Vermont

‘Just absolutely surreal’: New England traffic following solar eclipse

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2024

‘Just absolutely surreal’: New England traffic following solar eclipse

(WGGB/WSHM) – Monday was the solar eclipse, seen across much of the United States, with the path of totality through Vermont and people from both Massachusetts and Connecticut tried to beat the traffic to see the full eclipse.

It was a quite a day for many in New England who traveled to, or at least tried to reach, Burlington, Vermont to witness several minutes of a total eclipse of the sun.

It was an adventure that they’ll never forget.

Traffic heading southbound on I-91 Monday evening was not bad, especially for those who came back from Vermont to see something we probably won’t see again for a while: a solar eclipse with the path of totality touching parts of New England.

“We, my friend and I, left around noon and just drove until we couldn’t drive anymore and until we started seeing it get dark,” expressed Lewis Santiago. “We pulled over, and we’re like ‘ay, there it is.’”

Western Mass News spoke with several drivers at a rest area in Holyoke.

Among them, New Haven, Connecticut’s Lewis Santiago, who told us seeing the eclipse was special knowing his interest in space since he was a kid.

He and his friend may have been unable to reach Burlington, but getting close to totality was still good enough.

“I was around for a couple of partial eclipses here and there,” said Santiago. “But, I’ve never been in an area where I could actually see it, so this was just very exciting.”

While the two didn’t hit traffic on the way to the path of totality, the same could not be said about others, such as Mary Richard burns of Sturbridge.

She and her dad were traveling from Boston to see the eclipse.

“I-89 into Vermont, it was bumper to bumper for a while,” expressed Burns. “People were driving on the shoulder, which is how we ended up at a park because we just decided we will stop here. It will be safer.”

Anuraag Sendhilnathan and his friends at Northeastern University drove all the way from Boston starting at 8 a.m.

“The goal was to reach Burlington, but they managed to make it halfway,” explained Sendhilnathan. “The traffic was intense. We drove for around four hours. The traffic was really intense. We were stuck in a place for like 30 minutes, then we drove around and took a detour.”

Despite not reaching their exact destinations, witnessing history and a peak at almost totality was a moment these travelers will cherish for a long time.

“We wouldn’t know if we would be able to see it again,” added Sendhilnathan. “So it was really good. And the whole place got dark like it was evening.”

“Just absolutely surreal,” said Burns. It was a really powerful experience, and there were little kids near us and folks from other countries. We all had a really nice experience.”

The traffic after the eclipse wasn’t any better.

According to Google Maps, there is a traffic back up of close to 50 miles coming out of Burlington Vermont along I-89 which leads to I-91.

As for those waiting for the next solar eclipse, that won’t be until August of 2044.

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Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

7 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

19 hours 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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Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

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.