Vermont travel, homes, and services

6+ hour, 27+ min ago (409+ words) When a second-grade student failed to show up to his Vermont school Monday morning, a teacher reached out to remind the family that Thanksgiving break was over. The response from the boy's father was harrowing, according to Winooski Schools Superintendent Wilmer Chavarr'a: "My wife and my son left on Thursday for a trip, and they're not answering my messages. I don't know where they are." The school district sprang into action and soon determined that the 7-year-old boy and his mother were being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas. How they ended up there is a mystery, though family members believe they were detained while driving from Vermont to the Minneapolis area to visit family over the holiday, according to Chavarr'a. The family hails from Ecuador, Chavarr'a said, and relocated to Winooski, just outside of Burlington,…...

9+ hour, 56+ min ago (51+ words) A female boxer is trending on social media for her controversial weigh-in outfit. Ebanie Bridges, a 39-year-old boxer, has trended on social media for the clothes she decides to wear to her weigh-ins ... Andrew has the latest forecast as snow moves in to the region on Tuesday....

12+ hour, 10+ min ago (939+ words) Vermonters will face an 11.9 percent average increase in education property taxes next year unless lawmakers again step in to soften the financial blow, according to a forecast from the Vermont Department of Taxes. The projected increase, outlined Monday in what is known as the the December 1 letter, is likely to put even more pressure on lawmakers to reform education funding in Vermont. Last year, the legislature passed and Gov. Phil Scott signed a controversial consolidation plan. Act 73 aims to transform how schools are funded and governed in response to declining enrollment and rising costs. Its most thorny provision calls for the forced consolidation of districts in an effort to save administrative costs. A task force that was to outline the new districts has instead recommended achieving savings by setting up regional partnerships to collectively fund services such as special education…...

17+ hour, 10+ min ago (939+ words) Vermonters will face an 11.9 percent average increase in education property taxes next year unless lawmakers again step in to soften the financial blow, according to a forecast from the Vermont Department of Taxes. The projected increase, outlined Monday in what is known as the the December 1 letter, is likely to put even more pressure on lawmakers to reform education funding in Vermont. Last year, the legislature passed and Gov. Phil Scott signed a controversial consolidation plan. Act 73 aims to transform how schools are funded and governed in response to declining enrollment and rising costs. Its most thorny provision calls for the forced consolidation of districts in an effort to save administrative costs. A task force that was to outline the new districts has instead recommended achieving savings by setting up regional partnerships to collectively fund services such as special education…...

22+ hour, 46+ min ago (156+ words) Vermont's public education system is undergoing its most significant overhaul in years. Act 73 is already reshaping how schools operate, and readers have been asking pointed questions about what's changing, what's uncertain and what lawmakers may take up next. In this live, one-hour conversation, education reporter Corey McDonald answers those reader questions and breaks down the early impacts of the reform. The discussion is moderated by Libbie Sparadeo, VTDigger's director of membership and engagement, with CEO Sky Barsch opening and closing the program. This event is part of VTDigger's work to bring Vermonters the clarity and scrutiny that big policy changes demand. And because it's Giving Tuesday, three generous supporters are tripling every donation today. If this kind of open, accessible journalism matters to you, please consider making a gift to support it. If you miss the livestream of this event,…...

1+ day, 8+ min ago (292+ words) Vermont Business Magazine With the home heating season here, you may be wondering if your firewood is dry and ready to burn. Vermonters can check out a moisture meter for free from one of 63 public libraries. This is thanks to a statewide loan program from the Departments of Libraries and Environmental Conservation (DEC). Fine particle pollution consists of particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, also known as PM2.5. Fine particles are so small they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Fine particles are also the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in scenic areas. "To prevent poor air quality and safeguard public health, it is key to follow proper wood burning practices," said DEC Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. "Using dry, seasoned wood reduces smoke, cuts air emissions, and protects our families, neighbors, and the environment." You can find more information…...

1+ day, 2+ hour ago (32+ words) This comedy club in Burlington hosted a buy-nothing swap over the weekend, Rilee Lucas reports. This comedy club in Burlington hosted a buy-nothing swap over the weekend, Rilee Lucas reports....

1+ day, 4+ hour ago (69+ words) Here is the latest hour-by-hour forecast for snowfall on Tuesday in Vermont and Northern New York. For the latest weather coverage for your area, click here. Stay updated with alerts in the myNBC5 app ... Search location by ZIP code Video: Hour-by-hour look at timing of Tuesday's snow in Vermont and New York View an hour-by-hour forecast to track the snowfall through Tuesday evening...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (319+ words) If you're considering a year-end gift to VTDigger, please plan to make it tomorrow on Giving Tuesday. A generous group of donors has pledged to triple every gift received on Dec. 2, multiplying your impact on nonprofit journalism in Vermont. Every gift we receive helps us produce the fiercely independent news you rely on year round, and this Tuesday, it will be tripled." As part of our commitment to serving Vermonters, we're also hosting a free virtual conversation with education reporter Corey McDonald live on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at noon." Vermont's public education system is in the midst of its biggest transition in years. Act 73, the state's sweeping new education reform law, has already set major changes in motion, but as the next legislative session approaches, key questions remain unanswered. Corey has been covering the rollout of Act 73 since it was signed…...

1+ day, 18+ hour ago (563+ words) Freedley Quarry isn't your average Vermont hike. You won't be trekking up the mountains or even venturing to a waterfall but rather exploring a somewhat wild cavern where you'll be surrounded by darkness, water, and a lot of graffiti. It's an undeniably unique adventure that will likely take you out of your comfort zone, especially if you're not a fan of being underground or in enclosed spaces. 4 Trending Rentals in Vermont That People Book on Repeat (And We See Why) This Scenic 4.5-Mile Trail in the Green Mountain National Forest Is Worth the Incline Experience the Americana Town in Vermont So Charming You'll Want to Keep It a Secret Today, it's still possible to explore this abandoned quarry, which feels almost like a living time capsule. The quarry is a deep, arch-shaped cavern carved into the slope of Mount Aeolus....