Staff report A grandmother and her grandson drowned on Friday, July 20, at the Lowell Lake State Park lake access area in Londonderry, Vermont State Police reported. Julie Lawrence, 56, rushed into the water to help her 5-year-old grandson, Jaxon Lawrence, who had fallen into the water from a flotation device, according to the police…

POMFRET—On Saturday, July 21 the Woodstock Inn & Resort, in partnership with Sinuosity: Flowing Trails, unveiled three miles of completed mountain biking trails that are now accessible via the Suicide Six Ski Area’s quad chairlift. The new bike park welcomes all ages and skill levels with a variety of progressive terrains, pump tracks, a Strider…

$131,206 grant will include new base for Parent-Child Center RUTLAND—The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has awarded Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) a subgrant of $131,206 to develop a health and education center that will house the Rutland County Parent-Child Center (RCPCC). The RCPCC currently operates at 16 Chaplin Ave., but will…

KILLINGTON—Killington Resort today announced registration is open for the 2018 Fox US Open of Mountain Biking on Aug. 1-5 and spectators are invited to attend for free. The Fox US Open features a Pro/Am style format and offers the most challenging and competitive racing in the nation, setting the standard as a proving ground for…

By Julia Purdy KILLINGTON—Much of the regular July 16 Select Board meeting concerned the impending contract with AllEarth Solar of Williston for installation of a net-metering system to serve the town offices’ power needs. Bob Vittingl, a consultant for Apex Solar, the installer, was present. Before the meeting, board members  Vittingl and Town Manager Chet…

By Katy Savage LUDLOW—Peter Dickinson remembers the time he made Julia Child an omelet. He was 17 years old and a dishwasher at the Woodstock Inn and she was a guest. “It was total happenstance,” Dickinson said. “I happened to be cooking breakfast on the line that morning and she ordered an omelet. I couldn’t…

RUTLAND – The Paramount Theatre unveiled its 2018-2019 season Wednesday, July 25. “The 2018-2019 season continues to build upon The Paramount Theatre’s legacy of presenting world-class performing arts in downtown Rutland. As is always the case, we strive to present as well-rounded a lineup as we can and this season wholeheartedly celebrates that goal. We could not…

By Angelo Lynn Here’s a challenge for Vermont residents: Find an area dedicated to public use that needs cleaning up and work out a way to get it done. Why do it? Three reasons: First, it’s not that hard. Second, it’s rewarding. Third, it’ll make life in the neighborhood more pleasant and special. We mention this…

By Stephen Seitz BARNARD — Randall Szott has announced his candidacy for the Vermont House of Representatives seat in the Windsor 4-1 legislative district. The district comprises the towns of Barnard, Pomfret and Hartland. Szott, a Democrat, is running to replace Susan Buckholtz, who is not running again this year.  Szott is currently the director…

By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Vermont racial justice activist Curtiss Reed Jr. has a dream — a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream dream that the company create its first flavor in honor of a person of color — specifically, football quarterback and fellow advocate Colin Kaepernick. “Ben & Jerry’s has been talking the social justice talk for…

By Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger Gifting marijuana in exchange for another purchase is illegal under Vermont’s new legalization law, according to a guidance issued by the state’s top prosecutor Monday. Attorney General TJ Donovan’s office advised that sales of any kind are illegal under the marijuana legalization law that took effect July 1. “Any transfer of marijuana…

By Julia Purdy PITTSFORD—In a process that began in November 2017, a developer has received Conditional Use Permit No. 17-38 from the Pittsford Zoning Board of Appeals to build a Dollar General store in the north end of the village. The board’s unanimous approval is subject to the developer meeting 15 conditions, including securing and…

By Katy Savage Killington Town Clerk Lucrecia Wonsor was on the phone all day  Monday and Tuesday, a week ago, when hundreds of incorrect tax bills were sent to Killington homeowners. “People were concerned because there were some that had been taxed at the non-residential rate even though they declared homestead,” she said. Killington was…

By Marguerite Jill Dye “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around,” Willie Nelson wrote. Who’d ever imagine how great the power of gratitude is? Just making a list for a couple of weeks of two or more experiences we’re grateful for each day boosts our energy, enthusiasm, determination, and alertness for more…

By Xander Landen/VTDigger WEATHERSFIELD—The Vermont Board of Libraries struck down a petition Tuesday, July 17 to rename Mount Ascutney, citing little local support for a proposal to call the peak Mount Kaskadenak — an Abenaki word — and noting that the mountain’s current moniker already derives from the Abenaki language. Robert Hutchins submitted a petition…