Rutland Regional Medical Center was named to Newsweek’s 2021 Best Maternity Care Hospitals list. The distinction recognizes facilities that have provided exceptional care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek’s Best Health Care series, powered by data from The Leapfrog Group. Best Maternity Care Hospitals were…

Thomas Franco, 25, will bring diversity, new perspectives By Katy Savage After a rare tie vote in a sixth seat on the Board of Aldermen, a winner haws been declared. John Atwood stepped down on March 3 to give Thomas Franco the victory after they both got 1,222 votes on Town Meeting Day. “Thomas is…

By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Statewide, petitions to disband unified school districts had mixed results on Town Meeting Day. In addition to Stockbridge voting to split with Rochester (see story on page 1), voters favored a breakup at the ballot box in the Addison Central and Windham Northeast Union elementary school districts. But in the Windham Southeast and…

By Katy Savage A month after the Rutland Raiders name was changed to the Rutland Ravens, some fear it could be switched back. Three Rutland school board members, who led a campaign called S.O.S., were elected on Town Meeting Day, promising to demand the name change be reconsidered. Tricia O’Connor, an occupational therapist, got 1,572…

Local high school senior Alexander Stefurak of Ira, who attends Long Trail High School received the phone call from Senator Patrick Leahy congratulating Stefurak on his official appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Stefurak received all three congressional nominations from Senators Leahy and Sanders as well as from Congressman Peter Welch…

By Brooke Geery East Coast snowboarding icon Tony Chuichiolo passed away unexpectedly on March 6, after a sudden medical event, according to reports. A lifelong Vermonter and long-time Sugarbush employee who dabbled in everything from marketing to park building to events, Chuichiolo built and fostered a scene like no other. He leaves behind three children…

Wide margin gives Allaire confidence heading into third term By Katy Savage Rutland City Mayor David Allaire won his third term in office on Town Meeting Day, March 2, 2021. The incumbent earned 1,356 votes, beating Board of Aldermen members Chris Ettori, who had 1,018 votes and Sam Gorruso, who had 561 votes. Allaire also…

Staff report An environmental court judge has ordered Slate Ridge, a firearms training facility in West Pawlet that has caused local strife and garnered national attention, to permanently close. The court ruled Friday, March 5, that the facility’s owner, Daniel Banyai, must dismantle all of the buildings on his property that do not have a…

Stockbridge residents petition for revote after withdrawal from district is approved By Katy Savage Stockbridge residents decided 125-95 on Town Meeting Day to withdraw from the Rochester-Stockbridge Unified School District and operate Stockbridge Central School on its own, but days after the vote, a petition for a revote began circulating. Janie Feinberg, who is leading…

Lab results confirm presence of more infectious, deadly U.K. variant Vermont health officials have confirmed detection of the Covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 – the viral mutation first detected in the United Kingdom. in the fall of 2020. This is the first lab-confirmed evidence of any coronavirus variant in the state. The variant was detected in a…

On Jan. 13, 2021, the Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) observed its 94th year as a member of Rotary International (RI).  When it was initially incorporated as a member club of RI in January of 1927, there was some doubt among residents as to its durability.  According to one history of the club, “ There were…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg In this pandemic world, you don’t get to see new music that often so I highly suggest going to see Sami Eldebs this weekend. You have four opportunities starting Thursday 6-10 p.m. at Jax, Friday and Saturday 6-10 p.m. at the Pickle Barrel and Sunday 5-9 p.m. at The Foundry. I…

By Merisa Sherman I’m not sure if I recognize the voices, but the words wash over me like an old, worn blanket. The patterns of phrasing, the flow of emotions, combined with just the right amount of grit, make the memories come floating back and I am transported. The imaginary smells of popcorn, hot dogs…

My 16-year-old son has announced that his life is officially too complicated and, as such, things need to change. I chuckled when he brought this to my attention. My first instinct was to laugh hysterically, but I held back, knowing that would only alienate him and his feelings. Admittedly, we keep our son busy. This…

By Gary Salmon I have the luxury of having a window just above the sight line of my computer. It is my icicle monitor and I have been waiting for it to change structure now for about a month or more. I like icicles. They look nice in the cold reminding me when to turn…