By Joyce Judy In this time of heightened dialogue around the future of higher education in Vermont, I am compelled to reflect on the narratives that inform and affect our students and their families. I am reminded that our responsibility to Vermont’s students is a collective one, and it is in this spirit that I…

Dear Editor, Governor Scott has signed H.511, making Vermont the first state, by legislative process, to legalize pot for recreational use. On July 1, it will be permissible to possess one ounce of pot and store an unlimited quantity harvested from two mature plants. If the governor’s oft expressed requirement that children must be protected in…

Dear Editor, Over the past week, College of St. Joseph students arrived back on campus after their winter holiday break and began adjusting to their new class schedules. In addition to classes, students are gearing up for another successful semester of giving back to their local community. Within CSJ’s Provider Scholarship Program, students are required…

Dear Editor, I stopped by Michael Brands’ office Tuesday, Jan. 18, to find out about what is being done about the dangerous situation I am being placed in, with all the trees being cut, removed and butchered along the river bank abutting my home on the Ottauquechee River. Now I have ice blocks the size…

Dear Editor, I would like to reply to Founder and CEO of Powder John Cumming’s nice email newsletter to passholders from Jan. 8. I admire very much his and Powder ’s accomplishments in the ski industry, in particular the level that he and others have brought Killington up to. But I have to point out…

Dear Editor, On Saturday afternoon this past weekend, my cousin Alice, who lives here in Killington, wanted to show me and Dee, my friend, a beautiful sight on Thundering Brook Road and Kent Pond. It was a magnificent view on the frozen pond looking back on the mountains with cross country skiers enjoying a picture…

By Kevin O’Connor Kelly Clark used to be the only American snowboarder to compete at four Olympics. That record was broken Monday when Clark was selected to represent the United States in the sport for the fifth time. Clark, a 34-year-old who grew up in West Dover and who won gold in 2002 and bronze…

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to 23 jurisdictions, demanding documents that could show whether each jurisdiction is unlawfully restricting information sharing by its law enforcement officers with federal immigration authorities. All 23 of these jurisdictions were previously contacted by the Justice Department, when the department raised concerns about laws, policies, or…

Courtesy of Killington Resort A snowboarder does a frontside grab clearing the 18-foot walls of Killington’s superpipe at Bear Mountain. KILLINGTON— Bear Mountain has a new attraction for skiers and riders seeking big air. Killington Resort’s Superpipe opened Jan. 10. At 325 feet long and with 18-foot high walls, the Superpipe is a Beast! (For…

Courtesy of Dane Stillson A barn built in the early 1800s and was recently dismantled in Tunbridge. It yielded some of the best and most valuable materials to date, according to Dane Stillson, owner of First Class Custom Carpentry. All the beams were hand hewn and the roof, walls and floors were all hemlock, which…

Submitted Connor Solimano RUTLAND— The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announced Jan. 11, that high school students Harrison Onward Clark Bushnell and Connor James Solimano will join Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Bernard Sanders in representing Vermont in the nation’s capital during the 56th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 3-10. Harrison…

Submitted Cover of Shinn’s new book “World Class” released this week. By Karen D. Lorentz In the era of women’s marches that continue the struggles against inequality, glass ceilings, and sexual exploitation, it’s particularly timely to see the publication of a book on women achieving success. While “World Class” is the story of the making…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger There are no “bells and whistles” in Gov. Phil Scott’s 2019 budget. As expected, there are also no new taxes and no new fees. Nor have any big initiatives been proposed in the budget. Instead, the governor’s office gave the Legislature a menu of options for solving the state’s $80 million…

By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON— Four candidates will vie for the one open seat on Killington’s three-person Select Board. Jim Haff, Jay Hickory, Kelly Lange and Chuck Claffey submitted petitions  with at least 10 signatures to the town by the filing deadline, Monday, Jan. 29 at 5 p.m., securing their candidacy. Chris Bianchi is not…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — Ten candidates are facing off for five seats on the Rutland city Board of Aldermen. Three of the five incumbents are seeking re-election to two-year terms on the 11-member panel. The filing deadline was 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29. Town Meeting Day is Tuesday, March 6. Alderman Ed Larson, who…