By Lee H. Hamilton A few weeks ago, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia made a small splash in the press when he took Congress to task for failing to authorize our nation’s ongoing war against Islamic militants. “The silence of Congress in the midst of this war is cowardly and shameful,” he said. “[T]his Congress,…

Dear Editor, Everyone has an opinion, everyone has a right to differ. We all have a say! There is currently  a  controversy in Taftsville regarding the installation of a commercial solar farm by an out of state developer on the scenic Route 4 Byway and Historic District. It is a village historic neighborhood. This will be…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org Vermont’s unemployment rate fell again in April to a seasonally adjusted 3.6 percent. The drop from 3.8 percent in March is statistically significant, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Vermont is now tied with South Dakota for the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the U.S. The unemployment rate…

Dear Editor, With Rutland Blooms’ biggest project to date now complete, thanks to the support of dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals, more than 200 trees have been added to the cityscape, improving it for generations.  Flowering crabapples now dot streets throughout the northwest neighborhood, and majestic maples will shine bright this fall and for…

Courtesy of Sanders for President Students hold up letters that read “Bernie for people” near the Burlington waterfront. By Angelo Lynn, Addison Independent Here’s why I’m standing with Sen. Bernie Sanders in his run for the presidential Democratic nomination and why it’s smart politics for other Vermonters—and moderate to liberal voters everywhere—to support him as…

By Dom Cioffi I always used to find it funny when I heard adults talk about reading the obituaries. Scanning the daily paper to see who died simply came across as a morbid activity to me. And then I ended up with a college roommate who changed my opinion entirely. During college we used to…

Question: Ann and Steve are playing in a tournament.On the 11th hole, Steve’s tee shot goes toward an area of trees and possible reeds. Believing the ball might be lost, he announces and plays a provisional ball from the tee. When he gets to where he believes the ball may rest, he discovers the area…

By Dave Hoffenberg KILLINGTON — The snow has finally cleared and that means it's time for softball. Unfortunately, it wasn't time for sunny skies as Mother Nature took two teams completely out and dampened the spirits of the others. But the rain did not stop the defending champion Clearly Moguls from beginning another quest for…

By Maxx Steinmetz For the first time in two years the Rutland Roosters rugby football club made the two and a half hour trip to play Saranac Lake's Mountaineers for the home team’s season opener. The shorthanded Roosters had to borrow some Saranac players as well as players from nearby Paul Smith's college. Due to…

By Polly Lynn The Mountain Times newspaper has changed its flag (our printed name and logo at the top of the front page.) It’s a big change and it was a big decision, one I was hesitant to make for years. However, after receiving feedback for the past four years at the annual New England…

The New England housing market experienced an average year-over-year sales drop of 2.5 percent in the region. Month-over-month home sales, however, reflected the spring market with an increase of 9.4 percent over March 2015’s numbers. Across New England, median prices were steady in comparison to April 2014’s figures. On average, home prices rose 1.9 percent…

Ron Ferro Owner and father of Carly Ferro says “it’s time to move on” By Juliette Kapitan CUTTINGSVILLE — Twenty-one years ago Ron Ferro was walking along the beach in Florida throwing around names for his new restaurant in Cuttingsville, Vt. He tossed around names like “Sunny Sides” and “Scrambled” before settling on “Over Easy’s,”…

By Lani Duke Is Castleton hinting at consolidation? CASTLETON—On May 26 Castleton voters approved a proposal to buy the Castleton Village School from the school district and close the building but did so with a very squeaky margin, 213 to 207. Ballot results may be moot, however, since 12 percent of the building belongs to…

By Lani Duke Smoking ban coming to apartment buildings? The Charter & Ordinance Committee has been considering a smoking ban at multi-family housing. A tenant had complained that it is of little use to ban smoking in multi-family units when there is no requirement that smokers light up some distance from the property or in…

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph’s developing Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies (MMScPAS) program has received accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Looking ahead, the Physician Assistant Program is working to gain provisional accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) in March 2016. The program…