By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger Attorneys for accused killer Donald Fell are again asking a judge to declare the death penalty unconstitutional, this time citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding sports gambling. Fell’s lawyers, in their filing seeking to overturn the federal death penalty statute, point to the 10th Amendment to the U.S.…

By Katy Savage While many celebrated Memorial Day weekend with barbecues and plant sales, Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Marji Graf flew to Maryland to meet her new employers. Graf resigned from her role in Vermont to take a position as president and CEO of the Rockville, Maryland, Chamber of Commerce, a position…

Killington Resort officially closed for skiing and riding during an 80 degree day on Saturday, May 26. The closing day was announced May 23. The resort was open a total of 187 days this year for skiing and riding. It opened Nov. 8 for pass-holders and Nov. 9 for the public. Meanwhile, Killington’s summer activities,…

By Katy Savage WOODSTOCK—Brandon Sharkey was hustling about the kitchen of his new restaurant, Eat Woodstock – making eggs and muffins, opening and closing the refrigerator while the other kitchen employees were doing the same. “It’s hectic,” said Sharkey, the chef and owner who was learning how to organize the kitchen. “I need a station…

Tao Smith, head of Killington Mountain School, catches a large rainbow trout in a local stream. (Photo Submitted)

Staff Report PITTSFIELD — Voters supported the purchase of a new $200,000 fire truck for the second time at a special town meeting May 16. Voters first supported the purchase from the floor on Town Meeting Day in March but some petitioned for a revote by Australian ballot. The fire truck purchase was approved 69-31…

By Julia Purdy KILLINGTON—Last Friday, May 11, was the first night of league play as the Green Mountain National Golf Course racked up its third week open for the season. Small groups could be seen down the fairway. Later, golfers gathered on the deck and there was a happy buzz of conversation. The course hosted…

KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced the opening of its Mountain Bike Park on Saturday, May 26, 2018. The Bike Park will host two key events this summer: The Vermont Bike & Brew June 15-17, featuring organized riding for all levels, live music and local Vermont brew; and the Fox US Open of Mountain Biking Aug. 1-5 with…

By Katy Savage Rutland Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Lyle Jepson is stepping down at the end of this month. Tyler Richardson will take up those reigns as interim executive director. Jepson has been with the organization over two years. He’s leaving at the end of this month to start his new position at Vermont Technical…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger “Expungement Day” for those with misdemeanor marijuana convictions in Windsor and Chittenden counties will take place next month. State’s Attorneys from both counties have said they were working out the details for expunging convictions for certain marijuana convictions in light of the Legislature passing and Gov. Phil Scott signing a…

CASTLETON—Castleton University announced a series of updates Thursday as part of its ongoing process to align its budget with current and future enrollment trends. The plan currently being implemented is a result of a four-month-long collaborative, exhaustive, and transparent approach to an organizational restructure that has identified cost-savings opportunities and growth initiatives. The restructuring, which…

By Katy Savage While mountain biking trails are expanding throughout the region, a small committee is meeting once a month to plan the biggest connection yet—one that would go from one side of the state to the other. The trail, called the Velomont Trail, would be like the existing Catamount Trail and Long Trail. It…

RUTLAND—During routine maintenance inspections, Paramount Theatre staff discovered potential roof damage, according to a news release Friday, May 18. “Out of an abundance of caution, and after consultation with our engineers and building partners, a decision to temporarily suspend theatre performance operations has been made,” the release continued, “safety of theatre guests is always the…

RUTLAND—A sculpture of Ann and Solomon Story, who aided Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys during the Revolutionary War while forging a new life on the American frontier, will soon grace West Street in downtown Rutland. A model of what will be a 7-foot-tall, 4-foot wide piece of art, which will feature Ann Story…

Robert J. Duch, 93, of Rutland died May 11 at Rutland Regional Medical Center. He was born March 17, 1925, in Newark, N.J. and graduated from Danbury High School in 1942. Bob joined the war effort in 1943 and received training as a navigator in the US Army Air Corps and flew 13 missions on…