MONTPELIER — Governor Phil Scott today announced action on a range of bills, including the Legislature’s bill to create a regulated cannabis market in Vermont, which will be allowed to go into law without his signature. In 2018, lawmakers depenalized the possession and cultivation of small quantities of marijuana by adults, but not commercial activities…
NEWPORT — When Kimberly Edgar was unable to work due to COVID-19, the new Mortgage Assistance Program offered her a path for keeping her home in Brattleboro. Funded by the federal CARES Act, the program provides qualified Vermont homeowners with grants for up to six months of overdue mortgage and property tax payments. By applying…
SOUTH BURLINGTON — Founded in 2015 on a challenge to create a company with no funding, the Vermont Leaf Company lived its first five years selling only leaves. The leaves were not preserved, and not even pressed. With free inventory that shipped light and flat, it seemed worth a go. Five years on that business…
MANCHESTER — Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning continues its yearlong “Women ’20-’20” celebration by welcoming Anne Galloway, founder and editor of VTDigger, to talk about the important role of women in the news business. The talk will take place on Tuesday, August 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. What began as…
NEWPORT — Governor Phil Scott today released the state’s “3-Phased Reopening Plan” for Vermont’s manufacturing, fulfillment, and distribution enterprises. Scott says the plan is considered “a living document” and will be continuously updated and improved as information and guidance are refined and new best practices emerge. The governor’s order today states that effective May 4,…
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 — 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 — 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 — A new study shows Vermont is among the states hit hardest by COVID-19’s impact on tourism due to the coronavirus. Vermont ranked the fourth overall tourism industry affected by COVID-19. Among the data points, Vermont has the fifth-highest percent of workers associated with the tourism industry in the nation. The top three most…
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 – Starting September 1, Vermonters must be at least 21 years old to purchase and possess tobacco products or paraphernalia. The new law also includes tobacco-substitute products, such as e-cigarettes. Health officials say the increase in buying age will help protect youth from nicotine addiction and potentially toxic chemicals. Commonly known as Tobacco 21,…
SHEFFIELD — A Sheffield man was killed in a head-on crash on I-89 in Richmond this morning. Police say it happened at around 6:50 a.m. when a 2015 Dodge Ram drifted from the southbound lanes of I-89, into the median, went airborne and struck a 2012 Ford F-350 traveling north head-on. The driver of…
NEWPORT — More money and organizational support will be available in 2020 for NEK towns and nonprofits working to expand or improve local trail-based outdoor recreation options. The assistance comes thanks to a cooperative effort spearheaded by the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative (NEKC) and Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA). The federal Northern Border Regional Commission this…
NEWPORT — According to a new report by the Agency of Transportation (AOT), Vermont has seen a low number of fatalities on the state’s highways for the year to date. Statistically, Vermont experiences approximately 25-35 fatalities on its highways through the end of July. This year, there have been 13 fatalities. “While the reduction in…
WESTMORE — The Westmore Community Church is inviting the community to join in for the 125-year anniversary celebration of the construction of the church building. The event will take place on Sunday, August 4, with the church service beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a reception. The church theme will be 1890s music, including attire…
THETFORD — Police say a Wells River man was on his phone surfing the internet for a specific episode of the 90’s television sitcom ‘Saved by the Bell,’ when he sideswiped a police car. The driver was identified as 55-year-old Kevin Bacon. Bacon was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Spark down Interstate 91 when he struck…
WILLISTON — Craftsbury resident Eric Hanson was recently presented the 2019 GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. Hanson is a biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) who spearheaded recovery of the formerly endangered common loon in Vermont. Hanson’s efforts over the past 21 years have included work to educate Vermonters about loons and their nesting needs,…
NEWPORT — A truly Vermont-style fundraiser is back with the Third Annual Vermont Beardies, the contest to find the best beard in Vermont. Bearded Vermonters are invited to enter their magnificent scruff and encourage their friends to support Make-A-Wish Vermont through social media appeals. Contestants will compete online in three categories, Urban, Freestyle, and Backwoods.…
NEWPORT — Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s traditionally popular 16-day rifle deer season that starts tomorrow, November 10 and ends Sunday, November 25. A hunter may take one buck during this season with at least one antler having two or more points one inch or longer. A point must be one…
NEWPORT — Vermont’s bear hunting season starts September 1, and officials say hunters can improve their chances if they scout ahead of time to find fall foods such as wild apples, beechnuts, acorns, and berries where bears will be feeding. “Fall foods for bears are more abundant than they were last year,” said Vermont’s bear…
ISLAND POND — The Vermont Legislative Commission on Act 250 is seeking public input through a series of forums and social media outreach to envision Vermont’s future landscape. The fourth forum will be held in Island Pond on Wednesday, August 22, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the American Legion. Unlike typical town hall style…
NEWPORT — A 40-year-old Newport man was arrested in Grand Isle early this morning after police say he broke into a camper’s vehicle, as well as entered the tent she was sleeping in. Richard Myers is facing numerous charges after the bizarre incident, including felony unlawful trespass, unlawful mischief, aggravated disorderly conduct, criminal threatening, and…
NEWPORT — The Fourth of July is here, and while this is generally a favorite holiday for people, it can be very stressful and dangerous for pets. Firework shows, barbeques, and the heat can all pose issues for our companion animals. Everyone loves the fun and festivities of the July Fourth celebrations. However, our pets…
NEWPORT — Daniel Greenwood, 42, of Newport, was arraigned in connection with a federal indictment charging him with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon in October 2017, and with committing a burglary of the Kinney Drugs in Cambridge that same month. Greenwood, who is currently serving a sentence in Massachusetts, entered pleas of not…
BRANDON — This bobcat was caught in a series of photos on a game camera set up under a bridge in Brandon. The cameras are put out as part of a collaborative partnership between Vermont Fish & Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, and VTrans to better understand wildlife movement around road crossing structures. “This bobcat passing…