Vermont

Recreation leaders attend Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit in East Burke

Published

3 months ago

December 7, 2025

Recreation leaders attend Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit in East Burke

EAST BURKE — The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) hosted the 7th Annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit in November at Burke Mountain Resort last month, convening 155 outdoor industry businesses, organizations, and policymakers for a day of collaboration, education, and business development.

Kellyann Davis, Director of Research for the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), kicked off the Summit with a keynote providing crucial insights into data on outdoor consumer trends. “Snowsports continue to dominate as the activity outdoor enthusiasts spend the most on,” said Davis. “With snow on the ground, this puts the Vermont outdoor sector in a strong position going into the holiday season – but the data also shows only 14.5% shoppers get their gear at independent outdoor retailers, with Amazon overwhelmingly capturing the outdoor gear dollar.”

“Currently, Vermont resorts and retailers are reporting a strong start to the season, but the OIA data is a clear call to action, highlighting the need for outdoor consumers to support the places and people they care about by shopping at local businesses and visiting our outdoor downtowns,” said Kelly Ault, Executive Director of VOBA. “With so many challenges affecting the industry, including financial risks due to fluctuating federal policy and the hurdles of climate resilience, supporting your local gear shop is one way to support the economic prosperity of the outdoor sector and our State”

The outdoor industry was intentional about convening in the recreation epicenter of East Burke. Northeast Kingdom leaders offered up decades of lessons learned from the success of local communities and partnerships that have balanced ecological values and commerce. In opening remarks, Jon Schaefer, COO and Co-Owner of Bear Den Partners’ Burke Mountain Resort, emphasized Burke Mountain’s deep connection to the success of the local economy, “Rising tides for us is when the whole community does better. Our business is successful when our community does better.”

Governor Phil Scott, who oversaw the creation of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative in 2017, addressed the Summit and maintained his belief in the return on investment of directing public funding to Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy, “The outdoor economy is something that defines who we are as Vermonters. Using outdoor recreation as a tool to attract people to come to Vermont, and stay, has, and can, pay real dividends.”

The founders pitching in the 2nd Annual Outdoor Pitch Fest brought down the house with Thicket Adventure taking home the Overall Resilience award and Sluff Wax the Climate & Circularity and the People’s Choice award. The annual event gives outdoor entrepreneurs the opportunity to present best practices for resilience, and values-led climate and circularity strategies to judges and industry peers.

This year, VOBA honored Donna Carpenter, Owner of Burton Snowboards, and the Carpenter family with the 5th Annual Sen. Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award. The award recognizes lifetime contributions to Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy with a special focus on sustainability, equity, community investment, and economic growth. “[Vermont] is where the Burton story started, and where it will continue into the next generation,” said Carpenter. “Next year, Burton turns 50, half a century. Most of the world thought we were crazy, Vermont didn´t. Vermont supported us, gave us a sense of community, and helped install the kind of stubborn optimism that I think is hardwired into this state. To survive here, especially through a hard winter, you need grit and perseverance. But you also need your neighbors.”

Marc Sherman, Owner of Burlington’s Outdoor Gear Exchange (OGE), agrees that starting a business in Vermont requires perseverance and support for and from your neighbors. “At the OGE, we have always considered ourselves as part of the neighborhood. We invest in our staff and our community and hope that this helps inspire our customers to think of us when they’re getting ready for their next adventure or simply in support of their outdoor lifestyle. Thanks to ongoing support from Vermont’s outdoor community we have built OGE into a thirty-year old economic cornerstone of friends and neighbors. When you choose to shop local this holiday season you are supporting Vermonters, the benefits of which ripple through your community and all of Vermont.”

VOBA would like to recognize the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Departments of Economic Development and Tourism and Marketing, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, Northern Border Regional Commission, Sevenpair Studios, Merritt & Merritt, Burke Mountain Resort, Cabot Hosiery Mills, Northeast Vermont Development Association, Vermont Economic Development Authority, Vermont Community Loan Fund, The Richards Group, Green Up Day, The Wildflower Inn, and SB Signs.

The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is a state-wide organization established in 2018 to educate Vermonters on outdoor recreation and businesses on business development, collaboration initiatives, and outdoor recreation policy. VOBA and its 155 members strengthen Vermont’s outdoor economy through networking & learning, business development & technical assistance, research & branding, workforce development, and advocacy. VOBA supports investment in the state’s natural and recreation resources and equitable access for all in the outdoors. www.vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org

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Vermont

Friends, family rally behind Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism

Published

7 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Friends, family rally behind Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism

NEWPORT, Vt. (WCAX) – Friends and family of a Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism rallied in Newport Thursday, saying the charges stem from a mental health crisis and are unwarranted.

Vermont State Police say Joseph “J.J.” Millett, 38, of Newport, called a veterans crisis line in February, making suicidal statements and threatening a mass-casualty event.

Court records say Millett had guns and wrote what investigators call a manifesto. He turned himself in, and state police say they disarmed him at the barracks. He pleaded not guilty and was never formally arrested or placed in jail. He is currently in a treatment facility.

Supporters say the threats were the result of new medication and a mental health crisis. “But all the way to domestic terrorism for a man that fought overseas — he wasn’t a terrorist. He’s been fighting terrorists half his life,” said Chad Abbott, a friend who served with Millett overseas.

Abbott said he believes the charges could have unintended consequences for veterans seeking help. “These hotlines that they put out for us is to kind of get us the help we need. And now, none of us are going to want to call that,” he said.

Millett’s sister, Courtney Morin, said her brother served in the Vermont Guard for nearly 10 years and has struggled with mental health since returning home. “He suffers from depression, anxiety — he has PTSD. So, he’s actually been seeking help for his mental health for probably as long as he’s been home,” Morin said.

Orleans County State’s Attorney Farzana Leyva said the charge is warranted and that Millett was not calling for help when he contacted the crisis line. “He called the crisis helpline to make the threats. I think we have to be very clear about that. Those were threats. He did not call the crisis helpline for help. He called anonymously,” Leyva said.

She said the evidence — including repeated threats — Millett’s access to guns, and a manifesto justifies the charge and protects the public. “My priority is public safety, which is the highest priority that I have right now,” Leyva said.

Morin said she believes her brother was trying to get help. “I think he was seeking help. I mean, it’s all a trail of him seeking help, being on different meds. You know, we’re not in his head. We don’t know what he’s dealing with. And especially if you’re dealing with it alone,” Morin said.

Millett continues to receive treatment and is due back in court later this month.

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Vermont

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5

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.

THURSDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

D-III GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Barre Auditorium

No. 5 Vergennes (17-4) vs. No. 1 Hazen (18-2), 5:30 p.m.

No. 3 Oxbow (16-6) vs. No. 2 Windsor (16-6), 7:30 p.m.

Watch Vermont high school sports on NFHS Network

D-I BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 8 Mount Mansfield (10-11) at No. 1 Rice Memorial (17-3)

No. 12 Essex (5-16) at No. 4 Rutland (15-6)

No. 7 Burr and Burton (13-8) at No. 2 South Burlington (15-5), 6 p.m.

No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (13-8) vs. No. 3 Burlington (15-5) at Colchester, 7:30 p.m.

D-II GIRLS HOCKEY QUARTERFINALS

No. 8 Stowe (5-16) vs. No. 1 U-32 (13-6-1) at Kreitzberg Arena, 5 p.m.

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

19 Vermont school budgets fail as education leaders debate need for reform

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

19 Vermont school budgets fail as education leaders debate need for reform

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Most Vermont school budgets passed Tuesday, but 19 districts and supervisory unions saw their spending plans rejected — an uptick from the nine that failed in 2025, though well below the 29 that failed in 2024.

Some education leaders say the results show communities are largely supportive of their schools.

“We’re starting to kind of equalize out again towards the normal trend of passage of school budgets each year,” said Chelsea Meyers of the Vermont Superintendents Association.

Sue Ceglowski of the Vermont School Boards Association said the results send a clear message. “Vermont taxpayers support Vermont’s public schools,” she said.

Meyers said the results also raise questions about the scope of education reform being considered in Montpelier. “If we are going to reform the system, it might not require sweeping broad changes as are being considered right now, but a more concise approach to consider that inequity,” she said.

But in districts where budgets failed, officials say structural changes are still needed. In Barre, where the budget failed, Barre Unified Union School District Board Chair Michael Boutin said the Legislature must, at a minimum, create a new funding formula. “We have to have that in order to avoid the huge increases and decreases — the huge increases that we’ve seen in the last couple years,” Boutin said.

He said the rise in school budgets is separate from why property owners are seeing sharp tax increases. The average state increase in school budgets is 4%, but the average property tax increase is 10%, driven by cost factors including health care. “There’s a complete disconnect, and that’s a product of the terrible system that we have in Vermont with our funding formula,” Boutin said.

Ceglowski says the state should address health care costs before moving forward with rapid education policy changes. “Addressing the rapid rise in the cost of school employees’ health benefits by ensuring a fair and balanced statewide bargaining process for those benefits,” she said.

The 19 districts that did not pass their budgets will need to draft new spending plans to present to voters, which often requires cuts. Twelve school districts are scheduled to vote at a later date.

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