The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board has awarded two nonprofit housing groups more than $1 million in state and federal funds to buy and reconfigure a building that has sat vacant since Tropical Storm Irene destroyed much of the state office complex. The project will create 27 new affordable apartments on Main Street.

One of the nine long-term recovery groups formed to help residents hit hard by Tropical Storm Irene is getting ready to close its doors by the end of the month. Rebuild Waterbury is expected to be the first recovery group to finish its work.

A lantern parade in Waterbury and seeing work as art.

There are two medical marijuana dispensaries slated to come to Vermont - one in Burlington and the other in Waterbury. But while the exact location and many other details about the operation of the Burlington dispensary are known, there are more questions than answers when it comes to Waterbury's proposed dispensary.

Public safety officials have given conditional approval to the state's first two medical marijuana dispensaries, including one in Burlington. Other towns are deciding whether to opt out of the program by crafting zoning ordinances that preclude dispensaries.

Residents in the village of Waterbury will vote in November on whether to abolish their local police department.

Lt. Governor Phil Scott says the state is committed to bringing employees back to the Office Complex in Waterbury. But Scott says plans for a new, energy efficient office building for the Waterbury complex may have to be scaled back if the state doesn't get enough money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Next Tuesday evening, bells will ring in churches and public spaces statewide to commemorate the anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene - and Vermont's ongoing recovery. In many hard hit towns the observances start this weekend, with potluck suppers, concerts, art exhibits - and, in the town of Newfane, a parade.

Ever since the State Office Complex was wiped out by the Irene floods, the state work force of about 1,300 people has been dispersed across central and northwestern Vermont. Now, only 200 state workers are in Waterbury every day, and the prospects of when others will return are far from certain.

As federal and state resources continue to dry up, in Vermont, where there's a strong independent streak, many cities and towns are trying to consolidate their basic services while also maintaining local autonomy.

Waterbury is one of two Vermont communities that FEMA has selected to assist in developing a long term recovery plan following Tropical Storm Irene. FEMA help doesn't come with any funding though. So the community is now looking for backers for a number of ambitious, long term recovery projects.

Officials in Waterbury and Duxbury are launching a year-long effort in which they hope to double the number of solar-power projects in the town.

The new law calls for the state to replace the outdated 54-bed state mental health hospital that formerly operated in Waterbury before it was badly damaged by Tropical Storm Irene's floods last year.

Legislative leaders and Governor Peter Shumlin have reached agreement on two critical issues facing lawmakers this session. The deal addresses the future of the State Office Complex in Waterbury and the size of a new State Hospital.

A new report lays out four options for what to do about the State Office Complex in Waterbury, where flooding from Tropical Storm Irene left many of the buildings uninhabitable. And one option in particular appears to have a lot of appeal among some lawmakers.

The long road to recovery from Tropical Storm Irene continues in Waterbury, but it got a big boost on Monday. The Stiller Family Foundation announced it will make a $250,000 matching grant to help continue repairing severely damaged homes.

Newscast: Saturday, March 10, 2012, 8:35a.m.

In Waterbury Friday night, people gathered to remember Tropical Storm Irene with the release of "When The River Rose," a book which was created by those who lived through the storm.

Governor Peter Shumlin made a tour of several town meetings. His first stop was in Waterbury, a town that's had a rocky relationship with him since the Tropical Storm Irene floods.

Hundreds turned out Thursday night for a "flood recovery fair" that looked at a variety of long-term projects under consideration.

Two of Vermont's most storm-damaged communities have been picked for a special FEMA program, which aims to help devastated areas envision their futures and bring those visions about.  

At a legislative committee in Montpelier Wednesday, lawmakers heard from hospital officials about how they've had to step in after Tropical Storm Irene flooded Waterbury and forced the State Hospital to close.

As Vermont communities hit hard by Tropical Storm Irene move through the process of recovery, they are marking progress with small, but important steps. This week, Halloween was one such turning point for the town of Waterbury.

Officials in Waterbury say they're disappointed that Governor Peter Shumlin isn't making a firm commitment to bring back state employees displaced by Tropical Storm Irene. But the town is finding a sympathetic ear among some legislative leaders.

Flood cleanup efforts in areas hit hard by Tropical Storm Irene drew scores of volunteers on Saturday. Governor Peter Shumlin had asked people across the state to pitch in, hoping for at least one last push before winter arrives.