By Amy McClure By Amy McClure ROCHESTER — After five years of training as a gymnast, 9-year-old Mathias Toro received the opportunity of a lifetime: to attend one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the United States — on a full scholarship. Although Mathias’s hadn’t trained as a ballet dancer before, Mathias was invited…

By Robin Alberti By Polly Lynn “The future is bright for us, so put on your shades and let’s move forward,” said Jenn Lewis and Alex Sabo, who then put on sunglasses to end their speech. Lewish and Sabo addressed their fellow Green Mountain College classmates graduating from the Killington School of Resort Management (KSRM) during…

Submitted Hannah McComb is a Killington pre-k graduate. Her brother Milo will join the pre-k program next year.  By Hannah McComb, Killington pre-k graduate My favorite thing about school is that I get to share and play with my friends. Also I like to show and share because I brought things from Argentina. I like…

On Monday, June 13, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed S. 260, a bill designed to improve regional and town energy planning and to enhance community input into the siting of energy projects. The legislation was developed over a number of months, and was based in large part on the recommendations of the Solar Siting Task Force.…

By Polly Lynn

Genesis Healthcare, Inc., currently owns two nursing facilities in Rutland: Mountain View and Rutland Center By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org A publicly traded holding company from Pennsylvania is seeking approval from state regulators to buy up five nursing homes in Bennington, Berlin, Burlington, Springfield, and St. Johnsbury. Genesis Healthcare, Inc., which runs 500 nursing homes across…

By Sarah Olsen, VTDigger.org An essay contest launches Saturday with a prompt that asks why the writer would like to own and operate a paid weekly newspaper. The prize? Ownership rights to that newspaper: the Hardwick Gazette. Operating since 1889 in the Caledonia County town, the Hardwick Gazette has a circulation of 2,200, according to the contest…

By Deb Bucknam Last year Governor Shumlin issued an executive order “banning the box” for applicants for state employment. Last month, he signed a bill ordering that all private employers “ban the box.” Banning the box means that no employer can ask on an employment application if an applicant has a criminal record. In signing…

By Lawrence G. Jensen In just a few months, the first Syrian refugees may begin to arrive in Rutland, and as they settle in they will be far removed from the culture and places they have known as their home. Good neighbors and strong communities welcome newcomers and provide a friendly environment that meets their…

By Andrew A. Pallito It is the end of another legislative session and the beginning of another campaign season.  As with all campaign seasons, the State’s budget will likely become a topic of debate and conversation. Vermont, unlike most states, does not have a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. However, Vermonters still expect fiscal responsibility…

By Steve Costello When the idea for Rutland Blooms first blossomed, we never could have dreamed of what it would become or the impact it would have in the City of Rutland. Its success is emblematic of the larger story of Rutland’s rebirth, born of unprecedented collaboration. Starting with the restoration of the Paramount Theatre…

Dear Editor, Today I was standing on my porch watching the Rutland Recreation Department employees mowing the “park” created on reclaimed lands of the former National Guard facility on North Street Extension. What a great job done by Cindi Wight’s staff in making the absolute best of a wonderful piece of property in a safe…

Dear Editor, On July 31, 2015, at approximately 10:10 p.m. an 1,800-pound pet bull was standing in the darkness of the westbound lane of Route 4 in Killington. What was the bull doing there? To answer this and many other disturbing questions, residents, farmers, tourists and elected officials are encouraged to read the state’s “Notice of Intent…

Dear Editor, The Great Progressive Era in United States History(1890-1920) was characterized by the enactment of antitrust laws. Presidents of this era were concerned about American consumers being cheated by big monopoly industries like the Standard Oil company, now known as Exxon-Mobil. What is a monopoly? According to www.investopedia.com, “A monopoly is a situation in…

By Dom Cioffi I’ll freely admit that I coerced my son into taking drum lessons for selfish reasons: having been a guitarist for most of my life, the thought of having a built-in percussion section living in my own home sounded like a dream come true. I had considered buying him a drum kit for…