Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a proposed tax hike could reshape Burlington’s FY27 budget.
And on the Burlington Patch calendar - Holiday Extravaganza
Hey hey Burlington! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a proposed tax hike could reshape Burlington’s FY27 budget.
- Why UVM tapped Brad Cole to lead men’s soccer, for now
- Are Vermont police skirting state bias rules with border overtime work?
Also on today's calendar: Festive Friday: Not So Silent Night and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in Burlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find out what's happening in Burlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 26 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Saturday: A little afternoon snow, temps: high: 30, low: 15.
- Sunday: A little snow in the p.m., with a high of 24 and low of 15 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Burlington facing over $10 million budget gap in FY27 (mychamplainvalley.com) — Burlington is staring at a $10–$12 million budget gap for FY27, and city leaders are eyeing a five-cent police and fire tax increase that could push property taxes up about 9.4%. Voters may see that proposal, plus a $30,000 homestead exemption question, on Town Meeting Day, as officials weigh service cuts, new revenue, and long-term affordability for residents. 
2. Cole named UVM interim head coach as coaching search continues (wcax.com) — UVM men’s soccer is turning to associate coach and South Hero native Brad Cole as interim head coach in Burlington while the athletic department launches a thorough search for a permanent leader. Athletic director Jeff Schulman praised Cole’s deep ties to Vermont and UVM, but emphasized they’ll still consider outside candidates to find the best long-term fit for the program and community.
3. WCAX Investigates: Police participation in border program draws scrutiny (wcax.com) — Burlington-based WCAX is spotlighting how Vermont police, including Chittenden County deputies, are paid overtime through a federal border program while critics question whether it conflicts with state anti-bias policing rules. The investigation explains how Operation Stonegarden works along the Canadian border, why civil-rights advocates worry about closer ties to federal immigration enforcement, and how local chiefs defend their role.
4. Will Vermont see Christmas snow? What weather almanacs predict (burlingtonfreepress.com) — If you’re hoping for a white Christmas in Burlington, long-range outlooks give you some cautious optimism. Weather almanacs and AccuWeather suggest Vermont, including Burlington, could see light snow around Dec. 25, 2025, though milder-than-normal temperatures may keep totals modest and forecasters stress it’s still too early for certainty.
5. Rutland Regional Medical Center withdraws request to close pediatric beds (vtdigger.org) — Families in Burlington could have seen more young patients transferred to UVM Medical Center if Rutland Regional had closed its pediatric inpatient beds, but the hospital has now withdrawn that request after strong public pushback. Regulators used the case to test new powers to block service cuts, highlighting ongoing tensions between rural access to pediatric care and hospital finances across Vermont.
📸 Around Burlington
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Burlington
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Holiday Extravaganza
Foam Brewers - Burlington, 112 Lake St, Burlington
4:00 pm
Saturday December 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Festive Friday: Not So Silent Night
Church Street Marketplace , 131 Church St , Burlington
4:00 pm - Good Clean Fun
Vermont Comedy Club , 101 Main St , Burlington
4:30 pm - Holiday Arranging Workshop — Burlington Garden Club of Vermont
Chappell's Florist , 1437 Williston Rd , Burlington
11:00 am - Sunday Public Skate at Leddy Arena
Burlington, VT Calendar , 216 Leddy Park Road , Burlington
2:30 pm - Festive Friday: Light Up the Night
Church Street Marketplace , 131 Church St , Burlington
4:00 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington , 152 Pearl St , Burlington
7:00 pm - Maria Bamford
Vermont Comedy Club , 101 Main St , Burlington
8:30 pm - Montpelier Monthly Hook-In
Trinity Methodist Church , Montpelier, VT, VT, United States
1:00 pm - Sharon, VT Rug Hooking and Fiber Crafts
Baxter Memorial Library , Sharon, VT, 05065, United States
2:00 pm - Sunday Public Skate at Leddy Arena
Burlington, VT Calendar , 216 Leddy Park Road , Burlington
2:30 pm - Solaris Holiday Cheer -- Burlington, VT
College Street Congregational Church , 265 College St , Burlington
4:00 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Friday December 19
Sunday December 21
📣 Burlington Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Just a reminder to everyone that supporting small business means saying NO to AI and AI generated logos/images!
If you support local and use ai images for your business you're not supporting many of the local designers who would give you a more tailored and… (Nextdoor Old North End) - Enjoy ✌🏿
https://youtu.be/6pmnOpzhvLM?si=In0GFoLbY6jQNtt1 (Nextdoor Old North End - East)
- Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Stocking Associate in Burlington. Apply here.
- Lululemon Athletica Inc posted a job opening for Assistant Manager, Guest Experience | Church St. in Burlington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Burlington here.
Ok Burlington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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