RUTLAND—After nearly two years of accomplishment in leading College of St. Joseph, President Lawrence G. Jensen has announced that he plans to retire. Jensen, who became interim president in 2016 and was named the College’s sixth president in 2017, made the announcement to faculty and staff on Tuesday, Feb. 27. “It has been a wonderful…

Over 500 rural homes and businesses in Vermont that are currently unserved by high-speed internet service could get connectivity in the near future, according to a Feb. 20 news release. These homes and businesses are in unserved areas of Vermont eligible for financial support from the next phase of FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF), which…

 By Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon Education funding Leadership in the Vermont House made it a priority earlier this session to address the way we fund K-12 education. The current system, which was born out of Act 60 about 20 years ago and later amended with Act 68, when the sales tax…

By Stephen Seitz LUDLOW—After postponing its meeting twice, the Two Rivers Supervisory Union has adopted a budget of close to $6.2 million. The final figure adopted by the board is $6,180,132, about $11,000 lower than the previous proposal. “The proposed budget covers the central office and special education,” TSRU Superintendent Meg Powden said, adding that…

By Michelle Monroe Vermont’s education tax system is notoriously complex. When reviewing the school budgets presented prior to Town Meeting Day, here are some things to keep in mind. All education taxes go into the Education Fund. Since the Brigham decision and the passage of Act 60, Vermont has paid for its schools as a…

By Karen D. Lorentz KILLINGTON—Skiers and riders interested in Killington have a new season pass option for winter 2018-19 called the Ikon Pass. Killington and Pico will continue to offer their respective season passes, but those rates have not yet been released. The M.A.X. Pass is not being offered next season. The Ikon Pass, a…

RUTLAND – To honor the lives lost and families affected by the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, College of St. Joseph will host a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. The entire community is invited to join students, faculty and administration in remembrance of the victims of the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland,…

RUTLAND—Always wanted to live in Vermont? Here’s your chance to move to the Green Mountains—and live in a free, super-efficient smart home! Green Mountain Power (GMP), Naylor & Breen Builders, the United Way of Rutland County, NBF Architects and Rutland Mayor Dave Allaire kicked off GMP’s Rutland Innovation Home Contest Monday, Feb. 26, a national…

CASTLETON—Castleton University announced Friday, Feb. 23, that as part of a comprehensive response to a projected operating loss of $1.5 million for the current year, it will restructure its current workforce through a combination of layoffs, position eliminations, and early retirements. The restructuring will also enable the University to minimize a projected shortfall for the fiscal year…

RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre has a full week of acts this week, from bass-y dinosaur roars to a classical bassist symphony performer. The week starts out with the continuation of this past week’s “Vanya, and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” being performed by Vermont Actors’ Repertoire Theater in the Brick Box on March 1, 2, and…

Cal Garrison (a.k.a Mother of the Skye) writes weekly horoscopes for The Mountain Times. If you would like an emailed notification sent to you weekly, sign up for the newsletter, below. Want to hear more from Mother of the Skye? Check out Mother's Celestial Inspirations for a deeper look into this weeks horoscopes Mother of the Skye…

By Cal Garrison, a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Cancer Moon. At about 4:50 p.m., the Moon will turn Void-of-Course and remain in that mode until 11:42 p.m., when it enters the sign of the Lion. As much as I would love to be able to make…

“Vanishing Vermonters” is the newest and most important of Miller’s five books on his home state. He recorded 23 Vermonters on how they cope in one of the most expensive states in the Union. The book includes 168 pages and 91 photographs that display life in Vermont rather than its iconic beauty. This book came…

Saturday, Feb. 24, 5:45 p.m.—WHITE RIVER JUNCTION—With the Winter Olympics underway, many people are watching the fast growing sport of curling. While it is easy to understand curling, to truly appreciate the game is to experience it. The Upper Valley Curling Club will hold a Learn to Curl Clinic at the Barwood Arena in White…

Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce’s presentation of the Real Rutland Feud will take place Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Paramount Theatre, the culmination of the week-long Rutland Winter Fest celebration. The Real Rutland Feud will pit local businesses against each other in an effort to raise funds for the Regional…