By Adam Davis Housing continues to be an unmet need in most areas of Vermont, and local and state governments are taking measures to resolve the issue.  State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Rutland City Mayor Michael Doenges, and Heritage Family Credit Union CEO Chris Gomez came together on Oct. 16 to announce an $8 million investment…

By Adam Davis Be Music in Rutland, which opened in 1988, will continue to operate under new ownership as the beloved music store. It’s always been at its location on Woodstock Avenue. New owner Rick McConahay closed on the store purchase in September that original owner Brian Hobbs had put up for sale in January. …

By Adam Davis The inaugural MINT Soapbox Derby fundraiser took place during the annual Whoopie Pie Festival in downtown Rutland on Saturday, Sept. 14. Starting at the intersection of Center and Court streets, costumed drivers and their elaborately decorated cars raced down Center hoping to avoid hay bales and traffic cones before finishing just past…

By Adam Davis The Rutland County Democratic Committee recently held a fundraiser at a private residence in Chittenden in the effort to raise money for local candidates and help turn Rutland County into a solid blue Democratic stronghold. Prominent politicians like Senator Peter Welch and State Treasurer Mike Pieciak spoke alongside known and unknown local…

By Adam Davis Dream Maker Bakers in Killington is looking to set a new world record with the largest whoopie pie ever produced at the annual Whoopie Pie Festival in downtown Rutland on Saturday, Sept. 14. The 1,100-pound concoction will require almost 300 pounds of powdered sugar, as well as 150 pounds of marshmallow fluff,…

By Adam Davis Former Rutland City Mayor Chris Louras has been selected as one of two new housing consultants that the city has hired under a state grant to work on a transitional housing project to help alleviate homelessness. Current Rutland City Mayor Micheal Doenges said that Louras’ role in the project would serve as…

By Adam Davis Friday Night Live opened with the first show in its outdoor summer concert series in downtown Rutland on Friday, July 26 with the Jimmy Buffet cover band Captain Mike and the Shipwrecked. In addition to the free live music, the event featured multiple food trucks, vendors, and activities for the whole family…

By Adam Davis At Monday’s Board of Aldermen’s meeting, July 15, Mayor Michael Doenges unveiled a plan for the City of Rutland and Rutland Free Library to explore the possibility of co-locating at 88 Merchants Row, the Asa Bloomer Building. At 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, Doenges and Rutland Free Library Director Randal Smathers held a…

“A Very Vermont Christmas” will premiere on the Hallmark Channel, Saturday, July 20 By Adam Davis One night about five years ago, Killington resident Steve Kent told his partner Pam Rice that she had seen so many Hallmark Channel Christmas movies that she should try writing one herself. That playful remark became a challenge to…

By Adam Davis Drivers on the Killington Road have certainly noticed the newly renovated Apres Inn. The new business bears little resemblance to its predecessor, the Happy Bear Motel. New owners Casey and Brett McManus have taken painstaking efforts to revitalize the motel with a complete makeover of the interior and exterior while keeping it…

By Adam Davis On a recent late spring mid-afternoon, I took in a performance by the latest troubadour to join the Rutland-area music scene. “Boo” Al Gilberti commands the center stage of downtown’s Depot Park, attracting patrons with the lure of a carnival barker to the weekly farmer’s market taking place nearby. Clad in a…

One-way road downtown deemed best solution for downtown pedestrian and business access By Adam Davis The redesign of Center Street in downtown Rutland is taking its first steps towards becoming a reality. Rutland City Mayor Micheal Doenges presented the Center Street Redesign project at a recent Community and Economic Development Committee meeting at city hall. …