Operation scheduled modified to five days a week For its 85th season, the Woodstock Inn & Resort’s Suicide Six Ski Area will modify operations to prioritize the safety of its guests and employees. “The changes for the 2020-2021 ski season are a necessary shift to protect the health and safety of our patrons and employees,” said Tim Reiter,…

Pico Mountain is scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. Cold temperatures all week have enabled snowmakers to lay down snow on top-to-bottom terrain serviced by the Golden Express and Summit Express Chair. Early season conditions may exist. Check the ski report for up-to-date information on available trails, as opening is weather…

The Sherburne Trails, located on Route 100N in Killington, will now remain open for the winter season, thanks to a new agreement with the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). Previously, since its opening in 2015, the Sherburne Trails network has closed its gate to visitors each year on Dec. 15. This year, however, as more…

The Bowse Health Trust (BHT) committee recently announced funding for three local projects. This is the 25 year that BHT has awarded grant funds to collaborative community programs which measurably improve the health of Rutland County residents. The 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment identified significant needs locally in housing, mental health (including substance use), and…

The Vermont Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has awarded Rutland Town a 2021 municipal planning grant (MPG) to develop plans for a pocket park near Mead Falls in Center Rutland (at Old Falls Road off Bus. 4.) The grant will be used to survey and design walkways, a scenic overlook of the falls,…

The Paramount Theatre board of directors has promoted long-time Paramount staff member Eric Mallette to the position of executive director. Mallette had been serving as interim executive director since July 1, 2020 following the announcement that long-serving Executive Director Bruce Bouchard would be retiring at the end of the calendar year. Bouchard has been serving…

Mayor proclaims April 30 as Dave Schneider Arbor Day By Brett Yates After two decades on the job, Rutland City’s forester and arborist Dave Schneider will retire on Jan. 4, 2021. Tim Smith, Schneider’s assistant for the past four years, will replace him. At the Board of Aldermen Dec. 7 meeting, Mayor David Allaire officially…

Local artist Lopi LaRoe’s latest mural “Rise Up,” is painted near West Ridge Center, an addiction treatment facility in the Howe Center in Rutland City. While it’s smaller than her 60-foot tall mural honoring Black Lives Matter painted this summer on Roots the Restaurant’s wall overlooking Center Street Marketplace Park, it is still commanding. “Rise…

By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON — Rutland Northeast Superintendent Jeanné Collins has contracted Covid-19 and is in quarantine with her family. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, Collins was reporting Covid symptoms and her voice sounded hoarse, but she was well enough to continue working and is still leading the district. There have been no positive coronavirus…

By Katy Savage After 34 years, Chef Claude Blais is moving on. Blais sold his Choices Restaurant on Killington Road to two of his employees on Dec. 14. Dan Tolley, the bartender and Tim Galvin, the sous chef, are reopening the restaurant under their name on Dec. 17. Blais, who had long been looking to…

The Downtown Grocery in Ludlow celebrated its 10th anniversary on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Ten years ago owners Abby and Rogan Lechthaler from Jackson, Mississippi and Weston, Vermont, respectively, bought 41 Depot Street. They opened their casual fine dining restaurant the week before Christmas focusing on seasonal, of-the-moment ingredients with a blackboard full of daily specials.…

By Polly Mikula Rutland Free Library has drafted a memorandum of understanding to purchase the former College of St. Joseph administration building, including the Giorgetti Library, with plans to move from its current location downtown within the next year. “We’re honored and excited to give the library a new home — so much time and…

At the recent annual meeting of BROC Community Action the 2020 Community Action Recognition Award recipients were announced. Those awarded were: Richard Wobby Since 2005 Richard Wobby has been a driving force behind the Wheels For Warmth initiative. The concept was launched by his lifelong friend, Governor Phil Scott. Wheels for Warmth has raised $558,000…

By Curt Peterson On Dec. 1 the Killington board of health voted unanimously to pursue a public health order (PHO) regarding an alleged septic system failure 287 Estabrook Road, a short-term rental property belonging to Killington Mountain House LLC (KMH) and Vincent Connolly. A Dec. 15 public hearing will determine whether the PHO will be…

High school senior Netanel Crispe is raising funds to restore and preserve the oldest Jewish known cemetery in Vermont, though many Vermonters are completely unaware of its existence. The East Poultney Jewish Cemetery  was first purchased by the Poultney Jewish community in 1873, and the Jewish cemetery marks the burial place of Vermont’s first Jews…