By Angelo Lynn “The war for truth is now the war to preserve our democracy,” is how New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman summed up the state of the union in the wake of Trump’s defeat and his willingness to fabricate falsehoods about fraudulent votes and rigged elections. Friedman’s fraught warning has been five years in the…

By Dr. Joshua White “Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds,” Theodore Roosevelt said. And so, the second wave of Covid is upon us. As I write…

Prestigious award honors Vermonters making a difference for state’s wildlife, natural areas RUTLAND—Seeking to honor a leading Vermont environmentalist and the legacy of a legendary wildlife advocate, Green Mountain Power (GMP) is calling for nominations for the 12th annual GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. Named for famed osprey advocate Meeri Zetterstrom, the award is given to one…

NBRC grant enables work on end-to-end mountain biking trail, hut network The Velomont Trail Collective and Vermont Huts Association announced on Nov. 14 that they are the beneficiaries of a Northern Border Regional Commission grant to continue work on the Velomont Trail and Vermont Huts network, bringing the concept of an end-to-end, hut-to-hut mountain biking…

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking hunters for help in a statewide initiative to gather more biological data on the state’s deer population.  Hunters who get a deer during the Nov. 14-29 regular deer season are asked to provide an incisor tooth from their deer. Biologists are collecting one middle incisor tooth from…

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) announced the winners of the highway safety message contest on Nov. 5. Cheryl Murray, 57, of Benson, submitted the winning entry in the fall round of the contest. Murray's message was:  “Don’t take the bait. That text can wait.” “I thought about writing one of these messages because we…

By Curt Peterson Windsor Central Unified Union School District and Windsor South East Supervisory Union, which includes Windsor High School, have engaged Writing Wrongs, LLC to help develop anti-racism policies. Arielle King, 22, a post graduate student at Vermont Law School and co-founder of Writing Wrongs, told the Mountain Times she and fellow co-founder and…

  The annual Gift-of-Life Marathon Blood Drive, sponsored by Green Mountain Power and WJJR with support from Farrell Distributing and Casella Waste Systems, is coming soon!  This year it will be a four-day event designed to help ensure an adequate blood supply during the critical holiday period in December. Huge precautions, in light of Covid-19,…

Donors asked to give blood to celebrate Ojala’s 100th birthday, ensure holiday supplies What do you get for someone who is turning 100? Longtime American Red Cross volunteer Mary Ojala says donating a pint of blood in her name would be the perfect gift! Organizers of Rutland’s Gift-of-Life Marathon blood drive today announced the 2020…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger As of Tuesday, Nov. 17, 26 residents and 12 staff members have tested positive for Covid-19 at Rutland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, according Richard Feifer, the nursing home’s chief medical officer. At Friday’s regular press conference held by Gov. Phil Scott, state officials said four of the 19 residents have been hospitalized.…

National franchise offers vital service during Covid-19 pandemic The Dog Wizard has announced the opening of a new corporate location in Rutland, providing pet owners throughout the region with its innovative dog training service that has garnered a national reputation for transforming pet and pet owner relationships. "Our philosophy is simple. It takes a balanced…

Staff report Rutland residents will not vote on whether or not to change the Rutland High School’s nickname “Raiders” and arrowhead logo, after a motion to put the question to a non-binding vote at Town Meeting in March failed 5-5 at the Board of Aldermen’s meeting Monday. The measure needed seven votes to get on…

On Nov. 11, at 8:51 p.m., troopers from the Vermont State Police -Rutland Barracks, responded to an armed robbery at the Stewart's Shop located at 116 Main St. in West Rutland. Upon meeting with store employees and reviewing video footage, it was learned that at 8:45 p.m., a lone white male described as approximately 5’9”…

On Nov. 10 at about 5 a.m., troopers from the Vermont State Police were dispatched to a burglary reported at Kamuda’s Country Market in Pittsford. During the investigation, it was determined a female made forced entry into the market, causing damage. During the investigation, a second burglary was discovered across the street at Maclure Library.…

By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON — The Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union wants as many kids in the schools as possible, but is poised to turn to all remote learning if necessary. The bigger concern right now is the holiday season. Rumors have been flying that Otter Valley Union High School is planning to send all…