Rutland Region

Streetscape changes
RUTLAND—The 18th century house at the corner of West and Court streets, said to be the oldest structure remaining in the city, is no more. Once home to the Good Cents thrift store but owned by Grace Congregational Church, the small house has been demolished to make room for dumping snow from the adjacent parking lot also belonging to the church. The church said the building brought in too little rental income to justify continuing to maintain it. The demolition was opposed by a majority vote of the architectural review committee of the building and zoning department.
Red Shoe walk raises money
RUTLAND—Approximately 300 individuals of all ages walked along the perimeter of Main Street Park in Rutland to raise money for the Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter Oct. 2. Many of them wore red shoes, the signature color for the event, as a way of showing support for victims of abuse. Some—regardless of sex—wore women’s high-heels.
The walk for the shelter’s major annual fundraiser brought in some $40,000, according to the Women’s Network executive director, Aveloy Lanning. It is the only organization serving victims of sexual and domestic violence in Rutland County, providing outreach, education, advocacy, and crisis services across Rutland County since its 1979 founding.
Library activities, computers to passports
RUTLAND—A Vermont Cultural Facilities grant is enabling Rutland Free Library to replace the old restrooms in the lobby. Until construction is complete, library patrons will find themselves without the “conveniences” in the building but may use those at Rutland Superior Court across the street.
RFL patrons  now  have access to 10 new public computers, thanks to a vote by residents in the five communities the library serves. There will soon be a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compatible computer online too, offering better accessibility to blind and vision-impaired patrons, and using software developed in Vermont.
With the end of summer, the library is back on normal hours, open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday – Wednesday, 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Residents of Rutland City, Rutland Town, Mendon, Tinmouth and Ira are eligible to be members of the Rutland library because their residents have voted to support the library.
Marijuana-growing arrest: fair or foul?
CLARENDON—Broadcasts across the country noted the arrest of Adam Mahoney, a 23-year-old homeless man, charged with raising more than 40 marijuana plants in a cemetery in Clarendon.
Mahoney said he is not the owner of the plants but had been caring for them at the request of “a guy he knows.” He said his friend had been going to pay him when the plants were sold.
Mahoney pled not guilty to the felony charge, saying he badly needed money because he has two children and is the only family member working.
Local sheriff’s deputies found five pot-growing sites Aug. 17 while responding to residents’ concerns that drug activity could be taking place in the Chippenhook cemetery on Walker Mountain Road. If convicted, Mahoney may face up to 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.