By Curt Peterson Killington Town Planner Lisa Davis cited “four abandoned properties” the planning commission feels may have a negative effect on tourism if deterioration is allowed to continue. According to Davis, there has been a change in Section 430 of town zoning regulations clarifying the definition of “ .” This, she said, allows Killington…

Calista to open a new houseplant shop downtown this fall By Katy Savage RUTLAND—In March 2020, just days before the state shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Calista Budrow moved into a new house with her family in Rutland. She brought her small collection of houseplants with her. A year later, Budrow has more than…

By Curt Peterson KILLINGTON— Sherburne Memorial Library Director Jane Ramos will be one of three rural librarians chosen to speak at the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) annual convention in Reno, Nevada in October. The conference theme is “The biggest little library.” ARSL will be hosting the conference at the Nugget Resort Oct.…

By Angelo Lynn PITTSFORD — Pittsford Town Manager John Haverstock has notified the Town’s Select Board of his decision to resign his post after next year’s Town Meeting in March 2022. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Select Board over the past 13 years to serve the residents of Pittsford,” Haverstock said in remarks…

STOCKBRIDGE—Monday, at 2:11 p.m., state police received a 911 call of a head-on two vehicle car crash on Route 107 in Stockbridge. Investigation determined that Blake Manning, age 31 of Fairlee, who was driving a Hyundai sedan, was traveling eastbound when he crossed over the center line and collided with the front end of a…

Cross-county road rage ends in arrest BENSON—On Aug. 7, at about 7 p.m., troopers from the State Police — Rutland Barracks were notified of a road rage incident that began on Route 22A in Addison County and continued into Rutland County to the town of Benson. Investigation revealed Matthew Haunte, age 26 of Colchester, attempted…

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. says bear hunting season starts in September and reminds hunters about the bear hunting regulations. Vermont has two bear hunting seasons. The early season, which requires a special bear tag, starts Sept. 1, and continues through Nov. 12 with one exception. Nonresident hunters using dogs cannot start bear hunting…

By Curt Peterson Killington Select Board member Chuck Claffey was about a half-year short of completing his first term on the Board when he sold his house and moved to Mendon, requiring him to resign from his seat. Chair Steve Finneran and Jim Haff (the remaining two Select Board members) appointed a replacement for Claffey…

By Curt Peterson KILLINGTON — Town manager Chet Hagenbarth told the Select Board on July 20 that Killington’s unaudited finances show a $90,000 net surplus for the June 30 end of FY2020. It will be some time before the books are officially audited, but internal records show the surplus came about during a year burdened…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger RUTLAND — An attorney’s review, requested by the Rutland City Board of School Commissioners, says the board’s vote to change the Rutland High School mascot to the “Ravens” should stand. The board voted to retire the previous mascot, the “Raider,” in October after a group of students, staff and alumni expressed concerns about racism in…

BRANDON—On Aug. 8, at 4:15 a.m. the Brandon Fire Dept. responded to a structure fire at 149 North St. in Brandon. When firefighters arrived, they found the detached garage fully involved with fire. Firefighters from Brandon and Pittsford were able to suppress the fire quickly which prevented further fire spread and limited property damage. As…

By Lola Duffort/VTDigger When Gov. Phil Scott’s administration announced new Covid-19 guidance for K-12 schools on Tuesday, Aug. 3, it did so with an important caveat. The state’s recommendations — including around masking — were not themselves requirements. With the state of emergency no longer in effect, officials said they would need to rely on…

RUTLAND CITY—On Aug. 2, the Rutland City Board of Aldermen signed off on Fire Chief Bill Lovett’s request to raise the rate of pay for fire department officers on private duty. In addition to providing taxpayer-funded services to Rutland City residents, the fire department can be contracted by private companies and organizations. Lovett named Green…

By Katy Savage WOODSTOCK — The streets of Woodstock are busier than ever this summer, but the Woodstock Economic Development Commission is looking toward the future. The EDC board voted 6-2 on Thursday, Aug. 5 to spend $110,000 on a marketing firm to bring more visitors, businesses and residents to town. The board agreed to…

By Ethan Weinstein Beginning Aug. 30, Route 100 in Plymouth will be closed for a month, with the possibility of an extended closure. Crews will replace two bridges and culverts. A detour around the construction adds over 7 miles to the through-trip and goes over 100A, which will also be under construction for the entirety…