By Stephen Seitz When she was younger, Kelly Stettner never thought she would be an environmental activist. “My husband and I were walking along the river, and we saw all this trash piled up along the banks,” she said in a 2014 interview. “I said, ‘Can’t somebody do something about this?’ and my husband said,…

By Katy Savage After two failed attempts, voters approved the Slate Valley Union Unified School District budget by just 16 votes: 1324-1308 on Aug. 11. The $26.4 million operating budget is down about $91,000 from the previous year while the $16,394 per equalized pupil spending is up 1.99% and the equalized tax rate of $1.45…

By Katy Savage The Rochester-Stockbridge Unified School District budget passed 262-211 on Aug. 11 after voters defeated the original proposal in June. The $4.37 million budget is down about $37,000 from the previous year’s budget and down about $19,000 from the original budget proposal. “I felt positive about it,”  White River Valley Supervisory Union Superintendent…

By Curt Peterson On Aug. 11, 654 Hartland voters approved funding redesign and construction of the Three Corners intersection of Quechee Road, Route 5 and Route 12 to the tune of $1,425,000. There were 385 votes against the bond. The new intersection will be a simple four-way stop, and the Route 5 “bypass” will cease…

By Polly Mikula Same Sun of Vermont is wrapping up a 500-kilowatt solar installation at Rutland schools this month. The project is part of energy performance plan created by Johnson Controls and financed by energy savings generated through the plan, rather than taxes. “It works well in areas where there is no appetite for higher…

Vera Rivard, 16, of Derby, Vermont and Springfield, New Hampshire, will attempt an English Channel swim this week. Rivard is an Upper Valley Aquatic Club (UVAC) swim team member, she was the Vermont Sport’s Magazine Athlete of the Year 2019, and she is an open water swimming phenom. She arrived in Dover, England Aug. 8…

Saturday, Aug. 22 at 9 a.m.—RUTLAND—All are invited to participate in the Grace Steeple Chase scavenger hunt. This celebration of Rutland’s history and heritage is dedicated to the memory of Lincoln Fenn, a long-time member of Grace Church and historian extraordinaire. The Steeple Chase is free and all are welcome. Please park in the West…

Unofficial results from the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office show that 170,586 people voted in the primary election, a 39% higher turnout than the recent primary record of 122,437 set in 2000. Historically, towns typically report 20% to 25% participation of their registered voters for primary elections, according to Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos.…

Staff report Governor Phil Scott announced, Friday, Aug. 14, that he was extending the Covid-19 State of Emergency by a month, to Sept. 15. Scott said the State of Emergency is a tool that is needed to be able to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances in order to protect Vermonters from a potential surge…

Bridgewater, Poultney, Proctor, Quechee and Rochester among them Governor Phil Scott announced Aug. 13 the recipients of $3.2 million in downtown and village center tax credits to support 30 projects in 27 Vermont communities. “I’m proud to see Vermont’s continued commitment to investing in their downtowns during these uncertain times - it is a testament to our sense of…

Support your favorite downtown shops and you can enter to win $500 cash! RUTLAND—Shop locally in Aug. and Sept. with the Downtown Rutland retail passport! Snag a passport at any of 15 participating locations in the historic downtown district. Inside each passport you’ll find a business directory, rules for participation, and places to get stamped!…

By Cassandra Tyndall The brilliant and dynamic Leo New Moon may inspire a special kind of warmth and radiance that can boost your confidence, helping you be seen in a new light. Taking the lead in a situation may see your leadership skills affirmed or recognized. In addition, a fusion between the Sun and Mercury,…

By Kevin Theissen As we face increased uncertainty about our lives, work and the markets, it can be easy to become anxious and fearful. We may face more surprises as we learn to live with the pandemic and figure out how to manage the economy through this. The best way to prepare ourselves and combat…

Last July, Rich Kelley posted a most unusual photograph to the Vermont Birding Facebook group with the caption, “Someone bit off more than he could chew.” The photo, taken in the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, showed a belted kingfisher weighted down by a mussel clamped firmly onto its beak. They were locked in an embrace…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg The defending champs have never finished with a losing record so they had to win both their games last week. They were also battling Karrtel for playoff seeding. First up was First Stop Board Barn and they didn’t want to be the first victim. Defend Title Fantastically (DTF) started out hot…