By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison County Independent, a sister publication to the Mountain Times. Deem this year’s legislative session a success, and if you think none of the goings-on in Montpelier impact you directly, here are several reasons why they do and why you should…

  Challenges in mental health and substance use stand out during a period of social and educational disruption New data from the Vermont Dept. of Health that measures students’ health risks and behaviors provides a unique snapshot of Vermont youth’s health and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2021 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS),…

  Vermont-NEA says move points to urgent need for Legislature to stop taxpayer funds flowing to private schools RUTLAND—On May 17, the State Board of Education voted to exempt private schools that receive public vouchers from the latest education quality standards.  The Vermont-NEA immediately responded saying that the State Board of Education provided yet another…

By Brooke Geery Not many people can say they’ve covered New York’s Central Park with snow, but Greg Hiltz can. A select few people can say they’ve pulled off making enough snow for a World Cup course in one night, and they’d probably have to thank Hiltz for it. In his 45-year career making snow…

  $3,250 goal to receive a 2:1 matching grant POULTNEY—Realizing an action goal from Poultney Comes Together, a 2019 community workshop, Poultney residents will soon be able to enjoy public murals downtown thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Vermont Dept. of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program and led by…

  Four local nonprofit organizations received $5,000 grants from Heritage Family Cares 4 You’s (HFCares4U). The 2023 recipients were Community Cupboard, Vermont Farmers' Food Center, Vermont Achievement Center and Northshire Day School.   People who donate at least $15 annually to HFCares4U become “Friends of the Foundation.” Friends have the opportunity to vote for the…

  Alpine Bike Works in Killington is now the first east coast retailer authorized to ship Giant bicycles direct to customers across the country.   The new program was announced in early April and allows select retailers who meet the stringent requirements set forth by Giant to ship Giant bicycles nationwide.  It comes at a…

  One evening last week, I received a phone call from one of our region’s most thoughtful volunteer fundraisers, a soft-spoken community leader I admire tremendously. After we discussed the purpose of her call — to secure hosts for an event to benefit a vital housing nonprofit — we proceeded to other topics. When she…

  By Curt Peterson About a dozen of Ed Finley’s neighbors and friends were gathered by their vehicles on a Clay Hill Road meadow in Hartland to witness release of a red-tailed hawk that had been rehabilitated at Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). The event was a unique memorial dedicated to Finley, resident on…

  Mark Foote, 30, became the department's first full time paid firefighter (other than the chief),  as well as the head of the EMS program at the end of April. “My medical first response kind of career, if you will, started when I was 16 years old,” Foote said. “I’m not a native to Killington,…

  Glenn Burres, 58, was named Assistant Fire Chief, a 25 to 30-hour a week part-time position in the beginning of April. Burres moved to Killington about 16 years ago after retiring as the deputy chief of a fire department in Newburgh, New York. “I worked up from being a firefighter up to deputy chief…

  The new municipal dept. now employs three plus volunteers, seeks growth to ensure shorter response times By Polly Mikula KILLINGTON — Over the past three years, fire and rescue services in Killington have undergone some of the most radical changes in its history: In 2020, the new Public Safety Building was completed; in 2022,…

  Slate Quarry Park,  located at 76 Main Street in Poultney, has received a 2023 Vermont Public Places Honor Award  as one of Vermont’s exemplary public places.  Slate Quarry Park is a pocket park sited in a central location on Poultney’s Main Street. It was constructed in 2021-2022 and is built of varying hues of…

By Victoria Gaither When permanent cosmetic tattoo makeup artist Angelly Graves moved to West Rutland two years ago with her husband, Miguel Graves, she knew right away it was home. “I love this community; we tried Miami. I like some things about Miami, but I am calm, and it’s calm here,” said Graves.  Graves is…

By Victoria Gaither Two new attorneys, Kevin Gustafson and Justin Schoville,  have taken over the Killington Real Estate practice from attorney Marylou Scofield.  Gustafson and Schoville moved into the building on March 1 and took up office space on the first floor at 335 Killington Road in Killington.  In a phone interview, Schoville said, “We…