By Mark Bushnell, VTDigger The movie is long forgotten, but the scene is well remembered. It is a classic of the silent-movie era. A young woman lies unconscious on an ice floe as it floats downriver toward a waterfall. All the while, her lover braves the teetering ice sheets, desperately trying to reach her. The…

By Marguerite Jill Dye I hate politics. But I have deep convictions of what’s fair and just and don’t hesitate to stand up for them. I respect authenticity and can spot insincerity a mile away. I’ve always been hyper-sensitive, but have finally reached an age where I’m not afraid to speak out from my heart. It’s…

By Joe Rankin It’s winter. Hardwood trees are bare. But that doesn’t mean the woods are bereft of interest. Winter, when sunlight slants in, is the time when bark comes into its own. Pause to take in the aged-brass bark of a yellow birch, or the hand-sized bark plates on a big white pine. Bark…

In a recent column I mentioned that Rotary Rink in Rutland was a popular place to ice skate during my youth in the 1950s and 60s. However, its history dates back to the 1930s. The Rotary Club turned the property over to the city in 1946 and the Recreation Department began using it year round…

Note: the Democrats’ last four presidential inaugurations have included readings by American poets. Poetry has never been featured at a Republican president’s inaugural ceremony. This poem is tremendous. Believe me: poems don’t get any classier than this— The best words, the smartest rhyme scheme, Big-league prosody. When you take other poets—look at Robert Frost. He…

VEDA approves Rutland Mental Health bonds The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) recently approved up to $3 million in tax-exempt bonds to refinance Rutland Mental Health Services’ debt from the organization’s South Main Street construction project in 2008. In addition, VEDA approved up to $1 million in taxable bonds related to costs of constructing Mental…

Fair Haven categorized as economically distressed FAIR HAVEN—At the Jan. 17 Select Board meeting, Durfee said that the town may qualify for New Market Tax Credits, a U.S. Treasury program designed to spur economic development activity in economically disadvantaged communities throughout the country. With a median family income at or below 60 percent of Area…

RUTLAND—On Friday, Jan. 27, state police reported ten people were arrested in Rutland County as part of an arrest operation by the Vermont Drug Task Force. The enforcement action took place following investigations into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine. The defendants were arrested on charges of sale of heroin and/or crack cocaine, and…

KILLINGTON—State police investigating two burglaries that occurred last week found evidence of forced entry at homes on Roaring Brook Road and Alpine Terrace in Killington. Both residences were unoccupied at the time, police said, and unspecified items were taken. Anyone with information on the burglaries or suspicious activity in the area is encouraged to call…

Every Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m., head over to JAX Food and Games to check out Annie in the Water. Don’t be surprised when you don’t see Annie but you’re welcome to all the water you want, free of charge. I had heard some good reviews of the group and I, too, expected to see…

Dear Editor, Gov. Phil Scott is attempting a “top-down” approach to check education spending because past legislative efforts have failed, and new initiatives are unlikely to win the approval of the Democrat-controlled Legislature. Democrats that are now expressing a newfound concern for local control seem to have forgotten that they championed the anti-school choice Act…

By Rachel Carter When choosing to purchase food, cost is often a deciding factor for consumers. Why buy a 12-ounce package of local bacon for $7.99 when you can get it for $4.98? Purchasing local food means you know where your food comes from, you’re buying food that is generally healthier, and you’re helping drive…

By Angelo S. Lynn Give Gov. Phil Scott credit for utilizing the element of surprise. In his budget address this past Tuesday, Jan. 24, he rocked Montpelier’s world by suggesting that public schools, K-12, freeze their budgets at current spending levels, force teachers to pay more for their health care plans (from roughly 15 to…

Editor’s note: Mike Solimano is the president and CEO of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. Mountain Times: Killington Resort has officially asked the town of Killington to help offset the costs of hosting another World Cup event next year with $100,000. The Select Board has agreed and has included it in its budget to be…

By Jasper Craven, VTDigger The U.S. House has unanimously passed a bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., that aims to improve the quality of rural phone service. “Whether an emergency call or a business order, Vermonters should have confidence that their calls are completed without disruption,” Welch said in a statement. “This bill…