BRANDON — Federal authorities on Wednesday, June 22, arrested a Brandon woman as part of a national health care fraud crackdown. The Office of the U.S. Attorney in Burlington said the 36-year-old Misti Baker was involved in Medicaid fraud, and that a federal judged had ordered that she be jailed pending a detention hearing on…

RUTLAND – A major sewer line at Rutland Regional Medical Center will be replaced with newer pipes designed to handle higher output volumes. The project will begin on July 11 and will replace an aging sewer line originally installed in 1957. About 300 feet of new 12-inch PVC pipe will improve reliability and capacity and meet…

Vermont Realtors® (VR), the state’s Realtor® association, announced the creation of a statewide Energy Efficient Professionals Qualifications Registry (EEPQR) in a news release June 24. “VR is creating EEPQR to address the significant hurdles facing the development of more energy-efficient homes in the marketplace,” said Isaac Chavez, CEO for Vermont Realtors®. “There exists general consensus…

Creek Path, Ripley Bridge projects continue RUTLAND CITY—Assistant City Engineer Nate Stansberry recently gave the Board of Aldermen a plan to put solar-powered flashing beacons where the Creek Path crosses Crescent, State, and West streets. Using solar power fits the city’s “Solar City” thrust, he said. Lights are to be installed in either late fall…

By: Lani Duke Farewell, Jonas Rosenthal POULTNEY—Poultney town and village manager Jonas Rosenthal has announced his plans to retire in September, after 31 years of serving the 1,579 residents of the rural community. In addition to filling the town manager post since 1985 and the village manager role since 1996, Rosenthal has also acted as…

On June 23 the National Park Service announced $1.19 million in grants to support 20 projects at significant battlefields across the country. The projects will research, document, or interpret dozens of battlefields representing more than 300 years of history. “From the shores of the Mariana Islands, to an old Dutch fort in Delaware, to a…

Courtesy of BRAM Members of the Ludlow town crew helped to remove old radiators at the Black River Academy Museum. LUDLOW — The original radiators in the Black River Academy Museum building are over 125 years old and have been deteriorating for some time; they are now springing leaks that can no longer be repaired. Last week,…

WEST RUTLAND — On June 9, after several months of investigation, members of the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force, FBI and Rutland County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 66 Harrison Ave. in West Rutland. During the search of the residence, Demar Neal, age 30; Ashley Webster, age 24; and Corey Fitzgerald, age…

By Lani Duke Dog rules stand as is FAIR HAVEN—Fair Haven’s Select Board turned down a request by Eric and Adrianne Gross to revisit and amend the board’s protective order regarding a dog owned by William and Charity Pearo. The dog had escaped its yard along with its housemates and had bitten another dog being…

By Lani Duke 2016 Dancing with the Rutland Stars cast announced RUTLAND CITY—The Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice (RAVNAH) will get another “shot in the arm” from the upcoming Dancing with the Rutland Stars fundraiser scheduled for October 8 at the Paramount Theater in downtown Rutland. This year’s amateur contestants are Chris LaFlamme,…

Doctor of education in leadership set to debut in the fall of 2016 CASTLETON – Castleton University announced June 20 the addition of its first doctoral program, the doctor of education in leadership. This new program is set to debut in the fall of 2016. The doctor of education in leadership at Castleton University prepares…

Rutland Region holds up market share By Karen D. Lorentz Historical data indicate that Vermont’s 2015-16 ski/ride season was the most challenging season since 1979-80, a year when all eastern states qualified for Federal [economic] Disaster Assistance status due to record low snowfalls, rain, and warm weather. However, while most Vermont Alpine areas saw less…

RUTLAND—On June 14, Rutland County Meals on Wheels and the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA), announced that Rutland County Meals on Wheels has received a $1,000 donation from Meals on Wheels America for its participation in the 14th annual March for Meals campaign. This past March was Rutland County Meals on Wheels’ first year…

PITTSFORD—The Maclure Library in Pittsford announced June 13 that a gift of $1,000 from the H. Hirschmann, Ltd., company of West Rutland, manufacturer of custom wood windows and doors, will make the summer children’s programs possible this year. This is the third year the company has funded the summer program. “Summer is an important time…

Killington pre-kindergarten graduation Speech by Betty Hughes Good Morning Everyone, I thank you all for being here with us! What a wonderful gathering-recognizing our youngest students! These past two years have been busy for me, but I am proud of the direction our school is moving in, and am committed to going the distance. I…