Fall marks the time when Vermont’s snakes may travel long distances to return to their den sites for the winter. The Vt. Fish & Wildlife Department is asking people to keep an eye out for snakes while driving, both to avoid running them over and also to report any snake they see out and about.…

FAIR HAVEN—Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County (HFHRC) announced the dedication of its first house at 30 West St, in Fair Haven in a news release Oct. 1. The property, granted to HFHRC through the Wells Fargo Community Uplift Stabilization Program, has been completely refurbished and will be the home of Melissa Fournier and her…

By Julia Purdy PITTSFORD—On Saturday, Sept. 24, the Pittsford Historical Society and the town of Pittsford dedicated a new historical marker on the town green, in conjunction with the Congregational Church’s annual harvest fair. The marker commemorates the prosperous iron industry of early Pittsford. On a sunny, gusty day, the green was lined with a…

RUTLAND—Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Vermont Farmers Food Center’s (VFFC) Health Care Share (HCS) program distributed the final 125 farm shares to Rutland County residents for the second summer growing season. The program will now move to monthly distributions for the remainder of the year, according to a Sept. 28 news release. For 12 weeks during…

Request for $100,000 receives support from all other Alderman to proceed to committee By Patricia Minichiello RUTLAND CITY—Speaking frankly Monday night, Oct. 3, during the Board of Aldermen’s meeting, Alderman Gary Donahue said he doesn’t understand the purpose of the board’s Marketing Committee. “Everything … is geared towards young people. Young students. With no reference…

Castleton “Thriller” dance seeks students CASTLETON—Zoe Marr Hilliard is working with registered K-8 students to create Castleton’s own version of the famed “Thriller” dance, with plans to perform their routine on Halloween weekend on the Castleton Free Library lawn. The opportunity is becoming an annual Castleton Recreation Department tradition, with the 2016 version being the…

Wallingford crossing repairs WALLINGFORD—The town of Wallingford has received official notice from the state Secretary of Transportation Chris Cole, that the railroad crossing on Route 140 (Depot Street) is scheduled to be reconstructed next year. The project is complicated by a nearby bridge that also needs repair. VTrans has sent a crew to install a…

POULTNEY—Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District (PMNRCD) has been awarded a $28,000 grant as part of Vermont’s Clean Water Fund to identify sources of stormwater runoff and propose high priority stormwater mitigation projects. PMNRCD will work with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC), the town of Castleton, and the town of Hubbardton to conduct stormwater…

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph has added several 2+2 credit transfer pathways for Community College of Vermont students, according to a Sept. 29 news release. The new arrangement will provide students looking to continue their education in Rutland with new pipelines to bachelor’s degree studies at CSJ. The 2+2 agreements allow students to graduate with an…

Sunday, Oct. 9 from 1-5 p.m.—POULTNEY—The Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced that its first-ever 2016 Honorary Citizen of the Year award will be presented to Jonas Rosenthal. The public is invited to join the Chamber in honoring Rosenthal at an open house/retirement party sponsored by the town. The reception will be held Sunday,…

The Vermont congressional delegation announced Friday, Sept. 23, that Housing Vermont  received a $2 million grant to help provide affordable housing to low-income families in the state. “While the economy has certainly improved since the Great Recession, far too many people in Vermont and across the country are still struggling to get by on stagnant…

By Karrie Etzler Residents of Rutland City and its environs were graciously fêted at a three-course culinary soiree, hosted by the Grace Congregational United Church of Christ (Grace Church), under its community outreach program on Sunday evening, Sept. 25. The complimentary affair dubbed Welcome Table Dinner is a major event for the church, and is…

PITTSFORD—The Proctor Transfer Station on Deere Road in Pittsford will be open to Proctor residents from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 for trash, recyclables, yard waste and brush without charge. The Rutland County Solid Waste District will be at the transfer station to accept household hazardous wastes from 12-3 p.m. Proctor residents with questions…

FOREST DALE—Rev. Scott R. Carlson has accepted the pastorate of Living Water Assembly of God in Forest Dale. He will be moving with his his wife and son to Brandon and will begin pastoral duties officially Sunday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. The Northern New England District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Reverend Dennis Marguardt…

RUTLAND—Elisabeth Kulas, the executive director of the Housing Trust of Rutland County, will be recognized Thursday, Sept. 29, for promoting smart growth, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and strong communities through the development of affordable housing. Kulas, of Clarendon, will receive the Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership from the Vermont Natural Resources Council at VNRC’s…