By Sarah Olsen, www.VTDigger.org Mary Brown-Guillory, president of the Champlain area National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), told a statewide civil rights panel Monday that her organization has received an “avalanche” of discrimination complaints. In the month since they’ve been open for business, Vermont’s first NAACP chapter has received at least 50…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org The local president of FairPoint Communications says the new settlement with Vermont’s ratepayer advocates will be a win for customers and help the company “reboot.” Beth Fastiggi, the Vermont president for FairPoint, said the company’s agreement to pour money into bringing broadband to 28,399 homes, issue retroactive credits to thousands of…

By Sarah Olsen, VTDigger.org The EPA released new pollution limits for Lake Champlain on Friday, Aug. 14. Gov. Peter Shumlin and federal officials announced Friday the new phosphorus limits at a press conference on North Beach in Burlington. Vermont is in the process of implementing new water quality legislation, which Shumlin signed into law on…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org Police are investigating the death of a woman who was being detained at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, Vermont’s only women’s correctional facility. Kristine L. Brennan, 49, died at the facility Monday, Aug. 17, following her arrest Saturday Aug. 15, on charges of retail theft and misdemeanors. In a press release…

Dear Editor, I’m waiting on some answers from past letters to the editor, which my understanding Killington Selectboard Chair Patty McGrath has stated: “I also plan to continue to write letters monthly to The Mountain Times to address citizens concerns publicly so that all residents and property owners can stay apprised of the facts.” I…

Dear Editor, On Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, ARC Rutland Area again held their Annual Janet Wetherby Pampered Chef bingo at the American Legion in Rutland. The event is one of only two fundraisers held by ARC each year. The funds collected go towards the services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, which…

By Rebecca Haslam Editor’s note: This commentary is by Rebecca Haslam, who is the 2015 Vermont State Teacher of the Year. It is republished here with permissions from VTDigger which published the commentary on Aug. 18. Haslam teaches first grade and serves as the K-5 social studies and equity curriculum coach in the Burlington School…

By Rob Roper Vermont is a tougher than average place to make a living. No secret there. One of the first questions you get from folks you meet is, “You live here full time? How do you make it work?” Some of the answers are necessarily creative. Vermont is a great place to live, but…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org Shap Smith, the longtime speaker of the Vermont house of representatives, formally launched his campaign for governor on Wednesday, Aug. 19, in his hometown, Morrisville. He is the first candidate among a large field of "maybes" to declare a bid for governor. Smith used the former Arthur’s Department Store, which has…

RUTLAND — PEGTV, Rutland County’s public access television station, officially announce Tom Leypoldt as their new executive director on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Leypoldt has been the channel 15 coordinator for the last 20 years and will take over the helm starting Sept. 1. "Tom Leypoldt has been an important part of our community's PEGTV stations…

By Dom Cioffi I just may be the luckiest man in the world… It started out as a normal Saturday morning with some fresh coffee, the morning news, a little Internet browsing and a quick peruse through my email. I like to utilize my extra time on the weekend to look back through the previous…

By Robin Alberti KILLINGTON — Wednesday, Aug. 19, Killington Resort hosted an appreciation day for the community at Snowshed Adventure Center, 3-7 p.m. The resort’s new Adventure Center includes eight new attractions including: the Beast Coaster, SkyeRide, Skye Ropes Course, Terra-Maze, Mountain Biking, Scenic Lift Rides, ATV and UTV (Segway) tours, plus Kayaking and Paddle boarding on Snowshed…

Photos courtesy of Lisa C. Houde Three generations raised at Pico. Pictured (l-r): Grandpa Normand J. Houde, Grandson Christopher J. Houde, and Son Normand Jay Houde,. By Robin Alberti Pico Mountain Resort has been know as “The Friendly Mountain,” “The Family Mountain,” and now remind people that it has “Big Mountain Skiing, Small Mountain Charm.”…

The residential market in New England flourished in July, with all six New England states experiencing impressive double-digit growth in sales year-over-year. Throughout the region, sales are up 17.8 percent, pending sales are up 19.9 percent and average days on market are down 9.7 percent. In total, 21,108 home sales were recorded in July, accounting…

Submitted Robert DeCormier (left) performs with Pete Seeger (right) many years ago. By Christopher Biddle The Vermont choral group Counterpoint has recorded “All Mixed Up!” an album of songs written by folk music legend Pete Seeger. The songs were arranged by the group’s founding artistic director and Mt. Holly resident Robert DeCormier, a longtime friend…