By Brett Yates Two Chittenden residents want to organize a year-round, “nature-based” preschool for local families who’ve struggled to find full-time, affordable childcare in the area. Although the proposed Chittenden Forest School would offer most of its instruction outdoors — even in the winter — it would also need a facility for naptime and occasional…

By Curt Peterson This year’s Australian ballot and face-to-face floor vote at Hartland’s Town Meeting, March 7 will be fairly non-controversial. There are six uncontested officers – a town moderator, one selectperson, one lister, first constable and two library trustees. Select Board member Mary O’Brien is stepping down from the board mid-term, and two candidates…

By Curt Peterson  On March 7 Hartland voters will be asked to approve, via Australian ballot, the fiscal year town budget of $3,480,358 — $2,992,315 of which will be raised by taxes. This represents a 6.85% increase over the previous year’s budget. If a property owner is paying $2,000 in taxes, the proposed budget will…

Jamisyn Baker, 17, of Rutland was crowned Miss Vermont Collegiate America 2023 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2022.  Jamisyn will represent Vermont at the national Miss Collegiate America pageant in June.  Jamisyn is currently an active student at Rutland High School. She is a part of the Spanish National…

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By Curt Peterson After public comments from four residents, three of whom were in favor of the reconfiguration of the Hartland Three Corners intersection, selectman Clyde Jenne moved to accept the $1,283,889.50 bid to complete the project at the Monday, Feb. 21 Select Board meeting.  Chair Phil Hobbie seconded the motion.  Hobbie and Jenne were…

Hot Dog Hill at Okemo Ski Resort will will be hopping with excitement this Saturday from 12-2 p.m. to celebrate the addition of a new feature for their Vermont Family Adventure Run by Toyota. There will be a DJ jamming tunes, hot dogs for lunch, and skiing or riding through the obstacle course park as…

By L. Kent Wolgamott, Last Word Features Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. — RUTLAND—The Marshall Tucker Band had its hits in the ‘70s. But when singer Doug Gray looks out at the audiences at the band’s shows, he doesn’t see a room full of those who grew up on the songs.  He sees a…

Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—No. 1 James Taylor tribute artist Bill Griese will visit the Paramount Theatre from Nashville with his acclaimed Sweet Baby James show. Check this show out for the timeless music of the 6-time Grammy winner, with a performance you have to hear to believe! It’s not your typical tribute band…

By Deborah J. Benoit  Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) have been on our tables and in our gardens for so long, it's nearly impossible to think of them as growing in the wild. Once upon a time they did just that.  That's not to say that a typical supermarket tomato or a tasty, red Mortgage Lifter or…

By Victoria Gaither It was a dream come true when Als Allan, a certified professional dog trainer and owner at Mountainside Mutts in Rutland on Route 4 took over the Norman Rockwell Museum building a year ago. "This building had been on sale for over eight years. There were very few people with a commercial…

By Paul Holmes Two bald eagles take advantage of the warm weather and hunt for food on the open waters  of the Ottauquechee River on River road across from the Riverside Cemetery on Feb. 15.

Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. — RUTLAND—The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is excited to announce the return of the annual local favorite, “Real Rutland Feud” to the Paramount Theatre on Saturday at 7 p.m.   The "Real Rutland Feud" is based on the popular TV game show “Family Feud.” After a memorable show in…

A registration requirement for residential contractors had been debated for many years before Act 182, a light-touch registration was passed by the Vermont Legislature and signed by Governor Scott in 2022. Act 182 requires that residential contractors register with the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR).  At its heart, the residential contractor registration is a consumer protection…

Newly released data from the Department of Health show that most Vermont adults report they are in good health, according to a news release Feb. 16. Over the last decade, adults have taken steps to reduce health risks and increase preventive behaviors. At the same time, disparities highlight the public health challenges Vermont continues to…