By Angelo Lynn Gov. Phil Scott’s decision to ban inter-household gatherings, while allowing schools to remain open and limited access to restaurants and bars, prompted rare public pushback among Vermonters who have been model citizens in obeying the dictates Vermont has successfully imposed since the pandemic’s outbreak in March. Numerous letters across the state’s media outlets attest…

The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians and Vermont Medical Society join Governor Scott and the Vermont Department of Health in calling on Vermonters to refrain from any social gathering in order to protect and prioritize essential services like schools, child care, and health care as we see rates of…

All road troopers expected to receive devices by early December The Vermont State Police has begun outfitting all uniformed troopers with body-worn cameras, culminating a multi-year process to secure the necessary funding and fulfilling a commitment to Vermonters to deploy the devices. The state police launched an effort in 2015 to add body-worn cameras for…

Apple found to deliberately slowing down certain iPhones Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced Nov. 18  that Apple, Inc. will pay $1.16 million to the State of Vermont as part of a $113 million settlement with a coalition of over 30 attorneys general. The settlement announced stems from Apple’s 2016 decision to throttle consumers’ iPhone speeds—artificially…

By Jim Harrison That is essentially the message from our governor and health commissioner following the alarming uptick in Covid cases here in Vermont and across the region. The state broke daily records at least three times last week. We have been through difficult times before and will get through it again, if we follow…

The Department of Public Service announced that customers of an expanded list of water and wastewater providers can now get help with past due bills. Deputy Commissioner Allen said that “the VCAAP has expanded to include non-regulated water and sewer/wastewater charges from municipal water and sewer/wastewater departments, community water systems, fire districts and other agencies…

The deadline to apply is Dec. 15! Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF) wants to be sure those struggling financially during the pandemic know about all state and local resources. Last week, Vermont announced good news: the Vermont Covid-19 Arrearage Assistance Program (VCAAP) has been expanded. VCAAP helps any Vermonter (resident, business, or nonprofit) facing service…

PEAKS has enrolled KES in Smile Amazon! Calling all Killington locals, community members, and allies. The Killington Elementary School PEAKS organization needs your support. They’ve launched an online fundraiser via Amazon Smile to assist in supporting local education and enrichment programs. Your contributions will help to sustain and enhance the Trailblazers Youth Ski Program, technology…

Six Vermont organizations, affiliated in a regional effort to support people seeking asylum in the U.S., are partnering for a Giving Tuesday fundraiser, on Tuesday, Dec. 1. People who seek asylum in the United States have fled persecution and violence in their countries of birth, only to encounter the same in U.S. detention facilities. Under…

The registration deadline is Jan. 1 By Curt Peterson Killington voters approved the zoning change for Short-Term Rentals Nov. 3, 482-262, but the actual form to register required two more Select Board meetings to finalize. The state defines a short-term rental (STR) as a residential property rented for less than 30 days at a time,…

By Katy Savage With Killington Resort requiring guests to make advance parking reservations to ski and ride this winter, local condominiums and businesses within walking distance of the slopes are threatening to tow unwanted vehicles. “We are very concerned about people trying to bypass the mountain and use our lot illegally,” said Howie Goldfarb, the…

On Thursday, Nov. 19, at 9:10 p.m., officers from the Rutland City Police Dept. were advised of a stolen vehicle complaint from Panera Bread parking lot in Rutland City. While investigating this complaint, officers observed this vehicle traveling on Route 7 and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. The vehicle failed to yield, and…

Staff report While schools seemed to be limiting the spread of Covid-19 fairly well initially, a number of cases have recently been reported in Rutland County. Earlier this month, a preschooler at Orwell Village School tested positive and last week there were three confirmed cases in Rutland City Public Schools — each at a different…

Ronald J. Cioffi, RN, and CEO of the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR), one of the state’s largest providers of skilled home health and hospice services, announced plans to retire in June of 2021. Cioffi, a registered nurse and native Vermonter, joined the VNA (then known as the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse…

Senate to see women-dominated leadership By Katy Savage Shortly after announcing his candidacy for House speaker, Rep. Charlie Kimbell (D-Woodstock) dropped out of the race on Friday, Nov. 20 and endorsed House Majority Leader Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, to the position. Kimbell said he spent 2 ½ weeks calling about 80 colleagues. Most of them said…