Have you ever wanted to see what the Long Trail is all about? This weekend is your chance to be guided on a day-long hike with a leader. If hiking isn't your thing, Taste of Woodstock, with local food, local chefs, fun music and entertainment is another can't-miss event. Here are our top picks for…

As incidents of bears breaking into homes, garages, sheds and vehicles in Vermont increases, so too should efforts by residents to bear-proof their homes and secure potential outdoor food sources that can attract bears. While searching for food in early July, one bear broke into a Killington home through an open window, and another Killington…

By Curt Peterson BARNARD—The Barnard School Board expects the Vermont Board of Education (BoE) to accept recommendation by the Agency of Education (AoE) to force the school to join the Windsor Central Modified Unified Union School District. A decision is due Nov. 30. Pamela Fraser asked district board members on July 31 to consider renegotiating…

By Paul Holmes About 250 mountain bike riders attended the USO of MTB at Killington Resort, Aug. 1-5. Some impressive riding was witnessed by crowds of spectators that attended the events. Results: Grom Bomb Downhill Boys/Girls 7-9 years old 1. Zack Harper, 24th overall, 2:17.45 2. Questwell Phillips, 32nd overall, 2:33.18 3. Kira Livernois, 33rd…

About 5,500 spectators came to the US Open of Mountain Biking in Killington, according to resort figures. Here's a look at the competitors, by the numbers: 60 competitors from 9 nations in the men's open 14 competitors from 4 nations in the women's open 62 competitors in the gromb bomb 133 competitors in enduro (first time ever event at the…

By Xander Landen/VTDigger In 2005, when Christine Hallquist was named CEO of the Vermont Electric Cooperative, the utility was veering toward bankruptcy. It led the state in the number of power outages, a dubious distinction. Its rates were among the highest in Vermont. The Public Utility Commission considered revoking the co-op’s license to operate as…

By Curt Peterson RUTLAND—Congressman Peter Welch began his July 30 campaign tour in Rutland County with a visit to the newly renovated Emergency Services Facility at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Welch is Vermont’s only representative in the United States Congress, and he is up for reelection this November. Emergency Room Director Thomas Rounds led Welch…

By Katy Savage LUDLOW—It felt like an earthquake or a hurricane and sounded like dominoes falling down on top of each other. All they could see was a cloud of dust. “The entire house was shaking, the walls and ceiling were caving in,” said Leone Powers. A truck carrying wood pallets crashed into the house…

By Katy Savage CASTLETON—Sitting before a screen may not seem like a sport, but colleges and universities are starting to offer gaming at the varsity level. The College of St. Joseph added esports to its list of varsity sports last year while Castleton University announced it will offer esports as a club sport for the…

By Curt Peterson RUTLAND—Two international brands have found Rutland an interesting site for their franchises. Both Starbucks and Five Guys Burgers have approached officials with proposals to open a new location in town. With a population of 16,595 and ranked the third largest municipality in the state after Burlington and South Burlington, according to the…

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour will descend on Vermont for the third year in a row in November. Ninety athletes representing 20 countries are expected to participate in the slalom and giant slalom events on Killington’s Superstar trail. Killington’s World Cup races will be broadcast to an audience of 2.1 million people in…

Bernard Kerr of Hampshire, England is one of the riders competing in the US FOX Open of Mountain Biking Aug. 1-5 in Killington. "I ride because I love having fun," he said. "I know that sounds silly but I just want to be outdoors and do what I love and for me, bikes is that. It's…

The USO of MTB downhill course excites athletes, fans By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—“Killington Resort has built an impressive new downhill track coming off Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont,” said USO co-founder and event director Clay Harper. The USO track, called “downdraft,” begins at 4,241 feet (at the top of the K-1…

Dakotah Norton Age: 26 From: Davison MI but resides in Knoxville, Tenn. Years riding: 4 years. Why I ride? I love riding downhill, but the life that my bike has made for me is amazing. Traveling around the globe and riding with my friends has been more than I could have asked for. Heather  Nicole…

Wednesday, Aug. 1 All Day GT Downhill track walk, K-l Peak/K-l Gondola 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bike Park open for freeriding 12-5 p.m. Racer registration open, K-l Base Lodge 2-5 p.m. KMBC Bike Bum, Middle Step It Up 6-9 p.m. Bike Bum/US Open Welcome Party, Snowshed Umbrella Bar Thursday, Aug. 2  8 a.m.-5 p.m. Racer registration…