The New England housing market experienced an average year-over-year sales drop of 2.5 percent in the region. Month-over-month home sales, however, reflected the spring market with an increase of 9.4 percent over March 2015’s numbers. Across New England, median prices were steady in comparison to April 2014’s figures. On average, home prices rose 1.9 percent…

Ron Ferro Owner and father of Carly Ferro says “it’s time to move on” By Juliette Kapitan CUTTINGSVILLE — Twenty-one years ago Ron Ferro was walking along the beach in Florida throwing around names for his new restaurant in Cuttingsville, Vt. He tossed around names like “Sunny Sides” and “Scrambled” before settling on “Over Easy’s,”…

By Lani Duke Is Castleton hinting at consolidation? CASTLETON—On May 26 Castleton voters approved a proposal to buy the Castleton Village School from the school district and close the building but did so with a very squeaky margin, 213 to 207. Ballot results may be moot, however, since 12 percent of the building belongs to…

By Lani Duke Smoking ban coming to apartment buildings? The Charter & Ordinance Committee has been considering a smoking ban at multi-family housing. A tenant had complained that it is of little use to ban smoking in multi-family units when there is no requirement that smokers light up some distance from the property or in…

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph’s developing Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies (MMScPAS) program has received accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Looking ahead, the Physician Assistant Program is working to gain provisional accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) in March 2016. The program…

Courtesy of Stafford Tech The 2015 inductees to the National Technical Honor Society march down the hall behind a banner. RUTLAND – On May 14, Stafford Technical Center inducted nine new student members into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). Inductees have achieved an overall grade of 88 percent or higher in each Stafford academic…

By Susan R. Wacker-Donle Photo One: “Lahaina Sunset” by Susan R. Wacker-Donle Photo Two: “Free Range” by Mary Fran Lloyd Photo Three: Past President Sally Curtis accepting Patron of the Arts plaque from current KAG President Mike Young. By Gerrie Russell, Killington Arts Guild At the Killington Arts Guild opening reception for their new show…

WOODSTOCK—The Ottauquechee Health Foundation (OHF) has been awarded a $1,000 grant by the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation (NDD) to help OHF Good Neighbor Grant applicants who require oral health treatment, the organization announced May 20. Since 1997, the Ottauquechee Health Foundation (OHF) has continued to serve a mission to promote and support programs that identify…

RUTLAND — Rutland Blooms beautifies the area, as they plant dozens and dozens of trees in the Northwest neighborhood and along Route 7. They have volunteers from a host of businesses and organizations who will be helping out on Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, including Rutland Young Professionals, the Vermont Country Store, Stafford…

KILLINGTON — Steve Finneron, chair of the Fire Department Facilities Committee, provided the Selectboard with an update on the committee’s work at the Selectboard meeting Tuesday, May 19.  He noted the Committee has met close to ten times since December. They have toured the fire station, reviewed the facilities assessment/ building feasibility study completed by…

By Lani Duke “Maker space” considered further RUTLAND — Peter and Rick Gile, a father-and-son team who do business as Two Bad Cats, LLC, are not yet ready to pick a building or solicit grant money for the “maker space” they hope to develop in Rutland. Right now they and Rutland Economic Development Corporation are…

By Lani Duke Sweet potato farm receives grant PAWLET—Laughing Child Farm of Pawlet is the recent recipient of a $20,000 Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant. Owners Tim and Brooke Hughes-Muse plan to apply the grant to the building of a new $107,000 barn for the largest sweet potato farm in the state. The couple hopes…

Photo by Robin Alberti Thomas Hirchak KILLINGTON — The former Grey Bonnet Inn & Resort was up for auction Tuesday, May 19, but no spectators registered to bid for the 41-room property on Route 100. The auction was to be held at 2 p.m., conducted by Thomas Hirchak Company, with registration and inspection starting at…

Photo courtesy of the Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Natural Resources Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. is receiving many reports of hungry bears getting into trash containers as well as raiding bird feeders, bee hives and chicken houses. “Human conflicts involving bears are rapidly increasing this spring,” said Chief Game Warden Jason Batchelder. “Vermont’s wardens are…

Courtesy of VTF&W Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. It is also against the law. Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring. But it’s best to keep your distance. Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good,…