The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources awarded Farm & Wilderness, a Plymouth-area summer camp and conservation non-profit, a $50,000 Clean Water Initiative Program grant for planning and permitting the removal and site restoration of Rockefeller Dam in Plymouth. The removal of the Rockefeller Dam and site restoration will improve water quality in Woodward Reservoir, through…

Staff report Rutland City’s Town Meeting results are delayed after the city ran out of ballots. Rutland City Clerk Henry Heck ordered about 25% more ballots this year in anticipation of high turnout, likely driven by a large turnover of school board candidates. But, this is the first time in 14 years he ran out.…

By Karen D. Lorentz As a member of the Vail Resorts family of ski areas, Okemo has two programs that seek to reinforce excellent service so that guests can have the Experience of a Lifetime, which is the company’s mission. Okemo Communications Manager Bonnie MacPherson noted that recognition awards are an important part of promoting…

By Brett Yates On Feb. 17, the Pittsfield Select Board rescinded its townwide mask mandate for public spaces. Gov. Phil Scott signed a law in late November to give municipalities the right to require the wearing of facial protection in indoor gathering places, including businesses, to slow the spread of Covid-19. The Pittsfield Select Board…

By Brett Yates According to the Weybridge-based environmental organization Bee the Change, there are 17 species of bumblebees native to Vermont. Over the last 25 years, seven of them became endangered, and of those, four have now disappeared altogether. “Our species has begun to crowd out others, and the race against extinction on our planet…

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…