Staff report The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Vermont announced in a Facebook post Tuesday, Feb. 15 that the first group of Afghan refugees has arrived in Rutland. “USCRI Vermont is excited about the first group of Afghan allies starting their new life in Rutland, Vermont!” the post began. “We’d like thank our…

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) announced Feb. 15 that it has hired Olivia Lyons as its new communications and marketing manager. Most recently, Lyons was a multimedia journalist and chief of the Rutland bureau for WCAX serving Rutland, Bennington and parts of Addison Counties. She attended Champlain College where she received…

Board allocates $500,000 in ARPA funds By Angelo Lynn BRANDON — The Brandon selectboard on Monday, Feb. 14, threw its support behind a proposed site for 2,200 kW solar array on private land off of Steinberg Road that has a small window of visibility from Routes 7 and 73. The Brandon Planning Commission had already…

By Angelo Lynn PROCTOR — Zion Growers presented plans to the Proctor Select Board last week on its plans to revitalize the former Marble Museum complex at 52 Main Street. It seeks to operate an industrial hemp processing facility. Zion Growers has been working with the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR)…

Killington Resort charges into spring with the Unlimited Spring Pass and a jam-packed event series as the longest season in the East extends towards Memorial Day. The 2022 Unlimited Spring Pass (an upgrade currently available for 2021-22 Killington Express Card Holders, Killington Midweek Season Pass Holders and Pico Season Pass Holders for $349), provides skiers…

By Victoria Gaither A Woodstock couple recently brightened their street by building an ice block igloo in their front yard. After watching a few Youtube videos, trusting their instincts, and monitoring the weather, Benjamin Pauly and his partner, April Lawrence, created igloo magic. “It was a little involved,” admitted Pauly. He said Lawrence came up…

By Katy Savage Woodstock is among 40 towns that will ask voters if they want to allow cannabis dispensaries on Town Meeting Day — it’s unclear if the voter will approve it or not. A survey by Woodstock residents last April found the town was split. “It’s pretty up in the air,” said Victoria Littlefield,…

By Angelo Lynn The search for a new superintendent at RNESU to replace retiring Supt. Jeanné Collins will take a hiatus of several weeks after the preferred candidate in an initial search declined RNESU’s offer. The Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union School Board had offered the superintendent position to Zach McLaughlin earlier this month, but Dr.…

By Rep. Jim Harrison As reported last week, Governor Scott vetoed H.157, which establishes a new registration system for home contractors. When there is a veto, the bill goes back to the House or Senate where it originated for the first vote on an override. In this case, it was a House bill, which meant…

By Curt Peterson Killington voters will complete their 2022 Town Meeting Australian ballot voting process on March 1.   The traditional Town Meeting information session will take place Monday, Feb. 28 in the new Public Services Facility at 800 Killington Road, beginning at 7 p.m. and via Zoom. The link will be posted on the…

By Curt Peterson Seventy-two Hartland residents and local candidates attended the fifth annual Hartland Library-sponsored candidates night on Feb. 16 via Zoom.   Twelve attending candidates introduced themselves and described the office for which they are running, and why they are running. Then residents had an opportunity to ask office-seekers questions. They had a lot of…

By Katy Savage Seven people are running for five seats on the Board of Aldermen this Town Meeting Day, March 1. Paul Clifford is not seeking reelection, leaving one seat open.There are several familiar faces. Incumbents Michael Talbott, Sharon Davis, Matt Whitcomb and Samuel Gorruso are running alongside newcomers Anna Tadio and Kam Johnston.  Chris…

By Katy Savage There will be turnover on the contentious Rutland City School Board as four aren’t running for re-election on Town Meeting Day, March 1. Ten people are running for four open seats.  Hurley Cavacas, Jr., Ann Dages, Dena Goldberg and Erin Shimp aren’t seeking re-election, and 10 newcomers seek their seats. The 11-person…

By Angelo Lynn BRANDON — In the one contested race in Brandon this year, one-term incumbent Tim Guiles will face challenger Marielle Blais for a three-year seat on the Brandon Select Board. Below, each candidate answers the same seven questions with an equal word limit per answer.  What follows are brief profiles of each candidate…

By Sarah Mearhoff/VTDigger After more than a decade in office, Secretary of State Jim Condos is retiring from his post overseeing Vermont’s statewide elections system at the end of his current term. The 30-plus-year veteran of local and state politics announced his plan to retire in a Tuesday, Feb. 15, virtual news conference and also…