By Brooke Geery Much like their winter brethren, mountain bikers are a hardy sort. They’re not going to let a little thing like a global pandemic spoil all the fun. So, although the Bike Bum race series, normally held on Killington Resort’s network of trails, was not able to happen at the resort this year,…

By Katy Savage If you want to ski or ride at Okemo this winter you’ll have to make a reservation first. Vail Resorts, which owns Okemo, Mount Snow and Stowe along with 31 other resorts, released its winter operating plan on Aug. 27. Guests will be required to wear facial coverings at all times and…

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 4: There are now 17 Covid-19 cases associated with the outbreak in Killington, including 11 people who attended the private party Aug. 19 and six from subsequent transmission. Two of the new cases had already been identified as close contacts, and were in quarantine, preventing further spread, according to State Epidemiologist Patsy…

Editor’s note: Leo Pond is a 14 year old political columnist from Chittenden, Vermont.  Leo Pond: What made you decide to run for governor? David Zuckerman: As I was contemplating whether to run or not I was really reflecting on the public service person I’ve been for the last 22 years and that I’ve always…

Killington Resort partners with Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) to expand food access with local products helping farms in the region and those facing food insecurity KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced on Aug. 26, a farm-to-trunk community grocery giveaway happening on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or until all 700 bags have been…

By Katy Savage A new residential care facility is coming to Mendon next month. Bhakta Care, LLC is opening Vista Senior Living at the former Cortina Inn with a total of 67 units. Manish Saxena, who is overseeing construction, said the owner, Ravi Bhakta, had thought of repurposing the inn for the past 4-5 years.…

Whiskey entrepreneur plans agriculture project POULTNEY— The Green Mountain College campus, which closed last year because of declining enrollment and financial challenges, has sold at auction for $4.55 million, much lower than the $20 million appraised value. Raj Peter Bhakta, the founder of WhistlePig whiskey in Shoreham, had the winning bid on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Bhakta’s…

73 new facilities coupled with deregulation of in-home providers will add 10,000 openings By Erin Petenko and Lola Duffort/VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott plans to spend about $12 million in federal relief funds to dramatically expand child care capacity for school-aged children, including establishing regional child care hubs for students on remote learning days. The state estimates 10,300 students…

A recent incident involving bears in Wilmington should bring to the attention of those who rent out or manage property rentals in bear country that it is important to provide information about bears to renters so they can take the necessary measures to avoid encounters with bears, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. …

Women’s alpine World Cup to return to Killington Nov. 27-28, 2021 KILLINGTON–Killington Resort announced, Thursday, Aug. 20, that it will not be the host venue for the HomeLight Killington Cup race this year following a recent decision made jointly by the International Ski Federation, National Ski Associations and local organizing committees in Canada and the U.S.A to…

By Brooke Geery Wearing a mask is a lot more fun if it’s colorful and exciting, and Vermont’s artist community knows that! Several local artists have gotten in on the action, producing stylish creations that make wearing a mask just a little bit better. Ashley Carter of Sweet Potato Accessories in Mendon has been hard…

The Dept. of Forests, Parks, & Recreation (FPR) announced Aug. 14 that long-time State Parks Director Craig Whipple is retiring. “Under Craig’s leadership, our world-class state park system has expanded, modernized, and become more accessible,” said Michael Snyder, commissioner of Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation, the department that oversees Vermont state parks. “And even as…

By Stephen Seitz When she was younger, Kelly Stettner never thought she would be an environmental activist. “My husband and I were walking along the river, and we saw all this trash piled up along the banks,” she said in a 2014 interview. “I said, ‘Can’t somebody do something about this?’ and my husband said,…

By Polly Mikula Same Sun of Vermont is wrapping up a 500-kilowatt solar installation at Rutland schools this month. The project is part of energy performance plan created by Johnson Controls and financed by energy savings generated through the plan, rather than taxes. “It works well in areas where there is no appetite for higher…

Vera Rivard, 16, of Derby, Vermont and Springfield, New Hampshire, will attempt an English Channel swim this week. Rivard is an Upper Valley Aquatic Club (UVAC) swim team member, she was the Vermont Sport’s Magazine Athlete of the Year 2019, and she is an open water swimming phenom. She arrived in Dover, England Aug. 8…