Vermont

VTrans begins preliminary planning for Amtrak expansion

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

VTrans begins preliminary planning for Amtrak expansion

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont is on track to receive federal funding as the state considers an Amtrak expansion.

A million dollars could be the ticket to the Ethan Allen Express adding stops in Manchester and Bennington. Vermont Agency of Transportation says this plan is in the very early stages and this initial funding is to study how expansion could happen.

Town leaders in the impacted areas say it would be a win for their communities.

Rutland connects northern and southern Vermont and is also the gateway to Albany, N.Y., and beyond thanks to the Ethan Allen Express. Rutland Mayor Mike Doenges says the Amtrak route is commonly used for weekend excursions, but there’s potential for the Ethan Allen Express to expand in southern Vermont, offering one service a day.

Doenges said the expansion could offer “convenience for business travelers and the ease of commute for them, and the ability to bring skiers up here on the weekends without having them having to drive.”

Doenges says while this plan isn’t necessarily a commuter rail, he likes the idea of continued connection among communities and would love to see a commuter line too.

“I think would be very helpful in what we see is currently a housing affordability crisis,” he said.

As would Manchester Town Manager Scott Murphy.

“The only Thruway from on the southwestern side is a non-high speed highway. You know, Route 7 is the only north-south, all kinds of street lights and things like that,” said Murphy.

Dan Delabruere of VTrans says federal funding, which is coming from the Corridor Identification and Development Program, will help establish which routes are and aren’t feasible for Vermont, its neighboring states, and Canada.

“It’s in our statewide rail plan to look at whether it makes sense to keep the Amtrak Ethan Allen in Vermont longer and go down through Manchester and Bennington. We don’t have all the data on that. We don’t know if that makes sense. Although in concept you would think it could make sense,” said Delabruere.

Delaburere says they’re working on receiving the funding and will have a handful of months to come up with the scope of the plan, and what this expansion could look like.

“Now that we have sort of a holistic view of the entire network and how all the corridors tie together, I think you’re going to see a difference over the next decade. You know, how people expand and use Rail,” he said.

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Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

10 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

23 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.