Rutland Middle School forfeits soccer game after student's racist slur By Ethan Weinstein When Woodstock Middle School’s boys soccer team took on Rutland, Sept. 29, what should have been another day on the pitch devolved into verbal abuse, culminating in a Rutland player using an anti-Black epithet against a Woodstock player. The next day, a…

Policy Committee Chair Lou Piconi resigned after Monday meeting By Curt Peterson The idea of renaming educational facilities or programs that have been named for individuals in recognition of their past service to students of the Windsor Central School District (WCSD), for someone who makes a large financial donation to the district has become, in…

By Karen D. Lorentz With a target opening day of Nov. 20 for Okemo Mountain Resort, skiers and riders can look forward to several changes that will make getting around the mountain faster and easier. But before the snow flies, people can enjoy a final fall foliage weekend this Saturday through Monday Oct. 11, which…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Lawmakers from across the Northeast are urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to strengthen enforcement and close loopholes in the National Organic Program that put regional farms at a disadvantage. A bicameral, bipartisan letter from lawmakers, sent to Vilsack on Wednesday, said that the industry is vital to the region and…

By Karen D. Lorentz While Sarah Forward’s parents met and married in Vermont, they moved to North Carolina before she was born, so Forward grew up away from Vermont. Trips to visit extended family in Vermont provided a “special time” for her while growing up, but it was an aunt in the Rockies who got…

Rutland school board adopts attorney’s report By Emma Cotton/VTDigger RUTLAND — After a contentious year debating the validity of the mascot for the city’s school system, it appears the new “Ravens” moniker will stick — for now. The board last fall voted to abandon the former “Raiders” mascot following concerns from students, faculty and alumni…

By Lindsey Rogers CHITTENDEN —Ms. Leslie Ladabouche’s 3rd grade class at Barstow Memorial School in Chittenden is hosting a Socktober sock drive from Oct. 1-31. This year is the debut of the event, but Ms. Ladabouche plans to make it an annual drive if it is successful. The students decorated 12 boxes, and “are going…

By Curt Peterson HARTLAND—In 2020, 330 million Americans registered 291 million cars and light trucks. Pre-Covid new car sales were about 19 million. Automobile manufacturing provides 190,000 U.S. jobs. A lack of public transportation, sparse population and significant distances between point A and point B make a vehicle necessary in Vermont. But cars wear out,…

By Curt Peterson Windsor Central Unified Union School District (WCUUSD) board member Ben Ford, chair of the New Build Committee overseeing a proposed $74 million-plus project to build a new middle/high school in Woodstock, outlined a proposal for fundraising at the March 29 board meeting. One item has set off some powerful reactions. Naming new…

By Ethan Weinstein Castleton University students seeking internships in Rutland now have a workplace of their own, nestled in the first floor of the Opera House on Merchants Row. Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) and Castleton University have launched the CEDRR Intern Hub, which will provide Castleton students with greater access…

Unpermitted dwellings at the center of public debate By Ethan Weinstein In Hartford, three unpermitted shelters constructed for the homeless recently reappeared on private property after being removed earlier this year. The structures, built and placed by former Select Board member Simon Dennis, were the center of debate at Hartford’s Sept. 21 Select Board meeting,…

Staff report RUTLAND — Grace Congregational UCC and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (GSLC) have partnered to open Little Lambs Academy, a preschool for children 3-5 years old, at Grace. It is scheduled to open Monday, Oct. 4. The program is an expansion of GSLC’s successful preschool program into Grace’s two preschool classrooms. The move will…

A new restaurant will be opening in Killington soon. Yama Ramen, LLC, was registered with the Vermont Secretary of State Aug. 20, 2021 with Lindsay Ochman as the manager and member of the LLC. The sign outside was hung last week, generating excitement among locals in town who took to social media to express their…

By Katy Savage WOODSTOCK—The Woodstock Economic Development Commission might provide funding and incentives for those wanting to add an accessory dwelling unit to their home after a survey posted on the town listserv saw a strong interest. EDC chair Jon Spector said about 40 residents responded to the survey — 30 of whom were interested…

Vermont hunters will be able to report turkeys and some deer they harvest this fall online through the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept’s website: vtfishandwildlife.com. Turkeys may be reported online or in-person at a regional big game reporting station. Deer may be reported online or in-person during the archery and muzzleloader seasons, but deer must…