Narrowing of road will make it pedestrian-friendly, create parklets for outdoor dining By Katy Savage Center Street in Rutland is getting a facelift this summer. The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a $20,000 plan Monday, June 15, to narrow Center Street and create more space for outdoor dining. The plan calls for reducing the speed…

By Brooke Geery Rachel Coats and Lucciana Costa, also known as King Margo, made their mark on the Killington music scene this past winter. The duo, originally from the Midwest, migrated north from Nashville, caught the snowboarding bug, and decided to make Killington home. It wasn’t long before they were playing at venues such as…

Starting June 26, venues can fill to 50% capacity or 75 indoor, 150 outdoor As state data and expanded testing and tracing capacity continue to support reopening, Governor Phil Scott on Friday, June 19, announced the state will raise occupancy limits for event venues, arts, culture and entertainment venues, as well as restaurants. Beginning June…

By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger Vermonters who live in long-term care facilities could have their first face-to-face visits with visiting family or friends by Father’s Day, Gov. Phil Scott said Wednesday. Scott and Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith outlined new guidance that the state plans to put into effect Sunday for the state’s more…

Vermont high school graduates gifted a free CCV course As school districts across the state said good-bye to the Vermont high school class of 2020, the McClure Foundation announced a graduation gift for every member of that class. Every graduating senior, no matter their circumstances, will be eligible for a free course of their choosing…

LUDLOW—It was November 2019 when Wright Construction began the project at the Inn at Water’s Edge. The historic building, on the shore of Echo Lake off Route 100 in Ludlow, deserved a major facelift after serving as a peaceful retreat for guests over the past 21 years, the new owners, Bob and Connie Rae, felt.…

Hank Dimuzio and Rhonda Roberts of LedgEnd Farm worked with the Vermont Land Trust to conserve 132 acres of their deer farm on Munger Street. Theirs is the largest deer farm in the state with over 400 animals. Dimuzio didn’t follow a typical path to become a farmer. For over 20 years he built up…

Family encourages blood donations in Rutland man’s memory The family of Pete Giancola, a well-known local musician, is urging the greater-Rutland community to donate blood in his memory at the 2020 Mini Gift-of-Life Marathon (GOLM) blood drive. Giancola died in March after a 10-year battle with cancer, and relied on hundreds of blood donors who…

By Sawyer Loftus and Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger More than 200 community members gathered on Saturday, June 13, to help paint “Black Lives Matter” in massive yellow letters in front of the State House. The project had been in the works for just under a week and was a collaboration between Noel Riby-Williams, a Montpelier resident, and City Councilor Conor Casey. The week prior,…

By Katy Savage Eric Mallette caught the “theater bug” when he was 19 and working as a college intern at the Paramount Theatre. “I remember the magic I felt walking through the doors,” Mallette said. It’s where he realized the power theater has. “I remember thinking how exciting it was to be part of something…

Demonstrators call for an end to systemic racism in Rutland and beyond By Aliya Schneider Protestors were met with honking, cheering, and gestures of support as they protested along Main Street in Rutland on Sunday, June 7. “Black lives matter!”; “No Justice! No Peace!”; “Say his name. George Floyd” and  “Say her name. Breonna Taylor”…

By Mikie Perkins, Albany Recruiting Battalion When the first Continental Congress founded the army in 1775, it was done to protect the original 13 colonies against invasion by the British. The U.S. Army continues to fight to protect Americans from aggressors 245 years later. It does so successfully because of soldiers who are dedicated and…

By Curt Peterson Following a short presentation by Jim Haff (Killington), chairman of the Windsor Central Unified School District buildings and grounds committee, the district board approved investing up to $130,000 to install a “super” dehumidifying system, complete some related electrical work and do some deep cleaning to get the Prosper Valley School in Pomfret…

By Virginia Dean Recent news reports indicate that one of the major industries in Vermont that has been hit the hardest by the pandemic is the dairy farm. According to the state Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts, 14 small to medium farms (out of a total of 677 as of January 2020) have stopped milking.…

By Katy Savage Tracy Kardys started planning her wedding a year ago. She envisioned a boho-style wedding on an 88-acre family-owned farm in Proctorsville that has a pond and vineyard. She wanted her 130 guests to dance under  Vermont stars. Kardys has done most of the planning and made most of the decorations herself to save…