Five candidates are seeking four three-year terms on the Rutland School Board of Commissioners on March 7. Incumbents Kevin Kiefaber and Cathy Solsaa are running against newcomers Mary McDonald, Heather Hauke and Ryan Carney as Alison Notte, the chair of the board, and Peter Fagan, who was nominated to the board in May, aren’t seeking…

By Brett Yates Pittsfield’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 is smaller than the previous year’s, but the amount to be raised by municipal taxes has gone up by about $100,000. “We had more surplus money last year than we do this year,” Town Clerk Trish Abbondelo explained. The town plans to spend $633,140.46, of…

By Brett Yates Vermont towns have a long tradition of electing their public servants, including some who occupy positions to which, in other parts of the country, they’d usually be appointed or hired instead. But in an era of waning citizen participation in local government, Chittenden may become the latest municipality to leave parts of…

By Curt Peterson  Woodstock voters will decide on a $7,681,341 budget on Town Meeting Day, March 7. Major items in the budget include $2,254,023 for highways, $1,402,577 for ambulance department expenses, $622,430 for the fire department and $446,103 for police. One town budget item is $271,250, labeled “Select Board contingency.” This line item is intended…

Vermont State Police troopers and members of DMV Enforcement responded to a collision between an Amtrak train and a tractor trailer on Quarry Road near Route 14 in Sharon.  No injuries have been reported in the crash, which occurred at about 11:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, when the train struck the tractor trailer’s trailer…

James L. Kohnowich died on Jan. 22, 2023. He was born in Saddle Brook, New Jersey on Dec. 23, 1948, to John and Julia (Thompson) Kohnowich. He is survived by his children Katie and John (Jenna); grandchildren Asher and Lilah; his sister Leslie (Jim) and nephews Jeff and Dave.  Jim, as he was known, found…

Michael Perry passed into the arms of Jesus Sunday evening Feb. 26 at the age of 77 after a long fight with cancer.  He was born in East Middlebury in 1946 to Pete and Rhoda (Goodro) Perry.  Both sides of his family have deep roots in the state. His maternal grandfather was Harry Goodro who,…

Monday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Head to the Paramount Theatre in downtown Rutland this Monday to see the world famous Toto! Collectively Toto has over two billion streams worldwide on all streaming services. Just last year one of their biggest hits “Africa” went from being a Platinum single to being recently recertified 6X Platinum.  The band has…

By Alan Sculley, Last Word Features Not long ago – in 2019, to be exact – it looked like Toto’s long and successful run might have really come to an end. In the time leading up to the split, there were questions about the future involvement of founding member, keyboardist David Paich, and long-time keyboardist…

Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m. — CHITTENDEN — The Chittenden Dammers snowmobile club will be holding a “Dam Good Raffle” with a grand prize is $5,000! Second prize is $750 and third prize is $250. Only 150 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held in the barn at The Mountain Top Inn…

Saturday, March 4 at 6 p.m. — LUDLOW— Head to Okemo Mountain Resort for Rockstar and Rails, a competition including insane fun, prizes, music, food and drinks under the lights at night. Event begins at 6 p.m. and ends around 9 p.m. at the Okemo Clock Tower Base & The Bull Restaurant and Bar. The Okemo…

Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m.—CASTLETON—This month, Castleton University’s Film Festival returns with a series of films directed by and centering on women. The films feature themes of identity, womanhood, and coming of age from across the spectrum, each with a unique perspective. The Film Festival spans four days over the course of two weeks.…

Friday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m.—QUECHEE—Celebrate winter in Vermont! Explore the natural world as we hike the beautiful trails at the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS) Nature Center (149 Nature's Way off Route 4 east of Woodstock) and prowl for owls. Find out “Hooo’s” out there making raucous noises in the nighttime forest and…

Friday-Sunday, March 3-5—KILLINGTON—Killington Resort, Darkside Snowboards, and Burton are teaming up once again for the 9th annual Slash & Berm Banked Slalom. Snowboarders will gather at The Stash terrain park in Killington to take advantage of the natural terrain and all the creative elements the mountain has to offer for a great cause. This year’s event will benefit Ryan…

By Curt Peterson Hartland’s “BG’s”, officially became Three Corners Market, Inc. as new management took over on Jan. 1, and was immediately “closed for renovations” for six weeks. Residents say they never realized how important the store was until it wasn’t available. Bill Gaucher, now 65, left town on an “on the road” odyssey for…