By Lee J. Kahrs LEICESTER — Having a runaway dog is a heartbreaking experience for any pet owner. The first few days of frantic searching, the Facebook posts asking for help, the constant vigilance scanning the fields and walking, calling your dog’s name. If you’re lucky, those efforts pay off and you find your dog,…

Over 411 people participated in Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance and Central Vermont Runners’ virtual Suffrage Scramble 5K during Primary Week in August. Participants, wearing sashes with the phrase Votes for Women and Votes for All, completed the 5K at a time and location of their choice during the week. The event raised $6,850 for the Rutland Branch of…

By Christopher Ross The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency wants to hear from local farmers who have suffered crop losses because of this spring and summer’s dry weather. “Despite recent rains, drought has impacted many farms across Vermont and New England this summer,” said Scott Waterman, spokesperson for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture,…

Staff report After exhausting all Covid-19 grants and losing staff members, Kelvans restaurant in Rutland city is shutting down after nine years. The owners Brad and Katherine Barker announced on Facebook Thursday, Sept. 3 that Sept. 25 would be the restaurant’s last day. “We have lost several staff members due to lack of income and…

Local schools see significant increase in registration numbers By Polly Mikula Vermont’s K-12 students returned to school on Tuesday, Sept. 8, for the first time since March 15 when the governor ordered schools to close to in-person instruction. Reopening schools has been the subject of widespread debate, however, and specific plans have sparked unique challenges and…

  Mushroom hunting in Vermont provides hours of entertainment and health benefits, too By Brooke Geery A vast network of underground mycelium lies hidden in the forests of Vermont. This is, until the right combo of water and heat cause it to spring forth as wild mushrooms in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Tabitha Moore, a sixth-generation Vermonter, is known for being outspoken about racial injustice, particularly in Rutland County, where she lives and leads a chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Oft-quoted by media outlets, Moore has spoken at events around the state protesting the killing of George Floyd by…

On Aug. 31,the Everyone Eats program in Rutland handed out 250 meals in about a half hour at the The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC). VFFC is coordinating the statewide program in Rutland County, handling the distribution of up to 22,000 meals beginning Monday Aug. 31, and running through Dec. 18. Meals will be prepared…

Killington Resort partners with  VFFC to give 700 bags of local foods and produce to community members in need Killington Resort announced on Aug. 26, a Farm-to-Trunk community grocery giveaway happening on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 3-6 p.m., or until all 700 bags have been given away, at Pico Mountain. The 100% locally sourced grocery…

By Brooke Geery Much like their winter brethren, mountain bikers are a hardy sort. They’re not going to let a little thing like a global pandemic spoil all the fun. So, although the Bike Bum race series, normally held on Killington Resort’s network of trails, was not able to happen at the resort this year,…

By Katy Savage If you want to ski or ride at Okemo this winter you’ll have to make a reservation first. Vail Resorts, which owns Okemo, Mount Snow and Stowe along with 31 other resorts, released its winter operating plan on Aug. 27. Guests will be required to wear facial coverings at all times and…

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 4: There are now 17 Covid-19 cases associated with the outbreak in Killington, including 11 people who attended the private party Aug. 19 and six from subsequent transmission. Two of the new cases had already been identified as close contacts, and were in quarantine, preventing further spread, according to State Epidemiologist Patsy…

Editor’s note: Leo Pond is a 14 year old political columnist from Chittenden, Vermont.  Leo Pond: What made you decide to run for governor? David Zuckerman: As I was contemplating whether to run or not I was really reflecting on the public service person I’ve been for the last 22 years and that I’ve always…

Killington Resort partners with Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) to expand food access with local products helping farms in the region and those facing food insecurity KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced on Aug. 26, a farm-to-trunk community grocery giveaway happening on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or until all 700 bags have been…

By Katy Savage A new residential care facility is coming to Mendon next month. Bhakta Care, LLC is opening Vista Senior Living at the former Cortina Inn with a total of 67 units. Manish Saxena, who is overseeing construction, said the owner, Ravi Bhakta, had thought of repurposing the inn for the past 4-5 years.…