RUTLAND—Over the weekend of March 18-19, the Cobra Gymnastics Team participated in the superhero-themed Vermont State Gymnastics Championships at Bellows Falls High School. A cosmic team banner depicted the gymnasts as their own kind of superheros. Their motto of the day was a quote from author Roman Payne who said, “You must give everything to…

By Gaen Murphree Motivated by constituent outrage over unregulated coyote hunting, some Legislators are asking state wildlife officials to rethink Vermont’s open season on the canine predator. “Coyotes are important animals, not vermin to be attacked,” said Rep. Jim McCullough, D-Williston. “They’re important ‘people’ that need, if you will, the honor of having controls on…

Maple Open House Weekend is celebrating its 16th year by expanding the weekend’s offerings and activities to include local partnering businesses who specialize in their own craft and support Vermont’s maple industry by including maple in their ingredients, on their menus, and offered for sale at their locations. Sugarmakers throughout the state will open the…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — Moments after his swearing-in as mayor, a steady stream of well-wishers walked past David Allaire’s new City Hall office on their way to a refreshment table. Allaire, 61, a 19-year member of the Board of Aldermen, said Wednesday morning he planned to get right down to work at…

KILLINGTON—St.Patrick’s Day Friday, March 17, was truly a day to remember at Killington Resort. It was a sunny bluebird day with fantastic snow conditions after Storm Stella blessed us with 33 inches of snow. It also marked the day that Teresa Giblin became a first-time inductee into the 100 Day Club! Teresa Giblin joined the…

By Stephen Seitz BARNARD—Act 46 is getting off to a creaky start, at least for some. The law, which went into effect in 2015, has the goal of merging Vermont’s school districts in the hope of providing better education, as well as get a better handle on costs. The towns of Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington, Reading,…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — Michael Coppinger is stepping down next month from his post as chief marketer for the city. Coppinger, the executive director of the Downtown Rutland Partnership for the past 10 years, said he formally submitted his resignation Tuesday, March 14, at a meeting of the organization’s board of directors.…

By Evan Johnson RUTLAND—On Monday afternoon, March 20, the Hunger Council of Rutland County convened in a conference room at Rutland Regional Medical Center to explore ways to connect local food production with food security. The most recent data from Hunger Free Vermont show that one in four children in Rutland County are food insecure,…

The U.S. senator toured Rutland’s Stafford Hill solar farm Friday By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders stood outside a field filled with solar panels in Rutland and told 17-year-old Cameron Wilk that he was looking out at a revolution. “When you’re my age, this is going to look obsolete, old-fashioned,” Sanders said…

By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger A House Education Committee has approved a bill that revamps the statewide property tax formula for education. The formula is based on a per pupil calculation. School districts that spend above a threshold would pay a higher tax rate; those that spend below the target would pay less. The change…

Saturday, March 25, 3 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—The seventh annual Woodstock Vermont Film Series at the Billings Farm & Museum will feature the award-winning documentary “Unbranded” Saturday, March 25, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. in HD projection and Surround Sound, with complimentary refreshments. All films are open to the public and accessible to people with disabilities. Reservations…

Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON—See Chelsea Berry, a singer-songwriter with the edge, power, and finesse of legends, live at Brandon Music March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Her vocals are smooth and lyrics reminiscent of the folk music of the 1960s. Singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor, brother of James Taylor, calls her vocals “world class” and her presence…

Thursday, March 23, 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—Join the Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter for a paint party Thursday, March 23, 6-8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 31, 33 Washington Street, Rutland. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own “Tree of Life” on canvas with instruction led by Theresa Gorman-Kahler of Cricket’s Eye Art.…

Saturday, March 25, 8 p.m.—RUTLAND—Grammy-winning bluegrass pickers Steep Canyon Rangers are set to make an appearance 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland. The Steep Canyon Rangers are comprised of Woody Platt (guitar), Graham Sharp (banjo), Charles R. Humphrey III (bass), Mike Guggino (mandolin), Nicky Sanders (fiddle) and Mike Ashworth (box…

Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m.—POULTNEY, MIDDLEBURY—The Champlain Philharmonic will return to Ackley Hall at Green Mountain College in Poultney Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. and Town Hall Theater in Middlebury Sunday, March 26, 4 p.m. to present its spring concert series featuring works by the great French composers Bizet, Faure, Ravel, and Saint Saens. The…