By Christopher Ross, Addison Independent Doug Farnham, economist and director of policy, outreach and legislative affairs for the Vermont Department of Taxes, gave a talk titled “Understanding Your Education Property Tax,” last month at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm — an unheated barn lobby with one or more occasionally chatty horses on the other side…

Dear Editor, I was recently asked to become the ambassador for the upcoming Gift-of-Life Marathon, and saying yes to this was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. Just a little over a year ago I was injured in an explosion while on vacation, causing many life-changing injuries including the loss of both…

Dear Editor, A couple of times recently, I’ve driven through Brandon, which is now emerging from its own four-year ordeal of downtown disruption — leading to a whole new pattern of streets and sidewalks. While I’m sure that this period has been a trial for businesses, residents and those of us who occasionally pass through,…

By Angelo Lynn In a little noticed Department of Public Service review of the state’s current net-metering structure, the DPS recommends to the Public Utility Commission that the net-metering rate be reduced from the current 17 cents per kWh to 9.2 cents per kWh — cutting the rate almost in half, and effectively knocking the…

Acting Commissioner of Taxes Craig Bolio has released the statutorily required education tax rate letter which forecasts the education tax yields for resident homeowners and the nonhomestead tax rate (formerly called “nonresidential”) for the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2021. The forecasted FY21 homestead property yield is $10,883 compared to $10,648 for FY20 (the current property…

By Xander Landen/VTDigger One of the staunchest gun-control advocates in the Vermont Legislature will propose restricting the state’s open and concealed carry laws in 2020. Sen. Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden, said Tuesday, Dec. 3, that he will be introducing legislation that would prevent people from carrying semi-automatic weapons in areas including parks, stores, restaurants, airports, places of…

Killington Resort’s parent company, Powdr Corp, announced it acquired its first Canadian resort on Dec. 3:  SilverStar, a family owned ski area in British Columbia with 3,282 acres of skiable terrain, a 2,493 foot vertical drop, and annual snowfall of more than 23 feet. Award-winning SilverStar Mountain Resort is recognized as one of Canada’s best…

Resort to open Dec. 14 The Woodstock Inn & Resort, in partnership with Arena Snowparks, is constructing two new terrain parks and freestyle terrain at the resort’s Suicide Six Ski Area for the 2019-2020 ski season. The mountain’s Milky Way will contain smaller, entry-level terrain while Lasky’s Lot will cater to intermediate skiers and riders.…

Edwin D. Abrams, fair housing champion, happy husband, devoted father and passionate skier of Vero Beach and formerly Boston, Massachusetts, died Friday, Nov. 29, at 84 years young. Known by all as Ed, he is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Marilyn Abrams; his children: Martha Abrams-Bell and her husband Matt Bell of Dorchester,…

  By Lee J. Kahrs/The Reporter PROCTOR — The first of December has come and gone, but an offer to buy the 1,600-acre Chittenden watershed is still in play. Despite extending the deadline to accept his $1.5 million offer to buy the parcel owned by the town of Proctor, former Rutland-area resident John Gerlach, who…

The talents and community orientation of students from Woodstock Union Middle/High School will be on display during Wassail Weekend Dec. 14-15. The combined high school and middle school band members will kick as a festive group with over 75 members strong. The students work annually memorizing a medley of secular holiday songs to perform as…

By Virginia Dean It may have become an extinct 19th-century tradition among English villagers who used to celebrate the dawning of Christmas by splashing trees with cider while firing guns or beating pots and pans, but wassailing is alive and well in this tiny 21st-century New England town in which the impending festive season takes…

By Katy Savage Rene Rinnekangas’ childhood dreams came true in Killington last week. The 20-year-old snowboarder from Finland was named to the global pro team for Waterbury-based Rome Snowboards at a ceremony Dec. 4 at Darkside Snowboards. “It was a surprise,” Rinnekangas said. “It was amazing.” Rinnekangas, who has made it to several podiums in…

Pico Mountain opened for the season Saturday, Dec. 7,   the earliest opening in the past 20 years and on the heels of installing a 16,850 foot pipeline to bring snowmaking water from Killington. Since installment of the new pipeline, Pico ponds have been refilled twice, allowing the mountain to recharge the snowmaking system faster…

By Rep. Jim Harrison This past Wednesday, Dec. 4, members of the Vermont Legislature returned to Montpelier for a day of briefings in preparation of the new session on Jan. 7. The agenda included updates on clean water, climate initiatives involving transportation, the Vermont economy and fiscal issues. Once again Vermont leads the nation with…