Vermont
8 Most Neighborly Towns In Vermont
The 14th State to be admitted to the Union, the thinly-populated, singly landlocked state of Vermont sits in the New England region in the country’s northeastern corner. Highlighting awe-inspiring panoramas of verdant hills and valleys during summertime, otherworldly colorful foliage in fall, the white wilderness in winter, and wildflower-covered alpine meadows in spring, The Green Mountain State is there to take your breath away whenever you are on a visit. Dotting the state’s scenic 9,250 sq. mi. terrain are incalculable neighborly towns that are worth journeying to on your reinvigorating sabbaticals.
Montpelier
Christened by Colonel Jacob Davis with reference to its homonymous French city, Montpelier, the capital of Vermont and Washington County’s seat is located close to the geographic heart of the state by the side of the upper Winooski River. The unostentatious appearance of the US’ least populous state capital efficaciously obscures the copious creative activities that one gets to experience in this friendly small town.
Although the sundry historical sites like the gold-cupolaed Vermont State House, Kellogg-Hubbard Library, and Vermont History Museum are star attractions of this chief town, the large number of pristine urban oases such as Hubbard Park, Mill Pond Park, and their unlimited open-air recreations should not be missed. Also, pop in at the TW Wood Art Gallery to observe its extensive award-winning art collections, watch performances at the Lost Nation Theater, and shop for farm fresh produce and meet the locals at the Capital City Farmers Market.
Grafton
Initially baptized Thomlinson and later relabeled Grafton after its namesake Massachusetts town, this teeny and welcoming 645-inhabitant settlement is situated in Windham County of southern Vermont. The grandiose backstory of this noted stagecoach hub for transportation across the Green Mountains is appropriately reflected in significant properties like the Grafton Inn (previously the Old Tavern), together with numerous other accommodations that the Windham Foundation has suitably restored.
You can peruse the town’s myriad small enterprises, such as Plummer’s Sugar House, MKT: Grafton, and the Grafton Village Cheese Company, and participate in the plentiful summer and winter leisure activities provided by the Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center.
Woodstock
Woodstock, the seat of government of Windsor County, is located next to the Ottauquechee River’s south branch, almost a three-hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts. Woodstock’s idyll town square, popularly the Green, is flanked by umpteen warm and thoroughly maintained buildings with different architectural designs.
On a trip to this town, check out the famed tourist lures like the Billings Farm & Museum, Taftsville Covered Bridge, Woodstock History Center, and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Yearly, join the friendly locals for the two-day Harvest Celebration at the Billings Farm & Museum in October and Wassail Weekend in December.
Stowe
Chartered by the colonial Governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth, this neighborly Lamoille County town is situated in a wide-ranging grassy valley limited by the Worcester Range to the east and Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak and other Green Mountain peaks to the west. Known for a long time for its snowy pursuits, this Ski Capital of the East offers vacationists excellent skiing and snowboarding amenities in addition to several miles of groomed and backcountry trails at the Stowe Mountain Resort, one of the leading cross-country skiing destinations of North America.
The brilliant colors of the encircling arboraceous mountains in the fall season make Stowe an exquisite location for photo opportunities coupled with a slew of recreational opportunities. When in town, the iconic Stowe Community Church, the paved Stowe Recreation Path, Smugglers’ Notch State Park & Recreation Area, Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, and Trapp Family Lodge are must-visits.
Manchester
Rimmed in the west by the Taconic Range and in the east by the Green Mountains, Manchester, set close to the Batten Kill River, is a welcoming town and one of the administrative capitals of Bennington County. A quondam iron-mining town and currently an all-season Vermont getaway, Manchester invites globetrotters to take note of its archaic properties, including the Bennington County Courthouse and the Lincoln Family Home, Hildene, symbolical white steeple churches, art galleries like Southern Vermont Arts Center, antique stores like The Vintage Soul, museums like American Museum of Fly Fishing, well-maintained community parks like Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park, and cozy diners like Ye Olde Tavern.
Summers and springtime are ideal for hiking the Prospect Rock Trail and trekking through the Merck Forest and Farmland Center. In the cold season, one can go skiing on the downhill slopes of the adjacent Stratton and Bromley Mountains.
Brattleboro
This teeny neighborly town in Windham County occupies the Connecticut River Valley, which is approximately 10 miles north of the state border with Massachusetts at the conflux of the Connecticut River with its 53.8-mile-long tributary West River. Brattleboro, one of the state’s most sought-after travel destinations, proffers a seamless blend of agrarian ambiance and modern comforts, with plethoric gift shops like Penelope Wurr Retail Store, art galleries like Gallery In the Woods, museums like Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, performing arts theater like the Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery, and eateries like Peter Havens Restaurant in the Downtown Area.
You can spend quality time at the different parks and recreation centers, such as Fort Dummer State Park and Gibson-Aiken Center, or attend any of the town’s yearly events, such as the Brattleboro Free Folk Festival, Maple Open House Weekend, and Brattleboro Women’s Film Festival.
Weston
A serene and hospitable Windsor County town circumscribed by the verdurous Green Mountain National Forest, Weston is lauded for its flawless fusion of historical heritage and community spirit. This 623-resident town’s National Register-listed historic district features several well-preserved Gilded Age buildings, such as the Weston Playhouse, Old Mill, and the Farrar-Mansur House.
Merrymakers, all year long, get to enjoy diverse performances presented at the Weston Playhouse by the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, which, established in 1935, is the longest-running professional theatre in The Green Mountain State. Weston’s other impressive sites include the placid Weston Priory, the Vermont Country Store, where traditional goods are sold, and the Weston Village Green, which serves as a setting for fun-filled gatherings.
Shelburne
Christened Shelburne in honor of William Petty Fitzmaurice, the 2nd Earl of Shelburne, this friendly town is set along the banks of Lake Champlain. Part of Chittenden County, and home to around 7,000 residents, its central business district is located around 7 miles south of the city center of Vermont’s most populous city, Burlington.
Holidaymakers on a visit to Shelburne adore its mind-boggling Green Mountain spectacles, productive valleys, and the conterminous scrupulously preserved farms. Aside from dropping by the town’s celebrated spots like Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum, Vermont Teddy Bear Company, and Shelburne Vineyards, vacationers can chill out with friendly locals at the beaches or partake in myriad aquatic pursuits such as swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking at the panoramic Lake Champlain.
From the beatific ski town Stowe to Shelburne’s lakeside opulence, the intimately connected towns peppering the 2nd least populous and 6th smallest state of the country lure excursionists with their idiosyncratic charisma. So, if you wish to have a well-rounded experience in The Green Mountain State, seek no further than these neighborly towns perpetually ready to hypnotize you with their natural spectacles, quaint downtowns, restaurants serving finger-licking locally sourced cuisines, unique seasonal celebrations, and never-ending outdoor interests.
Vermont
Vermont lawmakers consider suspending new fines for candidates who don’t disclose their finances – VTDigger
Vermont lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow political candidates to go unpunished this year if they don’t file a legally mandated financial disclosure form.
At the same time, the state commission tasked with holding late filers accountable by levying fines says it does not have enough staff to do that work, anyway.
Lawmakers created the fines two years ago to compel candidates for certain offices to turn in reports providing information about their employer, their spouses’ work, stocks and investment income and boards they’re on that could create conflicts of interest. The forms, which are separate from reports detailing campaign fundraising, must be filed by candidates for statewide office, the Legislature and county offices such as sheriffs.
Enforcement of the fines was set to start this year. But under a bill, S.298, that passed the House on Thursday, candidates would not face any penalties until at least 2027.
That means there could be less information available to voters ahead of this year’s primary and general elections about where some candidates get their income from.
“This is, frankly, embarrassing,” Lauren Hibbert, Vermont’s deputy secretary of state, told the Vermont House committee that drafted the change late last month.
At issue are two provisions the House added into S.298, which cleared the Senate in March. The Senate’s version proposed incorporating some existing federal-level voter protections into state law, and would allow candidates to use campaign funds for security expenses. It did not include anything about financial disclosures.
House lawmakers also approved voter security measures, but tacked on a new section suspending fines, until the end of next May, for late financial disclosures. Laid out in a sweeping state and municipal ethics reform law from 2024, those penalties are $10 a day after the form has been overdue after at least five days, up to $1,000.
The House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee passed the revised bill with no votes against it, and no House members spoke up against it on the floor. The bill now heads back to the Senate for a review of the House’s changes.
Rep. Chea Waters Evans, D-Charlotte, is the ranking member on the government operations panel. She said in an interview the committee didn’t want candidates to be punished for failing to fill out the form when it is unclear currently how to access it.
That’s because of a standoff between the Vermont State Ethics Commission and the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office, she said, over who should take the lead on the form’s rollout and should field questions about what information gets disclosed on it. As of Friday, an updated version of the form was not online — and the websites of the ethics commission and the secretary of state each refer users to the other for a copy.
Meanwhile, Waters Evans said, the window candidates have to file financial disclosure forms this year, as well as formally declare that they’re running for office, opened last week. The window closes on May 28, at least for major party candidates.
“It doesn’t seem fair or right to candidates to charge them for not complying with something when we, ourselves, have not been able to make it available to them,” she said.
According to the 2024 ethics law, Act 171, financial disclosure forms should be “created and maintained” by the State Ethics Commission. That was a change from the law before that, which said only that the form should be “prepared” by the commission.
Paul Erlbaum, the ethics commission’s chair, told lawmakers the commission has created a version of this year’s form and sent it to the Secretary of State’s Office, which the commission thinks should then distribute the form to candidates and offer help filling it out. But Hibbert, the deputy secretary of state, rejected that notion, telling lawmakers the letter of the law makes it “very clear” the commission should take the lead.
The House version of S.298 attempts to clarify that dispute, according to Waters Evans.
The bill stipulates that the ethics commission provide resources to candidates and answer questions over email and phone about the disclosure form, make the form available on its website and prepare a list of frequently asked questions about it.
The ethics commission has pushed back hard against that measure because it does not have enough staff to carry out what it sees as new responsibilities, Erlbaum said. In fact, he said, even if lawmakers wanted to enforce the fines this year as planned, the commission wouldn’t be able to enforce them because it is so understaffed.
He noted that the commission stopped providing guidance to municipalities on how to handle ethics complaints at the local level, as it was authorized to do under the 2024 law. The reason, again, is a lack of staff, Erlbaum said. Currently, the commission has two employees: a part-time executive director and a part-time administrative assistant.
The commission asked legislators to send it funding in the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in July, for two additional positions. Gov. Phil Scott’s budget proposal did not include any new positions for the panel.
The House version of the budget, which passed in March, included one new ethics commission position tied to municipal-level work. The Senate, however, took that position out in its budget proposal, approved last week. The budget bill, H.951, is now being considered by a committee of conference, where House and Senate budget writers are hashing out their differences, including over the ethics job.
For its part, the Secretary of State’s office says it doesn’t have enough staff to take the lead on the financial disclosure forms, either. Moreover, Hibbert said last month, it’s inappropriate for questions about conflicts of interest to be under the jurisdiction of a statewide officer who is affiliated with a political party, as the secretary of state is.
The fact that disclosure forms haven’t yet been made available has drawn criticism from the heads of Vermont’s two largest political parties. Suspending enforcement of the disclosure requirements “is not in the best interest of Vermont voters,” May Hanlon, executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party, told lawmakers last month.
The chair of the Vermont Republican Party, Paul Dame, took it a step further, calling for the ethics commission’s executive director, Christina Sivret, to be fired over the fact the commission had not made the form publicly available on its own. He made the comments in an April 23 press release.
Campaign for Vermont, an advocacy group that focuses on government transparency, said in its own press release last week that Dame’s push for Sivret’s firing was excessive — but urged legislators to send the ethics commission more staff.
“You can’t demand more complex forms, real‑time candidate support and tougher enforcement from an office with two part-time staff, then attack them for saying they don’t have the capacity to do it,” said Ben Kinsley, Campaign for Vermont’s executive director. “If we want ethics and oversight to mean something in Vermont, we have to fund the folks responsible for carrying that forward.”
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 May 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 2 drawing
25-37-42-52-65, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 2 drawing
Day: 6-4-6
Evening: 0-7-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 2 drawing
Day: 6-3-8-5
Evening: 4-4-5-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from May 2 drawing
01-07-10-19-32, Megaball: 05
Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 2 drawing
06-17-31-42-50, Bonus: 02
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.
The 2026 Vermont high school spring season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, track and field and Ultimate.
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.
SATURDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Baseball
Games at 11 a.m. unless noted
Champlain Valley at South Burlington 2 p.m.
Harwood at Montpelier, 2 p.m.
Essex at Mount Mansfield
BFA-Fairfax at Milton, 3 p.m.
Mount Abraham at Otter Valley, 3 p.m.
Missisquoi at Spaulding
Richford at Vergennes, 3 p.m.
Hazen at Lamoille, 2 p.m.
Randolph at Lake Region
Peoples at Lyndon, 2:30 p.m.
North Country at Oxbow, 3 p.m.
U-32 at Thetford
Blue Mountain at Caledonia United
Softball
U-32 12, Thetford 5
U: Megan Pittsley (WP, CG, 6H, 5R, 12K, 1BB). Ava Batdorff (2-for-4, 3 RBIs). Addison Coleman (2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBIs). Avery Burke (2B).
T: Chloe Caper (LP, CG, 7H, 7R, 5K, 8BB). Greta Johnson (HR). Brookle Chaffee (2B). Ellea Osgood (2-for-4, 2 RBIs). Austin Powers (2-for-2).
Note: U-32 scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to seal the win.
Paine Mountain at Craftsbury
Blue Mountain at Danville
St. Johnsbury at Lyndon
Champlain Valley at South Burlington, 2 p.m.
Milton at BFA-Fairfax, 3 p.m.
Randolph at Lake Region
Essex at Mount Mansfield
Harwood at Rice, 2:30 p.m.
North Country at Oxbow, 3 p.m.
Vergennes at Spaulding, 3 p.m.
Mount Abraham at Otter Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Girls lacrosse
Middlebury at U-32, 11 a.m.
Essex at Mount Abraham/Vergennes, 2:30 p.m.
Mount Anthony at St. Johnsbury, 4:30 p.m.
Boys lacrosse
Games at 11 a.m. unless noted
Essex at BFA-St. Albans
Woodstock at Middlebury
Mount Mansfield at Champlain Valley
Rice at South Burlington
Stowe at Harwood, 1 p.m.
Mount Anthony at St. Johnsbury, 4:30 p.m.
Girls tennis
Mount Mansfield at Burlington
South Burlington at Colchester
Champlain Valley at Essex
Boys tennis
Essex at Champlain Valley
North Country at Mount Mansfield
South Burlington at Stowe
Girls Ultimate
Matches at 4 p.m.
St. Johnsbury at Burlington
Burr and Burton at South Burlington
Mount Mansfield at Champlain Valley
Middlebury at Milton
Track and field
Twilight Meet at South Burlington
Windsor Invitational
MONDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Baseball
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Vergennes at Mount Abraham
Lyndon at Lamoille
Softball
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Vergennes at Mount Abraham
Lyndon at Lamoille
Colchester at Burr and Burton
Girls lacrosse
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Mount Mansfield at Mount Abraham/Vergennes
Lamoille at Stowe
Spaulding at St. Johnsbury
Boys lacrosse
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Harwood at Mount Mansfield
Otter Valley at BFA-Fairfax
Stowe at Lyndon
Colchester at Spaulding
St. Johnsbury at Hartford, 6:30 p.m.
Boys Ultimate
Matches at 4 p.m.
Burlington at Middlebury
Essex at Milton
St. Johnsbury at South Burlington
Montpelier at Champlain Valley
(Subject to change)
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