Vermont
Now that spring is here, Vermonters are encouraged to report ice-out dates on lakes and ponds
Vermonters might need to control melting ice within the coming days and weeks, each to assist out the state and doubtlessly win hundreds of {dollars} in personal contests. Comfortable spring certainly.
The Division of Environmental Conservation is encouraging folks to report ice-out dates — the day when a Vermont lake or pond formally loses ice from shore to shore within the spring. The data will assist to trace results of local weather change, in accordance with Mark Mitchell, a limnologist with the division.
“By reporting ice-out dates, Vermonters can assist us higher perceive how local weather change impacts our lakes and ponds. Utilizing long-term data of lake ice, our scientists can find out about and observe statewide and regional local weather traits,” John Beling, the division’s commissioner, mentioned in a press release.
The division has a web-based kind the place folks can document once they spot ice-outs across the state.
Lengthy earlier than the shape was on-line, ice-outs have been recorded annually on a number of Vermont lakes and ponds — and with cash on the road.
Within the Eighties, a typical matter of conservation round Joe’s Pond in West Danville was, “So, when do you assume the ice goes to soften?” In 1987, Jules Chatot, fueled by this widespread query and a little bit of cabin fever, determined to make a sport out of it.
Chatot began protecting guesses in a pocket book, charging $1 per guess for the date when a selfmade contraption would fall by the ice, proving spring was on its means.
Because the first ice-out wager in 1987, locals have arrange the identical contraption — involving a cinder block and time clock — yearly, albeit with completely different components annually, in accordance with Michelle Walker with the Joe’s Pond Affiliation.
The block is connected to an electrical supply on shore, so when the block falls, the clock unplugs and everybody is aware of the time of ice-out on the pond, in accordance with Walker.
When the block falls by the ice, the clock stops, and whoever has wagered $1 closest to the time will get half the overall proceeds. Final yr, the affiliation had practically 13,500 entrants from all around the world, in accordance with Walker.
Individuals have till Saturday to wager their $1 bets on the Joe’s Pond Ice Out date on the affiliation’s web site. Half the cash goes to the particular person with the closest guess — final yr, three folks guessed inside 4 minutes of the particular time — and the opposite half goes to the Joe’s Pond Affiliation for water actions and water high quality upkeep, in accordance with Walker.
“Everybody works actually onerous to keep up the standard of water right here so everybody can take pleasure in it, and this problem is an effective method to help that,” Walker mentioned.
It’s too late to wager within the Lake Iroquois ice-out problem in Hinesburg; the deadline was March 1. Ice tends to soften earlier in Hinesburg than within the Northeast Kingdom. Final yr, ice-out occurred on March 27, in accordance with the Lake Iroquois Affiliation web site. The earliest ice-out was March 9, 2000, whereas the newest was April 27, 2007, in accordance with the affiliation’s web site.
In the meantime, the earliest ice-out on Joe’s Pond was April 5, 2010, however in some years the clock didn’t cease till mid-Might, in accordance with the affiliation’s data.
Like Joe’s Pond, tickets had been $1 at Lake Iroquois, and proceeds are cut up between the successful guesser and the lake’s Greeter and Boat Wash program, in accordance with the web site. Lake Iroquois employs the same cinder block and clock contraption to find out the official ice-out time.
Final yr, the affiliation drew about 1,200 guesses, in accordance with Shannon Kelly, president of the Lake Iroquois Affiliation.
General, ice-out is going on earlier and earlier, so folks seeking to win money from ice-out challenges might have to maneuver up their guesses. A 2022 report from the Vermont Division of Environmental Conservation particulars traits of earlier thawing, traits that may deliver opposed impacts to aquatic ecosystems.
“On common, ice-out is going on earlier by 1.5 days every decade for the 15 lakes in Vermont the place we’ve not less than 20 years of constant information reporting,” Mitchell wrote within the report. “The extra data we’ve, the higher. We will observe these adjustments and see what is going on on from lake to lake, in addition to within the area.”
Mitchell hopes to make use of information from the web reporting kind to check a unbroken pattern of shorter winters, and the way they have an effect on algae and plant progress across the state.
Algae progress in Vermont waters is already a menace to ecosystems, with Lake Champlain recurrently experiencing blue-green algae progress in latest summers, which has been linked to severe well being issues.
“If in case you have an extended summer season, you may count on extra progress general, and hotter temperatures additionally result in extra progress,” Mitchell mentioned of the algae.
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Vermont
See where Vermont’s ‘No Kings’ protests are happening in your community on Saturday – VTDigger
The “No Kings” protest movement is coming back to Vermont on Saturday.
In June, the event drew approximately 42,000 people to rallies across the state in opposition to President Donald Trump, coinciding with a Washington, D.C., military parade. Millions more attended across the nation.
Now, the organizers of the No Kings protest, a movement called 50501, are calling for Vermonters to show up to protests Oct. 18 in opposition to Trump’s targeting of immigrants, the government shutdown and more, according to its website. More than 40 different protests, marches and rallies are planned.
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Burlington’s June protest had an estimated 16,000 attendees — making it the largest in the state — and cost an estimated $20,000 for permits, security and more. This Saturday, Burlington organizers plan to host several different rallies scattered throughout the city, including three different marches, a bike ride, and a honk and wave.
It’s unclear if any pro-Trump protests are planned. The Vermont Republican Party, which hosted a pro-Trump party during the June protests, has not posted any events for this Saturday on its website.
You can use the map below to see what protests may be occurring near you. This information is current as of noon Wednesday. Check the 50501 website for any updates or changes that may occur.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont GOP state senator is among those named in a leaked Telegram group chat containing racist and antisemitic messages, prompting Gov. Phil Scott and others to call for him to step down.
Senator Samuel Douglass, R-Orleans County, is one of those highlighted by Politico for taking part in conversations between young GOP leaders across the country between early January and mid-August, including one thread where he allegedly made a comment about an Indian woman not bathing often.
In a separate conversation, Douglass’ wife Brianna, a Vermont Young Republicans National Committee member, is alleged to have made a comment about Jewish people being dishonest.
The Douglasses declined to comment to Politico, and Senator Douglass has not responded to requests for comment.
The leaked messages are being condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike. In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Phil Scott called on Senator Douglass to resign.
“The hateful statements made in this group chat are disgusting and unacceptable. The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing. There is simply no excuse for it,” Scott said. “Those involved should resign from their roles immediately and leave the Republican party — including Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass.”
A joint statement from Senate and House Republicans said: “We are in agreement with Gov. Phil Scott. Sen. Sam Douglass’ statements as reported by Politico are unacceptable and deeply disturbing. They cannot be excused and are inconsistent with Vermont values and what Vermont Republicans stand for. It is time for Sen. Douglass to step away from his position as a Vermont Senator and resign.”
Copyright 2025 WCAX. All rights reserved.
On Oct. 1, the federal government shut down as congressional leaders failed to agree on a funding bill. The U.S. government has suspended any services deemed nonessential.
What does this look like at a state level? Here’s a list of some places in Vermont that are tied to the federal government.
More from Vermont Public: Vermont officials warn of economic blowback if government shutdown persists
Marsh Billings-Rockefeller Historic Park
This national historic park in Woodstock is managed by the National Park Service. Park offices are closed, but park grounds and trails are open. The park’s partner site, Billings Farm and Museum, remains open and unaffected.
According to the National Park Service’s contingency plan, websites and social media will not be updated during the shutdown, except for emergency communications.
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
The Swanton wildlife refuge’s visitor center is closed, but trails are open and hunting is permitted, according to the Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.
In places where public access to land does not require a federal employee or contractor, national wildlife refuges will remain open during the shutdown.
Green Mountain National Forest
Most trailheads and scenic sites, like the Big Branch Overlook, are listed as open on the Green Mountain National Forest’s website.
Campgrounds are open for reservations as of now, and you can check availability for specific sites at Recreation.gov. This website will remain open during the federal lapse in funding, although reservation availability may change as the shutdown continues.
Public access to some recreation sites may be reduced during the shutdown, as per the Forest Service’s lapse plan.
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport
Airports are considered mandatory services, so the Burlington airport is still open.
During a federal lapse in appropriations, TSA and air traffic control employees remain at work, but will likely not receive pay until the shutdown is over.
No flights have been cancelled or delayed due to the shutdown, according to Jeff Bartley, director of innovation and marketing for the airport. You can check your flight status on the airport’s website.
Canada border crossings
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security considers border crossings essential work, so passenger processing at the U.S.-Canada border continues. Borders remain open for international travel.
You can check on wait times at border crossing sites using both U.S. and Canada websites.
U.S. Coast Guard operations on Lake Champlain
Coast Guard personnel will continue essential services, which include responding to emergencies, facilitating commerce and defending the U.S. border, said Lt. Krystal Wolfe.
Fish hatcheries
The Dwight D Eisenhower National Fish Hatchery is closed. This hatchery raises salmon for anglers in the Lake Champlain basin and trout for recreational fishing in Vermont’s waterbodies.
During this shutdown, a national fish hatchery should have at least one person on site to protect the facility and maintain the fish.
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