Vermont
Vermont’s largest substance use rehab facility will no longer accept patients on methadone – VTDigger
Valley Vista, Vermont’s largest substance use disorder rehabilitation facility, will no longer take patients on methadone, an administrator said Thursday.
The facility, which has locations in Bradford and Vergennes, will continue to serve current patients who are on methadone, Kevin Hamel, Valley Vista’s vice president of medical and clinical services, told facility staff in an email Thursday morning. But Valley Vista will no longer accept new patients who use the recovery drug, he said.
In an interview, Hamel said Valley Vista currently has seven patients on methadone, out of a total of 78, across both of its locations. Transporting those patients to and from methadone clinics can cost up to $400 a day, Hamel said, a sum the facility can no longer afford.
“The cost of staffing is going up,” he said. “The cost for us to be able to provide health insurance for employees is significantly going up this year.”
Methadone is a drug used to mitigate withdrawal symptoms in people recovering from substance use disorder. The drug, which usually comes in the form of a drinkable liquid, is tightly regulated and can only be dispensed from designated methadone clinics in limited doses.
That means patients who take the drug during recovery must return regularly to methadone clinics. Valley Vista’s Bradford patients travel to St. Johnsbury — about half an hour away — and Vergennes patients must make the roughly 45-minute trip to Burlington to get methadone treatment, Hamel said.
Valley Vista’s change in policy comes amid an apparent disagreement with state regulators over reimbursement for transportation to and from methadone clinics.
In his email to Valley Vista staff Thursday, Hamel wrote, “We recognize that this is an underserved population; however, the reality is that the State of Vermont is unwilling to cover the transportation costs for patients to receive their doses.”
The situation appears to be more complex, however.
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Vermont Medicaid will pay for transportation to clinics, but only if the vehicles are “operated by a state contractor or subcontractor, in order to adhere to regulations regarding licensure and safety,” Alex McCracken, a spokesperson for the Department of Vermont Health Access, said in an email.
Under those rules, patients have access to various public transit operators across the state.
But Hamel, of Valley Vista, said riding on public transit could lead to safety concerns for the facility’s patients, and that schedules didn’t always line up. It’s safer and more effective for Valley Vista to have staff members drive patients and supervise their trips, he said.
“It’s best to be in a closed environment with our staff bringing them, who are familiar with them, are aware of what’s going on with them,” Hamel said. “And can keep an eye on them to make sure that they’re not talking with other people at the clinic, to make sure that there’s nothing going on there.”
But Valley Vista is not eligible for Medicaid reimbursement if it drives patients on its own, which means the rehab center is footing the bill with no help from Medicaid. About 80% of Valley Vista’s patients are on Vermont Medicaid, according to Hamel.
From 2021 through mid-2023, the state Department of Health provided Valley Vista with Covid-19 funding for patients’ transportation to and from methadone clinics.
But that money, which came from federal Covid-19 pandemic aid, “was always intended to be a short-term solution,” Kyle Casteel, a spokesperson for the Vermont Department of Health, said in an email.
Valley Vista could “use a transportation vendor whose expense is reimbursable through Medicaid or to obtain a new license for onsite methadone treatment from the (federal Drug Enforcement Administration),” Casteel said. “These options remain open to Valley Vista at this time and the Health Department is prepared to support Valley Vista should it choose to pursue either of these options.”
Since his email to staff Thursday morning, Hamel said Valley Vista and the state have set up a meeting next week to discuss the situation.
Until then, however, the decision could create another barrier for Vermonters seeking treatment for substance use disorder.
“Vermonters continue to struggle with accessing the type of residential treatment that they need,” Christopher Smith, the chief clinical officer at the nonprofit Spectrum Youth and Family Services, said in an interview Thursday.
“As a community, as a state, we need to put effort into building the residential treatment that’s going to work for all Vermonters,” Smith said. “And that means addressing appropriate funding and appropriate services that meet the needs of people who have addiction issues.”
The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
MONDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES
ALPINE SKIING
State championships (giant slalom) at Burke Mountain
D-I GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
At Patrick Gym
No. 2 Rutland (19-2) vs. No. 3 St. Johnsbury (16-5), 6 p.m.
No. 1 Mount Mansfield (20-1) vs. No. 4 North Country (19-3), 7:30 p.m.
D-IV GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
At Barre Auditorium
No. 1 Richford (19-2) vs. No. 4 Mid Vermont Christian (6-2), 5:30 p.m.
No. 3 West Rutland (14-8) vs. No. 7 Rivendell (12-10), 7:30 p.m.
D-I BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
No. 13 North Country (3-17) at No. 4 Rutland (14-6)
No. 12 Essex (4-16) at No. 5 Champlain Valley (12-8)
No. 10 St. Johnsbury (5-15) at No. 7 Burr and Burton (12-8)
No. 11 Colchester (5-15) at No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (12-8)
D-III BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
No. 11 BFA-Fairfax (10-10) at No. 6 Thetford (12-8), 7 p.m.
D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAY-INS
No. 17 Sharon (3-17) at No. 16 Long Trail (4-16), 6 p.m.
TUESDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES
ALPINE SKIING
State championships (slalom) at Burke Mountain
D-II GIRLS HOCKEY PLAY-INS
No. 9 Brattleboro (0-17-1) at No. 8 Stowe (4-16), 5:15 p.m.
D-I BOYS HOCKEY PLAY-INS
No. 8 Burlington (8-12) at No. 9 St. Johnsbury (3-16-1), 5:30 p.m.
D-II BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
No. 13 Lake Region (4-16) at No. 4 Montpelier (11-9), 7 p.m.
D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
No. 9 Arlington (11-9) at No. 8 Richford (12-8), 6 p.m.
Winner Game 1 at No. 1 Twinfield/Cabot (19-1)
No. 13 Grace Christian (4-15) at No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (17-2)
No. 12 Poultney (6-14) at No. 5 Twin Valley (16-4)
No. 15 Blue Mountain (3-17) at No. 2 West Rutland (20-0)
No. 10 Proctor (11-9) at No. 7 Danville (14-6)
No. 14 Northfield (3-17) at No. 3 Mid Vermont Christian (2-0)
No. 11 Rivendell (10-10) at No. 6 Williamstown (14-6)
(Subject to change)
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing
Day: 8-7-7
Evening: 0-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing
Day: 1-8-1-2
Evening: 0-3-1-1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing
10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Colorblind museum helps visitors see color for first time
A North Carolina museum is offering special glasses so that colorblind visitors can see art in full color.
Fox – Seattle
Looking for a new museum to visit this winter?
As a historic state with European settlements going all the way back to the 1600s, Vermont is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state’s foundational role in United States history.
In fact, the state’s oldest museum dates all the way back to 1884, making it almost 150 years old. Originally founded from a personal collection, Henry Sheldon Museum is not only the oldest museum in Vermont, but also the oldest community-based museum in the whole country.
Here’s a brief history of the oldest museum in Vermont, as well as how to visit.
History of Henry Sheldon Museum
According to the museum’s website, Henry Sheldon Museum was founded by its namesake, Henry Sheldon. A local businessman and avid collector, Sheldon turned his personal collection of furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts into a museum, which opened to the public in July of 1884, says the Vermont Historical Society.
The museum’s collection has expanded greatly since then and still continues to grow. Today, the Sheldon aims to help community members gain a deeper appreciation of Vermont’s local art and history through engaging art and history exhibits, programs, events and an extensive archival collection at the museum’s research center.
This spring’s upcoming feature exhibit will focus on the idea of time, displaying the museum’s collection of timepieces like clocks, watches, calendars, journals, time capsules and more.
How to visit Vermont’s oldest museum
Want to explore Vermont history and art at the oldest museum in the state? Henry Sheldon Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday throguh Saturday.
Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for seniors, with free admission for members, students and children ages 18 and under. Appointments to visit the museum’s research center must be made by emailing archives@henrysheldonmuseum.org.
Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park St. in Middlebury.
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