By Alan Keays, VTDigger The head of the state Department of Public Safety and an advisory panel say a trooper has been cleared of any wrongdoing in a traffic stop that a New York assemblyman said left a Brooklyn rabbi and his family feeling “terrorized.” Rabbi Berl Fink, 57, said the trooper had his gun…

Sept. 23-24—VERMONT—A youngster’s first hunt can mark the beginning of a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a commitment to wildlife conservation. There is no finer time to begin this journey than during Vermont’s upcoming youth waterfowl hunting weekend on Sept. 23-24. “Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend helps ensure that young hunters get the quality training and…

Photo by Tamera Mack Pictured: Adela Hanson, Rutland; Paula Liguori, Florence; Linda McGuire, Shrewsbury; Arlene Zivitz, Rutland; Lynn Rose, Rutland; Leslie Sternfels, Fair Haven; Katrine Hughes, Rutland; Carol VanGuilder, Rutland; Susan Edwards, West Rutland; Marie Fitzgerald, Pittsford; Cheryl Gosselin, Fair Haven; Mary Werbinski, Florence.  Jennifer Palmer Smith, Proctor; and Lynn Wade, Rutland, chose to stay…

By Lani Duke Hearing to determine Zingale’s position at town administrator Joe Zingale’s position as Rutland Town administrator is under scrutiny. Select Board Chair Josh Terenzini suspended Zingale with pay Aug. 29 after Terenzini’s delivery of a disciplinary letter resulted in an argument. The Select Board will meet to determinate whether Zingale should be fired…

By Lani Duke Lake group tries new approach to eradicating milfoil from Bomoseen: new harvester gets to work The Lake Bomoseen Association has wound up a 10-day, $29,500 weed harvesting program in which a pair of harvester boats cut and pulled Eurasian milfoil from water south of the float bridge. Over time and careful observation,…

RUTLAND—Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter has released a summary of fiscal year 2017. The shelter is a nonprofit organization serving women, men, and children in the second-most populous county in Vermont who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, RCWNS provided direct services to 924…

RUTLAND—The Regional Prevention Partnerships grant initiative has announced its new name, Partners for Prevention. Since January 2017, the prevention partnership has laid groundwork for coordinated substance abuse prevention in the Rutland region and surrounding communities by facilitating regular community meetings. This group of stakeholders includes representatives from law enforcement, education, mental health and substance abuse…

By Lani Duke Rutland Library public space closed for ceiling repair The Rutland Free Library has temporarily closed the Nella Grimm Fox Room, a popular public meeting space, while repairs are made to its ceiling. A dozen ceiling tiles, totaling an area about 2 feet by 3 feet, fell into the room Aug. 16, Library…

Police are on the hunt for a suspect they say broke into several trucks and stole beverages. According to a press release from the state police, troopers from the Rutland Barracks responded on the morning of Monday, Aug. 21 to the Coca-Cola building on Quality Lane in Rutland for a report of a burglary. Investigating…

By Lani Duke Town managers changing Fair Haven interim Town Manager Jonas Rosenthal said Aug. 17 that the town’s search committee has narrowed the field of applicants for the town manager position to three. He was in the process of sending a questionnaire to each of them so the search committee might get to know…

WEST RUTLAND—A statue of a man is taking shape in the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center, a marble worker from more than a century ago. Carol Driscoll, executive director for the Carving Studio, told the Rutland Herald that the statue differs from the type of work most frequently done at the West Rutland site. It’s…

By Polly Lynn Mikula MENDON—Tracey Fowler of Mendon has once again entered her pets in a calendar contest and is seeking local support. The top 13 most popular photos will earn their place as the months of the 2018 HandicappedPets.com Calendar, plus one lucky pet will make the cover! During the month of August, participants can vote…

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is going back to its roots: After eight years with an asphalt half-mile, with the last four years running with both asphalt and dirt layouts, the Rutland County facility will have an all-new half-mile dirt surface for its 52nd season. The changeover marks the third period in the speedway’s history that dirt racing…

The deadline to apply for an antlerless deer permit to be used during Vermont’s Dec. 2-10 muzzleloader deer season is Thursday, Aug. 24. Antlerless deer hunting permit applications are on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website, vtfishandwildlife.com. Printed applications are available from license agents statewide. New this year, hunters applying online for an antlerless permit will…

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 1 p.m.—PLYMOUTH—Free knitting classes will be offered at the Plymouth Community Center by Barbara Wanamaker Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and again on Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Students will need to purchase yarn and needles to bring with them to the first class. U.S. size 7 or…