CASTLETON—Castleton University announced Thursday that it will be joining nearly 2,000 colleges and universities across the country in becoming a tobacco free campus beginning Aug. 1. In November the Vermont State Colleges board of trustees unanimously approved a measure to ensure all VSC institutions will be tobacco free by July 1, 2019. Castleton will become…

By Stephen Seitz LUDLOW—The town of Ludlow has a busy year ahead for its bridges, dams and culverts, and the first one is already underway. First on the list are upgrades to the Red Bridge Dam, which began in late February. Lake Rescue is north of Red Bridge and Pauline Lake is to the south…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger WHITE RIVER JUNCTION– U.S. Rep. Peter Welch attributed the largest crowd he’s ever had at a town hall meeting to someone who wasn’t even there: President Donald Trump. “This is bigger because of the times,” Welch said Friday evening, March 3. “There’s been an explosion of interest because of the…

By Evan Johnson RUTLAND CITY—The third third time was the charm for David Allaire. The 19-year veteran of the Rutland City Board of Aldermen successfully unseated sitting Mayor Chris Louras by a wide margin. Initial results on Tuesday evening showed Allaire taking 2,196 votes to Loura’s 1,420. Allaire, who could not be reached for comment…

Act 46 Modified Union District to be created By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—Killington may be the first town in the state to rescind a local option tax. The 1 percent option taxes on sales as well as room, meals and alcohol were adopted in Killington in 2008. Rescinding the local option sales tax passed by…

RUTLAND—The Cobra Gymnastics team recently competed in the 2017 Hip Hop Classic at Woodman Athletics in Brattleboro, Vt. Teams traveled from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont to compete across eight sessions. This highly anticipated meet was fiercely competitive and full of energy, according to the Cobra coaches. With true dedication, the girls put their hard…

Poultney Area St. David’s Society held its 29th annual St. David’s Day dinner Feb. 26 in the Slate Valley in Granville, N.Y. It was an enjoyable, waited dinner and fellowship gathering which was followed by the society’s program, “Bring Something Welsh” show and tell. The show and tell began with presentations by members and guests after…

With an eye toward attracting visitors and celebrating the Rutland region’s history and the 30th anniversary of the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center (CSSC), a major new downtown Rutland sculpture has been commissioned. MKF Properties and Green Mountain Power commissioned the roughly 10-ton sculpture as a tribute to the thousands of quarry workers, stonecutters and…

City programs combat cabin fever Keep an eye on some of the interesting events at the Rutland Free Library. Wednesday, March 8, will present the Lego Building Challenge sponsored by the Rutland Boys & Girls Club. The library also offers opportunities to practice Japanese, German, and French; programs for babies and toddlers; conversations about land…

WEST HAVEN—Devil’s Bowl Speedway, located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., already has its first “win” in the 2017 stock car racing season. At a conference at the Plaza Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 18, it was announced that NASCAR has awarded a $10,000 grant to the speedway for capital improvements and facility…

According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Loyalty Day originally began as “Americanization Day” in 1921 as a counter to the Communist May 1 celebration of the Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York’s Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in 1949, May 1…

Safety concerns cancel ice fishing derby BENSON—Low water levels, rainy weather forecasts, and poor ice conditions led to Fair Haven Rotary Club’s cancelling its planned 45th annual Great Benson Ice Fishing Derby. This cancellation was only the second time the event has been cancelled. Organizers decided to continue with the cash raffle, though, with such…

RUTLAND—The Vermont Foodbank announced the promotion of Genna Williams to the position of branch manager for its Rutland distribution center. Williams spent the past year and a half as the Vermont Foodbank’s southern region gleaning coordinator, leading teams of volunteers to harvest fresh produce from area farms rescue thousands of pounds of fresh produce. A…

CASTLETON—Castleton University, in partnership with Vermont PBS, invites Vermont high school students to participate in the 22nd annual Castleton Videofest. High school students throughout Vermont and the surrounding area are encouraged to enter submissions in any of four categories: documentary, experimental/animation, narrative fiction, and public service announcements/advertisements. Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded for first…

It is hard to imagine ourselves in a situation where we don’t have the ability to make sound decisions regarding our health care. Yet planning for a time when we might not be capable of making important medical decisions is crucial for each of us. It is something people of all ages should be thinking…