By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—Tuesday afternoon, July 10, was unusually exciting at the Northstar Lodge in Killington. Becky Piteau is used to welcoming new guests to the lodge, but never did she expect to see a black bear wander through the front doors. But that’s exactly what happened at 2:30 p.m. “We had the doors…

RUTLAND—Police are investigating a structure fire that occured at 90 Strongs Avenue July 10, resulting in a complete loss. Police said in a press release that the vacant home, belonging to Paul Arnado, was emitting flames around 2:30 a.m. July 10. Fire investigators later determined the fire originated at the stairwell and foyer of the…

By Katy Savage KILLINGTON—More than 140 golfers, ages 12-19, braved the heat wave for the American Junior Golf Association championship at Green Mountain National Golf Course (GMNGC), July 2-5. The championship brings the best junior golfers in the world to Killington once a year. Players and their families came from places like California, Texas and…

KILLINGTON— Divas of Dirt, an initiative led by pro down hill and endro racer Amy Alton and the Killington Bike Park to foster a community of passionate female mountain bikers, is returning to Killington Resort July 13 with bi-weekly Friday night rides from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. “I continue to be astounded by Killington’s…

Photos by Paul Holmes Rep. Jim Harrison celebrates Independence Day in the Killington Parade. Fireworks ended the day of celebrations in Killington. Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim

By Katy Savage PITTSFIELD—As Vermont’s youth flee, the Roger Clark Memorial Library has a new program to get Pittsfield children interested in the area’s businesses. About 30 students are participating in the All About Pittsfield program. Children take passports to different business owners and ask survey questions such as, “What did you want to be…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger BARRE—The killing of 29-year-old Courtney Gaboriault in Barre earlier this week was the fifth domestic violence related homicide in Vermont this year, the state attorney general’s office said on Friday. “Right now,” said Auburn Watersong, policy director at the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, “we’re kind of unfortunately on…

Staff report RUTLAND—The community has rallied to raise close to $200,000 for a local family injured after their boat exploded in the Bahamas. The Schaffer family, including Stefanie, 22, her sister Brooke, 13, their mother Stacey and stepfather Paul Bender, were on a wildlife excursion with 10 U.S. tourists and two tour guides when their…

By Karen D. Lorentz As Okemo Mountain Resort enters into its 63rd ski season, it will be as a member of the Vail Resorts family of ski areas, if regulatory approvals are secured. Vail Resorts, now the largest global operator of ski resorts, had its genesis in the vision of 10th Mountain Division veterans who…

Staff report POULTNEY—A former high school teacher, known for cracking jokes and caring for his students far beyond school, died in a boating accident on Lake St. Catherine last week. State police pronounced Thomas Flood, 61, of Schenectady, N.Y., drowned after police discovered his body around 3:20 p.m. Friday, July 6 in about 50 feet…

Staff report Winners of the American Junior Golf Association Junior Golf Championship received trophies on Thursday, July 5. Abigail Wiranatha of West Covina, California, was named the champion on the girls side with the final low round and tournament-total of 7-under-par 206 while Frankie Harris of Boco Raton, Florida carded the boys division win with…

Some towns continue to celebrate Indpendence Day this weekend. From concerts to barbecues and fireworks, there's something for everybody. Here are our top picks:  Brandon Independence Celebration Jul 6 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Brandon's Independence Day Celebration begins with Street Dance, 6-10 p.m. with music for all ages by DJ Jam Man Entertainment,…

David Marc vanOrman, 67, of Pekin, IL., passed away at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, June 24, 2018, at his home. He was formerly of Green Valley, IL, where he was a farmer of 46 years. Born Oct. 27, 1950, in Peoria to Forrest and Alverne (Craig) vanOrman, he married Sarah Whiteford on Aug. 21, 1971, in…

UPDATE:  Police found a body in about 50 feet of water in Lake St. Catherine in Poultney Friday, June 6. Divers recovered the body the body of Thomas Flood, 61, of Schenectady, New York around 3:20 p.m. on Friday.  The investigation into this incident is continuing. No further information was available.   (The following is a press…

Staff report An extreme heat wave impacting all of Vermont is expected to break 8 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service in Burlington said temperatures peaked at 102 degrees, with the warmest weather between noon and 6 p.m. Thursday. The break in temperatures, with cooler weather expected on Friday, ends a weeklong heat wave. An extreme…