RUTLAND — Green Mountain Power and Castleton College, which recently opened Castleton Downtown directly across Merchants Row from the GMP Energy Innovation Center, are expanding their collaboration on community and economic development. “Since we’ve had office space adjacent to each other, the opportunities to work together, formally and informally, have blossomed,” Castleton President Dave Wolk…

On Tuesday, May 12, the Vermont House passed S.29, which allows all eligible Vermonters the opportunity to register to vote up until as well as on Election Day. The current law has a registration deadline of the Wednesday before the election. “I am very grateful to the House (and specifically to Speaker Shap Smith, Reps.…

RUTLAND — The Rutland Recreation and Parks Department offers an introduction to a variety of sports and skills for ages 3 - 5. Soccer, tee-ball, lacrosse, football and more will be included in this fun, non-competitive program. Parent involvement is required. The camp will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:15 p.m., May 28 - July 2. The fee…

Water leak calls for new pipes, valves RUTLAND—The city’s recent massive water leak may determine the direction most needed for improving the piping infrastructure. As work crews sought the location of the leak, they discovered that numerous valves--some in critical locations--do not close, making locating the source of the leak difficult. That finding is causing…

By Julia Purdy Bloodroot, a spring ephemeral of the northern woods. By Julia Purdy ORWELL — On Sunday, April 26, Amy Olmsted, horticulturist at Rocky Dale Gardens in Bristol, led a group of about 20 participants on a spring wildflower walk at Mount Independence, a Revolutionary War site at the edge of Lake Champlain in…

Provided by Rutland Regional Medical Center Laura M. Edwards, LICSW (l), Lisa Barker, Manager(r) RUTLAND — Laura M. Edwards, LICSW, Pediatric Social Worker from the Community Health Team, was honored as Rutland Regional Medical Center’s Clinical Employee of the Quarter, and Lisa Barker, Budget & Financial Reporting Manager in Finance, was honored as the Rutland…

Submitted Dr. Paula McGee RUTLAND—Dr. Paula McGee, a dynamic preacher, author, and inspirational speaker, will be the commencement speaker at College of St. Joseph’s commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in the College’s Athletic Center. Dr. McGee’s personal mission is to “inspire others to recognize, accept and fulfill their call to greatness.” McGee…

Submitted kim peters KILLINGTON — In 2014, the Recreation Commission and Selectboard voted to restore the recreation director to a full time position.  After dozens of interviews with over 50 applicants, Kim Peters was selected as the new full-time recreation director. Peters has extensive experience in managing community sports programs. For the last seven years she…

Submitted Paul Harwood TUNBRIDGE—The Vermont Tree Farm program is proud to announce the selection of Paul Harwood, consulting forester of Tunbridge, as the National Outstanding Tree Farm Inspector of the Year for 2015. Harwood was nominated by the Vermont Tree Farm committee in October 2014 and captured the Northeast Regional award–a noteworthy achievement in itself.…

The downtown parking deck struggles RUTLAND—You wouldn’t think a simple concrete structure with a couple of elevators and a ramp connecting its tiers would be such a fiscal sinkhole. Long-term users can pay $55 per month (discounted for Rutland Area Chamber of Commerce members) or rent space by the day or hour in the downtown…

LUDLOW — The Black River Academy Museum and the Ludlow middle and high school classes last year developed this program and recently it was presented to sixth grade students from Mt. Holly. The program is a day-long immersion experience that combines the fields of social science, language and arts and utilizes the museum’s research facilities…

CASTLETON – Castleton College, in partnership with Vermont PBS, announces the winners of the 20th Annual Castleton Videofest held Friday, May 1, in Casella Theater.  High school students throughout Vermont and the surrounding area submitted DVDs of original work in the following categories: Documentary Winner: “Helping Hands: Vermont’s Migrant Labor Population” by Luke Benz, Kyan…

Purchase of Village School: let the voters decide CASTLETON—Castleton voters will cast ballots May 26 on whether the town should buy the Village School from the Castleton-Hubbardton Union School District, a petition-driven issue. Moving the students to Castleton Elementary and closing the Village School isn’t just a matter of moving the children to other classrooms.…

On April 28 and 29, 61 public librarians from around the state completed a two-day Vermont Early Literacy Initiative (VELI) conference, convened by the Vermont Department of Libraries (VTLIB) and the Vermont Center for the Book (VCB). Librarians learned how to enrich their practice by incorporating important early literacy, early mathematics, and social-emotional development concepts…

Submitted Pictured (l-r): Elizabeth Bushey (Mill River), Ian Dansereau (Mill River), Zachary Hyde (RHS), Max Bushman (Stafford Technical Center), Beccalynn Dugan (Stafford Technical Center), Haley Andrulat (RHS), Olivia Lyons (RHS), Maricate Mangan (RHS), Kyra Traska (MSJ), Kyle Anagnos (MSJ), and Jillian LeBlanc (Proctor). RUTLAND — The 2015 Rutland South Rotary Club Scholarship recipients are a…