Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. —The ALS Association Northern New England Chapter is excited to announce its 2020 Vermont kickoff event for the 20th anniversary Walk to Defeat ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Gathering in person this year won’t be possible, so the association has a fun and engaging virtual event planned. Please join virtually on…

MIDDLEBURY—Since the Covid-19 pandemic descended on the country, the state, and the community, MNFF organizers have been patiently watching developments and maintaining a cautiously optimistic position that a limited version of the 6th annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival could be staged in late August.  Indeed, the progress that the state of Vermont has made in…

‘Jaws’ kicks off the season on July 3 RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre and Vermont State Fair are partnering to open a drive-in theater on the fairgrounds in Rutland. The summer movie series will kick off on July 3 with the original summer blockbuster, “Jaws.” Covid19 has made it impossible for Paramount to host shows in its…

By Lola Duffort/VTDigger and Polly Mikula The coronavirus pandemic has transformed nearly every aspect of the American education system. And high school graduations, a hallmark springtime rite of passage, will be no exception. Many of the touchstones of such ceremonies — large crowds, a handshake from the principal — are forbidden by public health directives. So schools…

Staff report WOODSTOCK—“We have lost something that we have loved. We have lost someone precious and we are grieving. We will either allow our souls to grow from this or we won’t. And at this point, one question remains: What will be our loving choice?” said the Reverend Dr. Leon Dunkley, minister of the North…

By Polly Mikula On Friday, June 5, Gov. Phil Scott outlined a series of orders that open the door to indoor restaurant dining, out-of-state travel, and expanded lodging. All gatherings, indoor and outdoor, continue to be limited to 25 people. Scott said he felt confident that expanding the use of restaurants and lodging and allowing…

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On May 24, at about 11:30 p.m., Vermont State Police troopers conducted a motor vehicle stop on a 1999 Ford F-250 for several observed violations on Route 103 in Rockingham. During the course of the stop, probable cause of criminal activity was developed and the vehicle was subsequently seized while troopers applied for a search warrant. The…

RUTLAND TOWN—Barbara Noyes Pulling, chair of the Rutland Town Planning Commission and a senior planner with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC), announced her candidacy for the Rutland Town House District, which is Rutland-4, on Friday, May 29. Pulling, 65, is a native of Rutland Town. Her family’s Vermont roots date to 1794. She is…

RUTLAND—Chris Root, chief operating officer at Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), was recently honored with the 2020 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Power and Energy Society (PES) Meritorious Service Award for “outstanding contributions in leadership, technical and educational activities of the IEEE PES.” IEEE PES is the world’s largest technical professional organization sharing…

By Lee H. Hamilton Not long ago I was asked by several students for my thoughts on the outstanding characteristics of good politicians. What follows is my response: Good politicians are patriots, who are committed to strive for a more perfect union. They understand that they cannot accomplish much by themselves. There are scores of…

Dear Editor, The obscene public execution of George Floyd on Monday night May 25th by Minneapolis police has brought about righteous indignation and protests not only in Minnesota but across the country as the American public has finally had enough of the continuous system of non-accountablity and protection from serious prosecution afforded to brutal thugs…

To the editor, We are writing this letter as an enthusiastic endorsement of Meg Hansen for lieutenant governor of Vermont. We have known Meg Hansen for several years and are  impressed with her knowledge of the concerns facing all Vermonters. Hansen is a tenacious researcher, a gifted speaker, writer and a honest and compassionate woman.  She will…

Dear Editor, Do you feel like you’re living in some type of strange dream? Us, too. Or maybe the nice weather and a few business openings have you feeling like things might someday get back to normal? We hear you. Either way, we want you to know that WARF (Woodstock Area Relief Fund) is here…