Vermont

Grace Cottage Hospital pushes back on restructuring report

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2024

Grace Cottage Hospital pushes back on restructuring report

About 100 people showed up to a community meeting in Townshend on Thursday to show support for Grace Cottage Hospital, the smallest hospital in the state.

Grace Cottage was one of the four hospitals specifically cited in a recent statewide report that calls for a major restructuring of Vermont’s hospital system.

The report says Grace Cottage should consider shifting all of its inpatient beds to mental health, geriatric psychiatry or memory care, and close down its emergency department, utilizing the beds at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, which is about 20 miles away.

But at the meeting Thursday, Grace Cottage CEO Olivia Sweetnam said the hospital was not interested in voluntarily accepting the report’s suggestions.

“These are recommendations, not mandates,” Sweetnam said. “Green Mountain Care Board, [Agency of Human Services], does not have the ability to say, ‘You are now a psychiatric facility.’”

More from Vermont Public: How can Vermont’s next Legislature, governor mend a broken health care system?

The report was commissioned by the Legislature to address years of financial losses among the state’s hospitals, and to “reduce inefficiencies, lower costs, improve population health outcomes, reduce health inequities and increase access to essential services.”

These are recommendations, not mandates. Green Mountain Care Board, AHS, does not have the ability to say, “You are now a psychiatric facility.”

Olivia Sweetnam, CEO, Grace Cottage Hospital
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Grace Cottage Hospital was one of four hospitals — along with Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, North Country Hospital in Newport and Springfield Hospital — the report named as being at risk due to their minimal growth potential and poor financial position.

The author of the report admitted recently that some of the data was inaccurate, and so far all of the hospitals have been pushing back on the report’s conclusions.

More from Vermont Public: About 200 Vermonters showed up at a meeting to say they want Newport’s hospital to stay

“I think it appeared clear to everyone that these were kind of copy-and-paste recommendations,” Sweetnam said. “The major restructuring group kind of got the same recommendations across the board.”

Howard Weiss-Tisman

Vermont Public

The Townshend meeting follows a similar meeting in Newport, where supporters of North Country Hospital also spoke out against the 144-page Act 167 report.

Sweetnam admitted that Grace Cottage Hospital loses money every year, and the hospital only stays afloat due to local donations, which are by far the most in the state as a percentage of the hospital’s total budget.

Local donations made up about 8% of the hospital’s revenue in 2023.

A number of former patients spoke up at the meeting about the importance of having Grace Cottage in the West River Valley.

If we cut back those hours and have a medical emergency, and can’t come here, it could be 40 or 45 minutes to get to Brattleboro. So as a person who’s been served by your emergency department, I’m really concerned about that. That could cost a life.

Bill Dunkel, Windham resident

“If we have a medical emergency, a life-threatening emergency, it’s possible to get to Grace Cottage in 20 minutes, maybe a little bit less,” said Bill Dunkel, who lives in nearby Windham. “If we cut back those hours and have a medical emergency, and can’t come here, it could be 40 or 45 minutes to get to Brattleboro. So as a person who’s been served by your emergency department, I’m really concerned about that. That could cost a life.”

The Agency of Human Services, which will lead the restructuring efforts, is planning an online public meeting to discuss the hospital report.

More: Start here if you care about health care in Vermont’s 2024 election

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Vermont

VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

4 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

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 Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-22-25-35-37

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 8-7-9

Evening: 5-3-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 3-4-6-6

Evening: 8-5-3-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-04-13-28-42, 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.

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Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

16 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

How to see a reindeer in Vermont

Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.

Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?

While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.

Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.

Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink

This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe

Ice Haus Arena

Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.

General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.

When: Online schedule updated daily

Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay

C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena

This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.

Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..

Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington

Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort

Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.

Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday

Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain

Riley Rink at Hunter Park

A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.

When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates

Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center

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Vermont

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

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