Bats are once again in the headlines, but not for the reason one might assume — they need  help! There is no evidence at this time that North American bats can transmit the virus causing Covid-19 to humans, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. However, there is a very real and growing concern…

Charles “Butch” Shaw of Pittsford announced his candidacy for re-election to a sixth term to represent the citizens of Brandon, Pittsford and Sudbury in the Vermont House of Representatives on Monday, May 18. Butch was first appointed to the House by former Governor Jim Douglas in 2009 to represent Rutland District-6. Shaw has developed a…

Jim Harrison of Chittenden announced his candidacy for a new term as state representative for the Rutland-Windsor 1 district (Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington and Mendon) on May 14. He was first appointed in 2017 by Governor Phil Scott to replace former Representative Job Tate and was elected to a new term in 2018. Harrison, an independently-minded…

By Sen. Dick McCormack The pandemic, its economic fallout, and the resulting social and personal stresses, all beg for analysis. What’s going on? What are proper responses? What mistakes are being made? What fundamental problems are exposed? I’m grateful for the informed, insightful, indeed wise communications I’ve been getting from concerned citizens. It’s gratifying when constituents…

By Rep. Jim Harrison This past Friday, the House gave preliminary approval to H.673, which gives authority to towns to adopt a shade tree regulation plan. The legislation is only enabling and was advanced by the agriculture and forestry committee on a unanimous vote, which usually means quick passage on the House floor. While the…

The Vermont State Police is investigating a bias-related incident that occurred at noon Friday, May 8, in Hartford during which a man was harassed and threatened regarding his family’s presence in Vermont. The state police received a report of a hate/bias-motivated incident from the victim’s family. The victim reported that at about 10 a.m. that…

Following laboratory analysis and continued investigation into the events of Oct. 8, 2019, in Rutland and Salisbury, the Vermont State Police has determined that Christopher G. Louras, 33, of Rutland is responsible for the fatal shooting of his cousin Nicholas Louras. The confirmation was announced, Tuesday, May 12. Nicholas Louras, a 34-year-old Rutland resident, was…

Stores in downtown Rutland share precautions they’re taking to ensure safety and compliance By Aliya Schneider Under Governor Phil Scott’s order, retail stores in Vermont were allowed to open their doors on Monday, May 18, but shoppers’ experiences won’t look the same as they did before the pandemic. Scott’s goal is for a “gradual reopening,”…

The Killington Strong gofundme has launched its Relief for Basic Necessities. A portion of the funds raised from the relief effort will go to members of the Killington Community who have been strongly affected financially by the Covid-19 pandemic. The group will provide grants to help pay for basic necessities such as utilities, medicines, rent,…

As the Covid-19 crisis continues, Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF) has received support from many area people and programs that have stepped up to help those in need. WARF has been able to partner with several of them, including the Windsor County Supervisory Union (WSCU). Last week, WSCU asked for help extending the student meals…

By Katy Savage As Gov. Phil Scott allows Vermont lodging facilities to reopen, inn operators are preparing for a new normal. Many summer events that draw thousands of tourists have been postponed or cancelled this year and many are anticipating reservations will be down significantly as the guest experience changes drastically. The Woodstock Inn is…

On May 16, at 12:51 p.m., the Middletown Springs Fire Dept. responded to 4000 Saw Mill Hill Road for a report of a structure fire at a remote camp. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fully involved structure fire in the single-story camp. They noted most of the camp structure had already been consumed by the fire…

The Dept. of Public Safety fire and explosion investigation unit investigated a fire at 109 Martinsville Road in Hartland, May 13 just after 8 a.m. The fire was in a double wide mobile home owned by Karen Walker with Amanda Walker as a tenant. The homeowner left the home around 6:20 a.m. that morning, police…

School prepares to reopen with out vaccine, with new protocols Staff report Will school reopen in the fall? That is the question on every parent’s mind after two months of homeschooling with about one more to go before the summer break. Tao Smith, Head of School, wrote a letter to Killington Mountain School families May…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wU-mBEPZkQ By Polly Mikula Claudio Fort, president and CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center and Dr. Melbourne Boynton, Chief Medical Officer, discussed how the hospital is impacted as the state gradually eases the regulations that have helped to reduce the spread of Covid-19 during an interview Thursday, May 14, shown on PEGTV. At its peak, less than 10%…