Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association (VMSMA) members said “thank you” to essential workers in hospitals throughout Vermont with a tasty donation as part of their new Maple Essential Gratitude Program. VMSMA collected and delivered over 60 gallons of 2020 maple syrup from sugar makers statewide to hospitals in each corner of Vermont, including, but not…

Hank Dimuzio and Rhonda Roberts of LedgEnd Farm worked with the Vermont Land Trust to conserve 132 acres of their deer farm on Munger Street. Theirs is the largest deer farm in the state with over 400 animals. Dimuzio didn’t follow a typical path to become a farmer. For over 20 years he built up…

By Katy Savage and Polly Mikula Killington’s attempt to codify existing zoning regulations for short-term rentals has hit a snag. A group that calls itself the Concerned Killington Taxpayers Association, LLC, filed a petition on May 26 to put the question of amending the zoning bylaws to voters, instead of letting the Select Board decide.…

By Curt Peterson Killington selectmen and planning commissioners met via Zoom on Wednesday, June 10, to hear what progress has been made on the “Killington Road Master Plan.” According to traffic engineer Evan Detrick of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), project cost could reach $33,200,000 and involves rebuilding almost 4 miles of Killington Road, from…

Family encourages blood donations in Rutland man’s memory The family of Pete Giancola, a well-known local musician, is urging the greater-Rutland community to donate blood in his memory at the 2020 Mini Gift-of-Life Marathon (GOLM) blood drive. Giancola died in March after a 10-year battle with cancer, and relied on hundreds of blood donors who…

By Katy Savage Eric Mallette caught the “theater bug” when he was 19 and working as a college intern at the Paramount Theatre. “I remember the magic I felt walking through the doors,” Mallette said. It’s where he realized the power theater has. “I remember thinking how exciting it was to be part of something…

The Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) would like to remind pet owners that pets need special care during the hot summer months. When the temperature rises, dogs and cats should be inside with air conditioning or fans, or in the shade if they’re outside.  All animals need access to lots of clean, cold water to help…

The Bowse Health Trust will start its 2020 grant cycle with letters of intent due on July 15, 2020, according to a news release June 5. Agencies invited to write full proposals will submit them by Oct. 1. Successful letters and projects will have the potential to improve the health status of the Rutland region by…

Demonstrators call for an end to systemic racism in Rutland and beyond By Aliya Schneider Protestors were met with honking, cheering, and gestures of support as they protested along Main Street in Rutland on Sunday, June 7. “Black lives matter!”; “No Justice! No Peace!”; “Say his name. George Floyd” and  “Say her name. Breonna Taylor”…

By Curt Peterson Following a short presentation by Jim Haff (Killington), chairman of the Windsor Central Unified School District buildings and grounds committee, the district board approved investing up to $130,000 to install a “super” dehumidifying system, complete some related electrical work and do some deep cleaning to get the Prosper Valley School in Pomfret…

By Virginia Dean Recent news reports indicate that one of the major industries in Vermont that has been hit the hardest by the pandemic is the dairy farm. According to the state Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts, 14 small to medium farms (out of a total of 677 as of January 2020) have stopped milking.…

By Brooke Geery There were 300 bags of groceries at the Castleton Lodge in Killington on Tuesday, June 9, as vehicles began to arrive for the town’s latest grocery giveaway event in partnership with the resort and local fundraisers.  The event was live-streamed by local Internet celebrity Brian Hughes. Killington President and GM Mike Solimano…

CHESTER — A body discovered Thursday, June 4, in a creek near Wymans Falls Road in Chester has been identified as Joshua A. Webster, 39, of Springfield, according to a report released June 6.  Webster had been reported missing in March, according to the Hartford Police Department. Subsequent investigation into his disappearance included the Chester…

BETHEL—On June 7 at 2:30 p.m., troopers from the state police responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 89 northbound in Bethel. Initial investigation shows that both vehicles were traveling northbound on I-89 when a Kia Optima, operated by Jakim Brewster Hopkins, 32, from Brooklyn, New York, hit the rear of a Toyota…

WOODSTOCK—On June 4, at 2:45 p.m. Woodstock Fire & Rescue was dispatched for a report of black smoke in the Dunham Hill area that was called in from Church Hill. Another call was made at 3 p.m. by a neighbor for a fully involved structure fire located at 1274 Dunham Hill road, owned by Richard Terwelp.…