By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger WARREN — Rusty Gregory, the CEO of Sugarbush Resort’s new parent company, knew his audience was worried that corporate ownership would change the nature of the ski area that drives their local economy. So Gregory gave out his mobile phone number from the stage, first to dozens of employees who attended a…

On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Partners for Prevention, a program of Rutland Regional Medical Center, gathered for its annual Sticker Shock campaign. Sticker Shock aims to reduce underage drinking by limiting youth access to alcohol.  The campaign is designed to discourage adults from buying alcohol for minors by educating them about the consequences of these…

By Karen D. Lorentz Vermont was well represented at the 38th annual Boston.com Ski & Snowboard Expo at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston Nov. 14-17. The show, which draws thousands of snowsport lovers every year, marks the New England kick-off to the ski season, pumping up attendees with bargains, entertainment, excitement, and fun. In addition to…

By Curt Peterson HARTLAND–Almost 90 residents attended the Hartland Municipal Resources Group’s (HMRG) breakfast on Nov. 16. Hartland has the third largest population in Windsor County after Springfield and Hartford, and, unlike adjacent towns, is growing in population. HMRG was formed to study Hartland’s resources and make recommendations for management to the Select Board, according…

By Virginia Dean A public tour and informational meeting for a proposed remodeling and new addition to the Woodstock Emergency Services building will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. “We began looking into the idea of a remodeling or new building last February,” said Woodstock Fire Department Chief David Green.…

With Killington Resort investing millions of dollars in summer and winter activities, a number of business owners on Killington Road are following with upgrades and changes to their buildings. Some business owners have invested heavily into summer offerings with the rise in the resort becoming a year-round destination. “Everyone in the business (industry) does a…

By Virginia Dean The philanthropic efforts of 7-year-old Bradford Elementary School student Preston O’Donnell have had far-reaching effects in the Upper Valley this holiday season, including nearly 20 different locations where local residents have brought their donations of socks to help those in need. Begun as an effort to help her best friend who lost…

Fourth-graders can redeem a voucher for a free tree RUTLAND—U.S. Forest Service officials in Vermont are encouraging the public to purchase Christmas tree removal permits should they be interested in a $5 tree for the holidays, according to a Nov. 18, news release. In addition, this year, all fourth graders can again take advantage of…

Vote scheduled for Dec. 10 By Curt Peterson Barnard voters will decide whether to merge Barnard Academy into the Windsor Central Modified Unified Union School District on Dec. 10. Polls at the town offices will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pam Fraser, Barnard representative on the school district board and Carin Park,…

Pledge drive fails to raise funds to offset long-term debt By Lee J. Kahrs An appeal for pledges from members to keep the Neshobe Golf Club alive in the face of foreclosure has failed. Neshobe Golf Club Board Chair Jeff Wallin said Tuesday morning that the club was only able to raise about half of…

Multiple factors contribute to demand, vacation properties are majority of boom By Karen D. Lorentz Investments in both winter and summer attractions and activities at Killington Resort, expansion of Killington Mountain School programs, the transition to a year-round vacation paradise, the good value of real estate prices, and the “gig” economy of short-term rentals have…

By Curt Peterson KILLINGTON—Town Planner and Zoning Administrator Preston Bristow said there are approximately 931 short-term rentals in Killington—more than any other town in the state. According to the 2010 Census, Killington has only 820 full-time residents. The Killington Planning Commission is proposing a registration ordinance to deal with the growing number of short-term rentals…

By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Renovations are planned at the Slate Valley union district high school. The school board will be asking voters to approve a big construction project on town meeting day. The school board in the Slate Valley Unified School District, which straddles Addison and Rutland counties, has endorsed a multi-school project that would renovate the…

By Virginia Dean In the last 30 years, the Long Trail Brewery has come a long way in more ways than one— from a modest brew house tucked into the basement of the Old Woolen Mill in Bridgewater Corners to a farmhouse-turned-pilot-brewing facility with pub and restaurant, from the original name of Mountain Brewers to…

PITTSFIELD—New for this season, the Vermont Huts Association has announced that the Shrek’s Mountaintop Stone Hut will be joining its network of seven huts across Vermont. The cabin, which sleeps two to four and is located on the summit of a small mountain in the Green Mountain Trails network in Pittsfield, features a wood stove,…