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Weather & Monday Rundown:

Monday is kicking off on the mild side in Burlington, with highs climbing into the upper 50s and brushing 60 under mostly cloudy skies. You might catch a few peeks of sun throughout the day, and while a stray shower can't be ruled out this afternoon or evening, most of us should stay dry. Enjoy it while it lasts, because the rest of the week gets soggy. Tuesday will start dry but turn rainy by late evening, with the potential for thunder and one to two inches of rain falling through Wednesday morning. Temperatures cool off behind that front, with Wednesday highs dropping into the 40s after a brief flirtation with the 50s early in the day. Thursday looks like trouble: another system rolls in by the afternoon with cold rain and possibly some mixed precipitation, continuing into Friday. The weekend offers a slight reprieve with a few breaks of sun on Saturday, though more rain is possible Sunday. Highs will hover in the 40s to low 50s. It's mud season, folks. Dress accordingly.

Tonight is stacked. Over at the Flynn, Diana Krall takes the Main Stage at 7:30 PM for what should be a gorgeous evening of jazz piano and vocals. Down in South Burlington, Mike Gordon is performing at Higher Ground, always a draw for the Phish faithful and curious newcomers alike. If you're more of a maker than a listener, Partizan Theatre on College Street is hosting its first ever Movies for Makers night starting at 6 PM, where you can bring your knitting, embroidery, or whatever lap craft keeps your hands busy and watch Mamma Mia on the big screen with the lights dimmed but still bright enough to see your stitches. That one's a small venue, so grab tickets before they sell out. Runners can lace up for a 5K at the Old Post (MEETUP) in South Burlington at 5:30 PM, with a social hour after. And UVM's Recital Hall opens its doors at 7:30 PM for free student recitals featuring classical and jazz solos, duets, and small groups. Meanwhile, if you want to practice your Spanish in a low pressure setting, Spanish Chat Mondays meets at Three Needs at 7 PM.

Tuesday brings a solid lineup before the rain takes over. Tech Tuesdays (MEETUP) kicks off at 8 AM at Zero Gravity on Pine Street with waffles, coffee, and casual conversation among Burlington's tech crowd. Plant lovers should head to the BTV Plant Swap at the Odd Fellows Hall on North Ave from 6 to 8 PM, where you can trade cuttings, starters, and seeds. The Melissa Etheridge concert at the Flynn at 7:30 PM is a big one, with tickets ranging from about $55 to $87. Over at the South Burlington Public Library Auditorium, Spotlight 802 hosts five time CrossFit champion Mat Fraser and HWPO Brand Officer Sammy Moniz for free appetizers at 5:30 PM and a talk and Q&A starting at 6. That event is free and open to the surrounding community. Trivia fans can head to Burger Bar in Colchester (MEETUP) at 7 PM for Tuesday night trivia with the Forever 38 group. The former U.S. Census Bureau director Robert L. Santos gives a free talk at Saint Michael's College at 4:30 PM as part of the Sutherland Lecture Series. And at the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center on Lake Street, the Ice Breaker Speaker Series launches at 5:30 PM with the captains of the research vessel Marcelle Melosira talking about their work on Lake Champlain. In Winooski, the library crowns its favorite feline at the March Meowness Cat Party from 3:30 to 4:30 PM, complete with cat themed crafts and snacks. And a note for anyone following the March 11 immigration enforcement situation: the House and Senate Judiciary Committees are holding a public hearing at the State House in Montpelier from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, available both in person and virtually. If you want to testify, you'll need to sign up by 5 PM today through the legislature's online form. Also worth catching on Tuesday evening is Local Motion's EZ Breezy Bike Ride: Ignite the Night, departing from Steele Street at 6 PM for a casual 7 mile cruise around the city. This is the last ride for a while where the sun will set during the route, so bring your lights.

Looking further ahead, Wednesday serves up a few gems. Grammy winning mandolinist Chris Thile (of Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek) performs solo at the Flynn at 7:30 PM, featuring selections from Bach's Sonatas and Partitas. For April Fool's Day comedy, the NO FOOLIN'! Comedy Showcase at the Vermont Comedy Club packs standup, improv, sketch, and musical comedy into one show at 6:30 PM for just $5.99 (or free with a student ID). The Vermont Pinball League Season 10 starts Wednesday at the Pinball Co-op in South Burlington at 6 PM. The ChatBTV AI software development meetup (MEETUP) kicks off at Bluehouse Group on South Winooski Ave at 6 PM with a talk on rethinking the dev lifecycle using AI tools, plus free pizza. The Burlington WordPress Meetup (MEETUP) relaunches at the Fletcher Free Library's Pickering Room at 6 PM. And speed networking for real estate professionals happens at Burlington Beer Company on Flynn Ave at 6 PM. Thursday's highlights include Phoebe Robinson at the Vermont Comedy Club at 7 PM (she's there Friday and Saturday too), a free book launch at the Fleming Museum at 5 PM where Burlington native Dan Chiasson discusses his new book Bernie for Burlington about the rise of Bernie Sanders, and historian Dr. Rhae Lynn Barnes at Phoenix Books at 7 PM celebrating the release of Darkology. The Color the Valley open house returns Thursday from 6 to 8 PM at 1 Steele Street, where you can learn about their BIPOC outdoor recreation programming and gear library. The BTV Clean-Up Crew meets at the top of Church Street at 7:30 AM Thursday as always. The Essex Art League hosts artist Meta Strick at the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction from 9 to 11 AM. Crafting in Community (MEETUP) meets at 6:30 PM in Essex Junction for a low key evening of hobbies and conversation. Dark Entries brings live EBM and synthpop to Standing Stone Wines in Winooski at 7 PM with no cover. And if you want a sweet escape from the mud season gloom, the free Palmer's Sugarhouse Tour in Shelburne runs at 2 PM with behind the scenes maple syrup demos and samples.

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"Never in my life would I imagine that I'd own a record store. But, I mean, it literally fell into my lap. I just couldn't say no." — Seven Days

The Rough Francis guitarist and Young at Heart ginger beer founder is buying the Marble Avenue record shop from longtime owner Norbert Ender, who cited burnout, staffing challenges, and years of Pine Street construction as his reasons for stepping back. Hackney's plans to turn the store into more of a hangout space with in-store performances, ginger beer, and expanded physical media feel like a smart read on what a South End record shop needs to be right now. With the SEABA gallery open in the old ArtsRiot space and his brother's recording studio nearby, that stretch of the neighborhood is quietly building some real momentum.

"Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George also conducted an independent review of the incident and concurred with the filing of criminal charges based on Officer Baur's actions during this incident." — Seven Days

Officer Jeffrey Baur has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment after body camera footage showed him firing his weapon at a car with two teenagers inside just seconds after arriving at a reported kidnapping scene last August. Baur's account of why the gun went off has changed: he first said he didn't recall pulling the trigger, then suggested his car door caused an accidental discharge, a claim a law enforcement consultant contradicted after reviewing the footage. This is the same officer who pleaded guilty to negligent operation in 2024 for driving a motorcycle at nearly 100 mph while off duty. More than a dozen officers showed up to support him at his arraignment, and the police union called the charges disheartening, which gives you a sense of how polarizing this case is likely to become.

"I think the students who enroll here are the reason we get that ranking." — The Vermont Cynic

UVM students have logged over 7,000 hours of service work since August, and The Princeton Review ranked UVM the top public university for making an impact for the second year running. The piece profiles students running the 24/7 volunteer ambulance service, volunteering at food pantries, and delivering flowers to retirement homes. Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas notes that the state ranks second nationally for neighbors working together to do something positive for their community. In a political moment that makes civic life feel fraught, stories like this are a useful reminder that most of it happens quietly and locally.

"Not only was he not driving, but Corona-Sanchez was not in the home on Dorset Street when agents executed the warrant, the affidavit says." — Vermont Public

The picture that's emerged since March 11 is remarkable. All three people ICE detained have been released, and it turns out the man they were actually looking for was never in the house or driving the car that led agents there in the first place. The federal judge who ordered one detainee's release explicitly called her detention a violation of her constitutional rights. Meanwhile, Vermont law enforcement is facing serious scrutiny over whether their actions violated the state's Fair and Impartial Policing policy, which bars local officers from aiding in civil immigration enforcement. The House and Senate Judiciary Committees are holding a public hearing on this tomorrow at the State House.

"After 26 years of service to our community, I regret to inform you that I have made the decision to close our Burlington location. Thank you all for the many years of wonderful memories." — Seven Days

Frog & Toad Child Care in the New North End shut down abruptly last week while both state regulators and police investigate allegations that a former staff member physically abused children. What makes this particularly frustrating for families is the whiplash: owner Tiffany Corbett spent weeks reassuring parents the center wasn't at risk of closing, right up until the email arrived saying it was. A former teacher who says she was fired after raising concerns about the employee now under investigation told Seven Days she called the state's child abuse hotline herself. The Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations has confirmed a criminal probe is underway. Corbett's Essex location remains open.

"We're calling it 'a timeless American restaurant.'" — Seven Days

The Courtyard by Marriott at 25 Cherry Street is getting a full rebrand as the Harborvale, and the restaurant replacing Bleu Northeast Kitchen sounds ambitious. Executive chef Doug Paine is planning seven day a week service spanning breakfast through a late night bar, with a menu focused on Lake Champlain and dishes like wild boar ribs and stuffed squid with scallop sausage. The hotel is owned by Westport Hospitality, the same local group behind Hotel Vermont. Expect the restaurant to soft open in early May with breakfast, dinner around graduation, and the hotel to fully reopen in June.

"You have vastly different amounts that are being paid by different vehicles, even though their impacts on the road system is fairly similar." — VTDigger

Vermont is moving toward charging EV drivers 1.4 cents per mile, calculated from odometer readings at annual inspections and billed by the DMV. The fee would replace the current flat $89 annual charge and is expected to cost the average EV driver about $154 a year. It has bipartisan support in the House and backing from the Scott administration, which frames it as a fairness issue as gas tax revenue declines. Four other states are already rolling out similar programs. The bigger question looming in the background is whether Vermont eventually expands this to all vehicles, though the administration is calling that conversation premature.

"We've tried to dull some of the impact," he told House Approps, saying the state wanted to avoid stepping "fully into the shoes" of the federal government. — VTDigger

After President Trump twice denied Vermont's request for FEMA funding to help Northeast Kingdom towns recover from last summer's flooding, the Scott administration is proposing to redirect about $1.3 million in state reserves to cover half the estimated damage. Most of the money would go to Sutton for bridge repairs. The funds would come from a $50 million reserve earmarked last year for responding to federal funding disruptions, of which about $44 million remains. Also packed into VTDigger's legislative roundup: the Senate advanced a bill jacking up the fine for getting your truck stuck in Smuggler's Notch to $20,000, a "soft" school spending cap is moving forward, and the House approved a bill banning machine guns under state law and making firearm theft a felony.

"Right here in Williston Vermont in a normal office park is a spy center for ICE. Look around with your big eyeballs. Spy on the world." — Williston Observer

This one is hard to categorize. A Burlington resident named Blaine Paxton organized a performance art slash activist tour of federal immigration facilities in the greater Burlington area, complete with branded vans, trivia questions, and inflatable eyeballs handed out at ICE's National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center on Industrial Avenue. About 20 people joined Tuesday's inaugural run. Whether it becomes a recurring thing is still being decided, but the underlying point is straightforward: most people had no idea these national facilities were sitting in local office parks.

"This richly reported story includes important financial details but also provided readers with an understanding of what the coop means to the community." — Seven Days

Vermont's alt weekly brought home 52 total citations at this year's New England Better Newspaper Competition, including 26 first place awards, which is the most the paper has ever won. Reporter Alison Novak was named Reporter of the Year. The winning work covered everything from homeless deaths to childcare fraud to cyber scams targeting older Vermonters. For a state where local news operations keep shrinking, this kind of recognition for investigative and community journalism is worth celebrating.

"The story of Lake Champlain is a story of the people and for the people of the Champlain Valley." — Vermont Business Magazine

The Vergennes museum opens May 23 with a new exhibit called "Fragments: Voices of the American Revolution on Lake Champlain," timed to the nation's 250th anniversary. The exhibit draws on decades of archaeological work to tell stories not just of the Battle of Lake Champlain but of common soldiers, civilians, enslaved people, and Indigenous people connected to it. Admission is free all season, and the programming includes sailing classes, shipwreck tours, and a biweekly evening speaker series. Mark your calendars for the 250th commemoration days on July 4 and October 12.

"By removing adoption fees during Spring Bark, HSCC hopes to remove financial barriers and encourage local families to open their hearts to a new canine companion." — Vermont Business Magazine

The Humane Society of Chittenden County ran a promotion through March 28 waiving adoption fees on all dogs. With more than 10 pups available, including a 9 month old and a 10 year old, the shelter was trying to move animals into homes faster as spring brings an influx. The promotion has ended, but if you missed the window, adoptable dogs are still listed at hsccvt.org.

"March can be especially tough for someone who has just experienced their first Vermont winter, and hasn't made a lot of community connections yet." — Vermont Business Magazine

After a pilot year in Windham County that saw 54 residents share meals, the initiative has expanded statewide with chambers of commerce and economic development groups from Addison County to the Northeast Kingdom getting involved. Hosts who invite a newcomer to a meal can access restaurant deals and partial reimbursements. There's still a day left in March if you want to participate. Details and signups are at sovermont.com/march.

"It's such a tradition in Vermont. People come to learn about it, and they want to experience all the new products and new crop." — MyChamplainValley / ABC22/FOX44

More than 90 sugar houses across the state opened their doors for Maple Open House Weekend, including Bragg Farm in East Montpelier, which has been boiling since 1991. Last Saturday drew big crowds and cooperative weather; And last Sunday's rain slowed things down. If you missed it, Palmer's Sugarhouse in Shelburne is offering a free tour this Thursday at 2 PM.

Quick Hits

Vermont Home Show Draws 5,000 Attendees — The annual home show in Essex Junction hit a record this weekend, with about 5,000 people checking out more than 100 vendors. Organizer Jenks Productions says attendance has grown every year since they took over three years ago. The show returns in late March or early April 2027. (WCAX)

Vermont Ski Resorts See Profits Despite Decline in Canadian Visitors — Jay Peak says Canadian visits are down about 20% thanks to trade war tensions, but a surge in U.S. skiers more than made up for it. A dismal snow year out west and Jay's nearly 400 inch season sent East Coast and destination skiers flocking to northern Vermont. Business is booming despite the border chill. (WCAX)

Skier Dies After Fall at Sugarbush Resort — A male skier died Saturday after falling and sliding into a wooded area off Stein's Run at Sugarbush Lincoln Peak. Ski patrol found him unresponsive. State Police say the death does not appear suspicious, and an autopsy will be performed in Burlington. The victim's name has not been released. (WCAX)

Burlington No Kings Day Rally Held Saturday — Hundreds marched up Church Street and gathered on the steps of City Hall on Saturday as part of the national No Kings Day rallies. The Burlington event was organized by Camel's Hump Indivisible and other local groups. (WCAX)

New Report Highlights Opportunity to Expand Vermont's Wool and Fiber Economy — A Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund study finds the state produces significant amounts of wool each year, but limited processing capacity and high costs mean much of it goes to waste. The report recommends expanding small batch custom milling and developing markets for lower value wool. Full report available at vsjf.org. (Vermont Business Magazine)

How good of a reader are you? Think you’re keeping up with Burlington news? It's time to prove it. Every Monday and Friday, we're dropping a quick 5-question quiz covering the local news you just finished reading. You've got just 60 seconds to answer them all. No looking back allowed. Use the same unique name each time you play so everyone can track your stats in our Hall of Fame, where you'll compete for titles like Sharpshooter (highest accuracy), Speed Demon (fastest average time), and Streak Leader (most consistent player). Make your name (or cool nickname) known to Btown!

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UVM Athletics & Vermont FC:

UVM Athletics: Lacrosse Teams Pick Up Conference Wins, Track & Field Shines at D'Amour Invitational, and Vermont Green Preps for U.S. Open Cup

The America East conference announced that 122 of Vermont's fall student-athletes earned a spot on the Fall America East Academic Honor Roll by achieving a 3.0 or higher GPA. The Vermont field hockey team was among the nine conference programs to see 100% of its student-athletes receive the designation. A total of 89 fall student-athletes across the university reached the 3.5 GPA mark, giving them America East Commissioner's Honor Roll status.

The Vermont women's lacrosse team secured a 15-4 victory over New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium. Lydia Doraz, Maddie Erskine, and Caitlin Haggerty each recorded hat tricks for the Catamounts. Doraz led the team with seven points, surpassing 100 career points, and recorded team highs in draw controls, ground balls, and caused turnovers. Goalkeeper Ayla Shae made 10 saves in the win, which brought the team to a 6-5 overall record.

In men's lacrosse, a six-goal second quarter propelled Vermont to a 14-5 win against NJIT at Virtue Field. Max Frattaroli netted five goals, while Zack Toll contributed two goals and three assists to power the Catamounts. Goalie Ryan Daly secured the win with five saves. The victory marked the 75th career win for head coach Chris Feifs, tying the program's all-time wins record. The Catamounts will return to action at Virtue Field when they host Princeton in the Rally Against Cancer game on Saturday, April 4 at noon.

The Vermont men's and women's track and field teams opened their outdoor season with multiple wins at the D'Amour Invitational in Lowell, Massachusetts. Ryleigh Garrow earned victories in the 100 hurdles and tied for first in the high jump, while Nate Wanger and Inge Schmidt swept the men's and women's 400-meter races. Other victories included Kate Kelly in the triple jump and Samantha Alexander in the discus throw.

Vermont Green FC is set to host USL1 professional club Westchester SC in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at Virtue Field. The Green recently upset Portland Hearts of Pine in the First Round behind a goal from former University of Vermont All-American David Ismail. The upcoming match against Westchester SC, which features former Hofstra forward Daniel Burko and experienced midfielder Conor McGlynn, marks Vermont Green's fourth-ever U.S. Open Cup appearance.

Upcoming Home Games

  • Apr 1: Vermont Green FC vs Westchester SC (Wed ⦁ 7:00pm)

  • Apr 4: Men's Lacrosse 2026 vs Princeton (Sat ⦁ 12:00pm)

Events:

Monday, March 30, 2025

General Events

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Tuesday, March 31, 2026

General Events

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Wednesday, April 1, 2026

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Thursday, April 2, 2026

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Ongoing & Exhibitions

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