Vermont

Aggressive Fox Sparks Warnings @ Vermont's Mount Tom

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

Aggressive Fox Sparks Warnings @ Vermont's Mount Tom

VERMONT – Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and the Woodstock Police Department are urging caution after receiving multiple reports of an agressive fox near the Faulkner Trail on Mount Tom. Rabies is a suspected cause.

If anyone encounters agressive wildlife in the area around Mount Tom, they should immediately notify local police or park staff. If you come in contact with an agressive animal, seek medical attention immediately.

Rabies spreads through saliva, potentially during a scratch, bite, or mucus membrane contact. With proper medical care, rabies is very preventable in people, but it becomes very fatal if it goes untreated before developing. Animals that behave in an unusual or agressive manner, or who don’t appear to fear humans, should be considered to have rabies. All mammals are susceptible to the disease.

Take the following precautions to protect yourself from rabies:

Visitors should observe all wildlife from a safe and respectful distance and never pick up or handle a wild animal. Never approach or touch wildlife. If you see sick or erratic behaving wildlife, notify a park employee at 802-457-3368 or call the Woodstock Police Department at 802-457-2337.
Anyone who has had contact with a wild animal in the park should notify a park employee as soon as possible. You should consult with your doctor in the event you have contacted an animal thought to be rabid.
Pets should always be on a leash of no more than 6-feet when on park trails.
Visitors with pets should ensure that all rabies vaccinations are up to date and should discuss any wildlife bites with their veterinarian.

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Vermont

2026 VPA winter tournament pairings unveiled for Vermont HS girls basketball

Published

9 hours ago

February 23, 2026

Press Room

2026 VPA winter tournament pairings unveiled for Vermont HS girls basketball

The Vermont Principals’ Association has released its 2026 winter tournament pairings for high school girls basketball. Playoff schedules for boys basketball and boys and girls hockey will be announced after their regular seasons wrap by the end of the week.

The Division I girls basketball championship is slated for the University of Vermont’s Patrick Gym on Friday, March 6. The D-II, III and IV girls hoops finals are scheduled for Barre Auditorium on Saturday, March 7. For boys basketball, the D-I final at Patrick Gym will be Thursday, March 12, and the D-II/III/IV finals are set for Barre Aud on Saturday, March. 14.

UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse will host a quadruple championship tilt for boys and girls hockey (D-I and D-II matchups) on Sunday, March 15.

(Editor’s note: This file will be updated nightly during playoff season by the Burlington Free Press sports department. Schedules and game times subject to change).

GIRLS BASKETBALL

DIVISION I

Playdowns

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Game 1: No. 13 Rice (2-18) at No. 4 North Country (17-3)

Game 2: No. 12 BFA-St. Albans (7-13) at No. 5 Champlain Valley (14-6)

Game 3: No. 10 Burlington (7-13) at No. 7 Burr and Burton (9-11)

Game 4: No. 11 South Burlington (8-12) at No. 6 Essex (9-11)

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Game 5: No. 9 Colchester (9-11) at No. 8 Brattleboro (9-11), 7 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Friday, Feb. 27

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Game 6: Winner of Game 5 at No. 1 Mount Mansfield (19-1)

Game 7: Winner of Game 1 vs Winner of Game 2

Game 8: Winner of Game 3 at No. 2 Rutland (18-2)

Game 9: Winner of Game 4 at No. 3 St. Johnsbury (15-5)

Semifinals

Monday, March 2

At Patrick Gym (6/7:30 p.m.)

Game 10: Winner of Game 6 vs Winner of Game 7

Game 11: Winner of Game 8 vs Winner of Game 9

D-I championship

Friday, March 6

At Patrick Gym

Game 12: Winner of Game 10 vs Winner of Game 11, 7 p.m.

Watch Vermont high school games on NFHS Network

DIVISION II

Playdowns

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Game 1: No. 9 U-32 (6-14) at No. 8 Otter Valley (8-11)

Game 2: No. 12 Mount Abraham (2-18) at No. 5 Middlebury (15-5)

Game 3: No. 10 Harwood (6-13) at No. 7 Spaulding (9-10)

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Game 4: No. 11 Missisquoi (6-14) at No. 6 Lake Region (11-9), 7 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Date and time, TBD

Game 5: Winner of Game 1 at No. 1 Lamoille (19-0)

Game 6: Winner of Game 2 at No. 4 Fair Haven (16-4)

Game 7: Winner of Game 3 at No. 2 Hartford (19-1)

Game 8: Winner of Game 4 at No. 3 Milton (18-2)

Semifinals

Wednesday, March 4

At Barre Auditorium (5:30/7:30 p.m.)

Game 9: Winner of Game 5 vs Winner of Game 6

Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs Winner of Game 8

D-II championship

Saturday, March 7

At Barre Auditorium

Game 11: Winner of Game 9 vs Winner of Game 10, 3:45 p.m.

DIVISION III

Playdowns

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Game 1: No. 12 BFA-Fairfax (9-11) at No. 5 Vergennes (15-4), TBD

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Game 2: No. 9 Green Mountain (9-10) at No. 8 White River Valley (12-8)

Game 3: No. 13 Winooski (6-14) at No. 4 Bellows Falls (15-5)

Game 4: No. 15 Mill River (6-14) at No. 2 Windsor (14-6)

Game 5: No. 10 Randolph (7-12) at No. 7 Enosburg (12-8)

Game 6: No. 14 Thetford (5-15) at No. 3 Oxbow (14-6)

Game 7: No. 11 Woodstock (9-11) at No. 6 Peoples (13-7)

Quarterfinals

Saturday, Feb. 28

Games at 2 p.m. unless noted

Game 8: Winner of Game 2 at No. 1 Hazen (17-2)

Game 9: Winner of Game 1 vs Winner of Game 3

Game 10: Winner of Game 5 vs Winner of Game 4

Game 11: Winner of Game 7 vs Winner of Game 6

Semifinals

Thursday, March 5

At Barre Auditorium (5:30/7:30 p.m.)

Game 12: Winner of Game 9 vs Winner of Game 8

Game 13: Winner of Game 11 vs Winner of Game 10

D-III championship

Saturday, March 7

At Barre Auditorium

Game 14: Winner of Game 13 vs Winner of Game 12, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION IV

Playdowns

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Game 1: No. 9 Blue Mountain (9-11) at No. 8 Long Trail (11-9), 6:30 p.m.

Game 2: No. 16 Twinfield/Cabot (1-18) at No. 1 Richford (17-2)

Game 3: No. 12 Poultney (8-12) at No. 5 Williamstown (11-8)

Game 4: No. 15 Stowe (2-18) at No. 2 Mt. St. Joseph (17-2)

Game 5: No. 10 Twin Valley (9-10) at No. 7 Rivendell (10-10)

Game 6: No. 14 Proctor (3-17) at No. 3 West Rutland (12-8)

Game 7: No. 11 Danville (7-12) at No. 6 Arlington (12-8)

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Game 8: No. 13 Sharon (7-13) at No. 4 Mid Vermont Christian (4-2), 7 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Friday, Feb. 27

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Game 9: Winner of Game 2 vs Winner of Game 1

Game 10: Winner of Game 8 vs Winner of Game 3

Game 11: Winner of Game 5 vs Winner of Game 4

Game 12: Winner of Game 7 vs Winner of Game 6

Semifinals

Monday, March 2

At Barre Auditorium (5:30/7:30 p.m.)

Game 13: Winner of Game 9 vs Winner of Game 10

Game 14: Winner of Game 11 vs Winner of Game 12

D-IV championship

Saturday, March 7

At Barre Auditorium

Game 15: Winner of Game 13 vs Winner of Game 14, noon

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Vermont gets nod as best winter sports destination in the U.S.

Published

21 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Press Room

Vermont gets nod as best winter sports destination in the U.S.

MONTPELIER — Vermont is the top winter sports destination in the U.S., according to Travel + Leisure.

The article cites the state’s diverse outdoor activities, broad range of ski areas and distinctive cultural attractions, an announcement from Ski Vermont states. The article highlights several Vermont ski areas including Magic Mountain Ski Area in Londonderry, which is described as one of the state’s “timeless mom-and-pop spots.”

“Recognition like this does a great job highlighting why people visit Vermont each season — winter is something to celebrate,” Ski Vermont Director of Communications Bryan Rivard said in the announcement. “Visitors don’t have to be skiers or riders — it’s a great place to snowshoe, ice skate, visit local shops or relax by an outdoor fire. There’s something for everyone.”

Vermont topped the list ahead of Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire and Minnesota, according to the announcement.

“Online gambling company SpinBlitz set out to determine which U.S. state is the absolute best destination for winter sports enthusiasts,” the Travel + Leisure article states. “Researchers considered each state’s average snowfall, average winter temperatures, and the number of ice rinks and ski slopes per 100,000 people.”

Vermont “took the crown with a score of 9.49 out of a possible 10,” according to the article.

“With an average of 81.2 inches of snowfall annually, Vermont’s precipitation was bested by only two other states in the top ten — Wyoming with 91.4 inches and New York with an impressive 123.8 inches,” the article states. “Temperatures from December through February hover around a frosty 19.4 degrees, perfect for maintaining snow accumulation on trails throughout the season.”

Vermont stood out due to its “availability of winter sports,” according to the article.

“Thanks to its low population density, 27 ice rinks and 25 ski resorts add up to 4.16 ice rinks for every 100,000 people and 3.86 ski resorts for every 100,000 people,” the article states. “In addition to its 27 rinks, Vermont offers gorgeous outdoor skating spots like Lake Morey’s 4.5-mile groomed skating loop in Fairlee.”

Recommended in the article as “a Southern Vermont getaway filled with roaring fireplaces in a quaint boutique property” is The Hermitage Inn in Wilmington.

The ranking comes as winter travel remains strong and interest in snow sports continues to grow nationwide, according to the announcement.

“From alpine and cross-country ski areas to skating loops like the 4.5-mile groomed trail on Lake Morey, Vermont offers a wide range of accessible winter experiences supported by local businesses, lodging properties, and outdoor recreation partners,” the announcement states. “Ski Vermont partner Vermont Adaptive works with anyone with a disability (of any kind) providing access and instruction to sports and recreational activities—including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports.”

Rivard expressed hope that the ranking will encourage “some new visits to Vermont this season.”

“It only takes one time to get hooked,” he said.

Though it wasn’t mentioned in the article, last weekend brought thousands of spectators to Brattleboro for the 104th Harris Hill Ski Jump competition.

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Vermont

St. Johnsbury gymnastics captures first state title since 2005

Published

1 day ago

February 22, 2026

Press Room

St. Johnsbury gymnastics captures first state title since 2005

For the first time in 21 years, the St. Johnsbury Academy gymnastics team is the best in the state. The Hilltoppers scored 145.875 to win their first title since 2005 during the the Vermont high school state championship meet held at the school’s fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The Hilltoppers ended their drought behind their lone senior, Lydia Ruggles, who won the all-around title for the third year in a row. This year, Ruggles posted a 37.850 with the highest scores on bars (9.5) and floor (9.9). She posted the second-highest score on vault (9.4) and placed sixth in beam (9.05).

Ruggles score matches her all-around title-winning score from 2024. Brattleboro’s Lauren Chute finished second in the all-around for the third consecutive year with a 37.375.

The Hilltoppers posted the highest scores on vault (36.275), bars (35.425) and floor (38.100) events and won comfortably over runners-up Essex (140.100).

St. Johnsbury showcased their skills with five members finishing in the top eight of the all-around competition. Hannah Wood finished third in the all-around (37.20) and took the vault title with a 9.575.

2026 state championship results

At St. Johnsbury Academy (Saturday, Feb. 21)

Team scores: 1. St. Johnsbury 145.875; 2. Essex 140.100; 3. Brattleboro 134.975; 4. Champlain Valley 134.050; 5. Harwood 126.675; 6. Burr and Burton 103.900; 7. Middlebury 101.025.

All-around: 1. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 37.85; 2. Lauren Chute, Bratt 37.375; 3. Hannah Wood, SJ 37.20; 4. Kinley Remick, SJ 35.90; 5. Anna Colby, MMU 34.90; 6. Kate Quintin, E 34.875; 7. Peyton Thompson, SJ 34.275; 8. Malia Ignjatovic, SJ 34.225.

Vault: 1. Hannah Wood, SJ 9.575; 2. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.40; 3. Lauren Chute, Bratt 9.30; 4. Kinley Remick, SJ 8.725; 5. Anna Colby, MMU 8.70; 6. Kate Quintin, E 8.625 T7. Alice Leonard, E; MacKenna Parisi, E 8.60.

Bars: 1. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.50; 2. Lauren Chute, Bratt 9.25; 3. Hannah Wood, SJ, 9.20; 4. Kinley Remick, SJ 8.95; 5. Kate Quintin, E 8.65; 6. Ashley Gokey, E 8.225; 7. Alice Leonard, E 8.15; Elizabeth Bennett, E 7.80.

Beam: 1. Lauren Chute, Bratt 9.525; 2. Riley Hammond, E 9.45; 3. Anna Colby, MMU 9.35; T4. Malia Ignjatovic, SJ; Chloe Crowder, CVU 9.10; 6. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.05; 7. Emma Bennett, E 9.025; 8. Hannah Wood, SJ 9.0.

Floor: 1. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.90; 2. Peyton Thompson, SJ 9.475; 3. Hannah Wood, SJ 9.425; 4. Anna Wulff, Har 9.350; T5. Lauren Chute, Bratt; Kinley Remick, SJ; Anna Colby, MMU; Leah Fortin, CVU 9.30.

Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

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