By Victoria Gaither The NAACP Rutland Area Branch is hosting a second Juneteeth hair clinic for the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community this year after the first hair clinic last year was a success. “We provided hair braiding services last year for the children. Altogether, we helped at least 25 children in…

By Curt Peterson Jennifer Mayfield, 29, is one of six athletes representing the Vermont Special Olympics at the USA Games in Orlando this week. The state delegation includes one other golfer, two track athletes and two swimmers. Fourteen support people accompany the athletes. Mayfield’s father Brett Mayfield will serve as her caddy. A total of…

By Katy Savage Killington’s first-quarter option tax was the largest in the town’s recorded history. A total of $286,625 was collected from January to March, which is above the budgeted $215,600. “We’ve had people tell us they’ve never written checks that big for the sales tax,” Killington Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth said. “They’re just that…

By Katy Savage A zoning permit request to sell firearms next to Rutland Northeast Primary School was rescinded on June 6 after backlash from residents. A temporary permit was granted on May 24, which would have allowed applicant Eric Fletcher to sell firearms on Temple Street, about .1 mile or a 3-minute walk from Rutland…

By Katy Savage Castleton University students at the School of Resort Management spent 10 weeks developing a product and a business plan to ask for an investment offer. The 12-week course is modeled after the reality television program, "Shark Tank." It teaches students how to write a business plan that is solid enough “to be…

By Polly Mikula On Thursday, May 26, the town of Killington presented a revised Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC) after changes were made to its first proposal, presented in March. A final determination on the town’s application for a Master TIF District is expected at the next VEPC…

By Merisa Sherman It started way back in 1994, when a young man chose to drive up for a few weekends at Killington over the course of the winter season. An environmental economics major, he started recording his observations of the day — what the weather was like, how the conditions were, who he might…

Nearly three dozen Rutland Blooms volunteers beautified Rutland’s northwest neighborhood Thursday, May 26, planting dozens of trees along sections of Crescent and Grove streets. “We planted some of the biggest trees we’ve planted so far, thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers,” Rutland City Forester Tim Smith said. “This is a great public-private partnership…

Resort is gunning for latest closure in 25 years Killington Resort’s last weekend of winter skiing and riding will be the first weekend in June, marking the latest skiing and riding date at the resort in 25 years. The longest season on record was 1996-1997, which lasted until June 22. The Killington snowmaking team began…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger After the trustees of Chester’s Whiting Library decided to “pause” hosting Drag Queen Story Hour, the library’s director resigned and community members have voiced frustration. Meanwhile, a local restaurant has agreed to host the event instead. “Drag queen story hours” were launched by author Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions, a queer literary arts…

By Polly Mikula Memorial Day weekend is known for many things (in addition to solemnly remembering those veterans that paid the ultimate price in service to our country). The three day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to summer so many will celebrate with barbecues, parades and parties. Others will spend the weekend in the garden,…

By Brett Yates At the Pittsfield Select Board’s May 19 meeting, chair Ann Kuendig announced the upcoming formation of a new regional body composed of representatives from the five Route 100 towns of the Quintown Valley. The area stretches along the upper White River from Granville to Pittsfield, with Hancock, Rochester, and Stockbridge in between.…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger When Mike Peabody heard a noise outside his home unlike any he’d heard before, he figured his cat was involved. But as he followed the commotion into his house, he encountered a different sort of feline. “I ran into the bathroom thinking I was going to be breaking up a cat fight,” Peabody…

The Red Clover Inn has reopened for accommodations and private events. New owners Mark Allen and Venetia Riso have continued to restore and reimagine the property in a rustic, elegant style. “We were struck by the Red Clover’s quiet location, beautiful mountain backdrop, and easy access to Rutland and Killington,” Allen said. “Whether skiing, hiking,…

By Victoria Gaither Rutland’s Stefanie Schaffer signed with a modeling agency, Zebedee Talent, this year— an agency for people with disabilities and differences. Right away, she was signed with SKIMS, an American shapewear and clothing brand. “This campaign for SKIMS’ new adaptive collection, where they redesigned their previous “fits everybody” collection to make them accessible…