vermont Department of Corrections, the staff member last worked on Tuesday, March 17. The Department says they have obtained a list of all staff who had contact with the individual on…
NEWPORT — Only municipal employees will be allowed to enter the Newport municipal building, with the exception of members of the public who have appointments. Newport police say access to the police lobby window will continue as normal. In a statement put out by the department today, police, fire, and inspection service members have also…
NEWPORT — In an effort to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, and following established Vermont protocol to limit gatherings, starting today, the lobby at Community National Bank locations will be closed to the general public. Customers are asked to use drive-thru windows at locations where they are available, night depository, ATM, or online…
NEWPORT — North Country Supervisory Union schools will be providing free meals for pick-up or delivery during the COVID- 19 school closures. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all children ages 1-18 without charge. Meals will be provided at schools for pick-up Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. through 1 p.m. starting Thursday, March…
NEWPORT — Out of an abundance of caution, North County Hospital says they are implementing additional infection prevention measures. Due to Coronavirus concerns at this time, anyone entering the hospital for any reason is asked to use the Emergency Room entrance. For public safety, you will be asked screening questions at the Emergency Room entrance…