Those who arrived at Pico Mountain Saturday, Dec. 13, could not have asked for a better day to start the 2014-2015 season. The sunshine highlight the first tracks down the nearly two feet of natural snow that blanketed the slopes earlier in the week. Photo by Robin Alberti Fresh tracks through deep powder excite eager…

Gov. Shumlin, emergency officials ask FEMA for damage assessment On Monday, Dec. 15, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) reported that the estimated cost for the storm was $2.2 milliion as of 8 a.m. that day. VTrans crews have plowed or treated for more than 120 hours continuously, covering 185,000 lane miles since the storm began last Tuesday. 12,600 tons…

Photo by Cristina Kumka Sticky notes supporting the ban of the controversial  app, “After School,” cover the windows of the administrative offices at Rutland High School . This time it was the kids in the classroom teaching the adults. A controversial mobile application that was downloaded on some Rutland High School students’ phones and used…

SOUTH ROYALTON—On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. a car driven by Allyssa Ashline, 27, of Randolph, Vt., got stuck on the tracks of an ungated railroad crossing on North Windsor Street in South Royalton, directly in the path of a northbound AMTRAK passenger train. The road surface was icy and the vehicle was unable…

RUTLAND — Monday, Dec. 15, the Vermont Foodbank held its first event at its new Park Street location in Rutland. Pack to Give Back brought together business leaders, school children, elected officials, and concerned citizens to pack holiday food boxes for 500 Rutland area residents. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be expanding into Rutland,”…

By Polly Lynn MENDON — On Sunday afternoon Seth Bridge, Jesse Bridge, Nick Paquette, Kelly Paquette and a few other friends and family admired the larger-than-life snowman they had constructed on the east side of Bridge’s Country Store in Mendon. “Inside are race-car tires to give it support,” Kelly Paquette explained. “They all race, so they…

Dec. 21 is not only the longest night but also the darkest as there there will be a new moon By Carolyn Lorié Every year, I eagerly await the winter solstice, which this year falls on Dec. 21. My anticipation is driven not from an affection for winter, but a hunger for sunlight. I want…

Vermont was awarded $7.3 million in what is expected to be a $33.4 million, four-year federal grant for pre-kindergarten programs at public schools and Head Start agencies throughout the state. The latest award is in addition to $37 million Vermont received last year to lay the foundation for its pre-K program. The earlier federal grant…

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org A company seeking to build a high-voltage power line beneath Lake Champlain applied for a state permit Tuesday. TDI New England is asking the Public Service Board for a certificate of public good to build a 154-mile underground and underwater power line that would carry hydroelectric and wind power generated in…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org A report released on Friday proposes three changes to Vermont’s property tax system. The changes include: a “renovation” plan that would lead to reductions in school spending; a “variable income tax” proposal that would replace a portion of the property tax revenues with income taxes; and a regional block grant plan…

By Mike Solimano, president and GM of Killington Resort/Pico Mountain Since I first proposed repealing the sales portion of the 1 percent option tax last fall, I have had countless positive, encouraging conversations with local officials, residents and business owners about how this measure is important for us all. There has also been much debate…

Editor’s note: The following is an open letter addressed to Vermont cities and towns. Killington is the only town in both Rutland or Windsor County to pass such a resolution. Dear Editor, I am writing today to let you know that the city councils or selectboards of 26 Vermont municipalities have passed a resolution calling…

By Lee Hamilton We are one glum country. Trust in the federal government is at historic lows, according to Gallup. More than half of the respondents to an October Rasmussen poll think our best days are behind us. And just a few weeks ago, an NBC/Wall St. Journal poll found that the one thing Americans…

By Rob Roper Here’s the puzzle the legislature must solve regarding education finance reform: How do you lower the cost of educating our kids so we can cut taxes, while maintaining or improving high student outcomes? How do you stay within the lines of the Brigham Supreme Court decision that guarantees all students equal access…

Dear Editor, I wanted to pass along my thoughts on Herb Russell, State Representative for City of Rutland. I met him recently at my Stepdad’s funeral and was so impressed by the things he’s done for the city, but most especially for the personal contact he maintained with my Stepdad Norman Dean and my Mom…