POULTNEY—Sierra magazine, the official publication of the Sierra Club, released its ninth annual “Cool Schools” ranking of America’s greenest colleges and universities Aug. 11. The 2015 edition announced that Green Mountain College ranked 12th in the nation overall. In addition, Sierra gave GMC the second highest rating for academic programs that relate to sustainability. This…

Courtesy of Billings Farm & Museum Lynne Croswell of Ludlow won the Jurors’ Choice Award for her quilt, “Leaf Skelton 2/Leaf Skelton 3.” WOODSTOCK — Billings Farm & Museum announces the Billings Farm & Museum Staff Choice Award and the Juror’s Choice Awards, for the 29th Annual Quilt Exhibition, open daily through Sept. 20. Christy Thomas…

Submitted Peg Flory, Brian Collamore, and Kevin Mullin RUTLAND — “Rutland County Matters” debuts on PEGTV Channel 21 and will run Mondays at 5:30 p.m. The new monthly show features Rutland County Republican Senators Peg Flory, Brian Collamore, and Kevin Mullin as they discuss county issues. Residents are encouraged to email questions for discussion to Rutlandcountymatters@gmail.com.

RUTLAND — Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that affects millions of people. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 473,000 people age 65 or older will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the United State in 2015. Rutland Regional invites the community to attend two free seminars that provide information on detection, causes, risk factors, and research on the…

CASTLETON—Joining other leaders in the field of survey research, the Castleton Polling Institute (CPI) was recently admitted as a charter member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Transparency Initiative. By joining the Transparency Initiative, the institute is supporting the mutual goal of more effective disclosure of research methods by all organizations. “The…

By Lani Duke "By any other name" . . ? CASTLETON—Questions continue to arise over whether the collegiate institution housed in Castleton will actually benefit from the recent name change from Castleton State College to Castleton College to now Castleton University. Vermont Public Radio commentator Bill Schubart said that he "remain[s] puzzled" by the name…

By Dorothy Bergin, New England Rural Health Round Table Sherry Thornburg, executive director for the Ottauquechee Health Foundation in Woodstock, has an exciting new dental program underway that sends a licensed dental hygienist to where the people in need are—in this case, the Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction and the Thompson Senior Center…

LUDLOW–Okemo Mountain Resort Owners Tim and Diane Mueller are pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s annual scholarship awards. Ten scholarships were awarded to students who have worked at Okemo or who are the dependents of Okemo employees. Criteria used to select the scholarship recipients included academic achievement, co-curricular involvement and the composition of…

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph’s on-campus garden is growing, in more ways than one. The farm–affectionately known as the Provider Patch–celebrates its second birthday this September and has nearly doubled in both size and production since last fall. The garden educates and feeds both the campus community and the greater Rutland Region, with extra veggies and…

Submitted Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith W. Flynn hands over a badge to Colonel Matthew T. Birmingham Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith W. Flynn announced Aug. 7 the change of command of the Vermont State Police (VSP). Effective at 3 p.m. that day, Colonel Matthew T. Birmingham became the 13th director of the…

By Lani Duke Another solar array concern CLARENDON—Mary and Peter Bride of Clarendon complained to their select board, who agreed to send a letter at its July 27 meeting regarding a solar array proposed by Suncommon, which would abut their property on  Middle Road. The Brides claim it would decrease property value, create unknown health…

RUPERT — On Aug. 7, the Vermont State Police responded to a theft on Herrick Brook Road in the town of Rupert. c, age 54, reported a granite bench had been stolen from her property between Aug. 5-6. The bench was valued at approximately $600 and had been on the property for over a year serving…

HANCOCK — On Aug. 4, police responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 125 in Hancock. The operator of the vehicle, identified as Collin Buker, age 24 from Rochester, was traveling west on Route 125 when a deer crossed the road in front of him causing him to go off the right side of…

KILLINGTON—Erin Fernandez, executive director of Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, announced Aug. 4 the addition of four new staff members to the team. Maggie Burke, a former Vermont Adaptive program coordinator, has been named the new managing director. Kelly Walsh will take the helm as the northern program coordinator responsible for programs in Chittenden County…

PITTSFORD — The Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) is working with VT-CAN (a low cost spay/neuter clinic in Vermont) to host a low cost spay/neuter clinic for Rutland County cats on Monday, Aug. 24 in Pittsford. Prior registration is required. Female cat spays are $60; male cat neuters are $50. Both include rabies and distemper shots. Cats must…