Commencement held virtually Castleton University recognized the class of 2021 at its 234th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15. Over 400 members of the Castleton community tuned in from across the country and around the world to celebrate this year’s 417 graduates virtually. The ceremony featured video remarks from student speakers, Castleton’s president, chancellor of…

By Cheryl Cesario Editor’s note: Cheryl Cesario is a grazing specialist with University of Vermont Extension from Middlebury. She received a Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center grant to develop a pilot dairy grazing cohort group, which provides direct one-on-one technical assistance and farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities. The Clevelands are one of five farms participating in the project.…

Martin “Charlie” Hanley  — a.k.a. Bump, Jolly Chollie, Dad, “B”, Granpa — passed into the next phase of his journey on May 8, 2021, some 15 years after receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.    Martin Hanley chose the nickname “Charlie” at a young age. He was born in Cortland, New York, in 1937, and lost his father, Ray, at the age of 5. He grew…

Amtrak and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) announced Tuesday, May 18, that tickets are now available for purchase on their state-supported train services for travel beginning on Monday, July 19. This includes the Vermonter, which provides daily service between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. and the Ethan Allen Express, which offers daily service between Rutland and…

By Victoria Gaither  James and Jadziah Derosia are the new owners of Camille’s Experienced Clothing in downtown Rutland.  The couple took over operations on April 1. James Derosia said, “Yes, it was April Fools Day which would have worried me if I was working with someone else, but it was my mom,” he laughed. His…

With a bit of luck and some pragmatic approaches to unsettled proposals, the Vermont Legislature should adjourn for the 2021 session this coming Friday or Saturday, May 21-22. Differences between the House and Senate, and at times, with the governor, will need to be remedied on key bills, like the state budget. Other bills may…

By Curt Peterson Smiles brightened thumbnail faces as RHR Smith Co. audit manager Samantha Ruggles reviewed the completed FY2020 Windsor Central Unified Union School District audit for the Finance Committee Monday evening.  The audit revealed a $150,000 surplus for the Supervisory Union (WCSU), Ruggles reported, which was about what chairman Ben Ford (Woodstock) said was…

Randolph’s Applied Research Associates tapped to provide the Army with a new test bed to study the impact of cold weather on key transportation infrastructures  U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) announced Friday, May 14,  that Applied Research Associates (ARA) of Randolph, has received an award totaling $5,237,915 from the U.S. Army…

Vermont State Game Wardens executed a search warrant in Middlebury on May 14 for evidence of turkey and deer being illegally possessed, firearms illegally possessed, and evidence of stolen property. Wardens recovered 10 illegally possessed firearms, several packages of deer meat, turkey meat, turkey mounts and several tree stands that may have been connected to…

On Saturday, May 15, at 11:59 a.m., state troopers from the Rutland Barracks were notified of a single motorcycle crash with CPR in progress near 241 Blue Star Drive, in the town of Ira.  Through investigation it was determined that Rina Girardi, 33, of West Rutland had been driving her 2009 Kawasaki motorcycle west on…

By Curt Peterson Windsor Central Unified Union School District superintendent Sherry Sousa announced five new hires/position changes at the May 3 board meeting. Engagements begin officially July 1. The equity and educational support team coordinator position, reporting to director of instructional support services Gina Rocque, will be filled by Amanda Rank, who earned bachelor's and…

The 57th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars recognizes 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields John Cotter from Mendon, who attends Rutland High School was recognized Thursday, May 13, as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. He was joined by fellow Vermont student Theresa J. Christiansen, from Richmond…

The Mountain Operations group at Killington Resort works on staff development and building a group of next generation leaders over the last few years, and Friday, May 14 the group announced its latest promotions. Tim Brosnan, mountain maintenance manager Tim Brosnan, longtime employee of 16 years, has taken on the role as mountain maintenance manager.…

By Polly Mikula UPDATE May 16 at 8 a.m.: Fire continues to expand reaching closer to the top of the hillside (see video courtesy of Murry McGrath, Killington Rescue.) In the late afternoon on May 15 police and fire personnel were alerted to a forest fire off Route 4 in Killington. Smoke could be seen…

By Brett Yates After a year of limited activities on account of Covid-19 precautions, the Rutland Recreation & Parks Dept. expects to offer a full slate of events and opportunities for fun this summer and fall. “I just think it’s a great time to start announcing that, with the loosening of guidelines, we’re back,” Superintendent…