As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation has removed the statewide ban on burning permits for all Vermont counties except Bennington and Windham, which will remain in effect. The original ban was issued May 5. Widespread soaking rain over the last two days and signifiant leaf-out greening of the…

Courtesy of Castleton State College Elementary Education graduate Meghan Susslin, of St. Albans, Vt. shakes a congratulatory hand during the commencement celebration, Saturday, May 9. CASTLETON — The largest class in Castleton College history passed across the stage at its 228th commencement ceremony on Saturday, bringing to close the 2014-15 academic year. Tim Donovan, former Chancellor…

Selectboard meeting fosters community conversation on useful but not burdensome restrictions By Cristina Kumka and Polly Lynn Killington will take steps toward adopting a new ordinance that restricts gunfire along certain town roads. The details, however, are still being ironed out after the town Select Board and the police chief received input from citizens at…

By Stephen Seitz Last week, Gov. Peter Shumlin announced about $900,000 to speed up broadband service in a number of Vermont towns, including Rochester, Pittsfield, Norwich, Randolph, Royalton, Jamaica, Reading and Bradford. Rochester Town Clerk JoAnne McDonnell said, “It’s the first we’ve heard of it. In town, we have Comcast, but other people have different…

Fire Department Facilities Review Committee issues status report to the Selectboard KILLINGTON — The Killington Fire and Rescue Department facilities no longer meet state criteria or the needs of the volunteer fire department. In order for the town of Killington to decide the best course of action for the future of these facilities, the Killington Selectboard…

Portion of busy thoroughfare to close for 10 days By Polly Lynn KILLINGTON — At the past Selectboard Meeting on Tuesday, May 5, several members from the Vermont Agency of Transportation, including Jennifer Fitch, structures project manager, and Gary Sweeny, project engineer, reviewed and discussed the planned replacement of Bridge #33, which is scheduled to take place…

Staff report Investigations continue into the armed robberies that occurred at the Northfield Savings Bank in Waitsfield on two successive Tuesdays, April 28 and May 5. It is unknown if the two armed robbery incidents are connected. On Tuesday, April 28, at about 11:50 a.m., a lone individual entered the Northfield Savings Bank located on Route…

On Saturday, May 9, at about 10:45 a.m., VSP Royalton troopers and White River Valley Ambulance personnel responded to a stretch of train tracks running parallel to Vermont 12A in the town of Braintree for a report of a train/pedestrian collision.  The pedestrian, later identified as Kevin Kenyon, age 25, of Braintree, Vt., was pronounced…

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org Towns and solar energy developers have reached a temporary compromise over how to better locate solar energy projects across the state. The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee unanimously approved an amendment to the state’s renewable energy bill, H.40, that puts in place statewide solar setback guidelines and requires regulators to…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org As the House bears down on a potential vote to remove the philosophical exemption for the immunizations required to enter school, new voices entered the polarizing debate on Tuesday, May 5. The Senate-passed bill would not remove the religious and medical exemptions to the vaccines required for school entry. A group…

By Cal Garrison, a.k.a Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Pisces Moon, with aspects that include the movement of the planet Mars, into the sign of the Twins. Whenever Mars enters Gemini the Male Principle splits in two and gives us a chance to approach things…

CASTLETON—Castleton College Upward Bound is participating in the Summer Food Service Program for Children. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, the program is designed to ensure that children who rely on free or reduced price meals during the school year continue to have adequate nutrition throughout the summer. Participating children in households that…

By Robin Alberti Fifth graders Otto Nisimblat and Devin Ziegeler perform at the Killington Elementary School Variety Show, held Tuesday, May 5. KES students played beautiful music and sang and danced the night away during the school’s annual spring concert. Music teacher Christine Morton lead the event. In addition to musical performances, there were choreographed…

Submitted Ottauquechee Health Foundation makes the switch to socially responsible investments. Pictured left to right: Steve Moyer, OHF treasurer; Eric Becker, Clean Yield Chief invsestment officer; Sherry Thornburg, OHF executive director; and Eric Fritz, OHF president. Woodstock-based health organization moves to socially responsible investments, aligned with mission WOODSTOCK — Ottauquechee Health Foundation (OHF) announced May…

Submitted Scholarships were awarded during an Italian-American Club dinner on April 29.  Ian Dansereau, Catherine DiPalma, Sarah Harvey, and Morgan Howard were in attendance. Pictured are the IAC Scholarship Committee and student winners (l-r): Teri Austin, Al Vitagliano, Theresa Kulig, Catherine DiPalma (RHS), Sarah Harvey (MSJ), Morgan Howard (PHS), Ian Dansereau (MRUHS), and Joe Bertelloni.…