Staff report The historic Benson Village Store has closed due to a fire last week. “My guess is that it will be declared a total loss,” said Benson Fire Chief Tom Newmann. The fire started around 2 a.m. April 29. Store owner James Tillman, who lived upstairs, was asleep at the time, Newmann said. “Before…

Staff report RUTLAND—The state police have deemed a fire that left 10 people displaced “suspicious.” The Rutland City Fire Department arrived at the fire at 75 Main St. in Rutland around 5 a.m. May 1 and found a two car garage  near the house heavily involved in fire. “There was a heavy volume of fire…

Eighth generation Vermonter, Pittsford resident, artist, educator, author, historian, mother, grandmother, friend: This does not begin to adequately describe the amazing person born at Proctor Hospital on Aug. 31, 1929 and died April 6, 2019. Between these dates was a life filled with constant learning and creativity. At 5 years of age, the Great Depression…

By Curt Peterson KILLINGTON—According to John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Food Bank, “One in four Vermonters will visit a food bank in the next year.” Quick math tells us roughly 150,000 people will seek help with food security at one of the 215 VFB partner food bank locations. Sayles addressed 260 attendees at the…

A suspect in a domestic assault received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries after he was shot by a state police trooper Sunday night, May 5, in Hartford. Police said Trooper Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks shot James Luce, 19, of Quechee after officers arrived to a domestic assault call on Quechee at West Hartford Road…

Vermont continues its safety streak to remain one of the safest states in the nation, according to research firm SafeWise. The Green Mountain State beats national rates for both violent and property crime. Vermont comes in with 2.07 violent crimes per 1,000 – half the national rate of 4.49. And the safest cities did even…

By Rep. Jim Harrison Last spring there were no fee increases and no tax hikes being proposed (other than for a scaled back family leave plan, which was met with a veto). Last year the governor was proposing to keep education rates down with surplus revenues. This year, the Legislature is likely to utilize new…

Friday & Saturday, May 3-4—RANDOLPH—The Grammy-nominated Della Mae will take to the Chandler stage Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Della Mae has established a reputation as a charismatic, hard-touring live act, building a large and enthusiastic fan base while racking up massive amounts of critical acclaim. Sensitive yet assertive, these versatile instrumentalists and vocalists…

Killington Mountain School alum Alex Lewis has been nominated to the 2019-2020 U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. Lewis received a call from U.S. Team’s moguls coach and former KMS freestyle program director Matt Gnoza on Saturday morning informing him that he had officially made the team. Lewis, who hails from Carlisle, Massachusetts and will be attending…

Grab your friends and family and join in! If you have never participated in Green Up Day, it is easy! Find your town’s information below, indexed by county. Rutland  County: Benson Daphne Bartholomew - 537-2611 bensonclerk@myottmail.com Bags available at the two stores, town office and transfer station. Leave bags along roadside and the town crew will…

Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m.—RUTLAND— The VFW 55th Loyalty Day Parade will take place on Sunday, May 5 in downtown Rutland. The parade starts at 2 p.m. sharp. The parade is dedicated to all the men and women who have, and are still serving, in all the military branches. Marching will be military units such as…

Friday, May 3, 5 p.m.—WELLS—Wells United Methodist Church Ladies Aid will be holding a teacup auction Friday, May 3 at the Modern Woodmen of America Hall in Wells. Viewing starts at 5 p.m. Drawing begins at 6 p.m. There will be a huge selection of items, including collectibles, knick knacks, glassware, jewelry, pictures, personal items,…

Friday, May 3, 4 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center is proud to again showcase young artists from over 25 Vermont public/private schools and homeschool groups in grades K-12 for the annual student exhibit. This year’s theme, It’s All About The Arts, expresses passion and commitment to encompass all of the arts.  The community is invited to the opening…

By Cal Garrison a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Pisces Moon, on the eve of the Beltane Cross Quarter. We could talk about all of that, but this week, I am more interested in talking about astrocartography. For those of you who don’t know about…

Staff report The state of Vermont encourages folks to volunteer to pick up roadside litter in their communities.   The 49th annual Green Up Day will take place on Saturday, May 4, statewide. Always the first Saturday in May, this iconic event marks the coming of spring, community, and the cleaning up of Vermont’s roadways…