On March 10, Heartland Developments informed Rutland Free Library (RFL) that it was no longer welcome as part of Heartland's planned development on the former CSJ campus, citing concerns that it would be used as a lever to slow down the Act 250 process. "The Library remains keenly interested in the property, should the Heartland…

From the J-1 Visa program to full-time Vermonter, Seo finds success and happiness in Killington By Karen D. Lorentz “Quite honestly, I didn’t really know much about Killington or Vermont. I was trying to improve my English,” Soojeong “Soo” Seo explained of her first visit to the ski area. Having grown up in Daegu, South…

By Brett Yates In February, after two years of revision, the Rutland City Board of Aldermen voted in favor of a sweeping sign ordinance proposed by the planning commission, establishing district-by-district standards for commercial signage and limiting displays to a maximum of 75 square feet. But on March 1, the board hit a snag as…

By Victoria Gaither CrossFit RisingStar owner Robert DiTursi is on track to start his Sober Fitness Program in April in Rutland. The program is in conjunction with The Phoenix, a national program that uses fitness and wellness to help people through recovery. As part of The Phoenix, DiTursi raised $11,000 to pay for it. The program…

By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Phish guitarist and lead vocalist Trey Anastasio and his Divided Sky Foundation have bought an Okemo Mountain property they hope to convert into a treatment center for people facing alcoholism and drug addiction. “Like so many people in America and so many in Vermont, I became addicted to opiates,” the 14-years-sober frontman for…

Rutland Regional Medical Center was named to Newsweek’s 2021 Best Maternity Care Hospitals list. The distinction recognizes facilities that have provided exceptional care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek’s Best Health Care series, powered by data from The Leapfrog Group. Best Maternity Care Hospitals were…

Thomas Franco, 25, will bring diversity, new perspectives By Katy Savage After a rare tie vote in a sixth seat on the Board of Aldermen, a winner haws been declared. John Atwood stepped down on March 3 to give Thomas Franco the victory after they both got 1,222 votes on Town Meeting Day. “Thomas is…

By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Statewide, petitions to disband unified school districts had mixed results on Town Meeting Day. In addition to Stockbridge voting to split with Rochester (see story on page 1), voters favored a breakup at the ballot box in the Addison Central and Windham Northeast Union elementary school districts. But in the Windham Southeast and…

By Katy Savage A month after the Rutland Raiders name was changed to the Rutland Ravens, some fear it could be switched back. Three Rutland school board members, who led a campaign called S.O.S., were elected on Town Meeting Day, promising to demand the name change be reconsidered. Tricia O’Connor, an occupational therapist, got 1,572…

By Brooke Geery East Coast snowboarding icon Tony Chuichiolo passed away unexpectedly on March 6, after a sudden medical event, according to reports. A lifelong Vermonter and long-time Sugarbush employee who dabbled in everything from marketing to park building to events, Chuichiolo built and fostered a scene like no other. He leaves behind three children…

Wide margin gives Allaire confidence heading into third term By Katy Savage Rutland City Mayor David Allaire won his third term in office on Town Meeting Day, March 2, 2021. The incumbent earned 1,356 votes, beating Board of Aldermen members Chris Ettori, who had 1,018 votes and Sam Gorruso, who had 561 votes. Allaire also…

Staff report An environmental court judge has ordered Slate Ridge, a firearms training facility in West Pawlet that has caused local strife and garnered national attention, to permanently close. The court ruled Friday, March 5, that the facility’s owner, Daniel Banyai, must dismantle all of the buildings on his property that do not have a…

Stockbridge residents petition for revote after withdrawal from district is approved By Katy Savage Stockbridge residents decided 125-95 on Town Meeting Day to withdraw from the Rochester-Stockbridge Unified School District and operate Stockbridge Central School on its own, but days after the vote, a petition for a revote began circulating. Janie Feinberg, who is leading…

On Jan. 13, 2021, the Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) observed its 94th year as a member of Rotary International (RI).  When it was initially incorporated as a member club of RI in January of 1927, there was some doubt among residents as to its durability.  According to one history of the club, “ There were…

Grants awarded to Barton, Ludlow, Middlesex, Northfield, Rutland, Springfield, White River Junction, and Wilmington The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF), the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and the Better Places partners have awarded $129,275 to eight placemaking projects. These grants will help communities reimagine and reopen public spaces for safe dining, shopping, and recreation,…