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…

PLYMOUTH—On May 10 at 6:37 p.m., Vermont State Police arrested 61-year-old Steven Radonis of Plymouth, Vt., for home improvement fraud. Investigation revealed that Radonis failed to properly complete work that was agreed upon by contract and billed Richard Martin, age 57 of Plymouth, for over $90,000. Radonis was issued a criminal citation to appear in…

HARTLAND—On May 12 Vermont State Police arrested 46-year-old Tamara Ross of Hartland, Vt., for embezzlement. Ross was the treasurer for the First Universalist Society Church, located at 8 Brownsville Road in the town of Hartland. The president of the church noticed anomalies in the church’s budget, which sparked an investigation. The Investigation concluded that Ross…

launches capital campaign for funding, expansion SHARON –– The Sharon Academy (TSA), an independent school serving grades 7-12, announced May 1 the kick-off of a two-part, multi-million dollar capital campaign to fund financial aid, professional development, student services and eventually expand the school’s facilities. The announcement by Head of School Michael Livingston at the school’s 20th…

WEST PAWLET — The Town of Pawlet announced May 5 that it has been awarded a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for an emergency generator for the Mettawee Community School, located on VT-153 in West Pawlet. The school is a certified American Red Cross shelter and after the generator is installed it will become the location for…

By Lani Duke RUTLAND CITY Loyalty Day parade postponed Officials are attempting to reschedule the community’s 53rd Loyalty Day parade, initially scheduled for Sunday, May 1. More than 1,000 individuals and 130 vehicles in 85 “units” were signed up to walk and roll through downtown Rutland that day, said Loyalty Day Parade Committee chairman Ron…

CASTLETON—On May 1, 4-Hers from 10 Vermont counties traveled to Castleton to compete in the annual state 4-H Horse Judging Contest. At stake for seniors, ages 14 and up, was a spot on the state judging team that will compete in regional and national contests later this year. Each contestant judged five performance and conformation…

By Lani Duke Elementary budget passed FAIR HAVEN—Only 10 more people voted for the Fair Haven Grade School budget than voted against it May 3. Voting “yes” were 137; “no,” 127. The community had turned it down 378 to 345 on March 1. Officials ascribe the Town Meeting Day loss to voters’ misunderstanding of the…

Killington Town Wide Tag Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 11 in the Killington Chamber of Commerce parking lot on Route 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. c Coordinators are hoping for a large number of participants to join them and make some money from your treasures while having a fun time with neighbors, friends and…

As winter transitions into summer, Killington’s police department offers pointers regarding property break-ins and burglaries. Killington law enforcement officers will be engaging in a number of enforcement tactics to help curb these types of crimes. For example, patrol times and locations may be altered and increased, and the local police will continue working with other…