Wednesday, May 23, 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—In late April, hundreds of Confederate Flag/Jewish Star flyers were stuffed between books in the Holocaust section of the Rutland Free Library. In response, the Rutland Jewish Center and the Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP are holding a forum on hate speech and the First Amendment. The forum will be…

Wednesday & Thursday, May 23-24—POULTNEY, BRANDON—Youth substance abuse is a concern in Rutland County. Here are some grim statistics: In Rutland County, 43 percent of young adults binge-drank in the last 30 days; 44 percent of young adults used marijuana in the last 30 days; and 12 percent of young adults used prescription stimulants for…

By Angelo Lynn Republicans in Congress said the tax cuts passed earlier this year would do great things for the economy and help individual Americans. While most Americans were opposed to it, Republicans nonetheless claimed it to be a huge accomplishment, and told us just to wait to see all the good that would come…

PAWLET—Edgar Cleveland, a lifelong resident of Pawlet, has declared his candidacy for the House of Representatives for the Rutland-Bennington District. Cleveland, 67, is campaigning to represent the towns of Middletown Springs, Pawlet, Rupert, Tinmouth and Wells. “There is a need for change in Montpelier,” said Cleveland, “and I know that I can help drive that…

Tobacco use is the No. 1 preventable cause of death. Vermont’s Department of Health estimates that each year smoking results in about 1,000 smoking-related deaths in Vermont. It also costs $348 million in medical expenses. Second hand smoke affects countless other lives – children, friends and family are all impacted. Tobacco, physical inactivity and poor…

By Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon A scant couple days passed after the Legislature adjourned before Governor Scott issued his highly anticipated call for a special session to redo the education funding and budget bills. Scott has suggested that with advance leadership meetings the return to Montpelier could wrap up in just…

Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Chittenden, and Sen. Dave Soucy, R-Rutland County, teamed up to get an amendment passed in both chambers of the Legislature to give the Wooden Barrel, a country store in Chittenden a potential option to keep selling gas. The narrowly crafted amendment applies to only two stores in the state and would allow…

Staff Report PITTSFIELD — Voters supported the purchase of a new $200,000 fire truck for the second time at a special town meeting May 16. Voters first supported the purchase from the floor on Town Meeting Day in March but some petitioned for a revote by Australian ballot. The fire truck purchase was approved 69-31…

Friday, May 25, 7:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Pentangle presents Jesse Colin Young Band at Woodstock Town Hall Theatre Friday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 reserved, or $45 for Pentangle members. For 50 years Jesse Colin Young has been singing songs about peace, relationships and the environment. From his folk days in Boston and his first…

By Julia Purdy KILLINGTON—Last Friday, May 11, was the first night of league play as the Green Mountain National Golf Course racked up its third week open for the season. Small groups could be seen down the fairway. Later, golfers gathered on the deck and there was a happy buzz of conversation. The course hosted…

KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced the opening of its Mountain Bike Park on Saturday, May 26, 2018. The Bike Park will host two key events this summer: The Vermont Bike & Brew June 15-17, featuring organized riding for all levels, live music and local Vermont brew; and the Fox US Open of Mountain Biking Aug. 1-5 with…

By Katy Savage Rutland Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Lyle Jepson is stepping down at the end of this month. Tyler Richardson will take up those reigns as interim executive director. Jepson has been with the organization over two years. He’s leaving at the end of this month to start his new position at Vermont Technical…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger “Expungement Day” for those with misdemeanor marijuana convictions in Windsor and Chittenden counties will take place next month. State’s Attorneys from both counties have said they were working out the details for expunging convictions for certain marijuana convictions in light of the Legislature passing and Gov. Phil Scott signing a…

Sunday, May 27—WEST HAVEN—Vermont’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway is set to begin its season of stock car racing, with a mix of 19 weekly and special events. The Rutland County track, in its 52nd season, will return to full-time dirt racing on a half-mile surface for the first time since 2009, and competition will again be sanctioned by…

CASTLETON—Castleton University announced a series of updates Thursday as part of its ongoing process to align its budget with current and future enrollment trends. The plan currently being implemented is a result of a four-month-long collaborative, exhaustive, and transparent approach to an organizational restructure that has identified cost-savings opportunities and growth initiatives. The restructuring, which…