Good morning, Burlington.

VRS unveiled a patriotic locomotive with a red, white & blue design featuring the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell and stars and stripes to mark America’s 250th birthday as it serves on the Champlain Valley Dinner Train operating on Saturdays and Sundays and on Fridays during foliage season in Burlington.

Pomeroy Park’s new playground — featuring a wheelchair-accessible carousel, climbing dome, and seesaw — opens today to offer local families a welcoming and inclusive play space.

On Saturday, a boat caught fire on Lake Champlain near the state line between Valcor Island and Stave Island, and two people escaped safely by wearing life preservers and boarding a nearby vessel as crews from seven agencies responded plus cleanup teams later recovered the boat.

South Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne has been named the fifth recipient of The Vermont Prize, earning a $5,000 award and statewide recognition for his animated storytelling.

He is working on a new film, The Barnard Panther, set for completion in 2028.

Local divers raised the final piece of a Revolutionary War cannon from Lake Champlain and it will undergo restoration (using electrolysis to remove corrosion) before rejoining its fragments at the Maritime Museum in Vergennes, marking a milestone in preserving local history.

Gas prices in Vermont averaged $4.23 per gallon yesterday, up 11.1 cents from last week.

In Burlington, prices rose 8.8 cents to $4.26 per gallon (based on a survey of 100 stations) as national prices climbed amid global supply issues.

New England Donor Services announced the Donate Life Scholars Program for high school juniors and seniors interested in health care, offering a free educational course and a $200 scholarship; applications will be due Aug.

15 and the program will run from late September until May.

Vermont's cliffs have reopened for hikers + climbers after a successful peregrine falcon nesting season ended; biologists confirmed most young birds learned to fly during the season.

State and local leaders in South Burlington broke ground on a $20M walk and bike bridge over I-89 to provide a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists — the first phase is expected to open in late 2028.

Road construction delays are set to affect many Vermont highways this week, starting Monday, July 27 (according to a Vermont Business Magazine report); drivers should plan extra travel time, obey reduced speed limits, and follow posted detours on interstates and local roads.

Northwestern Medical Center has named Jonathan Billings its permanent CEO today at its St. Albans facility (he previously served as Interim CEO and COO).

Board members said his 36 years of service prepare him to lead the hospital’s future care.

The American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis Monday as type O positive blood dropped below a one-day reserve; Burlington donors (including long-time donor Sandy Read) urged others to donate and benefit from incentives—movie tickets through July 31 and $20 Amazon gift cards in August.

The Red Rocks 5K

5K Race — Morning Start Time — Red Rocks Park — Registration required — Enjoy a scenic run through Red Rocks Park's beautiful landscapes in South Burlington.