Discover More from This Category: Local News

Wonderfeet Lip Sync Battle planners rise to the challenge, overcoming Covid limitations

September 1, 2021
This will be the fifth year Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum hosts its Lip Sync Battle fundraiser. The event has become a much anticipated community tradition, filling The Paramount Theatre and downtown Rutland with lots of fun, laughter and creativity. While Covid restrictions in 2020 threatened to cancel the event, Wonderfeet was able to transition to a…

When is a meeting not a meeting?

September 1, 2021
By Curt Peterson The Killington Select Board met as planned on Aug. 24, but the get-together was quickly converted to a “non-meeting” in the words of Select Board member Jim Haff.  Haff, as a Killington representative on the Windsor Central Unified Union School District board, had attended a 2½-hour open meetings law training session on…

Pedestrian struck on Route 7 in Clarendon

September 1, 2021
On Aug. 3, 2021, at 3:25 a.m., troopers from the State Police — Rutland Barracks were notified of a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Route 7 in Clarendon. Through investigation it was determined that Howard Doane, 30, of Rutland, was operating Honda Accord, traveling south on Route 7 in the area of North Shrewsbury…

Appalachian Trail protected in Killington

September 1, 2021
Conservation of 629-acres on both sides of the National Scenic Trail ensures natural character, recreational access and critical wildlife habitat The Conservation Fund, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), announced the protection of 629 acres surrounding the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) in Killington. The property has been conveyed to NPS from The…

Fatal police shooting inside McDonald’s in Rutland

September 1, 2021
RUTLAND—The state police are continuing to investigate the fatal shooting by a Rutland City police officer that occurred Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 25, at a McDonald’s restaurant in the city. The officer is identified as Cpl. Christopher A. Rose, who has served with the Rutland City Police Dept. for more than five years. The deceased is…

Where have all the teachers gone?

September 1, 2021
By Curt Peterson School district administrators are normally under pressure as opening day roars toward them like a freight train. Picture General George Washington astride his white horse, circulating among shivering troops before the Battle of Trenton, discussing strategy, boosting morale, everything at stake. That kind of pressure. Add the reemergence of Covid in Vermont,…

Lack of Covid-safe mandates questioned as schools reopen

September 1, 2021
Gov. Scott announced vaccine requirement for more state employees and expanded school surveillance testing By Ethan Weinstein The Governor did not issue new guidance or restrictions in his weekly Tuesday press conference even as schools deal with Covid cases in their first week since opening. Scott did, however, announce a vaccine mandate for state employees…

Balloon pilots remember colleague on eve of festival

September 1, 2021
By Katy Savage With the 41st annual Quechee Balloon Festival coming up Labor Day weekend, many balloon pilots are remembering a lost colleague. Balloon pilot Brian Boland, 72, of Thetford, died July 15 after he fell out of his basket and became entangled underneath. Boland was well-known and beloved among the pilot community. He built…

Little Diggers Worm Farm makes composting easy

August 27, 2021
By Ethan Weinstein RUTLAND—Some kids like to collect baseball cards, others play video games. Lyric, 9, and her brother, Luca, 6, of Little Diggers Worm Farm, have a different hobby: worms. Along with their grandmother, Kim Ray, the sibling team created Little Diggers Worm Farm, selling mini worm farm kits, vermicomposting starter kits, worm casting…

What Tropical Storm Irene can teach Vermont 10 years later

August 25, 2021
By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Business and government leader Neale Lunderville was just another Vermonter enjoying an end-of-summer weekend when, strolling his South Burlington neighborhood Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011, he felt a wet blanket of foreboding slap him in the face. “This is more than a little storm,” Lunderville recalls thinking as pelting rain and 60-mph winds whipped…

Woodstock Select Board approves marketing $110K expenditure

August 25, 2021
By Katy Savage The Woodstock Select Board approved last week the Economic Development Commission’s proposal to spend $110,000 to market the town. Class Four, a marketing firm in Burlington, will be hired under a one-year contract to develop videos and photos that capture the Woodstock lifestyle to increase tourism, attract new residents and entice new…

Zoom-oops sparks controversy in Bridgewater, leadership questioned

August 25, 2021
By Ethan Weinstein Bridgewater’s Aug. 17 Select Board meeting devolved into disarray when the board entered into executive session but failed to end its Zoom meeting, allowing the public to hear the private discussion. Town clerk and recently board-appointed treasurer Nancy Robinson proceeded to claim former treasurer Vicky Young wasted time making frequent trips to…

Parent complains, school board trains

August 25, 2021
By Curt Peterson On Aug. 16, the Windsor Central Unified Union School District board, parents and students learned what the Covid-related requirements will be when campuses open on Sept. 1 and witnessed an open meetings law training session conducted by attorney Dina Atwood of Stitzel, Page & Fletcher, P.C. A Vermont school board is considered…

Claude Blais: Mentor to many, friend to all, married to the restaurant

August 25, 2021
Claude B. Blais, 68, of Killington, a restaurateur and bon vivant, died of the ravages of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 22, 2021. Claude was born in Newport, the third child of Benoit and Floride Blais. He grew up in the family home in Derby Line, traveling by bus during the school year to attend the…

Head on crash causes fatality

August 25, 2021
HARTLAND—The state police responded to the area of Route 5 and Rice Road in Hartland for a two-car, head-on motor vehicle crash. Roger Curfman, 67, of Springfield, was traveling north on Route 5 in his Toyota pickup near the intersection of Rice Road and for an unknown reason crossed over the center line. He then…