Editorial

A divide without middle ground

As of Monday, the 2024 Vermont legislative session can officially be declared ready for the history books.
While the working session ended early in May, the actual lawmaking didn’t really end until the Legislature held its veto override session June 17. It took a good part of the day,...

All gassed up about E buses

The E buses are coming! The E buses are coming! Sound the alarm!
Last week’s article by Ivy Kirby about the The Dover School being awarded a $350,000 federal grant to purchase an electric school bus and a charger generated quite a bit of comment on The Deerfield Valley News’ Facebook page...

A solemn anniversary

June 6 marks a solemn but important anniversary for this country and the world. It was 80 years ago that Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, beginning the final chapter of World War II. That massive invasion, the largest sea-to-land assault ever undertaken was the beginning of the...

Coming together isn’t so easy

The annual Southern Vermont Economy Summit returned to the valley a week or so ago. Sponsored by a number of local businesses and organizations, it brings together a diverse group of attendees and speakers with a common interest. The summit is also a good snapshot into current and future...

Take time to reflect on Memorial Day meaning

Monday is Memorial Day. While the three-day weekend serves as the traditional start of the summer season, the last day of the three is really about honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States while in the military.
It’s easy to get caught up in all that...

WSWSU: Clearer skies seem to be on horizon

For the past few years, we’ve been reporting on a number of issues related to the Windham Southwest Supervisory Union and the school districts within it. The union includes the towns and schools of Halifax, Readsboro, Stamford, Searsburg, and the Twin Valley district of Whitingham and Wilmington...

Weather or not: Welcome to the new normal

“Yes, one of the brightest gems in the New England weather is the dazzling uncertainty of it. There is only one thing certain about it, you are certain there is going to be plenty of weather.”
Mark Twain Remember back a month or so ago? When Vermont was being pummeled with a number of...

Senate makes its move, Scott counter a surprise

The Vermont Senate did something rarely seen in this state. At a hearing Tuesday it voted down a gubernatorial appointee to a cabinet position. In a 9-19 vote, the Senate denied Gov. Phil Scott’s appointment of Zoie Saunders as secretary of education (see story on page A????).
That alone...

Legislature: Be careful what you wish for

The Vermont Legislature is heading toward the finish line for 2024. As is the case every spring, Vermonters have to keep their heads on a swivel to follow all of the pending legislation and where it is going. There is a virtual tornado of bills swirling around at the Statehouse right now, as...

Residency program will be a shot in the arm

Recent reports about a federal appropriation of $2 million for Southwestern Vermont Medical Center comes as welcome news. The money, secured by the efforts of Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Peter Welch and their staffs, will be used to help the regional hospital system establish a rural medicine...