With national student loan debt tripling to more than $1 trillion over the past decade and Vermont’s graduates stuck with the highest debt-to-earnings ratio, state lawmakers are urging Congress to let students file for bankruptcy. On Monday, May 2, members of the Vermont House gave preliminary approval to J.R.H. 27, a joint resolution that calls…

Vermont continues to lead the nation when it comes to clean energy jobs, according to the 2016 Clean Energy Industry Report announced May 18 by Gov. Peter Shumlin and the Department of Public Service. In the past year, there has been an increase of over 1,400 clean energy jobs, bringing the total number of Vermonters…

On Sunday, May 22, at approximately 8:12 p.m., the Vermont State Police investigated a single motor vehicle collision on Milkway Road, in the Town of Westminster, in Windham County, Vt. At the time of the collision, the roadway, which was gravel was clear of any debris or hazards and the weather was clear and warm.…

Submitted Pictured are Kayla Zsido, club vice president; Chris Heintz, affiliate president; Kelly Mills, former club president; Mollie Johnson, club president. CASTLETON—The Habitat for Humanity Club of Castleton University recently donated $750 to the Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County affiliate. With 25 active members, the club works year round on Habitat sites both in…

By Robin Alberti Sixth-grade students from area schools participated in activities and teambuilding during a trip to Maine. By Robin Alberti Graduates from sixth grade at Killington Elementary School joined other sixth grade graduates from Barnard, Reading and Woodstock elementary schools for a week-long trip to Ocean Park, Maine, in a tradition called “ Nature’s…

Annual event promotes awareness of Vermont history and importance of democracy Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced the winners of the 2016 Vermont poster and essay contest sponsored by his office. First-place students in each category visited Montpelier with their class Tuesday, May 24, for a tour of the Vermont State House and…

Submitted Thomas P. Aicher RUTLAND – Thomas P. Aicher, Esq., partner in the Rutland, Vt., law firm of Cleary, Shahi & Aicher, has been named Special Counsel for the National Ski Areas Association, according to a May 24 news release. Aicher was assigned to this national ski industry role by Michael Berry, President of NSAA,…

  Anyone may nominate; deadline is June 15 Do you know a Vermont teacher who has inspired you and who deserves statewide recognition? The Vermont Humanities Council seeks nominations for its Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award, which recognizes a Vermont educator in grades six through 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the…

RUTLAND—On May 18 at about 4:30 p.m., the Vermont State Police were notified of a retail theft and trespass at Hannaford’s supermarket on U.S. Route 7 South in Rutland Town. Investigation found that 53-year-old Anthony Sargent of Rutland City had gone into Hannaford’s in violation of a pre-existing Notice Against Trespass and stolen a grand…

RUTLAND—Tara Kelly, the executive director of the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL), a non-profit that supports the local agricultural economy, has announced her decision to accept a nomination by Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras to become the planning and zoning director for the City of Rutland. This is an appointed position that requires the…

Neighbors helping neighbors RUTLAND CITY—Major thank yous are due to Alderman Dave Allaire and his wife Audrey for stepping up to aid Bardwell House residents evacuated as a result of the May 7 fire. The couple spent the day keeping company with Bardwell residents, helping keep them calm, buying them snacks, and finding as many…

Officer receives commendation FAIR HAVEN—Fair Haven Police Chief William Humphries gave Sgt. Dale Kerber an official Lifesaver commendation for services to the community and surrounding area. The May 9 award cites three instances in which Kerber saved a life by administering the opioid antidote naloxone (trade name Narcan) to counter a drug overdose. The first…

By Lani Duke On second thought . . . Act 46 vote ORWELL—When Orwell voters turned down the Act 46 consolidation of Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union with a decisive vote of 211 to 121, that rejection disallowed the entire plan for all the schools involved. Orwell voters chose to reject the consolidation plan out of the…

By Lani Duke New board members at RMHS RUTLAND CITY—Rutland Mental Health Services (RMHS) recently announced that five new members are joining its board of directors. They are: Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen, Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton, general practice lawyer Michael McClallen, retired hospital administrator Laird Covey, and Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union Special Services…

RUTLAND—Volunteers, hospital employees, and local emergency responders will take part in a mock-disaster exercise on Saturday, May 21 at the Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport in No. Clarendon. This full scale exercise will test the preparedness and response of local, regional and state agencies should a real crisis occur. The event, sponsored by Rutland Regional Medical…