VTF&W
Trout season
Vermont’s trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 13.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says finding a small to medium, low-elevation river or stream that is not too murky from spring runoff can be key. Trout are coldblooded and may be slow to bite, especially with low water temperatures. Trout will often hold close to the bottom in the deeper areas of streams during high flow conditions to conserve energy. Choose locations and tactics that allow you to fish using a slow retrieval right along the bottom. Focus on deep holes behind current breaks created by big boulders, downed trees or log-jams where trout may be resting. If possible, approach the hole from downstream, as trout will often orient themselves facing the current.
Anglers who like to fish and release their catch don’t need to wait for opening day. Nearly all waterbodies are now open year-round to catch-and-release fishing for trout in Vermont. Visit vtfishandwildlife.com for more information.
AROUND TOWN
Grant awards
MARSHFIELD — The Preservation Trust of Vermont announced a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $75,000 to the Marshfield Village Store for exterior repairs and painting.
The Marshfield Village Store, with its two-story porch, wide entablature, and prominent pediment, is an example of vernacular Greek Revival architecture. The store, in operation since 1852, is owned by a nonprofit and run by a worker-owned cooperative. The Bruhn grant will support work on the exterior, including repairs and repainting.
The Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant program supports the preservation and restoration of buildings and community gathering spaces of economic and social significance in rural communities with fewer than 7,500 residents. Additional recipients of the Bruhn Historic Revitalization subgrants include the McIndoe Falls Academy in Barnet, the Kimball Public Library in Randolph, the Skinner Block in Royalton, the Starksboro Village Meeting House, Moscow Mill in Stowe, the Wallingford Block, and the Windham Meeting House. The grants range from $50,000 to $100,000 and will be used toward structural repairs, roof replacement, window restoration, exterior work, restoration of significant interior finishes, and code improvements.
AROUND VT
Dog bites
Dog bite prevention week is April 7 to 13 this year. Bites typically happen during everyday interactions with dogs.
Things you can do in your house/community to help prevent them include educating yourself and your children about how to have good and non-threatening interactions with dogs, always providing supervision for your dog, properly socializing your puppy at a young age, and recognizing signs that your dog is anxious or fearful and needs to be removed from a situation.
Children should be taught to avoid strange dogs and only approach if an adult is present who has given permission for the child to interact with said dog. It is also important for children to respect dogs’ space. Dogs should be left alone when sleeping, eating or in their bed/crate. Dog beds/crates should be recognized as a safe space for the dog and a place where no one bothers them.
If you have any concerns about your dog’s behavior, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinary to address any health issues and discuss steps to take that may include behavioral modification, medications, referral to a veterinary behaviorist, or a combination of all three. Visit www.vtvets.org/public-dog-bite-prevention-program for more information.
Unclaimed refunds
WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service announced almost 940,000 people nationwide have unclaimed refunds for tax year 2020. Under the law, taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim their tax refunds. If they don’t file within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. But the three-year window for 2020 unfiled returns was postponed to May 17, 2024, due to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.
Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2020 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR) and instructions are available on the IRS.gov Forms and Publications page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Based on tax information currently available, unclaimed 2020 refunds for Vermont are: Estimated number of individuals 1,700; Median potential refund $911; Total potential refunds $1,818,600.
BUSINESS
Bar Harbor bank donation
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has donated $2,000 to Twin Pines Housing to support the nonprofit increasing access to quality housing and supportive services in the Upper Valley. The Bank’s donation will be used to assist Twin Pines Housing’s supportive services program, which provides residents with services such as food access, job training and utility discounts.
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