Vermont Auditor Doug Hoffer released a memo June 27 announcing that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department cannot be audited at this time due to financial management irregularities. Arriving at such a conclusion is extremely rare for a public agency, Hoffer said, and reflects a judgment that the sheriff’s books cannot be relied upon to…

   Beginning on July 1, changes to Vermont Adoption Law will allow adopted Vermonters greater access to their adoption information.   “This new law makes original birth certificates, information about former parents, and details about their adoptions available to adoptees,” said Dept. for Children and Families Commissioner Chris Winters. “The adoption registry is there to help…

  Parts of Vermont continue to experience 'moderate drought,' while other areas are just 'abnormally dry' Staff report Rain fell over much of Vermont this past weekend and was forecast to continue, disrupting some Fourth of July celebrations. Fireworks at the Vermont State Fairgrounds scheduled for Monday evening, July 3, were canceled Monday morning. A Vermont…

  Michael Aponowich, 76, was a long time Killington resident who passed away April 12, 2023.  Join Nikki Aponowich and his friends to remember him on July 14 at the Rutland Country Club from  noon to 3 p.m. Michael Aponowich was a member of the Rutland Country Club for many years.

  By Paige Fisher/VTDigger Rutland Regional Medical Center announced on Friday, June 30,  that its board of directors has named Judi Fox as president and CEO. Fox has been the hospital’s interim president and CEO since November 2022, when Claudio Fort resigned. She previously served as the hospital’s treasurer and chief financial officer for seven…

  Rutland motel resident struggles with uncertainty after new legislation last week By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Susan Ladmer, of Rutland, first wrote to reporters in early June, asking for help. “I am currently housed in a homeless motel. I am a 77-year-old woman who suffered a stroke in December. Despite tremendous efforts to find out where I…

  By Katy Savage  The Rutland Redevelopment Authority has a new executive director. Ed Bove, who was the executive director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission for eight years, is starting his new role Sept. 6. “It is an honor to be chosen to lead this prestigious organization,” Bove said in a news release. “I…

  New director, teacher hired for 3- to 5-year-olds Fox Hollow Forest School in Chittenden has hired Jennifer Popp, of Pittsford (the current director of the Pittsford Recreation Center) to be the school's first director.  Popp previously owned and ran the Children’s Garden Daycare for 19 years, a highly regarded nature-based childcare program.  Joining her…

  The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Tygart Trading Post in Lamere Square in Ludlow, June 30. Chamber Director Carol assisted owners Angie and Patrick in cutting the ribbon along with Jared (inventory and online director), Abbey (trading post general manager) and Charlie…

  Staff report Owner Steven Sawyer has closed Table 24 in downtown Rutland after 15 years as a pillar of the dining scene downtown.  Sawyer said he made the decision to focus on his family more, namely his almost 9-year-old daughter.  The restaurant at 24 Wales Street closed its doors abruptly at the end of…

    Staff report On Friday, June 23, Baja Burrito Company reopened in a new location less than a quarter mile uphill from its previous one. It now occupies where Taco X previously had been (many still refer to it as the former Peppers Restaurant location) at 2841 Killington Road.  Prior to its reopening, Baja…

  Stephanie Schaffer ended her “Finding New Roads Tour” in Ludlow last week.    Schaffer is from Rutland and her story begins in the summer of 2018 when her family had planned a summer vacation to the Bahamas.  They had three glorious days together as a family.  On the fourth day Steffanie’s family had planned…

  Through a bidding process, the Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District (RNRCD) hired Fitzgerald Environmental Associates, LLC to develop a stormwater master plan (SWMP) for the town of West Rutland’s Clarendon River Watershed.  The goal of this project is to work with West Rutland on treating and reducing overall stormwater volume by developing a stormwater…

Fishing line removed from mother’s beak By Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt A loon couple that has made Lake Rescue in Ludlow its home for several few years finally succeeded in hatching an egg in June, producing the first successful chick ever recorded on the 200-acre lake in Ludlow. The adult loons, large birds with striking dappled black-and-white…

  By Katy Savage As Paul Ginther gets ready to step into his new role as Killington fire chief, he knows his job will be difficult.   “It’s going to be a challenge from top to bottom,” he said. Ginther, 53, is taking over a department on Monday, July 10 after 13 members of the…