Governor loosens restrictions on outdoor recreation

VERMONT — “Everyone is just glad to be out and playing golf,” said Derrick Cram, business manager of the Ralph Myhre Golf Course in Middlebury on a sunny afternoon this week. For many it was the first time out this season. And, of course, it was not because the winter lasted longer than usual, but because of social distancing restrictions imposed because of coronavirus. Early this spring Gov. Phil Scott closed golf courses, parks and anywhere that Vermonters would gather for outside group activities. It was … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — “Here’s the news we’ve been waiting for.”  That was the happy message from Jim Gish this week when he passed on word that the work on the huge downtown Middlebury rail project would resume after a six-week COVID-19 hiatus.  Construction worke … (read more)

MONTPELIER — Public furor over a plan announced last Friday by Jeb Spaulding, chancellor of the Vermont State College System, to close three state colleges by the fall prompted him to withdraw the proposal on Wednesday. “It was pretty drastic proposal giv … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — Over the past two decades Americans have begun to embrace the idea that they can use solar energy to power their homes. The concept of capturing the energy from the sun and directing it not into some big government or commercial program, … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — The threat of the coronavirus is prompting cancellation of many activities that would require a gathering of people. One need only look at the Addison Independent calendar to see that events, meetings, church services and other activities … (read more)

VERGENNES — Late last month Addison Northwest School District Superintendent Sheila Soule told the school board that she would be leaving the job at the end of the school year. But last week she signed a contract to spend two more years as ANWSD’s top adm … (read more)

BEIJING, China — Middlebury College junior Benjy Renton may have been a little disappointed after the college cancelled his study abroad program to China this week due to the expanding outbreak of the coronavirus, but he was surely too busy to show it. An … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union High School gymnastics team opened its season on Saturday by hosting St. Johnsbury and Montpelier at Middlebury Union Middle School. The more experienced St. Johnsbury and Montpelier squads finished first and second with … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Around 150 citizens came out in the snow on Tuesday to line both sides of the Cross Street Bridge in Middlebury, hoist signs and tell passing motorists how they felt U.S. Congress members should vote in the historic impeachment of President D … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Game wardens with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department have been investigating a series of wild animal poaching incidents in Addison County for the past five weeks, and they are asking tor the public’s help so they can wrap up the investi … (read more)

SOMEWHERE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN — When nine-year-old Grady Cronin of Perkasie, Pa., pulled his fishing line out of the waters of Lake Champlain late last month he fulfilled his own aspirations of landing a really big fish. He also fulfilled a dream of his fat … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY/NEW HAVEN — Bummer. Who would do this? This is so wrong. Those were the thoughts that went through Laura Weylman Turner’s head Friday evening when during a run through the woods along the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) and came upon a massive di … (read more)