By Dom Cioffi I read an article recently about a growing addiction among NBA players. It’s not chemically related, nor does it involve alcohol or sex. The addiction centers around the videogame “Fortnite.” “Fortnite” is a survival game (akin to “The Hunger Games” movies) where players are dropped into remote locations with other players. The…

RUTLAND—An exit “motorcade” for Rutland Regional Medical Center’s retiring CEO Tom Huebner was held on Friday, March 23 at 12-noon. Community members and hospital staff gathered inside the main lobby, outside and around the building to wave farewell. The Rutland fire department, police, and regional ambulance provided an escort as he drove around the building…

By Xander Landen, VTDigger The House passed a $5.84 billion budget proposal Friday, March 23, that lawmakers say addresses the needs of the most vulnerable Vermonters and makes long-term investments without raising taxes or fees. Facing little debate, the budget bill, H.924, passed overwhelmingly in a vote of 122-10. While representatives put four amendments on the table,…

On March 21, the House passed the tri-partisan Education Finance Reform Bill, H.911 on a vote of 85-54. The bill provides a restructuring of the Education Fund, updating the Vermont personal income tax code to streamline it with the federal changes and eliminating taxable Social Security benefits for low and middle-income Vermonters, while preserving funding for Vermont’s…

By Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon This past week, the Vermont House voted on a proposal to lower residential property taxes for education. Who could be against that? After careful consideration, I voted against H.911 when it came up for preliminary approval. The legislation does lower the residential property tax rate on…

By Meghan McCarthy McPhaul Often, during my forays into the woods behind our house, I wonder who might be occupying the holes carved into tree trunks by time and nature. The barred owls I hear hoo-hoo-hoo-hooing, maybe, or the chittering red squirrels. And, chances are, there are raccoons in some of those hollows, high above…

By Mary Ellen Shaw The elements of decorating seem to come together so easily when you watch the process on HGTV. However, that hasn’t always been the case when I have changed the décor in my own home. My inability to make a decision got its launch right after college. I had come back home to…

By Kevin Theissen Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn—they’ve all fallen prey to hackers who exposed passwords and other personal information for hundreds of thousands of their users. If you haven’t yet had your password stolen, chances are, it may be only a matter of time. Hearing the word “hacker” may conjure up the image of a teenaged kid…

By Marguerite Jill Dye Since beginning to write this weekly column I’ve paid keen attention to current events. I try to write about relevant themes with substance, inspiration, and integrity. I feel a sense of responsibility and have tried to keep up and stay aware through MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times, the Washington Post,…

By Polly Lynn Mikula   KILLINGTON—About 30 people attended a special Select Board meeting Wednesday, March 28, for a presentation by Brown Golf Management (BGM). The meeting was held at the Sherburne Memorial Library at 5 p.m. It was the second time the town of Killington has brought BGM in for help. The first time, was in…

By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—At 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, the Killington Select Board came out of executive session to announce the termination of Deborah Schwartz from the position of Town Manager without cause. The board unanimously approved the motion. There was little discussion. Board Chair Steve Finneron explained that “Under the contract there’s…

Courtesy BFM Staff Billings maintains a flock of between six and 10 breeding ewes and a lively group of lambs born each spring. These babies wear wool sweaters to help them to stay warm during chilly weather. Friday & Saturday, March 30-31—WOODSTOCK— Billings Farm & Museum will feature its annual Baby Farm Animal Celebration on Friday and Saturday,…

March 29-April 1—BROWNSVILLE— On Easter Sunday, the Brownsville Community Church is organizing an Easter egg hunt open to all children in the community. There will be surprises for all children who join the fun. On Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. there will be a Maundy Thursday Service preceded by a potluck soup and bread supper…

Courtesy Phoenix Books Rutland “The Ageless Authors Anthology” is a collection of poetry, essays and short stories from the Ageless Authors Writing Contest exclusively for writers age 65 and older from across the country. Thursday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.—RUTLAND— On Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m., Phoenix Books Rutland will host Jean Yeager for a reading from “The Ageless Authors…

Courtesy Pentangle Arts Huntertones Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK— On Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m., Pentangle presents the jazz-funk band, Huntertones at the Little Theater, 54 River St., Woodstock. This concert is part of a two-day arts education residency with music students from the Woodstock Union High School. In fact, the WUHS Jazz Funk Band will open the…