This Week’s News
The Deeper Dig: To go big, or go bigger, on child care
Despite Vermont parents’ overwhelming demand for spots in child care and preschools, the supply remains limited. Parents all over the state sit on waitlists for months or even years.
Castleton rallies behind Gilmore Home Center after devastating fire
A staple of the Castleton community, the Gilmore Home Center building supplies and hardware store burned down Jan. 15.
New numbers highlight Covid-19’s impact on inpatient mental health care and emergency departments
New numbers reported this week suggest that inpatient psychiatric care capacity in Vermont slowly started to rebound last year, but still remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
Brandon Town Manager resigns
After the public portion of its meeting on Monday evening, the Brandon selectboard went into executive session to discuss a “personnel matter.” By Tuesday morning, that matter was no longer a secret: Dave Atherton, Brandon’s town manager since 2015, had announced his intention to resign, effective February 21.
Brandon SB talks shade trees, class 4 roads, and solar funding
In its regular meeting on Monday, the Brandon selectboard addressed several issues, including the Tree Warden’s shade-tree preservation plan, the designation of Briggs Lane as a Class IV highway, and the Brandon Energy Committee’s request for ARPA funding for a community solar array.
Photos of the Week
Sports
OV rock climbing scales to 4th at state championship
Dozens of middle- and high-school climbers from around the region vied for the top spot, ascending newly created routes ranging in difficulty level from 5.7 to 5.13.
Backcountry skiing in Brandon’s backyard
Who’d know that only 10 minutes east of Brandon on Route 73 lies a world class backcountry ski area? For skiers or snowboarders who crave untracked powder, it is a slice of heaven.
Proctor baseball team nets big bucks at Franklin’s fundraiser
Franklin’s fundraiser nets $1,574.15 for Proctor baseball team to go to Cooperstown.
OVUHS rock climbers end regular season on a high note
When the last climber was belayed down the wall for the final regular-season meet last Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center in Rutland, the Otter Valley Union High School climbing team topped the scoreboard, with a season total of 115,725.
Take a shot at pickleball
When was the last time you experienced a “dink in the kitchen” or made a serve from the “even court?” This is the language of Pickleball enthusiasts, and we’ve got a few right here in Brandon.