By Polly Mikula Phill Gross and Michael Ferri are the lead investors buying Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, according to the Aug. 22 announcement. An undisclosed number of additional minority investors will be joining them in the newly created Killington Independence Group, LLC. The purchase and sale agreement was signed on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024,…

Longtime Killington skiers commit to preserving and enhancing Vermont’s largest ski area At 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, Killington Resort announced that Killington Resort & Pico Mountain are being sold from POWDR to a passionate group of local passholders. This landmark purchase represents a commitment to keeping Killington and Pico in the hands of those…

The Dept. of Forests, Parks, and Recreation is holding a public meeting to present plans for an additional camping loop at Lake St. Catherine State Park, located in Poultney. The meeting will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on Aug. 29, in the Nature Center at Lake St. Catherine State Park. The public is invited to attend the presentation and…

Attorney General Charity Clark announced Monday, Aug. 19, that she has joined an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster. The lawsuit, initially filed by the U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ) and state partners, alleges that Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, formed an illegal monopoly and engaged in anti-competitive conduct to maintain that monopoly. Attorney General…

By Kristen Fountain/VTDigger For the third year in a row, the Green Mountain Care Board has approved double-digit increases in the cost of annual premiums for individual Vermonters and small organizations who purchase their health insurance plans on Vermont Health Connect.  The approved premium increases will affect both individual and small group plans available on the…

Election saw lowest turnout in a decade Staff report The fact that there were few contested statewide races likely contributed to the lowest voter turnout in a decade. Those that did vote, last Tuesday, overwhelmingly voted for the incumbents. Governor Republican Governor Phil Scott ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. He will run for a…

Vermont’s black bear population is estimated at roughly 6,300 to 7,600 based on 2023 data, the most recent available, according to a Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept (VTF&W) news release Monday, Aug. 19. “The 2023 population estimate is a little lower than in 2022, which was a five-year high for Vermont’s bears,” said wildlife biologist Jaclyn…

By Curt Peterson Perhaps because of traffic volume on Quechee Road, and although there are much worse and less-used Hartland roads, conditions on the main route from Hartland Three Corners to Quechee village is the topic of frequent complaints on the local listserv. The section between Gilson Road and Webster Road is particularly bad, featuring…

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) publishes this weekly report of planned construction activities that will impact traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont, Aug. 19-23 and ongoing. I-91 Springfield-Hartland: Lane closures will be in place on I-91 South from north of Exit 9 to just south of Exit 7. A speed limit reduction…

This week Killington Road is closed again from Anthony Way to its intersection with Route 4 for paving. The detour is up West Hill Road. The road will reopen Monday, Aug. 26.

The United Way of Rutland County (UWRC) announced the recipients of its 2024 Community Impact Grant cycle, Aug. 12. This year’s cycle awarded 18 programs across 16 nonprofits within Rutland County. The Community Impact Grant process is guided by UWRC’s three pillars of impact: health, education, and financial stability. All organizations that applied were required…

Part of $1.3 million to state for rural development On Friday, Aug. 16, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, celebrated major investments by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Vermont communities, totaling nearly $1.3 million.  The announcements include funding to advance economic…

By Curt Peterson Sewage limitations and surrounding wetlands preventing expansion are forcing the Rutland County Humane Society to seek new digs, according to RCHS Executive Director Beth Saradarian in an Aug. 14 letter to supporters. Since RCHS announced last spring that the organization needed a new home, they have investigated about 30 suggested sites. To…

The Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is launching the Automotive Emissions Repair Assistance Program Pilot with partner repair facilities in Shelburne and Bennington, the state announced Aug. 19. As a small-scale pilot, this program will help low-income vehicle owners with repairs required to pass the emissions portion of the annual state inspection. The pilot…

The Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC) announced Aug. 15 that Kevin Blum will be its head swim team coach.  “With an impressive and diverse background in both collegiate and club coaching, Blum brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success to UVAC,” the organization stated. Blum joins UVAC after serving as the…