RUTLAND—Last month, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) released the newly approved tactical basin plans for the Battenkill, Walloomsac, and Hoosic rivers and  their tributaries, referred to as Basin 01. The basin plan will protect, maintain, and improve surface waters by managing the activities that result in surface water stressors, and address the pollutants associated…

RUTLAND—Continuing the reorganization and refocusing of the Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC), the REDC Board of Directors has elected new members from three of the region’s leading companies. John Casella II, 31, of Casella Construction; Shana Louiselle, 30, of Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO); and Mark Werle, 52, of Ryan, Smith & Carbine, Ltd., will…

BRANDON—The Compass Music and Arts Foundation (CMAC) could benefit from a donation of $1,000 if it can raise a further $1,000 through matched funding. Through an anonymous donor, this challenge is directed towards completing the performance hall. To date, the Foundation has received $205 from members of the community. Monies raised would be used to…

BETHEL—A one-of-a-kind university popped up in central Vermont in 2014, and it has been attracting interest across Vermont and the nation. Bethel University (BU), a “pop-up university,” offers free mini-courses to anyone and everyone. Classes meet in the town hall, the school, the library, and in homes and businesses all over town on topics as…

TINMOUTH — On Jan. 27, at approximately 1:28 p.m., members of the Vermont State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Vermont Route 133 in the area north of Vermont Route 140 in Tinmouth. Investigation determined that Brennan R. Howard, age 18 from Middletown Springs, was traveling northbound when he reached for a water bottle…

RUTLAND — On Jan. 26, troopers from the Rutland State Police Barracks responded to a report of a car break-in at Northwood Park in Rutland Town. Maxine Garfinkel, age 80 from Rutland City, advised that she parked her vehicle to walk with a friend before running errands and noticed when she returned that her window was…

By Lani Duke Hubbardton fire shows perils of remodeling HUBBARDTON—Trapped between walls and dropped ceilings, a fire took down a Hubbardton home erected about 225 years ago. Missing from the townscape is the one-and-one-half story, post-and-beam Cape Cod-style house at 2750 Black Pond Rd. The fire started in a chimney, with its smoke becoming visible…

By Lani Duke Rutland City On the ballot Rutland City voters will see an added pair of bonds on their March 1 ballot. The Aldermen had already approved a $2.5 million bond to replace White Pool and a $19 million budget. One of the added bonds is for an equalization tank to stabilize water pressure…

By Donald Dill Marji Graf( on the right), CEO, Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomes Green Mountain at Fox Run Women’s Center for Binge and Emotional Eating to the Chamber. Pictured:Kari Anderson, president and clinical director; Shiri Macri, primary clinical therapist. LUDLOW—There’s only one women’s center for binge and emotional eating in the country,…

By Lani Duke New town manager sets goals for Castleton CASTLETON—Town Manager Mark Shea has begun his new three-year contract with the town, planning to make securing a new town office his top priority. Hopes are the Select Board will have a town office item ready for the 2017 Town Meeting Day ballot. Safety officer…

By Lani Duke Rutland City Combination Pond makes the ballot City voters will consider a non-binding ballot item on the future of Combination Pond and associated waterways. Alderman Gary Donahue cast the only vote against putting the pond on the March ballot during the Board of Aldermen’s Jan. 19 meeting. Both city and state officials…

Courtesy of PBS Gina Bullard gets a bird’s eye view of the Connecticut River Valley in Outdoor Journal’s 14th season. ROCHESTER—“Outdoor Journal,” Vermont PBS’ venerable outdoor program, kicks off its 14th season Tuesday, Jan. 26, with stories that take viewers across the length and breadth of the northeast region. Hosts Lawrence Pyne and Gina Bullard…

PITTSFORD—In early January the Rutland Humane Society and Spring Hill Horse Rescue contacted the state police for help in investigating a group of emaciated horses being pastured off Kendall Hill Road in the town of Pittsford. Police reported that a humane agent from Spring Hill Horse Rescue found a chestnut mare and a palomino mare…

WOODSTOCK—On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) announced the selection of Miller Construction, Inc. as the contractor to replace Vermont Bridge 24 over Kedron Brook during the 2016 construction season. The bridge, located on Route 106 between Kedron Road and Bryant Road, was built in 1924 and is now in poor condition.…

RUTLAND—On Friday, Jan. 22, the College of St. Joseph announced a new Drive to CSJ Grant available to new, commuter students who begin at CSJ in Fall 2016. The new grant allows students to save on room and board costs while it helps cover the cost of the commute to campus. Students can experience the…