Discover More from This Author: MtnTimes

For addressing affordable housing, funding matters

October 9, 2024
By Elizabeth Bridgewater and Chris Campany Editor’s note: Elizabeth Bridgewater is the executive director of the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust. Chris Campany is the executive director of the Windham Regional Commission. Housing remains at the top of the media cycle for good reason: there are still not enough homes for people. Recently, Vermont’s Department…

As many lose motel housing, 91 lawmakers demand more shelters, state of emergency

October 9, 2024
By Carly Berlin Editor’s note: This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public. Nearly 100 Vermont legislators and Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman called for Gov. Phil Scott to intervene on a mass wave of evictions currently underway from the state’s motel voucher program…

Two Medicare Advantage plans will no longer be available in Vt in 2025

October 9, 2024
By Peter D’Auria, VTDigger Two Medicare Advantage plans will cease operations in Vermont in January, leaving several thousand covered residents in the state in need of new coverage by the beginning of 2025.  The two plans, operated by MVP and WellCare, a subsidiary of health care giant Centene, will no longer be offered in the…

New analysis outlines factors that lead to FY25 education tax spikes

October 9, 2024
A combination of known factors and previously unexamined issues contributed Public Assets Institute Newly released analyses outlining factors that contributed to the FY25 education tax spike. The new analyses revealed that some districts and taxpayers have been facing disproportionately higher bills prior to FY25.  “Low- and moderate-income Vermonters can see big tax jumps even when spending doesn’t…

Suspect in triple homicide in Pawlet denies charges, is held without bail

October 9, 2024
By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger A Granville, New York, man charged with killing three family members in Pawlet last month appeared via video from a Rutland jail Thursday afternoon, Oct. 3, to face arraignment on three charges of aggravated murder. Brian Crossman Jr., 22, appeared from a jail conference room in red prison garb, his head bowed…

Killington Junior Golf wrapped up its season with a fall scramble tournament

October 9, 2024
By Arra Derderian The Killington Junior Golf League finished up its season with a scramble format golf tournament at Stonehedge Golf Course in North Clarendon this past weekend, Oct. 5-6.  “Stonehedge is a par 3 course that’s great for new golfers and kids to get out on the course and test their skills,” coach Arra Derderian…

Orvis to cut 8% of its workforce

October 9, 2024
By Neal Goswami/VTDigger Orvis, a 168-year-old Vermont-based company, said Friday it will lay off 112 workers, close some undisclosed retail locations, and discontinue its catalog “to enable a smaller and more agile business.” “Orvis is in a period of business evolution that requires us to think differently. Over the course of our nearly 170-year history, the…

Asha Carroll of Tinmouth named 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leader

October 9, 2024
The Obama Foundation Leaders program selected Tinmouth resident and former Mill River Unified Union School District (MRUUSD) school board member Asha Carroll among 205 leaders selected to join its program for 2024-2025. The program trains participants around the world in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across…

Agnes ‘Nessie’ Bale, 82 

October 9, 2024
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 Glascow, Scotland on July 7, 1942, and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Lee) Mc Lean. She was a former secretary for NBC and…

Lawrence ‘Pete’ DeCota, 90

October 9, 2024
Lawrence “Pete” DeCota, 90, of Sherburne, died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family members.  He was born in Randolph, Mass., on Jan. 17, 1934, the son of the late Louis and Eva (Savard) DeCota.  Lawrence attended Randolph High School. Lawrence married Dorothy Alice (Barkhouse) on Apr. 9, 1955,…

Clemente Joseph Bianchi, 82

October 9, 2024
Submitted Clemente Joseph Bianchi Clemente Joseph Bianchi, 82, passed away peacefully on Sept. 25, 2024, with his wife of 61 years, Lenore, and his family by his side. Clem was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on July 3, 1942.  Clem loved baseball and his NY Yankees. He grew up playing baseball and pitched at…

Killington Ski Club to debut new athlete center this fall

October 9, 2024
The Killington Ski Club (KSC) is nearing completion of its new athlete center on its training and racing venue: the Swirl Trail at Killington. The club anticipates this building will be ready for use by its athletes, coaches, and staff by November.   In 2019, KSC embarked on a journey to build a building on…

$15.9m awarded to 14 Vermont public libraries

October 9, 2024
Three local libraries receive $3.4m collectively On Monday, Sept. 30, the Vermont Dept. of Libraries announced the recipients of $15.9 million dollars in competitive grant monies to 14 public libraries in Vermont with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These one-time, substantial grants will address critical building…

Pickleball is coming to Pittsfield

October 9, 2024
By Brett Yates The Pittsfield Select Board has hired a contractor to give the town’s basketball court a new paint job and topcoat next spring. And, for the first time, the asphalt will sport overlapping lines for pickleball. “One pickleball court, though — only one will fit,” Selectman A.J. Ruben said. “It’s going to be…

How long can you hoist a stein?

October 9, 2024
Killington Resort’s Harvest Faire is Saturday, Oct. 12, featuring fall fun and games at Snowshed base area. The crowd-favorite is the stein hoisting competition, a traditional Bavarian strength contest where participants hold up a one-liter stein (glass mug) for as long as they can. See page 22.