Good morning, Burlington.

Renovation work is underway at Burlington’s COTS Daystation on North Avenue to update its kitchen and dining room that serves free noontime meals to people experiencing homelessness.

Volunteers prepare offsite meals while the nonprofit raises funds for the $150,000 project (expected to last several weeks).

Burlington hosts its first ever Navy Week this week with ship demos, drill performances & musical events at the waterfront and Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.

Navy officials say the event will educate residents on military service and how tax dollars are spent while letting sailors reconnect with family.

Colchester Fire responded at 1:50 p.m. on Sunday to a fire in the kitchen of a St. Michael’s College dorm on Cashman Road; the activated sprinkler contained the flames while officials investigate a reported burning paper odor & water damage across floors.

Red Barn Media Group, a Burlington-based agency focused on home services marketing, was ranked No. 1,245 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 and No. 3 in Vermont.

The company announced the accolade on Aug. 18 and works with contractors nationwide to boost growth.

Local ski pioneers Chuck and Jann Perkins are turning their old Alpine Shop in Stowe into the Alpine Spirit Museum to share decades of memorabilia plus their passion for skiing.

They also bought historic Gilbert’s Hill in Woodstock to save the site of the nation’s first rope tow.

The Champlain Valley Fair will host British singer John Waite on Sept.

6 after Bret Michaels canceled his tour dates due to health concerns. Ticket holders can use their existing tickets or call (800-514-3849) by Sept. 3 for refunds.

Gas prices in Burlington have reached historic levels as the average now stands at $4.20 per gallon—up 7.3 cents from last week, according to a GasBuddy survey.

Prices range from $3.99 to $4.29 per gallon and follow a national upward trend.

The Vermont Agency of Education hosted the inaugural Read Vermont Summit at the Killington Grand Hotel last Monday with 200 educators to discuss statewide literacy improvements.

The event also launched year-long initiatives+ monthly champion spotlights, coaching for K–2 teams and a statewide book study.

The U.S. Navy launched its first Navy Week in Burlington on Monday, giving locals a chance to meet active-duty sailors and learn about naval history along the waterfront (the event runs through Sunday).

The VA signed a 20-year lease for a new clinic at Technology Park in South Burlington that will replace its Burlington facility and expand veteran care access.

Officials say the 24,000 sqft space will open by 2030 with primary, mental health, and specialty services (including optometry and audiology).

The Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows teen mental health improving as 23% of high schoolers felt sad or hopeless in 2025, down from 31% in 2019.

Substance use fell with fewer vaping and alcohol reports, though self-harm remained unchanged and therapy waitlists stayed long.