By Curt Peterson In small Vermont communities some issues come and go without leaving long-lasting effects, but “What’s the status of the Sunnymede Farm Store project?” has persisted on local lips since early summer, when the developer’s Act 250 application to create a 7,500 square-foot market on the former site of the Bedell property on…

The Vermont Association of Realtors® (VAR) has named Frank Provance as its 2022 Good Neighbor. Provance is a Realtor with Diamond Realty in Ludlow. “Each year, VAR recog- nizes one individual who has made an extraordinary impact on their community through volunteer work,” said VAR Chief Executive Kathy Sweeten. “Frank is well known as a…

The town of Killington recently received official word of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and grant subsidy designated for clean water and drinking water infrastructure. The Agency of Natural Resources reviewed applications from around the state and responded with an allocation commitment of a $2.3 million ARPA grant and a $3.6 million fully forgivable…

Staff report The Board of Aldermen unanimously voted Oct. 17 to make Center Street in Rutland a one-way street. The decision was made following an Oct. 11 community and economic development commission meeting, where the item also passed unanimously 5-0. The Board of Aldermen made the decision on Monday, Oct. 17 with no discussion, but…

BRENNEN DUFFY   By Katy Savage After coming under scrutiny by some members of the Board of Aldermen, Brennan Duffy resigned from his role as executive director of the Rutland Redevelopment Authority (RRA) this past Thursday, Oct. 13. His last day will be Oct. 31. “This resignation appears to be the most expeditious, and least…

Local community member Logan Sudol, a senior at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School, expanded the Johnson recreation playground in Killington as part of his Eagle Scout project. Sudol, having grown up using the playground, saw a way to give back to the community. As a lifeguard for Killington Recreation, Sudol knew how much…

By Curt Peterson On Oct. 5 WCSU board secretary Rayna Bishop posted a request for bid proposals for snowplowing three district campuses: Prosper Valley in Pomfret, Woodstock Elementary, and the Woodstock Union High School/Middle School. The bid deadline is Oct. 28. The topic is timely because a two-year moratorium on state penalties for school district…

The Killington Police Department announced the appointment of Officer Christopher Roy, in a news release Oct. 14. Roy was hired last month but his first day on the job was Saturday, Oct. 8. Officer Roy began his career in 2008, with the Bennington County sheriffs department, where he worked as a deputy performing patrol duties…

By Julia Purdy There are some knockout foliage drives along major highways in southern Vermont. Route 4 through the Sherburne Flats north from West Bridgewater and over Sherburne Pass into Mendon rewards leaf-peepers year after year, as does Route 7 up the Valley of Vermont through Dorset and Danby. But back roads offer immersive foliage…

Got a great business idea? Consider starting your business in Woodstock, suggests Start Up Woodstock, which is offering a chance to win a $30,000 incentive grant. The organizations mission is to attract new business to town. "After having an open competition, we will award a grant of up to $30,000 to a successful applicant to…

By Curt Peterson Small towns’ fears that Woodstock’s delegation, which was a third of the 18 votes, would dominate decision-making on the newly-formed Windsor Central School District board have proven unfounded, according to Bryce Sammel of Barnard, who stepped down as board chair at the October meeting. “Our votes have proven, time and time again,…

The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) recently secured a $1.5 million grant to launch Rutland’s Tech Startup Incubator, which will offer technology support and develop a mentor and investor network providing tech entrepreneurs capital needed to grow their businesses. “The CEDRR board of directors and staff are very pleased that Rutland’s…

By Victoria Gaither A new female Black-owned hair salon is coming to Merchants Row in Rutland. Euphoric Hair Experience is angling to create a place for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) clients to get their crown done — although all are also welcome. Founder and owner La’Keiah Batista Sanchez said of this venture,…

By Curt Peterson At the Windsor Central Supervisory Union (WCSU) school district board meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, Keri Bristow and Ben Ford, both Woodstock representatives, were elected chair and vice chair, respectively. The change in leadership followed Bryce Sammel of Barnard’s resignation as chair, announced the week prior. Sammel, who nominated both Bristow and…

By Bonnie MacPherson The World Health Organization recently announced that the end of the Covid-19 pandemic is “in sight.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people no longer need to practice social distancing, and no states require masks in public places any longer. As skiers and riders are planning winter weekend getaways or…