Local News
Hartland School Board explains budget before vote, April 2
March 28, 2024
By Curt Peterson Every Hartlander should know they will have a chance to vote on the revised school budget on Tuesday, April 2. Absentee voting is available now. The Hartland School District serves the children of Hartland, Vermont by operating a K-8 school in town and tuitioning students in grades 9-12 to the high school…
‘Storm of the year!’
March 27, 2024
Courtesy Killington Resort Snowstorms dumped 40 inches on Killington last week, with 24 inches of that falling in a white-out blizzard Saturday, March 23. The resort was able to reopen 100% of its terrain and thousands flocked to the slopes to enjoy the light fluffy snow as it fell Saturday. Sunday greeted skiers and riders…
Killington fire chief resigns
March 27, 2024
Killington leaders ‘sad’ to see him go By Polly Mikula Paul Ginther has resigned after just eight months as Killington’s fire chief. His departure follows other short tenures in the department; but this time circumstances differed greatly. Town leaders were unanimous in their praise of his performance and sorrow at his departure. Ginther’s resignation was…
Daniel Banyai, owner of Slate Ridge, is arrested, will remain jailed
March 27, 2024
By Ethan Weinstein and Diane Derby/VTDigger Daniel Banyai, owner of the controversial former Pawlet gun range and paramilitary training facility known as Slate Ridge, was charged Wednesday, March 20, with aggravated assault on a protected person and resisting arrest after a traffic stop led to an altercation with a Pawlet constable, according to Vermont State Police.…
Barstow school district to vote on revised budget, April 30
March 27, 2024
Staff report The Barstow Unified Union School Board unanimously agreed to re-warn a budget with approximately $29,000 in reductions at its meeting, March 21. The original $6.27 million budget (a 12.1% increase over FY2024) was defeated by only four votes on Town Meeting Day: 375-379. A subsequent recount confirmed the outcome. Board members pointed to…
Arts & Entertainment
After the Resurrection of Jesus
March 27, 2024
Behind locked door the disciples gathered, for each one had feared for his own life. Jesus appeared to them saying, “Peace be with you,” bringing them joy out of strife. Thomas first doubted it was truly Jesus, who again appeared among them to abide. Knowing what Thomas wanted, Jesus said, “Believe; put your hand in…
‘Collapse & Circus of Western Hypocrisy Civilization’
March 27, 2024
Carol M. Highsmith Eccentric figures from the Bread and Puppet Theater ready to take the stage. Known for their unique performances and homemade bread offerings, the theater troupe brings its captivating entertainment to the heart of the community. Sunday, March 31 at 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—Get ready, Rutland. The acclaimed Bread & Puppet Theater is set to…
Rock with Ace Frehley!
March 27, 2024
Saturday, March 30 at 7 p.m.—RUTLAND—Mark your calendars, because Ace Frehley is coming to Rutland to light up the city with an epic night of classic rock 'n' roll. Ace Frehley's solo career has surpassed the success of his former KISS bandmates. His 2014 album, "Space Invader," made history as the only post-KISS solo album…
Learn the art of rug hooking at the Hooked on Owls workshop at VINS
March 27, 2024
Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.—RUTLAND—Discover the traditional craft of rug hooking at the Hooked on Owls workshop hosted by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), 149 Natures Way, Quechee. Led by experienced fiber artist Sandra Grant, this three-hour introductory class will teach participants the fundamental techniques of rug hooking…
Laugh out loud with Josh Blue ‘The Freak Accident Tour’ hits Rutland
March 27, 2024
Courtesy Josh Blue.com Josh Blue Friday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Comedian Josh Blue is coming to the Paramount Theatre, 30 Center St., Rutland. After his groundbreaking win on Last Comic Standing in 2006, Josh Blue has risen through the ranks to become a well-established headliner at venues throughout the world. In 2018, Josh crushed…
Top Events
State News
Vermont sets national precedent with unanimous House vote for data privacy
March 27, 2024
The Vermont House of Representatives achieved a historic milestone by unanimously passing H.121, an act relating to enhancing consumer privacy, with a resounding vote of 139-0. In a time where our every move, word, and heartbeat are incessantly documented by a myriad of devices, the urgency for comprehensive consumer data privacy laws has never been more…
Vermont House passes modernized renewable energy standard
March 27, 2024
Last Thursday, March 21, the Vermont House of Representatives passed H.289, to modernize Vermont’s renewable energy standard by a 99-39-11 vote. The bill would put Vermont on track to achieve 100% renewable electricity across all the state’s utilities by 2035, which would make Vermont only the second state to meet that critical benchmark, and would significantly…
Governor Scott is forcing people into homelessness
March 27, 2024
By James Lyall, Editor’s note: James Lyall is the executive director of ACLU of Vermont. The people of Vermont want the best for our neighbors and our communities. Increasingly, those values are being undermined by the senseless actions of our governor. Last week, the Scott administration forcibly un-sheltered roughly 500 Vermonters who had been living…
Truths to offset false claims in highly publicized national Real Estate lawsuit
March 27, 2024
By Budge Huskey Editor’s note: Budge Huskey is the president and CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Last week the National Association of Realtors announced it had entered into a settlement agreement with the class actions plaintiffs in what is known as the Sitzer Burnett case, pending final approval by the court. The basis of the suit…
Financial literacy course offered free to Vermont educators
March 20, 2024
Middle and high school educators in Vermont interested in honing their personal finance teaching skills, or newcomers to the field, can attend a free, online, asynchronous course offered by the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College. This graduate-level course, which has been recognized by the White House, will give Vermont educators who complete…
Opinions/Columns
Creating the college of the future
March 27, 2024
By Alex Hernandez Editor’s note: Alex Hernandez is the president of Champlain College in Burlington. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that “roughly half of college graduates end up in jobs where their degrees aren’t needed,” raising uncomfortable questions about the value of a college education. The report is part of a drumbeat of…
U.S. Republicans slammed for craven, hateful anti-trans bills
March 27, 2024
By U.S. Rep. Becca Balint Editor’s note: On March 21, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) called out hateful anti-trans bills in the House Judiciary Committee. Her remarks below: “So here we are, spending time, one again, using our valuable time to pick on a class of people in this country. I believe I’m the only…
Boys, men, and missed opportunity
March 20, 2024
By Dan Smith Editor’s note: Dan Smith is the president & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation. What if young men in America and Vermont attended college or continued their training at the same rate as the state’s young women? What if boys and men did not commit suicide or die from overdose at rates…
Space for rivers to move
March 20, 2024
S.213 helps proactively protect our communities before the next flood By Kathy Urffer Editor’s note: Kathy Urffer, of Brattleboro, is the river steward for Connecticut River Conservancy in Vermont. As river steward for Connecticut River Conservancy, I can’t stop thinking about rivers. Since the 2011 Tropical Storm Irene, as an organization we have been racing…
Rejection of school budgets shows need for new funding method
March 13, 2024
By Don Tinney Editor’s note: Don Tinney is a longtime high school English teacher who serves as the elected president of the 13,000-member Vermont-NEA. The Vermont-National Education Association is the union of Vermont educators. My fellow 13,000 members and I know that last night’s rejection of nearly a third of all school budgets isn’t a…
