CASTLETON—Castleton University recently received word from the office of Senator Patrick Leahy that its TRiO Upward Bound program has been funded for five more years, according to a May 26 news release. The grant will serve 63 high school students in Rutland County attending the target schools of Fair Haven Union High School, Mill River…

On May 27 at 7:30 p.m., troopers from the Royalton barracks were informed of an illegal dumping site, on Mt. Cushman Road in Rochester. The complainant advised that approximately 6 p.m. individuals operating a white U-Haul-type box truck with red lettering, dumped 100-200 tires at the end of the roadway. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone…

Memorial Day weekend through June 4, the Vermont State Police (VSP) will be increasing enforcement efforts to promote safe, responsible driving in support of Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) and Click It Or Ticket. Operation C.A.R.E. is a national campaign by state police agencies across the country to decrease human suffering on our…

By Daryle Thomas May is National Barbecue Month. There are places in this country where it’s warm enough to be outside burning food without having to wear a parka. Vermont is not one of those places until Memorial Day, when our barbecue season officially starts. In honor of the event, you may have loaded up…

WOODSTOCK—On May 10 the staff of Worthy Kitchen, a craft beer and farm diner in Woodstock, presented the Vermont Foodbank with a check for $8,200 to fight hunger. This donation is the result of their annual Night Before The Night event. For five consecutive years, Worthy Kitchen has brought people together to share a meal,…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — The Board of Aldermen is expected to be looking at a $1 million surplus when it sets the tax rate in July. However, it appears all of that surplus may already be accounted for. The city anticipates a $3 million unassigned fund balance at the end of the…

Green Mountain Power announced Tuesday, May 23, that it has a  new  way for customers  to be part of the energy revolution by reducing energy use, saving money and helping GMP reduce peak energy demand for all customers. GMP’s new eSmartwater program includes an Aquanta™ smart water heater controller that lets clients heat water when…

KILLINGTON—Summit Lodge Golf Classic is set to tee off Friday, June 2 in its fifth annual golf tournament, Tee Off for Autism, held at Green Mountain National Golf Course, Barrows Towne Road, Killington. Registration starts at noon, with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. $130 per player includes greens fees, cart, teams of up to five…

RUTLAND—Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County is pleased to announce the the second annual benefit golf tournament to be held at Proctor Pittsford Country Club Friday, May 26. The tournament will benefit Habitat for Humanity and its upcoming construction project at 42 Cleveland Ave. in Rutland city. The project will build a new single family…

Honors, awards, and congratulations PAWLET—The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recently named 14-year-old Riley Callen of Pawlet as one of America’s top 10 youth volunteers of 2017. In the eighth grade, she founded an annual hike that has raised more than $250,000 in search of a cure for brain tumors. The Vermont State Colleges Board…

Rutland City discusses local option tax City Treasurer Wendy Wilton urged the Board of Aldermen consider a local option tax that would fund liability payments to the city pension fund. Wilton proposed the city retire its city charter provision for taxing meals, entertainment, and lodging, while expanding the 1 percent entertainment, meals and lodging tax…

RUTLAND—The board of directors for the Rutland County Parent Child Center (RCPCC) has announced that Mary Zigman, M.S. Ed., has been named the new executive director, effective June 1. Zigman succeeds Caprice Hover who was recently appointed executive director of United Way of Rutland County. Hover had been executive director of RCPCC for the past…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — Rutland Regional Medical Center is apologizing for an error involving the disclosure of hundreds of patients’ email addresses. The hospital, in a statement, said on May 11 a survey was sent to 700 patients. The email addresses for all 700 were visible to each recipient, the statement added.…

As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, Vermont law enforcement is urging everyone to buckle up. Beginning this week, law enforcement officials will be out in full force, taking part in the 2017 National Click It or Ticket (CIOT) seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.…

Hiking Vermont’s hillsides is a great way to enjoy a spring day, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont recommend you check to see if the area you’re planning to hike or climb is open. Several cliff areas are currently closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. “Peregrine nesting is well underway this…