The Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) has received several reports of callers claiming to be conducting surveys on behalf of DFR’s insurance and banking divisions. Commissioner Michael S. Pieciak wants to stress DFR is not involved in these surveys. DFR does not believe personal client information has been requested. Callers have targeted insurance agencies around…

CU president search begins CASTLETON—As the process of choosing Castleton University president Dave Wolk’s successor begins, Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Jeb Spaulding and board of trustees members hosted a March 28 forum to get community feedback on the process. They discussed whether the search should be internal or external, and whether the candidate should have…

Local donations, promotions, awards William Notte has been promoted to manager of Phoenix Books, Rutland. Kinney Motors officials presented a $15,497 unrestricted donation to the Rutland County Boys & Girls Club, March 28. Probably, the gift will be used for meals that the club provides. The National NeighborWorks Association has given NeighborWorks of Western Vermont…

One of the great wildlife migrations is about to happen right now in Vermont, right at our feet. You may start to hear the spring peepers or wood frogs calling in your backyard. Or perhaps you’ll notice salamanders crawling over rocks in a nearby stream. Amphibians will soon be on the move, but their spring…

Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m.—WEST PAWLET—On April 8, the West Pawlet Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary will hold its annual Spring Market at the West Pawlet Fire House, 2806 VT Rte. 153 (Main Street), West Pawlet, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Be early if you want Auxiliary member Ellie Park’s famous rolls, cookies, cakes and pies. They disappear quickly. The Easter food…

In Vermont, the Care Alliance for Opioid Addiction’s “hub and spoke” model helps connect Vermonters struggling with addiction access treatment at one of five “hubs” and nine locations throughout the state. Last week, the Addiction Policy Forum recognized the Care Alliance for Opioid Addiction’s “hub and spoke” model for weaving together existing infrastructure already dispensing…

The Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program, “VSNIP,” is a low-cost spay neuter program for those who qualify for a state-funded social assistance program. The fact is that one cat and all her offspring, in seven years, has the potential to multiply to 420,000 offspring and dogs to 62,000! Euthanasia is no longer the solution to…

RUTLAND—The Daughters of the American Revolution, Ann Story Chapter, recently presented its annual Good Citizen Awards to seven Rutland area high school seniors and its annual American History Essay Contest award to three 5th, 6th, and 8th grade students. These awards were presented at a ceremony at the Baxter’s Restaurant at the Rutland Country Club…

CHESTER—Four Vermont 4-H teens earned a place on the state 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl team by achieving the highest overall scores in the Senior Division, ages 14 and older, in statewide competition on March 11 held at Green Mountain Union High School in Chester. It was sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and…

KILLINGTON—Burlington-based nonprofit Puppets in Education (PiE) received funding from National Life Group Foundation to support a morning of bully prevention and empathy-building programs for Killington Elementary School Monday, March 13. Students shared their experiences and learned tips and tools to keep themselves and others safe while becoming a caring bystander. These empathy-building presentations provided a…

By Julia Purdy A new kind of nature book is hitting the stands. “The Mountain Manifesto: A Call to Protect the Green Mountains” is a detailed statement that aims to elevate the level of discourse around ridgeline development for industrial wind from the corporate bottom line of dollars and cents to a new, moral bottom…

The Agency of Natural Resources announced today that Walgreen Eastern Co., Inc., the owner of three Vermont Walgreens stores, was fined $20,000 for producing and selling batteries in Vermont without an Agency-approved battery stewardship plan. Under state law, manufacturers of “primary” batteries are required to identify how they will contribute to the free collection and…

WOODSTOCK—If there was a community disaster, would you be prepared? Would you like to learn skills that will help you, your family, and your community during an emergency? Would you like to help out when needed, but don’t know what to do or where to go? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) basic training program…

WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum has joined more than 100 history organizations around the country in endorsing the History Relevance Value Statement and declaring the importance of teaching and learning history. To celebrate, Billings Farm is urging history fans to post a selfie enjoying their favorite historical spot and use the hashtag #HistoryRelevance. The value statement…

Police race bias closed bar, Greeno claims Rutland City faces a federal civil rights law suit, filed by former bar owner Charles “Chip” Greeno March 21 in U.S. District Court. Claiming law enforcement targeted his business because of the race of his clientele, Greeno seeks damages “in excess of $75,000.” Greeno’s business, The Local, 24…