Vermont
Increasing pharmacy closures mean long drives for Vermont residents, mirroring a national trend – VTDigger
Hardwick’s sole pharmacy — a Walgreens that had twice been hit by Vermont’s recent summer floods — closed for good at the end of September. Since then, residents have had to drive 25 minutes to access a pharmacy in Morrisville or 40 minutes to the closest Walgreens in Lyndon, leaving Hardwick squarely in a “pharmacy desert.”
Pharmacy deserts are generally defined as places where there is no or limited access to a pharmacy. In rural areas, this means the closest is over 10 miles away, while in urban areas, the closest is over one mile away.
Hardwick is hardly the only pharmacy desert in the state. According to a recent analysis of pharmacy locations across the country, 41 of Vermont’s 193 census tracts (21%) had low access to a pharmacy in 2022. The analysis, published by the academic journal Health Affairs Scholar, defined low access as at least one-third of the tract’s population living within a pharmacy desert. Between closures of independent pharmacies and national chains continuing to scale back back “less profitable” operations, the number of pharmacy deserts is only increasing.
Mike Fisher, Vermont’s chief health care advocate, said that pharmacy closures across the state are an ongoing and “very serious” trend.
“I live in Addison County,” he said. “When the local Marble Works Pharmacy closed, I remember just how upsetting and difficult that was for so many people.”
According to the state’s Board of Pharmacy, 28 Vermont pharmacies have closed permanently over the past five years, leaving 126 currently operating in the state. A nationwide study has linked such closures to a decline in older Americans taking their prescription cardiovascular medications.
Often, Fisher said, there’s another pharmacy in town, as in Middlebury. But in a growing number of towns, there isn’t.
According to a study published this month in the journal Health Affairs, more pharmacies closed than opened between 2018 and 2021 both nationally and in Vermont, with independent pharmacies and those located in Black and Latinx communities a higher risk for closure.
Options for those living in a pharmacy desert do exist. In Hardwick, area residents can utilize mail-order pharmacies for their prescriptions and Kinney Drugs offers weekly deliveries. However, Fisher notes, pharmacies don’t solely dispense medications, but also vaccines and advice.
“The pharmacist at the local pharmacy counter is an accessible, front-line healthcare professional that many people depend on,” he said. “You lose something really important when you lose your community pharmacist.”
Marty Irons, a full-time Vermont pharmacist for almost two decades and a member of the Vermont Pharmacists Association’s board, said in an email that the organization is very aware of pharmacy closures and expects them to continue to impact Vermont.
Pharmacists largely attribute closures to pharmacy benefit managers: companies that act as intermediaries between drug manufacturers and insurance companies. In Vermont, two pharmacy benefit managers — CVS Caremark and Express Scripts — account for 95% of Vermont’s drug market for commercial health insurance plans, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.
Pharmacy benefit managers, often abbreviated as PBMs, are known to under-reimburse pharmacies for the costs of filling prescriptions. According to Irons, this loss of income often requires pharmacies to pull back on services — such as the number of hours they’re open — and, in some cases, close.
“Negative, or below cost, reimbursement is no longer the exception,” Mike Duteau, president of the Vermont Association of Chain Drug Stores, said in an email. “The growing impact is so substantial that pharmacies are closing in larger numbers and more quickly.”
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In addition, Irons and Duteau point to staffing challenges only exacerbated by the closure of Vermont’s only pharmacy school three years ago.
The Legislature passed a bill this year to regulate PBMs, the system for which is currently being set up at the Department of Financial Regulation, Fisher said. The bill requires PBMs to obtain a license from the department, strengthens its oversight and bans some of the companies’ practices.
In addition, Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark announced a lawsuit against PBMs earlier this year, alleging that the state’s two major PBMs skim money from drug transactions. However, it is unclear how — and how soon — these two state efforts might improve the situation for pharmacies and their customers.
“Our Vermont pharmacy infrastructure is so fragile,” said Irons. “Most people assume it will always be there; I hope so!”
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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