Vermont

Vermont Senate considers new school redistricting map

Published

1 day ago

February 17, 2026

Vermont Senate considers new school redistricting map

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont Senate is considering a new school district consolidation map that would significantly reduce the number of districts statewide.

The early version of the proposed map comes from Bennington County Sen. Seth Bongartz. It creates at least 11 school districts, but still includes unknowns, including what districts in the most populated part of Vermont would look like.

The idea is to cut the state’s roughly 110 school districts and 52 supervisory unions in half through voluntary mergers over the next two years. The State Board of Education could mandate mergers after that period.

“The goal is to give districts the chance to do it themselves, but to have it clear that we’re going to get there because this has all been timed for the beginning of the foundation formula, three years,” said Bongartz, D-Bennington County.

The proposal follows one from the House, which would create 26 school districts.

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Related Topics:consolidation district education Featured map news Politics redistricting School schools vermont WCAX

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Vermont

Two charged in Vermont quarry assault that led to man’s death

Published

11 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

Two charged in Vermont quarry assault that led to man’s death

WEST PAWLET, Vt. (WRGB) — Vermont State Police have arrested two suspects in connection with an August 2025 assault in West Pawlet that led to the death of the victim, 54-year-old Mark Ray of West Pawlet, this past November.

On Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 18, Vermont State Police located Richard J. Mattison, 42, of Poultney at a home in the Rutland County town of Wells and took him into custody on charges of first-degree murder and assault and robbery. Mattison was brought to the state police barracks in Rutland for processing and was subsequently jailed without bail pending arraignment, which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Rutland.

MORE: Pipe wrench killing ends with 11-year prison sentence

Mattison’s arrest followed the New York State Police’s arrest last week in Granville, NY, of Stephen J. Williams Jr., 38, of Granville. Williams’ arrest Friday, Feb. 13, was on charges related to burglaries in that community and on a Vermont warrant for a charge of assault and robbery arising from the attack on Ray. Williams was jailed in New York and is expected to be extradited to Vermont to face charges at a later date.

The Vermont arrest warrants were granted Thursday, Feb. 12, as the result of VSP’s investigation into the assault of Ray on Aug. 24 at the Newmont Slate Quarry, and his death Nov. 12 at Albany Medical Center from related injuries.

No further details are currently available from the Vermont State Police. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following Mattison’s arraignment.

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Vermont

What to know for 2026 Vermont high school winter playoffs, championship dates

Published

23 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

What to know for 2026 Vermont high school winter playoffs, championship dates

The Vermont high school winter championships kick into high gear later this week.

Nordic skiing opens a loaded month of title events and tournament play throughout Vermont with the freestyle state meet at Rikert Outdoor Center on Thursday, Feb. 19. And Saturday, Feb. 21, cheer, dance and gymnastics crowns will be decided while the bowlers head to Rutland for the individual tournament.

Championship season wraps with a new format for hockey: All four hockey finals (Division I and II for boys and girls) will take place on the same day at University of Vermont’s Gutterson Fieldhouse: Sunday, March 15.

“We think we can create a really great student-athlete experience,” VPA assistant executive director Lauren Young said. “It’s an opportunity to see four really good games of hockey.”

For more on the VPA championships, see below for dates, sites and times. To purchase tickets, visit gofan.co. For events that will be streamed, head to NFHS Network.

NORDIC SKIING (FREESTYLE)

Date: Thursday, Feb. 19

Site: Rikert Outdoor Center

Time: 10 a.m.

BOWLING (INDIVIDUAL)

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21

Site: Rutland Bowlerama

Time: 9 a.m.

CHEER

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21

Site: Vergennes Union High School

Time: Noon

DANCE

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21

Site: Vergennes Union High School

Time: 5 p.m.

Watch Vermont high school games on NFHS Network

GYMNASTICS

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21

Site: St. Johnsbury Academy

Time: 6 p.m.

NORDIC SKIING (CLASSIC)

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24

Site: Craftsbury Outdoor Center

Time: 10 a.m.

BOWLING (TEAM)

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28

Site: Twin Valley Lanes in Barre

Time: 9 a.m.

WRESTLING FINALS

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28

Site: Champlain Valley Union High School

Time: 6 p.m. (approx.)

Note: Wrestling championships begin on Friday, Feb. 27.

ALPINE SKIING (GIANT SLALOM)

Date: Monday, March 2

Site: Burke Mountain

Time: 9:30 a.m.

ALPINE SKIING (SLALOM)

Date: Tuesday, March 3

Site: Burke Mountain

Time: 9:30 a.m.

SNOWBOARDING

Date: Wednesday, March 4

Site: Jay Peak

Time: 10 a.m./1:30 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

D-I SEMIFINALS

Date: Monday, March 2

Site: UVM’s Patrick Gym

Time: 6/7:30 p.m.

D-II SEMIFINALS

Date: Wednesday, March 4

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 5:30/7:30 p.m.

D-III SEMIFINALS

Date: Thursday, March 5

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 5:30/7:30 p.m.

D-IV SEMIFINALS

Date: Monday, March 2

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 5:30/7:30 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

D-I FINAL

Date: Friday, March 6

Site: UVM’s Patrick Gym

Time: 7 p.m.

D-II FINAL

Date: Saturday, March 7

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 3:45 p.m.

D-III FINAL

Date: Saturday, March 7

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 7:30 p.m.

D-IV FINAL

Date: Saturday, March 7

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: Noon

BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

SEMIFINALS

D-I SEMIFINALS

Date: Sunday, March 8

Site: UVM’s Patrick Gym

Time: 5:30/7 p.m.

D-II SEMIFINALS

Date: Wednesday, March 11

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 5:30/7:30 p.m.

D-III SEMIFINALS

Date: Thursday, March 12

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 5:30/7:30 p.m.

D-IV SEMIFINALS

Date: Monday, March 9

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 5:30/7:30 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

D-I FINAL

Date: Thursday, March 12

Site: UVM’s Patrick Gym

Time: 7 p.m.

D-II FINAL

Date: Saturday, March 14

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 3:45 p.m.

D-III FINAL

Date: Saturday, March 14

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: 7:30 p.m.

D-IV FINAL

Date: Saturday, March 14

Site: Barre Auditorium

Time: Noon

HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

D-I GIRLS

Date: Sunday, March 15

Site: UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse

Time: 11 a.m.

D-I BOYS

Date: Sunday, March 15

Site: UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse

Time: 1 p.m.

D-II GIRLS

Date: Sunday, March 15

Site: UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse

Time: 5 p.m.

D-II BOYS

Date: Sunday, March 15

Site: UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse

Time: 7 p.m.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

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Vermont

ER wait times in Vermont among longest in nation, report says

Published

2 days ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

ER wait times in Vermont among longest in nation, report says

How important is your family medical history?

If you’ve been to a doctor before, you’ve probably been asked about your family medical history. How important is it actually?

unbranded – Lifestyle

Vermont has the ninth-longest average emergency room wait time in the U.S., according to Becker’s Hospital Review, a healthcare news publication based in Chicago.

Patients in the Green Mountain state spend an average of 185 minutes, or three hours and five minutes, waiting in ERs, according to the collected data.

The average wait times were calculated from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services “Timely and Effective Care” dataset, which compiled figures from hospitals in 2024 and published the findings in November 2025.

Nationwide, the average median time patients spent waiting in emergency rooms in 2024 was 161 minutes, or two hours and 41 minutes, the publication said.

Here’s how Vermont compares to other states.

States with the longest average ER wait times

These are the states (and districts) with the longest average emergency room wait times, including ties, according to Becker’s Hospital Review:

Washington, D.C. – 301 minutes (5 hours and 1 minute)
Maryland – 246 minutes (4 hours and 6 minutes)
Massachusetts – Tied for 3rd place at 220 minutes (3 hours and 40 minutes)
Rhode Island – Tied for 3rd place at 220 minutes (3 hours and 40 minutes)
Delaware – 216 minutes (3 hours and 36 minutes)
Connecticut – 196 minutes (3 hours and 16 minutes)
New York – 192 minutes (3 hours and 12 minutes)
North Carolina – 190 minutes (3 hours and 10 minutes)
Vermont – 185 minutes (3 hours and 5 minutes)
New Jersey – 183 minutes (3 hours and 3 minutes)
Pennsylvania – 182 minutes (3 hours and 2 minutes)

How New England states rank for ER wait times

Here are the six New England states ranked by longest to shortest average ER wait times, including ties, according to Becker’s Hospital Review:

Massachusetts: Tied with Rhode Island for 3rd longest overall – 220 minutes (3 hours and 40 minutes)
Rhode Island: Tied with Massachusetts for 3rd longest overall – 220 minutes (3 hours and 40 minutes)
Connecticut: 6th longest overall – 196 minutes (3 hours and 16 minutes)
Vermont: 9th longest overall – 185 minutes (3 hours and 5 minutes)
Maine: 21st longest overall – 158 minutes (2 hours and 38 minutes)
New Hampshire: Tied with Wyoming, Colorado, and Arkansas for 36th longest overall – 133 minutes (2 hours and 13 minutes)

States with the shortest average ER wait times

The states with the shortest average emergency room wait times are North Dakota, at 110 minutes (1 hour and 50 minutes), Nebraska, at 112 minutes (1 hour and 52 minutes), and Hawaii, at 113 minutes (1 hour and 53 minutes), according to Becker’s Hospital Review.

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