A celebration of life will be held for Nessie Bale at the Clear River Tavern in Pittsfield on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 2-5 p.m. Agnes “Nessie” Bale, a longtime resident of Ossining, New York, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 22, at her home surrounded by her loving family.  Nessie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on…

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the state’s minimum wage will increase from $13.67 to $14.01 per hour — an increase of $0.34. If full-time, a minimum wage worker would earn $29,140 in a year. This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The “Basic Tipped Wage Rate” for service, or “tipped employees,” equals…

Dear Editor, As 2024 draws to a close, I resolve to start the new year with optimism and determination to protect what we care about. Our shared connection to the natural world lies at the heart of Vermont’s identity. We love the beauty and bounty of our state. We also know that a healthy environment…

 The West Rutland community recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Marble Village Apartments, a transformative project co-developed by The Housing Trust of Rutland County and Evernorth. This initiative aims to provide 24 energy-efficient, permanently affordable homes for low- and moderate-income households. The redevelopment project involves remediating three vacant properties into a three-story building featuring outdoor community…

Dear Editor, Picture a young woman, nine months pregnant, compelled by forces beyond her control to leave home and make an arduous journey with her betrothed to a foreign land, unsure of their welcome there. At this time of year, most of us raised in the Christian tradition would pretty immediately, if unconsciously, imagine this…

Dear Editor, Let’s look at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board and Department and tell me if it needs modernizing. And for those unaware, the Board is a 14-member volunteer group comprising hunters, trappers, hound hunters, and anglers from every county. The Board makes public policy decisions on our shared public wildlife without fair representation…

RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center invites amateur and professional photographers of all ages to participate in its annual photo contest, “Faces in Harmony.” Entrants must submit photos at the Chaffee Art Center during drop-off hours: Jan. 17, noon-4 p.m., and Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  This year, a professional category will be introduced alongside existing categories…

Dec. 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.—KILLINGTON — The Killington ski resort invites guests to cap off 2024 with a day and evening of festive fun at the K-1 Base Lodge. Featuring family-friendly activities, live music, outdoor treats, and an exciting fireworks show, this New Year’s Eve celebration promises a memorable send-off to the…

By Ben Kinsley Editor’s note: Ben Kinsley has over a decade of Vermont public policy experience working for non-profit organizations. He currently serves as the interim executive director for Campaign for Vermont, a non-partisan advocacy group seeking to grow the state’s middle class. As a property taxpayer, I was relieved to see that the Dec. 1 …

PITTSFORD — The Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) is moving forward with plans for its new “Home for Hope,” announcing a purchase and sale agreement for a historic building at 18 Jones Drive in Brandon. The 15,000-square-foot structure, built in 1923 and part of the former Brandon Training School complex, is listed on the National…

Friday through Sunday, Dec. 20-22—RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre plans to spread holiday joy with a series of free classic film screenings. These screenings will showcase beloved holiday movies in stunning 4K resolution with immersive Surround Sound. Thanks to support from the Rutland Regional Medical Center, these family-friendly screenings are open to all, with no tickets required.…

Friday, Dec. 20—SHARON— Looking for a different experience to celebrate the holiday season? Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon offers an evening of vintage country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and western swing at “Honky Tonk Christmas,” happening on Friday, Dec. 20, from 7-9 p.m. Admission is $25 at the door. Presented by “McCaffrey and Rooney Present,” the…

By Jared Rasic This is the time of year when I start watching Christmas movies with gleeful and reckless abandon…quality be damned. It doesn’t matter if it’s good because, ultimately, most of those Hallmark movies (or the new Netflix variant) have the same structure and story arc with only a few mild variations.  The quality…

Pico Area Association’s Outstanding  Community Member of the Year On Thursday, Dec. 5, Brett Harris received the honor of Killington Pico Area Association’s (KPAA) Outstanding Community Member of the Year. Whether attending fundraisers, cheering on the Steelers at Jax’s, or spreading smiles at local events, KPAA recognized Harris’ inspiring dedication. Harris’s passion was even the…

By Jared Rasic I went into this past weekend fully intending to see “Red One,” that new movie in which The Rock, Chris Evans, and a polar bear have to rescue a kidnapped (and completely jacked) Santa Claus. But then I realized that, ultimately, that movie is probably as critic-proof as it possibly gets. You…