Latest News
School PCB testing must continue
The House Committee on Education has discussed and heard testimony on H.542, a bill that proposes to end testing of additional schools for 8 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). While the bill, introduced by Rep. Conlon of Cornwall, will allow remediation of schools previously identified to have unacceptable levels of PCBs, it[Read More…]
Would-be Thomas Paines
by Willem Lange EAST MONTPELIER – The so-called Founding Fathers of the United States of America were far from perfect. Compromised by various interests as they were, however, they were more aware of the various imperfections of the human character than might have been a band of starry-eyed idealists. Thus[Read More…]
The Little School in Calais
by Jennifer Bliss There’s a little school in Calais town, With creaky doors and swings worn down. Not lots of kids in every class, Some desks empty as days go past. They count the numbers — one, two, three. “Not many students,” they say sadly. “Maybe it’s time to close the doors, There[Read More…]
Glassblower is proud member of community
HARDWICK – For nearly 40 years, Harry Besett has worked as a glassblower in Hardwick, where he makes art that is both utilitarian and unique. In 1984, Besett and his wife Wendy settled in Hardwick, founding Vermont Glass Workshop where their pieces are commissioned, created and sold. Vermont Glass Workshop[Read More…]
River corridor mapping to break cycles of repeated damage
HARDWICK, GREENSBORO – Over the past few years, towns in the Lamoille River watershed have spent a great deal of time and money repairing roads, stabilizing riverbanks, replacing culverts and helping residents recover from flood damage. In many cases, those problems were not caused by water sitting in fields or[Read More…]
Exhilarating, sobering, mind-numbing, humbling
by Rep. David Yacovone MONTPELIER – Serving on the Appropriations Committee can be exhilarating, sobering, mind-numbing and humbling all at once. This week alone, close to sixty people paraded through our committee room to pitch their services for funding. Many of the organizations had been recommended for support by the governor,[Read More…]
A more affordable energy future for Vermont
The cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use. This simple fact has guided Efficiency Vermont for over two decades. It remains critical for Vermont’s energy future. As Efficiency Vermont plans for the years ahead, we’re listening to feedback from Vermonters. Our latest three-year proposal to the Vermont Public Utility[Read More…]
Recent executive odors (sic) by President-For-Life Drumpf (in case you missed them)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – #821,205 – I am officially changing my last name to the original spelling in German, which has an D at the beginning and an f at the end, namely Drumpf #208,566 – From now on, Federal aid of any kind will only go to Red States, nothing[Read More…]
Phantoms of the North: Great Gray Owls
BURLINGTON – The great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) is a northern raptor that only occasionally graces our northeastern states. Also called the phantom of the north, these owls have large facial discs with alternating areas of light and dark gray, creating a concentric ring pattern around their yellow eyes. Beneath[Read More…]
Life beneath ice, snow: turtles in winter
NEW ENGLAND – For hundreds of years, people believed that, come autumn, barn swallows would dive under the surface of ponds and lakes, swim to the bottom, and bury themselves in the mud for the winter. We now know better. Swallows, along with thousands of other avian species across the[Read More…]
Gardening journal is a simple tool that pays off
FAYSTON – Many home gardeners rely on memory and tradition to guide the timing and layout of their gardens. People remember when lilacs bloom, know where to put peppers so they get enough sun, and estimate the optimal timing for fertilizing. However, we don’t have to rely exclusively on memory[Read More…]
