By Brett Yates In January, Bridgewater residents will have an opportunity to vote on a proposal to ameliorate the town’s troubled finances. According to local officials, anticipated federal reimbursements for flood recovery projects have not arrived on schedule. Amid delays in Washington, D.C., the town has relied on loans to keep cash in its coffers.…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger The Vermont Supreme Court has reversed a lower court ruling and reinstated the nearly 20-year prison term handed down in the high-profile hit-and-run that killed a well-known Rutland County dairy farmer in 2016. Thomas H. Velde Jr., 49, had challenged his sentence from 2018 through a civil process known as post-conviction relief.  Judge Mary…

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Emily St. Peter, 46, of Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned today on one count of felony Medicaid fraud. The charges brought against Ms. St. Peter are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), which found Ms. St. Peter had falsely…

By Sarah Mearhoff/VTDigger The owners of Simon Pearce, Vermont’s iconic glass and pottery maker, have sold an unspecified stake in the half-a-century-old business to a San Francisco-based private equity firm. Simon Pearce has been headquartered in Windsor since its namesake founded it in 1971. In a press release Tuesday, Dec. 3, the company said it had…

Pico Mountain will kick off its 2024/25 winter season at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, welcoming skiers and riders for another season of snowy adventures.  The mountain will operate Thursday through Monday throughout the season, with daily operations during holiday weeks. “This season is already shaping up to be an exciting one,” said Rich…

The first extreme skiing The ski school constructed an upward-sloping ramp in front of the Snowshed Lodge observation deck. We blew snow on it to maintain the right amount of surface needed to create a perfect ski jump. Two daredevils, Herman Goellner and Tom LeRoy, figured out that they could get enough speed to hit…

KILLINGTON—On Nov. 23, at the annual meeting of the Killington Grand Hotel Owner’s Association, Killington Pico Realty and the Owner’s Association teamed up to host a successful fundraiser benefiting the Rutland Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Kyle Kershner,  broker/owner at Killington Pico Real Estate, who is also an owner at the Grand Hotel, was invited…

Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 10-22—WHITE RIVER JUNCTION—Shaker Bridge Theatre opened “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Briggs Opera House. This yuletide sequel to “Pride and Prejudice,” written by Lauren M. Gunderson and Margot Melcon, invites audiences to experience Pemberley’s bustling servants’ quarters during the holiday season. The story unfolds as Mrs. Reynolds,…

Thursday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. — RUTLAND —The highly anticipated Jingle Bell Shop returns to downtown Rutland on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5-8 p.m., blending festive shopping with locally sourced food and drink in an event designed to support local businesses and bring seasonal cheer. For $25, ticket holders can explore nearly 30 stops…

The Festival of Trees, part of the Vermont Holiday Festival held Dec. 5-7 at the Killington Grand Hotel, once again brought holiday cheer and creativity to the spotlight. Local businesses showcased their talent by sponsoring and decorating themed trees, which filled the venue with festive magic and community spirit. The competition  featured standout designs that…

 Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 15-16—SPRINGFIELD — The Dance Factory will enchant audiences with its 33rd annual production of “The Nutcracker” at Springfield High School on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Directed by Ashley Hensel-Browning, the performance features a cast of youth and adult dancers, dazzling custom costumes, and magical elements like a growing…

By Deborah J. Benoit Cold weather has arrived, and you’ve put your garden to bed for the season. That doesn’t mean you can’t garden. Just shift your focus from outdoors to in. Adding foliage plants to your home satisfies your need to be surrounded by green. Easy-to-grow choices that are also tolerant of the low-light…

Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.—RUTLAND—Grace Congregational UCC will host its highly anticipated annual holiday concert featuring an afternoon and evening performance on Sunday. The event, a staple of the local festive season, will present “Messiah" (Part 1) by George Frideric Handel alongside Dale Sakamoto’s “Be Still.” Admission is free, with seating…

Dec. 13 through 15, from 5 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Sunday—Woodstock— Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon, Woodstock will transform into a festive wonderland for its annual Wassail Weekend, with events planned through Sunday evening. This cherished tradition blends music, history, and holiday cheer in a packed weekend designed to capture the charm…

Dear Editor, As we look toward the 2025-2026 biennium, an important conversation is unfolding in Vermont about our state’s leadership in the State House. Previously, the speaker of the House position was selected internally and did not involve Vermont’s voters directly. This year, however, the White River Valley Chamber - in conjunction with the Chandler…