After 18 years as head of Killington Mountain School, this year will be Tao Smith’s last. Smith, 47, is leaving in July 2020 to lead his alma mater — Gould Mountain Academy in Bethel, Maine. Smith told students and staff last Thursday that he was leaving KMS, and in a way, fulfilling the mission of…

By Matt A. Sheen KILLINGTON—On Saturday, Sept. 21 kids entered the world of myth and make-believe for the price of a can of beans, and they didn’t even have to be magic beans. Twelve public libraries from six counties joined together to present the second Vermont Fairy Tale Festival at Sherburne Memorial Library in Killington.…

By Curt Peterson RUTLAND—Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County hosted a ground breaking ceremony at a new city project Sunday, Aug. 4. The house, owned by the city, had suffered a major fire a year ago. The city razed it and donated the lot to Habitat for Humanity for $1, according to Eric Solsaa, the…

A property owner in Pittsford has filed an Act 250 to demolish a vacant two-story home and build a 7,200 square-foot retail store in the village. The permit, filed July 23, includes the development of 33 parking areas, sidewalks, signage and landscaping. The 2.7 acre property at 40 Plains Road, has seen almost two decades…

By Julia Purdy Callum Smathers, 12, a student at Rutland Intermediate School, can explain all about the Rutland Area Robotics program to the uninitiated. The Mountain Times caught up with him at the robotics event at the Rutland library Saturday, July 20. The event was held in conjunction with the moon rocks exhibit celebrating the…

By Polly Mikula KILLINGTON—On Friday, July 26, a Lakota helicopter and three Vermont Army National Guardsmen landed on the fields behind the Johnson Recreational Pool in Killington. Over a dozen day campers greeted the three Army National Guard pilots. “Only some of the kids knew that the helicopters were coming to see us,” said camp counselor Jody…

By Curt Peterson Killington Planning Commission members were surprised by the large attendance at their July 24 meeting. People showed up out of concern of short term rental regulations. “The Planning Commission wasn’t even going to discuss short-term rentals at this regular monthly meeting but the news that a draft [proposal] exists traveled fast and…

Philip B. Swanson, 67, died peacefully Wednesday evening, July 17 . Swanson was born on April 13, 1952 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Swan and Carola (Vitarius) Swanson. Swanson attended and graduated from Johnson State College, in Johnson. It was here that he fell in love with the state, made friends that would last…

  John M. Lorentz of Shrewsbury died on July 12 at Rutland Regional Medical Center after a yearlong battle with cancer. His beloved family was by his side. Born in New Jersey to Fred and Marie Lorentz, John grew up loving rock ’n’ roll. During his teens and 20s, he played saxophone and sang in…

Killington Resort broke ground on its new K-1 Base Lodge on Tuesday, July 16, upon receipt of final permitting. The new, 58,000 square foot lodge, which will be 21,000 square feet larger than the previous lodge, is slated to open for the 2020-21 winter season in time for the 2020 Audi FIS Ski Women’s World…

The Clarendon Select Board doesn’t want marijuana coming to town. The board unanimously passed an ordinance at its Monday, July 22 meeting prohibiting marijuana dispensaries from establishing. The ordinance would prohibit the sale of marijuana. Those who violate the ordinance could be fined $800. “We don’t want (anybody) to sell marijuana in town,” said Clarendon…

KILLINGTON—Police have yet to find two baby goats that were stolen from Hinterland Organic Farm in Killington overnight Sunday, July 7. The two 7-month-old miniature billy goats were tethered to a 150-pound weight, which was also stolen, said Killington Police Chief Whit Montgomery. “We don’t have much to go on at this point,” Montgomery said.…

Poultney voters defeated an article 549-302 on Tuesday, July 9, to loosen zoning bylaws and let a Dollar General come to town. The article would have let property owners bypass the Development Review Board by permitting mixed commercial and light industrial uses in the village. “It would have significantly reduced the oversight,” Poultney Planning Commision…

Q&A with Rye Matthews By Julia Purdy Vermont Hydroponic Produce on Whipple Hollow Road in Florence has been acquired by Northeast Hemp Commodities, maker of Methodorganics health products. The landscape along the Castleton River now features acres and acres of neat rows of sprouted hemp plants emerging from their black plastic beds. The Mountain Times…

KILLINGTON—Police have yet to find two baby goats that were stolen from Hinterland Organic Farm in Killington overnight Sunday, July 7. The two 7-month-old miniature billy goats were tethered to a 150-pound weight, which was also stolen, said Killington Police Chief Whit Montgomery. “We don’t have much to go on at this point,” Montgomery said.…