

Cover Story
Vermont Doesn’t Track Homeless Deaths. So We Did.
Overdoses are the leading killer of homeless Vermonters, ‘Seven Days’ and Vermont Public found. But a shift from motel rooms to tents presents new dangers.
The Vermont Marble Museum Has Closed
The Proctor museum celebrated the company behind countless national buildings and monuments. After nearly 90 years in operation, it closed quietly last fall.
Obituary: Joan Mulford Braun, 1937-2025
Former leader in experiential public education was an active community volunteer during retirement
Bill Introduced to Provide Unpaid Caregivers With Tax Credit
Professional caregivers are in short supply in Vermont. A bipartisan bill would provide $2,500 in tax credits to compensate people for unpaid assistance.
At the Farmers’ Hand in Brookfield, the Farm Is on the Table
At their new on-farm restaurant, Betsy Simpson and Kyle Doda of 1000 Stone Farm collaborate to put their culinary, cidermaking and farming talents on the menu.
Meet Baker Erinn Simon of Burlington’s That Cake Stand
At her custom bakery, Simon is dedicated to making fancy wedding cakes and fun birthday cakes that are beautiful and delicious.
City Market’s Downtown Café Reopens, but for Fewer Hours
The South Winooski Avenue co-op grocery’s café seating area has reopened to the public after being closed for a month due to safety concerns.
Senate Leader Says School Choice Expansion Is Off the Table
Sen. Phil Baruth said making all students eligible for school choice could sink broader efforts to overhaul education governance and funding.
Obituary: Dorothy “Dottie” Bennett Nickerson, 1927-2025
Longtime volunteer and UVM employee was a devoted mother, above all else
Obituary: Ann B. Anger, 1931-2025
‘Smart and intuitive’ Winooski resident loved gathering with her large family
Obituary: Michael Pendriss Sr., 1952-2025
Master painter worked all over Vermont and loved the sound of his Harleys revving
Obituary: Dr. Christopher M. Terrien Jr., 1941-2025
Medicine was native Vermonter’s life calling, and he served the Champlain Valley as a cardiologist for more than 45 years
Woman Arrested in Border Patrol Shoot-out Pleads Not Guilty
Teresa Youngblut, 21, faces two weapons charges in the death of agent David “Chris” Maland. The January 20 shooting also left Felix Bauckholt dead.
Cappadocia Bistro to Bring Turkish Street Food to Burlington’s Church Street
The owners of Istanbul Kebab House plan to open another downtown spot, which will be similar to one of their two White River Junction restaurants.
No Fooling: Burlington City Arts Cancels Festival of Fools
The long-running Burlington street performance fest won’t happen this year. But organizers plan to bring it back in 2026.
Obituary: Denise Louise Santerre, 1928-2025
Mother of seven showed her love for others by welcoming them into her home and offering a home-cooked meal
Education Plan Would Make All Vermont Students Eligible for School Choice
The idea of expanding school choice is a sensitive subject in Vermont, a state where the vast majority of students attend public schools.
Obituary: Francis X. Murray, 1944-2025
Burlington lawyer and Vermont’s first lottery commissioner will be remembered for his commitment to justice and public service
White River Indie Film Festival Spotlights Stories of Love and Activism
The White River Junction festival straddles Valentine’s Day and offers 26 films and a full roster of events.
Burlington Considers Adding Defunct Cathedral to Tax Rolls
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has been closed since 2018, but the church says the property shouldn’t be taxed until the building is demolished.
Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater Unveils New Wing
This week the public gets its first look at the $8.5 million expansion, which will feature performance spaces, classrooms, dressing rooms, a lounge and a bar.
Love Is Electric in the Darkly Comic but Uneven ‘Companion’
Writer-director Drew Hancock’s solid premise banks on our tendency to empathize with the underdog, but the underwritten screenplay becomes the film’s downfall.
Theater Review: ‘King James,’ Northern Stage
The emotional clarity of the performers is the highlight of Northern Stage’s production of Rajiv Joseph’s play about two Cleveland LeBron James fans.
Letters to the Editor (2/5/25)
‘Who Will Make the Movie?’ Joe Sexton scored a journalistic triumph with “Year of the Dogs” [January 29]. The piece reads like a page-turning thriller….
Three to Six Hours in Brattleboro, Southern Vermont’s Cultural Hub
What’s behind Brattleboro’s creative juju? We comb the town for answers, sampling thrift shops, pinball arcades and rock clubs housed in Victorian churches.
Now Playing in Theaters: February 5-11
In addition to Nickel Boys, here’s what is playing in Northern and Central Vermont movie theaters this week. Listings include new movies, vintage films and a directory of open theaters.
Free Will Astrology (2/5/25)
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.18): Born under the sign of Aquarius, Clyde Tombaugh discovered the heavenly body known as Pluto in 1930. This was years before he…
From the Publisher: Saving the Dates
While most newspapers have surrendered event calendars, Seven Days still provides this essential public service — a guide to gathering with others.
Art Review: Cara Romero’s Major Show at the Hood Museum
The Indigenous photographer presents an expansive solo exhibition of large-scale works exploring time, space, identity and the environment.
Soundbites: Newish Vermont Indie-Rocker Lutalo Comes in From the Cold
The Minnesota-born musician gets ready for a meet-cute with Burlington after dropping a killer LP last year and a new single last month.
Black Lives (Still) Matter: Mary Tapogna at Studio Place Arts
The Lyndonville artist presents 10 memorial mosaics honoring Black people killed by police in “Black Lives Matter — A Portrait Series.”
Rare ‘Pancake’ Ice Stacked Up at Leddy Beach
A frozen formation resembling a sturdy Vermont breakfast formed off Burlington last month. A strong wind blowing toward shore caused the phenomenon.
On the Beat: New Music From Ian Steinberg, Michael Crain
The Burlington singer-songwriter drops “Onions.” Plus, the Pangaea Projekt makes frigid music, and Farmers Night at the Statehouse returns.
Album Review: Benjamin Lerner, ‘Keep Moving Forward’
The Vermont rapper and recovery advocate drops the first of a planned EP trilogy that documents his struggles with addiction and striving for sobriety.
Ask the Rev: My Partner Gives Expensive Gifts, but I Can’t Afford to Do the Same
As Valentine’s Day approaches, one partner struggles with accepting pricey presents she can’t reciprocate. Here’s advice for graciously giving and receiving.
Album Review: Voices in Vain, ‘The Only Love I Know’
The Burlington metalcore act releases its long-awaited sophomore LP, full of massive riffs, prog-rock time shifts and doom-laden lyrics.
Town of Essex Annual Town Meeting Official Warning March 4, 2025
The legal voters of the Town of Essex in the County of Chittenden are hereby notified and warned to meet at Essex Middle School, 60…
Legislative Lawyers Are as Busy as Heck
Vermont’s Office of Legislative Counsel offers support to lawmakers as they prepare bills. The expertise is essential — and the demands on the office are high.
Waitsfield’s 5th Quarter Butchery Biz Shifts Into Fifth Gear
With his purchase of the Mad River Taste Place, Josh Turka has room to expand his whole-animal, locally sourced butchery and charcuterie biz. Chefs are excited.
European Market Moves and Expands Offerings in South Burlington
In a larger space, Aleksandra and Dalibor Vujanovic have added a small café serving Balkan favorites and broadened their European specialty grocery selection.
At Milton’s Humble Revelry, Chefs Split the Day and Host a Supper Club
Now in a permanent space, Andrew Gonyon and Michael Ummarino are serving lunch and dinner with table service, and Gonyon has launched a monthly prix-fixe dinner.
Goldfinch Gourmet Foods Brings Pastry and Pâté to Morrisville
Sheena and David Davey opened their European-style delicatessen, pâtisserie and café to share sweet and savory French-accented comestibles with the community.
Magnificent 7: Must See, Must Do, February 5-12
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including multi-instrumentalist Jake Blount at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph.
James Beard Semifinalist Micah Tavelli to Pop Up in Essex
The chef and a business partner will launch Into the Wolf’s Mouth with a pair of prix fixe, February dinners at Junction restaurant in the Essex Resort & Spa.






