Discover More from This Category: Local News

Bridgewater sewer failure dumps waste into Ottauquechee River

September 22, 2021
On Sept. 17, Woodstock Fire and EMS wrote on their Facebook page that “The Bridgewater sewer treatment facility by the Mill Mall has been discharging untreated sewer in the Ottauquechee river since August.” The post advised people to avoid the river until further testing to avoid contact with sewage. The plant released 96,200 gallons of…

Rutland Town Select Board discusses ARPA ideas

September 22, 2021
Staff report RUTLAND TOWN—At Sept. 14’s Select Board meeting, board members raised several ideas about what to do with the town’s estimated $1.2 million in ARPA money, roughly half of which Rutland has already received. Select Board Chair Mary Ashcroft presented those present with a list of 24 possible uses for the funds, which included…

VSP investigates death in Killington

September 16, 2021
UPDATE: 4:40 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 The investigation into the death Wednesday night of a woman in Killington is continuing Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. The victim is identified as Brittany Bouthiette, 28, of Mt. Holly, Vermont. Following an autopsy performed Thursday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, the cause of her death…

Barstow school choice: Should public tax dollars support private schools?

September 15, 2021
The vast majority who attended a virtual forum Sept. 9 say: ‘Yes!’ By Polly Mikula Residents of Mendon and Chittenden want to retain Barstow’s current open school choice options — as do others nearby who benefit from that choice. A virtual forum held by the school board via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 9, drew about 90…

RRMC confronts nurse shortage and patient influx

September 15, 2021
By Ethan Weinstein Like seemingly every other business in the area, Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) is struggling to find staff. But these staffing woes have been compounded by an additional problem: an influx of patients who put off elective care during the Covid state of emergency. “We are seeing here at Rutland Regional some…

Mill River’s stolen Black Lives Matter flag was quickly replaced

September 15, 2021
By Brooke Geery The Black Lives Matter flag with a rainbow Pride stripe has retaken its place under the American flag and Vermont state flag in front of Mill River Union High School (MRU) in Clarendon. On Monday, Sept. 7, the flag was initially raised for the first of a 90-day run at the request…

Rutland Forest Service office to operate virtually while Mendon headquarters is constructed

September 15, 2021
RUTLAND—Forest Service officials announced Sept. 10 that the Rutland-based headquarters for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forest (GMFL) is transitioning to a full-time virtual work schedule. Most employees have been working remotely for more than a year now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and this will continue until their new office is completed…

FBI opens criminal probe into 3 troopers over fake Covid-19 vaccination cards

September 15, 2021
By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger Three Vermont State Police troopers out of the Shaftsbury barracks have resigned and a criminal probe is underway to determine whether they may have violated federal law by making fake Covid-19 vaccination cards. The matter has been referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, as well as…

European-style bistro to open in Woodstock

September 15, 2021
By Katy Savage A new French-style eatery is coming to Mechanic Street in Woodstock this winter. Zoe Zilian, the former owner and founder of Farmhouse Pottery, is opening her new bistro, called Brasserie, within the next couple months. It will feature cocktails, European tapas, mini-baguettes, local cheeses, and hams imported from Europe, for example. “It…

Big Vermont employers waiting to hear more about Biden’s vaccine mandate

September 15, 2021
Area ski resorts among them By Fred Thys/VTDigger Some large Vermont employers say they’re waiting to learn more about President Joe Biden’s order that all employers with more than 100 workers be vaccinated against Covid-19 or be tested weekly, while others says they already require employees to be vaccinated. Biden’s order will affect about 100…

Peak Performance race shop changes hands after 32 years

September 15, 2021
By Virginia Dean KILLINGTON—One of the most well-respected specialty ski race shops has recently changed hands (for an undisclosed amount) and will continue to operate with the employees who have helped make it what it is today. Run by Denise and Fred Coriell for over 30 years, Peak Performance in Killington has outfitted high-level FIS,…

Celebrating the life of Jerry Jagoda, 65

September 15, 2021
Gerald “Jerry” Jagoda died on Oct. 1, 2019 at his home in Stockbridge after losing his battle with kidney disease. His loving and humorous spirit is carried on by his wife of 42 years, Linda; their four children Shane, Chenoa, Tivon, and Devin; as well as their grandchildren Kinsley, Maddox, and Maverick and his sister…

Over $13 million awarded for community development

September 15, 2021
Governor Phil Scott joined town officials from across the state on Sept. 2 to announce $13,258,021 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards that have been made to 25 communities throughout Vermont. The funding, through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP), supports a broad range of projects that will accelerate pandemic recovery, build more affordable…

Man fatally shot by an officer in Rutland wasn’t armed, was holding a cellphone

September 15, 2021
By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger A Rutland City police officer who fatally shot a Florida man in a McDonald’s bathroom after a chase last month told investigators he thought the man was armed. But he wasn’t. Police said 33-year-old Jonathan Mansilla had a cellphone in his hand. Vermont State Police released new details Thursday, Sept. 9,…

Environmental groups oppose permit for Rutland County sewer plants

September 15, 2021
By Emma Cotton/VTDigger RUTLAND  — Environmental groups say the Agency of Natural Resources’ pending permits for sewage treatment plants in Rutland County don’t go far enough to address pollutant-laden overflows into local waterways. Permits are currently pending for treatment plants in Rutland, Pittsford, Wallingford and Brandon. The public comment period for the permits ended Sept.…