By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — A Vermont judge has rejected a Rutland man’s challenge to the “sniff test,” ruling the smell of marijuana alone does provide probable cause for police to search a vehicle. “Vermont’s decriminalization statute explicitly states that it leaves unchanged marijuana’s ability to furnish probable cause. The national consensus is…

By Stephen Seitz (Updated with edits May 25, by Todd Trzaskos at Vermont Wine Media) LUDLOW—Local connoisseurs don’t have far to go to find the latest offerings of Brook Farm Vineyard. The vineyard has come to Ludlow at 116 Main Street, the Circa 1810 tasting room. Brook Farm, located in Proctorsville, grow and make wine from…

Rochester, Royalton, Mount Holly and Ludlow to vote on measures By Evan Johnson Closing high schools and unifying school districts are the ballot items voters in central Vermont will confront in the coming weeks. Thanks to a measure approved by the Legislature, the deadline for towns to pass Act 46 unification measures has been extended…

RUTLAND—The Rutland Recreation and Parks Department has a few camps beginning this week, and is announcing more summer camps to come for the rapidly approaching summer vacation. Counselor in Training (CIT) program will be offered in a two-day program, June 1 and 3. Looking for a great summer experience working with children? The CIT program…

Killington Stage Race returns for Memorial Day weekend The Killington Stage Race (KSR) is a three day bicycle stage race held on Memorial Day weekend in and around Killington. Cyclists from across the U.S., Canada, and international racers from as far as Bermuda and New Zealand traveled to Killington for the Memorial Day Weekend to…

By Peter Huntoon This year, Spring Open Studio Weekend, May 27-28, is comprised of a network of 181 visual arts sites located all across Vermont that are open to the public for the weekend. Twenty-four are galleries, educational organizations, or community arts organizations. One hundred and fifty-seven are artists’ studios. Visitors can use our map…

Friday, May 26, 5 p.m.—POULTNEY—The Rutland County Audubon art show, “Our Natural World in Art,” will feature regional artists in various media exhibiting their wildlife art at Stone Valley Arts at Fox Hill in Poultney, May 26-June 11. The show will open with a reception Friday, May 26, 5-8 p.m. Hours that weekend (coinciding with Open Studio Weekend)…

Friday, May 26, 7:30 p.m.—TINMOUTH—Northern Flyer steams into railroad-less Tinmouth Friday, May 26 for a 7:30 p.m. concert at the Old Firehouse. Northern Flyer is a new band formed by veteran Vermont bluegrass musicians. Their bios include just about every Vermont bluegrass band,  including the Bluegrass Gospel Project and the Modern Grass Quintet. They combine first-rate…

May 27-28—WEST RUTLAND—The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center is celebrating 30 years this year, and continues to offer quality workshop. May 27-28, participants in Letter Carving for Beginner-Intermediate will be introduced to the ancient Roman techniques of v-cut letter forms using hand chisels and mallets. Instructor Kerry O. Furlani will demonstrate drawing, composition, and spacing…

May 27-28—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage, announces the seventh annual Cheese and Dairy Celebration Saturday and Sunday, May 27-28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Vermont’s rich dairy heritage during this two-day event by meeting New England cheesemakers, sampling their delicious artisan cheeses and dairy products, and taking part in engaging dairy education programs. Billings…

Saturday, May 27, 7:30 p.m.—HUBBARDTON—On Saturday, May 27, 7:30-10 p.m., the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site in Hubbardton hosts an astronomy star party and workshop with the Green Mountain Astronomers. The astronomers invite the public to an evening of gazing at the stars and offer help with personal telescopes. Bring a telescope if one is…

CAVENDISH—Cavendish residents, it’s time to think about which photograph to submit for next year’s calendar. The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association publishes a calendar each year with photographs that celebrate the beauty of Cavendish. Photos are submitted each spring and the community then gets to pick the twelve best submissions for the calendar. Photos must…

Thursday, May 25, 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph is hosting a free outdoor concert featuring Across The Pond, a tribute to The Beatles, Thursday, May 25, 6-8 p.m. Across The Pond has been playing to sold-out crowds throughout the Northeast since 2006, celebrating the music of The Beatles. They cover every era of Beatles music,…

Thursday, May 25, 7 p.m.—LUDLOW—The Friends of the Library of Ludlow have announced that “The Circle” by Dave Egger is the selection for the monthly book discussion held Friday, May 25, 7 p.m.. Mae Holland, a recent college graduate, lands a job at a powerful technology company which she feels is the job of a…

May 27-28—PLYMOUTH—The residents of Plymouth are hosting a two-day tag sale featuring a wide range of antiques, contemporary treasures, knick-knacks, sporting equipment, and good-quality clothing over Memorial Day weekend, May 27-28, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Plymouth Community Center (the old elementary school), 35 School Drive, Plymouth. The center is just north of the municipal…