Local News
How Killington became the Beast: Part 4
April 2, 2025
By Karen D. Lorentz Last week, I wrote that State Forester Perry Merrill initially envisioned developing Killington Mountain for skiing to benefit the state. However, it wasn’t until he met the young Preston Smith that he found a passionate skier who would share his enthusiasm for a mountain few were aware existed. Although he checked…
In memory of Tom Huebner: Longtime RRMC CEO and advocate for Vermont healthcare
April 2, 2025
The Rutland community is mourning the loss of a deeply respected leader and advocate for healthcare access and wellness across Vermont. Tom Huebner, former president and CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), passed away on Wednesday, March 26, at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer. Huebner’s tenure at RRMC spanned nearly…
Henry Pearl Biathrow, 91
April 2, 2025
Henry Pearl Biathrow Passed away quietly at his home in Killington on Sunday, March 23, after a long illness. A private service will be held with family members. A celebration of life gathering will be held in Killington this spring. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Henry P. Biathrow to the Sherburne United…
Student artwork celebrates Doctors’ Day
April 2, 2025
Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) marked National Doctors’ Day on March 30 with a heartwarming and colorful tradition: original artwork created by local students. This year, nearly 400 drawings from kindergarten through 4th-grade students across 11 Rutland County schools were displayed throughout the hospital, honoring the care and dedication of RRMC’s physicians. The annual celebration,…
VEPC approves Rutland City master TIF, conditionally
April 2, 2025
Staff report The Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC) approved Rutland’s application for a master TIF district Thursday, March 27, with conditions. “The Board of Aldermen will need to approve a boundary adjustment at their April 21 meeting,” said Jolie Frechette, a communications & PR agent hired to help with Rutland’s TIF. “Once the paperwork is…
Opinions/Columns
UVM Medical Center’s academic mission is critical to Vermonters’ health
April 2, 2025
By Mary Cushman Editor’s note: Mary Cushman, MD, MSc is a University Distinguished Professor and Vice Chair of Medicine, Co-Director Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Director, Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, University of Vermont Medical Center Recommendations from the Act 167 “Oliver Wyman report” suggest that UVM…
Trump tariffs on Canadian products could bite consumers in the behind
April 2, 2025
Dear Editor, As if the onslaught of U.S. tariffs on goods from the Great White North weren’t enough... … now this, per Bloomberg via The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington. The Trump tariffs on Canadian petroleum, cars, hydropower, medications, vehicles, and softwood lumber for construction include wood pulp for … paper products. Yes, that includes toilet paper.…
Advocating for the arts
April 2, 2025
Dear Editor, March was Youth Art Month, and we held our bi-annual show at the statehouse in Montpelier. I want to share my speech from that evening. My name is Melissa Kristiansen, and I am honored to serve as president of the Vermont Art Education Association and co-chairperson of Youth Art Month alongside the incredible…
Upset about Trump cutting crucial services? Speak up!
April 2, 2025
By Angelo Lynn If you’re worried that Trump’s proposed cuts to the administration of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will negatively affect the benefits you or a member of your family may receive, you should speak out. If you’re worried that privatizing the U.S. Postal Service will reduce rural delivery to your mailbox, negatively impact…
Capitol Quotes: Defense lapse
March 26, 2025
It was the war plans group chat heard aroundthe world. The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg received a request to connect on the encrypted messaging app Signal from a user named “Mike Waltz” (possibly the Trump administration’s national security adviser) on March 1. Goldberg was later added to a group chat called “Houthi PC small group”…
Top Events
State News
Checkmate
April 2, 2025
During the Town Meeting recess, we took the opportunity to visit our Maryland grandsons, Theo and Spencer. Six-year-old Theo challenged me to play a game of chess. I haven’t played chess in many years and even needed a refresher on which pieces could make which moves. And while I started strong, there was that gleam…
Lawmakers consider compensating landowners who open their land to public trails
April 2, 2025
By Sam Hartnett, Community News Service Editor’s note: This story is via Community News Service in partnership with Vermont State University Castleton. Should landowners who allow public trail networks on their property be compensated? That’s the question a study group would be tasked with answering under a bill in the Senate. It’s too late to…
Phil Scott extends motel stays for families and ‘medically vulnerable’ individuals
April 2, 2025
By Carly Berlin Editor’s note: This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public. On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott took executive action to extend motel voucher stays for unhoused families with children and certain people with acute medical needs through June 30. Without the…
AG: Protect your data from the 23andMe bankruptcy
April 2, 2025
Attorney General Charity Clark issued a consumer alert to help Vermonters protect their personal data in the wake of 23andMe’s bankruptcy recent filing on March 26. On Monday, March 24, 23andMe announced that they had filed for bankruptcy. 23andMe is a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company that collects and analyzes genetic information and health data for consumers. The…
Not so “Easy”
March 26, 2025
Not sure they still sell those “EASY” buttons, but we sure could have used one in the House Appropriations Committee last Friday. In an extraordinary long day, the committee finished a draft on its version of the state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The $9 billion spending plan of state and federal…
Arts & Entertainment
‘Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown’broke comic art conventions
April 2, 2025
Last week, I revisited the style of “Watchmen,” a masterpiece that took me 35 years to appreciate fully. This week is a graphic novel that struck me immediately, and it has served as a standard by which much of the art I appreciate is measured: “Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown,” written in 1988 by Walter and…
Little Feat’s evolving lineup finds consistency in making great music
April 2, 2025
Having had the pleasure of working with Little Feat and seeing them perform four times, including this current lineup, one thing holds true: whoever joins the band keeps the tradition of making great music alive. The latest additions are something special. I was fortunate to catch up with Little Feat’s long-time multi-instrumentalist, Fred Tackett, who…
Spring thrills and bumps: Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge returns to Killington
April 2, 2025
Saturday, April 5 at 7 a.m. — KILLINGTON — Killington Resort’s Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge returns for a full day of high-energy mogul competition and vibrant springtime celebration. One of the resort’s most anticipated annual events, the Mogul Challenge will once again bring together amateur skiers, live music, and a festive tailgate atmosphere at Bear…
Even for ‘Reacher’ fans, Season 3 is a stretch
April 2, 2025
A friend of mine once said that shows like “Reacher” are "Doritos shows." You know, junk food that you can’t help but keep digging into the bag, even though you know you’re full, and all you’re eating is empty calories. Amazon Prime’s hit series “Reacher” resembles a bag of Doritos. Unfortunately, as Season 3 of…
Heavy metal meets strings in a musical showdown
April 2, 2025
Do you have your tickets yet for the hottest heavy metal concert of the season? VSO bad boy Matt LaRocca has assembled the formidable foursome, the Jukebox Quartet, for another go-around of rock-inspired musical entertainment. Who said classical music wasn’t kick ass? Well, it is, and if you find yourself in downtown Rutland on Friday,…
