Sixteen-year-old, Vera Rivard of Springfield, New Hampshire and Derby, Vermont, successfully completed her English Channel attempt from Samphire Hoe Beach in Dover, England to Wissant Beach, France. This swim is one of the Triple Crowns of Marathon Open Water swimming. Start time was 9:38 a.m. and finish time was 11:48 p.m. Rivard finished with a time of 14…

Covid-19 may have changed the venue, but the virus could not dampen the spirits at the ceremony for the recipients of this year’s Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union (BRSU) teacher and staff awards, held Monday, Aug. 31. Instead of a school auditorium, first-year BRSU Superintendent Randi Lowe revealed the honorees on a computer screen packed with 217…

The Covid-19 pandemic is a tough reminder that ‘Disasters don’t wait. Make your plan today” Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates September as National Preparedness Month to promote the importance of family and community disaster planning. This year’s theme, “Disasters don’t wait. Make your plan today,” resonates strongly as local communities and…

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,…

RUTLAND—The neighborhood engagement subcommittee wants to introduce you to Project Vision personally. With a goal to expand community engagement and build great neighborhoods, members have instituted neighborhood walks. A neighborhood walk is hosted by someone who resides in a neighborhood. They bring other members from the community at large (citizens, volunteers, service providers and police…

James J. (Jim) Judge of Killington, born Dec. 3, 1935 in Staten Island, New York, died peacefully on Aug. 31 after a short illness in Dallas, Texas. Jim Judge is survived by his wife, Kathy (née Garahan) following a loving marriage of over 51 years. He is also survived by his sister, Maureen (Sister Elizabeth…

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…

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…

After an 11-month search, the First Congregational Church of Hartland has selected a new pastor — Amy Davin of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On Sunday, Aug. 23 the congregation unanimously voted for her to lead the church. She will become the church’s 37th settled pastor. Davin replaced Rev. Lucia Anne Jackson, who has served the congregation for…

The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is hosting its 24th annual Source to Sea Cleanup throughout the month of September. This year, CRC is asking cleanup participants and all who enjoy our rivers to join them in demanding an end to trashed rivers. “After cleaning up 1,167 tons of trash over the past 23 years it’s clear that repeated cleaning is not the solution…

QUECHEE— As families seek new approaches to education in the wake of Covid-19, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is excited to announce expanded homeschool programs for this fall. Programs will be available to families with children in pre-K through fifth grade, and will include both at-home portions and activities to take place at…

Sept. 12-19 is EAB awareness week In keeping with the flight habits of the emerald ash borer (EAB), the ash tree predator that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the country, Bob Brandt is pictured as he removes one of the “purple traps” used to capture adult EAB beetles.  EAB was first located in…

As you can imagine, the staff at the Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) goes through a lot of supplies feeding and caring for the animals in the shelter. They are currently in need of certain items, so if you’d like to make a donation for the animals, they’d really appreciate it! The shelter needs paper…