Dear Editor, In last week’s Mountain Times, there was an article titled “Killington residents file petition against short-term rental regulations.” To be very clear, we, the Concerned Killington Taxpayers Association, that filed the petition on behalf of the voters, are not against short-term rental regulations. We are against “this version” of the short-term rental regulations…

By Cathy Resmer The demand for local news has never been greater, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) acknowledged to newspaper publishers at the start of a June 4 Zoom call organized by the Vermont Press Association. “But the market model — in order to fund it — has never been weaker. It’s just an unbelievable…

By Rep. Jim Harrison The state’s economic picture is bleak. Since the pandemic hit, tax revenues are down and will be down for at least the next two years according to state economists…all as a direct result of closed or limited businesses and high unemployment. Yet, at the same time, the governor and Legislature are…

On Tuesday, June 23, Gov. Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Labor announced changes to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program that will reduce employers’ UI tax rates and increase the maximum weekly benefit amount for UI claimants. “This tax relief will help reduce the burden on employers who’ve had to make difficult decisions to…

This article is based on a story by Miriam Valverde that was published by PolitiFact on June 9, 2020, and republished by VTDigger. For more than a week, Americans across the country have been out on the streets calling for justice for George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt…

Michael Coppinger announced his resignation from the Killington Pico Area Association (KPAA), Tuesday, June 16, after receiving a job offer for a general manager position in the Killington area. Specifics of the new position have not yet been made public. “We are happy for Mike and his family for this growth opportunity and we hope…

Barnard School Board chair says “Sayonara” By Curt Peterson On July 1, when Barnard Academy becomes part of Windsor Central Unified Union School District, the Barnard Academy School Board will cease to exist. Barnard voters approved the merger into WCUUSD, a group of seven sending districts including Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Bridgewater, Woodstock, Reading, and now…

By Curt Peterson On June 2, Dave McComb, representing a group called Concerned Killington Taxpayers Association, LLC presented the Select Board with a petition requesting a popular vote for approval of proposed amendments to Killington’s zoning ordinances that would require registration of short-term rental (STR) properties. After consulting the town’s attorney, Killington selectmen agreed to…

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) held an awards ceremony at the State House lawn on Tuesday, June 23 at 11 a.m. to honor the winners of a contest to design a photo backdrop where new drivers can pose for a celebratory photo instead of taking a selfie with their driver’s license or permit.…

Vermont-NEA task force outlines comprehensive steps to ensure safety, health, and learning A group of 25 educators from across the state issued a comprehensive list of requirements that must be met before Vermont students can be safely welcomed back to class. The Vermont-NEA task force on school reopening met earlier this month to discuss the…

By Curt Peterson If the Covid-19 pandemic has a lesson for us, it’s that our education system is both key and integral to the operation of our national, state and local economies. On June 10, Governor Phil Scott announced Vermont’s intention to reopen its 300-plus K-12 schools next fall, freeing parents of more than 80,000…

The Killington Police Dept. is investigating a number of burglaries that have taken place at businesses in Killington recently.  On Tuesday, June 23, Police Chief Whit Montgomery sent out a email to residents and business owners asking them to report any usual activity and to ensure all alarm and security cameras are in working order.  Recent…

By Lee J. Kahrs PROCTOR — It’s hard to find a silver lining during a pandemic, but Greg Maggard did. Proctor’s new town manager has been trying to get back to Vermont with his family since he left two years ago, and finally found a way. Maggard comes to Proctor via Virginia, where he took…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger RUTLAND — A night of mixed martial arts fighting in Rutland was canceled by its organizer on Monday, June 15, after state officials had sent a cease-and-desist order. Randy Felion, the owner of Fight Night Promotions, had planned to hold the event June 20, but officials said it violated the state’s prohibition on…

All staff and inmates at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility (MVRCF) in Rutland were tested for Covid-19 on Saturday, June 20, and all came back negative. Another round of testing will be done Monday, June 29. This mass testing comes after an inmate tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, June 16. “As states and…