By Jimmy Britt RUTLAND—Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center now has a new yoga instructor. Selina Ferrandino has been working at Pyramid since April; it’s clear that she loves what she’s doing, but that wasn’t always the case. “I kinda didn’t at first,” she explained of the level of enjoyment she felt in her early practice. “I…

By Stephen Seitz LUDLOW — Ludlow Elementary School science teacher Lisa Marks returned home from Washington, D.C., last week as one of four Vermont teachers to have received an award for excellence in teaching from President Obama. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nation’s highest honor for American math…

Dear Editor, Congratulations are in order for Ken Nolan, the newly-appointed general manager for Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA), the umbrella organization for 12 small-town water and light departments. Mr. Nolan is the former chief operating officer at Burlington Electric Department (BED), majority owner and operator of the McNeil station, Vermont’s largest biomass-fueled power…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger RUTLAND — The city attorney has concluded the mayor did not violate the city charter in his efforts to have refugees settled in Rutland. The much-anticipated review of the mayor’s actions in selecting Rutland as a potential site for up to 100 Syrians and Iraqis to resettle was emailed to Selet…

By Julia Purdy Jan Sotirakis’ idea for a warning siren at the Chittenden dam was inspired by Tropical Storm Irene. Sotirakis, Chittenden’s emergency management director, has developed a proposal for a townwide alarm in the event that Chittenden dam, which holds back Chittenden Reservoir, failed. The danger is not imminent, Sotirakis said, but the state…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org Catherine Nelson, publisher of the Rutland Herald, is leaving the company and retiring, according to an email sent to employees Monday, Sept. 12. The move comes in the middle of negotiations to sell the company, which includes the Times Argus, to Maine newspaper publishers Reade Brower and Chip Harris, co-founders of…

Dear Editor, It has come to my attention that it is the will of the Rutland City Recreation & Parks Department to impose yet more restrictions on the annual Punk in the Park concert due primarily to the style of music being “grating” to a supposed majority of the residents surrounding the park. I am…

By Roger Allbee The Vermont dairy industry is again reeling from low commodity prices, caused by overproduction, a glut of imports, challenges in our export markets, and poor economic growth. The stark reality is that the current pricing mechanism for non-organic milk, in place since the 1930s, and other constraints results in an unfavorable longer…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org A program to reduce firearm-related suicides in Vermont has brought together gun groups, suicide prevention advocates and mental health experts. Members of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and employees of the Department of Mental Health joined suicide prevention advocates Thursday, Sept. 1, to celebrate the rollout of the Gun Shop…

Sunday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre and Castleton University will present the husband-and-wife team of James Carville and Mary Matalin—pundits, political advisers, authors and cultural/political experts—on the Paramount stage Sunday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The event is part of  Project 240. Bruce Bouchard, executive director of the Paramount, commented: “From the conception stage…

Sept. 15-18—TUNBRIDGE—The 145th Tunbridge World’s Fair returns to the Tunbridge Fairgrounds Thursday, Sept. through Sunday, Sept. 18. The Tunbridge World’s Fair has run continuously since 1867 except in 1918, due to the great flu epidemic, and during World War II. Top events include harness racing, horse pulling, a swine show and live entertainment. It has…

Saturday & Sunday, Sept 17-18 at 11 a.m.—BRANDON—During the month of September alpaca breeders from across the United States will invite the public to come to the farm to meet their alpacas and learn more about these inquisitive, unique animals. On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Maple View Farm Alpacas…

Sunday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m.—Chandler Film Society enters its seventh year with film showings on the third Sunday of each month, lending an opportunity to see neighbors, watch a classic film, and discuss it afterwards. New this year, the society is presenting a different kind of program,  presenting four pairings of two films each:…

Sunday, Sept. 18—RUTLAND—On Sunday, Sept. 18 the Vermont Gun Shop Project will host a free 90-minute workshop for the gun-owning community at the Rutland Country Club from 3:30-5 p.m. Vermont Gun Shop Project seeks to reduce firearm-related suicides in Vermont. The program makes three promises: 1) No one will judge you. 2) No one will…

Thursday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m.—RUTLAND—Castleton welcomes the greater Rutland community to come celebrate and gain an inside look at the university’s newest Rutland project, as it hosts a Grand Opening for its new downtown apartments on Sept. 15 from 4-6 p.m. in the Clement Building at the corner of Merchants Row and West Street.…