The Vermont State Police bomb squad arrived at Rochester Elementary School around noon Thursday, Dec. 5 after a child brought what looked like a hand grenade to class. Explosives technicians later determined the device was an inert training grenade that wouldn’t have exploded. Sgt. Eric Hudson said the device was brought to school by an…

Staff report Barnard voters decided 119-85 to merge with Windsor Central Supervisory Union on Tuesday. Residents had long debated joining Windsor Central prior to the vote. Some in Barnard wanted to turn Barnard Academy into an independent school to avoid the school’s potential closure in the future. About 29% of the 715 registered voters turned…

By Curt Peterson Barnard Town Offices will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 for voters to decide by Australian ballot whether Barnard Academy will merge into the Windsor Central Modified Unified Union School District. Pam Fraser, Barnard WCUSD board representative for the middle and high school and Carin Park, Barnard…

‘I just love racing in front of the crowd’ By Katy Savage Mikaela Shiffrin is clearly the superstar of Superstar. She won her fourth straight Slalom at the HomeLight Killington World Cup on Sunday, Dec. 1. The races were held on a trail called Superstar. Shiffrin’s lead was sizable, too, at 2.29 seconds combined —…

By Katy Savage A group of University of Vermont students are trying to solve Killington’s bear problem. Five UVM students attended the Killington Select Board meeting Nov. 19 to present a semester-long project they’ve worked on to understand human- bear conflicts throughout the state. From 2016-2018 Killington had 39 bear conflicts—the second highest number of…

With an open hand beckoning the viewer on one side and a remarkable likeness of the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous on the other, Rutland’s newest sculpture is designed to celebrate one of the world’s most influential people while inspiring thought and contemplation. The sculpture, honoring William G. Wilson, known as “Bill W.,” was unveiled Nov.…

By Virginia Dean Now that Thanksgiving is over, Ludlow resident Samantha DeCarvalho is breathing a sigh of relief – not because she wanted her favorite holiday to end but because it nearly didn’t happen in the first place. “I love Thanksgiving,” DeCarvalho said in a recent interview. “Dinnertime is so important, such a special time…

Vermont snowboard legend birthed a passion that lives on Jake Burton Carpenter died Wednesday, Nov. 20, surrounded by family and friends. On Nov. 9, Jake sent the following email to his employees: “You will not believe this, but my cancer has come back. It’s the same tumor as the first time around. We just never…

By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger WARREN — Rusty Gregory, the CEO of Sugarbush Resort’s new parent company, knew his audience was worried that corporate ownership would change the nature of the ski area that drives their local economy. So Gregory gave out his mobile phone number from the stage, first to dozens of employees who attended a…

By Karen D. Lorentz Vermont was well represented at the 38th annual Boston.com Ski & Snowboard Expo at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston Nov. 14-17. The show, which draws thousands of snowsport lovers every year, marks the New England kick-off to the ski season, pumping up attendees with bargains, entertainment, excitement, and fun. In addition to…

With Killington Resort investing millions of dollars in summer and winter activities, a number of business owners on Killington Road are following with upgrades and changes to their buildings. Some business owners have invested heavily into summer offerings with the rise in the resort becoming a year-round destination. “Everyone in the business (industry) does a…

By Virginia Dean The philanthropic efforts of 7-year-old Bradford Elementary School student Preston O’Donnell have had far-reaching effects in the Upper Valley this holiday season, including nearly 20 different locations where local residents have brought their donations of socks to help those in need. Begun as an effort to help her best friend who lost…

Pledge drive fails to raise funds to offset long-term debt By Lee J. Kahrs An appeal for pledges from members to keep the Neshobe Golf Club alive in the face of foreclosure has failed. Neshobe Golf Club Board Chair Jeff Wallin said Tuesday morning that the club was only able to raise about half of…

Killington Cup welcomes the fastest women ski racers, will Shiffrin defend her Slalom title for the fourth year? By Polly Mikula There’s no question that Mikaela Shiffrin is at the top of her game — a true superstar in ski racing. For the past three years, nearly 40,000 fans have traveled to see her race…

Multiple factors contribute to demand, vacation properties are majority of boom By Karen D. Lorentz Investments in both winter and summer attractions and activities at Killington Resort, expansion of Killington Mountain School programs, the transition to a year-round vacation paradise, the good value of real estate prices, and the “gig” economy of short-term rentals have…