Lieutenant governor race is crowded Staff report Vermont’s primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 11. Two prominent Democratic candidates, David Zuckerman and Rebecca Holcombe, are facing off for the gubernatorial nomination, while Gov. Phil Scott’s challengers on the Republican ticket are relatively unknown —John Klar, Bernard Peters, Douglas Cavett, Emily Peyton. Whoever wins the Democratic primary would have a steep…

Single person owner-operated businesses now eligible On Monday, Aug. 3, Governor Phil Scott, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Department of Taxes announced expanded eligibility for Economic Recovery Grants for Vermont businesses negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Under the original eligibility criteria, a business was required to have at least…

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos is encouraging all Vermont voters to ensure that they exercise their right to vote in the upcoming Aug. 11 statewide primary elections. For those voters who have requested early/absentee ballots, Secretary Condos recommends the voter follow all instructions to properly vote their ballot, and return it to the Clerk in…

Employers are encouraged to apply On Monday, Aug. 3, Governor Phil Scott announced that beginning Tuesday, Aug. 4, public safety, public health, health care and human services employers whose employees worked to help mitigate or respond to Covid-19 may apply for hazard pay grant funds for their employees. “It’s important for Vermonters to remember that…

By Xander Landen, VTDigger The state saw more revenue than expected after residents and businesses filed 2019 tax returns this month, which will help the state as it weathers the economic strain and budget woes from the Covid-19 pandemic. As of July 28, the state had received $160 million in additional tax revenue in July. Some…

Mary Cohen, currently the executive director of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, will take over as the next executive director of the Housing Trust of Rutland County (HTRC) beginning in September. She will overlap with retiring longtime director Elisabeth Kulas until December. Norm Lash, the Board President and Chair of the search committee, said…

By Ed Larson A spokesman for the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) confirmed Monday, Aug. 3, that an investigation was commenced on Friday, July 30 following a report by Westminster Cracker Company of an accident in the plant on July 29. Rutland City Fire, Rutland City Police and Regional Ambulance responded to the…

STOCKBRIDGE—At 12:27 p.m. on Aug. 3, Vermont State Police received a 911 call from an individual who reported finding a co-worker unresponsive following a logging accident off River Road in Stockbridge. The Vermont State Police, Bethel Fire Department, and White River Valley Ambulance responded to the scene and determined the individual was deceased. The victim…

By Katy Savage Rutland City Police are investigating an apparent shooting on Strongs Avenue. Chief Brian Kilcullen said police were called after multiple gun shots were fired from a vehicle near Avellino Bakery and Catering around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3. He said they believe no one was injured and the dept. had no…

By Curt Peterson Windsor Central Unified Union School District (WCUUSD) hosted five remote town hall meetings to discuss reopening strategies this fall. Governor Scott has set the statewide reopening date of Sept. 8, a week later than normal. The July 29 Barnard Academy Town Hall, facilitated by acting Superintendent Sherry Sousa and Barnard’s new principal…

On Monday, Aug. 3 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is investing $462 million to modernize critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in rural towns and cities. “Upgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water and modern wastewater management facilities will improve public health and drive economic development in our small…

By Julia Purdy A proposal to expand Depot Park and create an Amtrak “gateway” to make downtown Rutland more welcoming is sure to strike a note of nostalgia among old-time Rutlanders for the large passenger depot that graced the site now occupied by the downtown plaza parking lot. The old Rutland passenger depot appears in…

New organization will more efficiently serve region, businesses, aid community development RUTLAND—Two of Rutland County’s key community and economic development organizations have decided to merge. The boards of Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) and Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously Thursday, July 30, to create a merged, streamlined organization to better serve their members…

By Katy Savage After two failed budget votes, the Slate Valley Unified School District is presenting a third budget to voters on Aug. 11. The new $26.4 million budget is down about $220,000 from  the previously defeated budget and down about $91,000 from the previous year’s budget. The proposed per pupil spending number is up…

Endurance athlete seeks to raise funds and awareness for clean water project Katie Spotz, clean water activist and adventurer, will embark on a 73-mile run across the state of Vermont, making her the first woman to do so. The run will take place on Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Piermont Bridge connecting Piermont, New Hampshire…