By Brett Yates Editor’s note: The following is the first in a short series of reviews of mostly older films whose narratives prominently feature skiing and ski resorts. The opening shot of “Downhill Racer,” the 1969 Alpine drama starring Robert Redford, initially registers as an abstract composition: a dark, diagonal bolt against a white backdrop.…

New signage for Pawlet Town Hall proposed PAWLET—The Pawlet Historical Society intends to erect a roadside historical sign near the Pawlet Town Hall, bearing the following language: “Third Century of Service. The Pawlet Town Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an 1881 High Victorian Italianate style structure. It was built in…

West Rutland school budget up for third vote following tie on Town Meeting Day WEST RUTLAND—Voters rejected their school budget with a 159-159 tie vote on Town Meeting Day, March 7. They turned out again in nearly the same numbers and turned the budget down again, 157-153, said Rutland Central Supervisory Union Superintendent Debra Taylor.…

DANBY—Police arrested a 21-year-old Danby man on multiple counts of selling drugs last week. Cory Munger was arrested Thursday, April 6, on three counts of selling heroin and one count of selling crack cocaine. The arrest was the result of an investigation by the Vermont Drug Taskforce, during which detectives completed a number of controlled…

Last week, Vermont State Police arrested 65 individuals as part of a coordinated statewide arrest warrant sweep. All of these individuals have pending criminal charges in Superior Court (felonies and misdemeanors) and failed to uphold their court obligations, which resulted in warrants being issued for their arrest. Troopers from all 10  state police field stations…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A man charged in a single-vehicle crash that killed his girlfriend has reached a plea agreement that could let him avoid serving any time behind bars. The plea deal heads off a legal battle that had been brewing over the admissibility of a blood-test for alcohol impairment in light of…

RUTLAND—About 85 Stafford Technical Center students participated in the SkillsUSA Leadership Conference held at various locations around South Burlington, April 4-5. Stafford Technical Center garnered 52 medals in individual and group competitions, including 13 gold medals, 19 silver medals, and 20 bronze medals. Medal winners attend Stafford Technical Center in Rutland from the following schools:…

By Sue Skaskiw Imagine the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach if you’ve just rescued two dogs in need of a home, only to have them jump out of your car window three days later. This is a true story. Neither dog, Molson or Tucker, knew the area. To make it worse, it…

Wednesday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Celebrated piano soloist George Winston will play at the Paramount Theatre Wednesday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. Since 1972, Winston has released 13 solo piano albums. This concert will feature his summer show, which will include melodic spring and summer-type songs, some of Vince Guaraldi’s “Peanuts” pieces, pieces inspired by the New…

Dear editor, Earl Butz was Richard Nixon’s Secretary of Agriculture and was famous for telling farmers to “get big or get out.” He was responsible for rolling back many New Deal era policies that insulated farmers from the vagaries of the market and nature’s sometimes capricious moods. Farming began its perilous decline from stewardship rooted…

Dear Editor, People ask me why I work as a licensed nursing assistant (LNA) for a living. It’s for my patients. I give each patient my all, but with understaffing my all isn’t enough. Our patients deserve the best care we have to offer, but right now I can’t provide that. Patient care and safety…

By Duane Peterson The American government has officially reversed course on protecting us from climate change. National security is the central priority we expect from the federal government, so this is truly alarming, for our nation and our planet. But despair is not an option. There are actions we can take as individuals to fight…

By Lee H. Hamilton The recent announcement by FBI Director James Comey that his agency is investigating links between members of President Trump’s campaign and Russia has upended Washington. Yet there needs to be an even stronger and broader investigation to get to the bottom of what happened. There are really two questions at hand.…

By Mike Polhamus, VTDigger Four House members are proposing what they’re calling tax reform bills that all seek to institute carbon taxes while reducing or eliminating other taxes or returning the revenue to Vermonters through other means. One of the bills would eliminate Vermont’s sales tax and raise the same amount from a tax on…

Vermonters struggling to make ends meet can receive wage supports like Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) fuel assistance to help pay for heating expenses—crucial for Vermonters during our cold winter months. This program is also directly linked to the 3SquaresVT program (also known as SNAP or food stamps) and eligible recipients of LIHEAP often…