By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger With a historic vote Wednesday, May 10, the Vermont Legislature became the first in the country to send a marijuana legalization bill to its governor. The House passed the latest version of a legalization proposal on a vote of 79-66. With the House’s approval, the bill, S.22, moves on to Gov.…

By Lee J. Kahrs, The Reporter PROCTOR—The question of whether or not to continue employing a town manager in Proctor will go back to the voters next month. A group of Proctor residents secured a petition with more than 5 percent of the required voter signatures in favor of bringing the question to the voters.…

Powdr resorts recognized with top industry accolades KILLINGTON—At its annual National Convention and Trade Show held earlier this month, the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) gave select ski areas top honors for their 2016-17 marketing programs. The awards were based on successful programs that ultimately help grow participation in skiing and snowboarding, according to a…

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph has acquired Highland Meadows Apartments in Rutland as additional dormitory space for students. The apartment complex will add more than 100 beds for students in the coming years. The two-building, 32-unit facility was funded through the USDA Rural Development Loan program. “CSJ has enjoyed a period of growth in its academic…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A Rutland City panel has sealed $2 million for new outdoor swimming, with one voice of dissent. The city board of finance on Wednesday, May 10, awarded the pool construction contract to Russell Construction of Rutland, the lowest of four bidders at a little under $2.07 million. The next closest…

Rutland Town solar site agreement nears RUTLAND TOWN—An agreement on solar development between Otter Creek Solar and Rutland Town is imminent, Town Administrator Joseph Zingale said, May 1. The Rutland Herald reported Otter Creek Solar 1 and Otter Creek Solar 2 are designed to alleviate residents’ and the town’s objections. Minor details are all that…

By Evan Johnson ROCHESTER—Police say they caught the man responsible for breaking into the Rochester School and another residence this weekend.  On Sunday, May 7, state police from the Royalton Barracks responded to a report of a break-in on Kirby Drive. Upon arriving, they discovered the suspect, identified as Rochester resident John Waters, had left…

On Saturday, May 13, the National Association of Letter Carriers will host its 25th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch #495 will be collecting non-perishable food items for distribution to food shelves in our Rutland County communities. Local letter carriers will pick it up and deliver it to…

Governor Phil Scott has appointed two new members to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board from Rutland and Orleans counties. Brian Wiles has been appointed from Rutland County to replace Justin Lindholm, and David Robillard has been appointed from Orleans County to replace Grant Spates. The 14-member board is a group of Vermont citizens that…

May 12-13—RUTLAND—Rutland Youth Theatre presents the fun loving “Madagascar, A Musical Adventure, Jr.” Based on DreamWorks’ popular movie “Madagascar” to the stage at Paramount Theatre for three shows: May 12, 7 p.m.; May 13, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Join Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hip-hip hippo and, the…

Castleton U. honors and transitions CASTLETON—The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees recently named Castleton history professor Adam Chill the VSC Faculty Fellow of the 2017-18 academic year. The semi-annual fellowship award recognizes teaching and learning accomplishments of tenured faculty. Chill became a full-time faculty member in 2009, teaching European history. His research includes the…

By Evan Johnson  On Saturday, May 6 in West Rutland, rugby fans from all over the state descended on a field outside of town for a day of hard tackles, mooseburgers and fundraising for a good cause. The event: The Keith Page Memorial Rugby Invitational. Rugby, the raucous cousin of what we Americans call soccer,…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger All of the more than 21,000 homes and businesses in Vermont that had their electricity knocked out Friday, May 5, by a powerful windstorm had service back by Sunday afternoon. Around 1 p.m. Sunday, Green Mountain Power had reported about 250 customers along the southern Route 7 corridor in Rutland…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — Plans for a new city pool have cleared a big financial hurdle, with bids coming in at prices that will allow the more than $2 million project to get done. “It was a challenging process,” Rutland Recreation Superintendent Cindi Wight said Tuesday, May 2. “We’re really excited to…

4-year-old donates birthday “gifts” to food shelf  Griffin, a member of Hughes’s P@K preschool class at Killington, had his 4th birthday party on Saturday, April 29, at Green Mountain Storyline in Rutland. He asked his guests not to bring gifts, but instead to bring food for the food shelf. On Thursday, May 4, Griffin and…