Archaeology dig on Buckner Preserve WEST HAVEN—Castleton University students are among the diggers laboring to learn about humans’ interaction with the environment in the southern Lake Champlain Basin. They are taking part in an archaeology dig at the Helen W. Buckner Preserve in West Haven. Altogether, students and others are excavating a large precontact campsite…

By Lani Duke After analyzing more than a century’s precipitation records, Dartmouth College researchers concluded northern New England weather patterns have indeed changed. Intense rain events of two or more inches inside of 24 hours are 53 percent more likely than they were in the 1990s, researcher Jonathan Winter told the Valley News, June 19.…

July 11-12—RUTLAND—Close to 500 million foreign travelers visited European destinations in 2016, according to the World Tourism Organization. That’s 4 percent more than the prior year — and the U.S. Postal Service is ready to prepare travelers for such future excursions. To make it easier to apply for a U.S. Passport, the Rutland post office will offer extended hours…

PLYMOUTH UNION—The Plymouth Memorial Garden and Community Center Sign was dedicated Sunday, June 11. The garden is in memory of Eliza Ward, a life-long resident. Several of her family were present for the celebration. Engraved bricks memorializing loved ones surround the garden restored by Bruce and Midge Tucker. The sign at the community center announces information…

KILLINGTON—New features have been installed at the Killington Recreation Center this summer. A new playground was installed this past year with the help of the town’s highway crew, and Killington campers have had a blast on the new playground and are enjoying the new features, reported Kim Peters, Killington recreation director.  The extended plan is…

Vermont State Parks and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department have expanded the popular Reel Fun Vermont program for 2017. Eighteen Vermont State Parks now offer free loaner fishing equipment to park visitors, along with a mix of educational resources focused on the sport of fishing. “We’re excited to offer Reel Fun at six more…

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph (CSJ) is offering summer sports camps for young athletes throughout July. These six-day residential camps are open to athletes in grades 7-12. Camps are led by CSJ’s varsity coaches, their staff and student-athletes, and will include an academic component. The college will offer an eSports camp July 9-14; cheerleading and dance camp July 16-21; boy’s soccer camp July 16-21; girl’s soccer camp July 16-21 and July 23-28;…

RUTLAND—The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging has received a $1,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America to support its client pet support program. Funding will be used to provide food, supplies and care for area clients with pets — all of which can be financially and physically burdensome. In total, Meals on Wheels America has…

Local and state law enforcement agencies will be stepping up efforts to stop impaired and dangerous driving during the upcoming holiday weekend. Between June 30 and July 4, the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies will conduct sobriety checkpoints focused on catching people who drink and drive or are under the influence of alcohol…

Interim fire chief, search committee chosen Rutland City Deputy Fire Chief William Lovett will formally take on the role of interim chief, once he is confirmed by the aldermen July 3. Mayor David Allaire recommended Lovett for the position when the aldermen met June 19. If confirmed, Lovett’s appointment would begin July 1 and continue…

VERMONT—From June 1 to Sept. 1, 118 Vermont public and academic libraries will be handing out passports in the third annual Passport to Vermont Libraries program, encouraging Vermonters and visitors alike to visit some of Vermont’s unique, beautiful and creative libraries. Did you know? The Isle La Motte Library, a lovely stone building, boasts their…

Dollar General stores planned for western Rutland County CASTLETON—While Poultney waits to learn whether a Dollar General store will move in, one is under construction in Castleton. The steel will be placed in July and the store will have a soft opening in early September with an official opening celebration Sept. 24, according to Dan…

By Stephen Seitz LUDLOW—A Green Mountain Union High School senior is under house arrest following his arraignment in Windsor County criminal court on June 20. According to court documents, Chester resident Ryan Stocker is accused of having sexually assaulting two of his fellow students in October of last year and this past May. The earlier…

Kimberly and Matthew Johnson and their family have recently been selected by Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County to live in a new home being built at 42 Cleveland Ave. in Rutland. This family of four is currently renting an older two bedroom unit in a building that houses seven other units in the same…

By Stephen Seitz LUDLOW—If nothing else, the Black River High School class of 2017 will remember their commencement speaker with a smile, as diplomas were handed out to the 26 new graduates on June 17. The class voted to hear from Craig Goodman, who founded and runs Goodman’s American Pie in Ludlow. He was graduated…