Referendum on refugee resettlement? By Adam Federman, VTDigger RUTLAND—Seventeen candidates are vying for just six seats on the board of aldermen in the upcoming election on March 7. That figure is about twice the number of candidates typically in a board election over the last five years, with the exception of 2013 when there were…

By Stephen Seitz Some may have been lulled by the mild winter last year, but when winter returned with a vengeance this year, Vermont’s towns were ready for it. “I think we’re on track,” said Killington Town Manager Deborah Schwartz. “We were prepared in terms of staff and equipment, and we’re going through the snow…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger RUTLAND—At the first mayoral debate hosted by PEG-TV two weeks ago, Kam Johnston responded to a question dealing with the city’s infrastructure needs by saying, “Ironically enough it’s gotten a little tense and it’s not me.” The irony was in the fact that the debate had hardly gotten underway, with each…

By Evan Johnson Drivers between Rutland and Killington will have to time their drives carefully this spring and summer, as Route 4 has been slated for a project involving the planing and resurfacing of roughly 15 miles. The project will begin slightly east of the Rutland city-Rutland town line near Gleason Road and continue through…

By Dom Cioffi Just about seven months ago, an ear, nose and throat specialist slid a tiny camera down my esophagus to investigate a persistent sore throat. Within less than a minute he pulled it out and began the one conversation that no one wants to have. “I’m 95 percent sure that you have a…

Thursday, Feb. 23, 6 p.m.—KILLINGTON—Thirteen-year-old Broadway sensation Brandon Niederauer will join the Joey Leone Trio Thursday, Feb. 23 at The Foundry in Killington for a special one-night-only appearance. The music begins at 6 p.m. Niederauer appeared in Killington with Leone back in 2014, then a 10-year-old talent. The young guitarist and vocalist with the nickname “Taz”…

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 12 p.m.—NORTHFIELD—Norwich University’s Sullivan Museum and History Center will host a lunch and learn program on the First Amendment in conjunction with a national, pop-up exhibit commemorating the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. On Wednesday, Feb. 22, 12-noon, The Sullivan Museum and History Center presents, “A Living Document: The First…

Feb. 22-26—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum’s Sleigh Ride Weeks continue daily through Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, tours of the dairy farm and farmhouse, and a variety of family-centered activities each day. Climb aboard the Billings Farm sleigh for a ride through the frosty farm fields. In commemoration of President’s Day,…

Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m.—WOODSTOCK—Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is hosting a Working Woodlands Workshop on animal tracking Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Who’s walking through the backyard? Come and learn the tracks and signs of many common Vermont mammals. Along with identifying the tracks, learn how fast the animal was moving, its mood, most recent…

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.—PROCTORSVILLE—Sue Morse of Keeping Track will make an appearance at elementary school in Proctorsville Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. to present a talk “Animals of the North—What Will Global Climate Change Mean for Them?” Her program is designed to educate audiences about ways in which northern wildlife species are already being…

Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Bow Thayer will play the Rutland UU Church Coffeehouse Series Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is general admission and is $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Purchase tickets in advance at Phoenix Books, the Paramount Box Office or online at paramountvt.org. The Rutland UU…

Feb. 24-27—JAG Productions is pleased to announce JAGFest, an annual festival that showcases and celebrates new plays by emerging playwrights of color. Presented Feb. 24-27 at various venues in Woodstock and Pomfret, the weekend-long festival of play readings and lectures celebrates and explores diverse, new voices in American theater. JAGFest will include four staged readings…

Friday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Castleton Downtown Gallery in Rutland will feature the works of artists Don Ramey, Paul Marr Hillard, Heather Ritchie, and Sabrina Fadial running Feb. 15-March 18, with an artist reception scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. This group show represents the talent and exploration of four sculptors from Vermont’s stone…

Friday, Feb. 24, 5:30 p.m.—POULTNEY—Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a spaghetti dinner Friday, Feb. 24, 5:30-7 p.m. at the St. Raphael Church parish hall, which is located on East Main Street in Poultney village. Cost of dinner tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under age…

Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON—Ben Cosgrove is a traveling composer, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist from New England. He performs regularly all over the country, writes scores for films, plays, radio, and TV, and has produced several well-received albums of original instrumental work that straddles the line between folk and classical music. Hear him perform live at…