Interested in conserving Vermont’s wildlife? Consider making a donation to the Nongame Wildlife Fund on line 29 of the state income tax form this tax season. The fund helps to conserve some of Vermont’s most threatened wildlife species such as bald eagles, lynx, and bats. Donations are leveraged by a match from a federal grant,…

CASTLETON—Tucked away on the backside of campus near the Observatory Lot is Castleton’s own nearly 700-pound hidden treasure. The Castleton Observatory has been home to a rare Unitron telescope, one of only three models open to the public in the entire world, since April 1960. Originally built for studying the surface details of the moon,…

WEST RUTLAND—On the night of Feb. 28, state troopers from the Rutland Barracks pulled a vehicle over on Route 4 in West Rutland. Investigation revealed that the driver, Joel Cruz, age 24 of Union City, N.J., had an active arrest warrant in the state of Vermont. Cruz was taken into custody and transported to the…

Police say a 23-year-old woman from Bennington died from injuries resulting in a two-car crash that occurred March 3 in Pittsfield. On Friday evening at around 6 p.m., troopers from the  State Police  Rutland Barracks, Pittsfield Fire Department and White River Valley Ambulance were notified of a two-car motor vehicle crash on Vermont 100, north…

RUTLAND—A man and a woman are facing charges of domestic assault and exposure and abandonment of a child under 2 years old. On July 20, 2016, the Rutland City Police Department was notified of a possible shaken baby incident that had occurred at an earlier time in Rutland City. Through the investigation, it was learned…

Rutland Free Library tightens belt A $40,000 budget deficit has caused the Rutland Free Library to look for ways to economize in the 2017-2018 budget year. The shortfall is the result of lower interest returns on library endowments, combined with Rutland City Board of Aldermen level funding. The library is not asking for increases from…

Castleton Community Center adds board members, plans March activities CASTLETON—Joan Chader and Mary Beth Hadeka joined the Castleton Community Seniors board at that group’s February meeting. Chader and her husband moved to their Lake Bomoseen home in 2002. Hadeka and her husband have lived in Castleton for 36 years. The Castleton Village School Band entertains…

Dear VPIRG, You asked for comments on the wind sound rules you would like to see in place. Since this is such an important issue to all Vermonters and your website wouldn’t receive comments, I had to seek other avenues to comment. These are statements you made to which I couldn’t help but respond. “Wind…

Dear Editor, As evidence of the dangers of secondhand smoke continues to rise, many communities have passed tobacco-free laws that cover outdoor areas such as parks, recreational facilities, beaches, outdoor workplaces, and public events such as county fairs and farmers’ markets. Locally, Rutland City passed a ban on all tobacco products in Rutland City parks…

Dear Editor, In his recent commentary in The Mountain Times, “Something to Write Home About,” Windsor County state senator Dick McCormack opines about “respecting the education fund.” He claims that he would never  raid the education fund for other purposes, due to his strong support for Act 60. Contrary to his present-day promise, McCormack fully supported…

Dear Editor, As a state legislator, my first responsibility is to stand up for a Vermont that works for all of us. I’m continually looking at what we can do to strengthen Vermont’s economy for future generations. I’m proud to be a lead sponsor of legislation that would create a family and medical leave insurance…

By Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos An open government makes for a better government. This is Sunshine Week and it is being celebrated all across the nation.4.1x7  In reality, it should be celebrated every week – not just this week – in Vermont and every other state. Here at the secretary of state’s office, our operations…

By Adam Grinold, Lyle Jepson, William Colvin There is a scene from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” set in days of the Black Plague. Eric Idle moves through a village, calling “Bring out your dead!” John Cleese appears, a body slung over his shoulder. As he negotiates offloading the corpse to Idle, the body interrupts;…

On March 1, the Killington Aquatic Club with 34 swimmers swam for 2 hours to complete a very successful Swim-A-Thon at Pico Sports Center. Many of the older swimmers swam up to 3 miles in the two hours, while the younger swimmers (as young as age 5) swam the most laps they ever had without…

RUTLAND—Cobra Gymnasts had an action packed weekend competing in both Bow, N.H., and Rutland. Level 4, 6 and 7 teams traveled to the Friendship Classic on March 4 at Granite State Gymnastics. Over 15 talented teams from all over New England attended the New Hampshire meet. On Sunday, March 5, Cobra Gymnastics hosted a Vermont…