Photo by Paul Holmes Labor Day is a bit of a misnomer. While the holiday is devoted to workers, many have the day off.  Created by the labor movement in the late 19th century, Labor Day was established to highlight the achievements of American workers, both from a social and an economic perspective. Labor Day…

RUTLAND—Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter has released a summary of fiscal year 2017. The shelter is a nonprofit organization serving women, men, and children in the second-most populous county in Vermont who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, RCWNS provided direct services to 924…

RUTLAND—The Regional Prevention Partnerships grant initiative has announced its new name, Partners for Prevention. Since January 2017, the prevention partnership has laid groundwork for coordinated substance abuse prevention in the Rutland region and surrounding communities by facilitating regular community meetings. This group of stakeholders includes representatives from law enforcement, education, mental health and substance abuse…

By Karen D. Lorentz The years 1879, 1891, 1916, 1931, the 1960s, 1970 and 2017 have much in common. Do you know why? Here’s a clue: “Midway of the southern range of the Green Mountains... and close to the banks of the historic Otter where that stream winds its way through southwestern Vermont, is Rutland—by…

By Karen D. Lorentz Rutland County faces a serious population decline that has already begun. The county lost over 1,000 residents between 2010 and 2013 when the estimated population was 60,622 (further reading on VT population). The projection from a 2013 study is that by 2020 it will be 60,791 if the economy is growing.…

By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON — Plans to build a convenience store and Dunkin Donuts where the Mobil station currently sits have been put on hold as the Segment 6 Route 7 project gets underway. Property owner Midway Oil in Rutland received a permit from the Brandon Development Review Board in April 2016 to tear…

RUTLAND—The Rutland Free Library’s main public meeting space, the Nella Grimm Fox Room, is closed to all public use until further notice, according to a new release Friday, Aug. 25. A portion of the ceiling collapsed on Wednesday, Aug. 16, and subsequent testing revealed a small amount of asbestos in the debris. Glue used in…

By Evan Johnson KILLINGTON—Killington is in need of a new firehouse and the town’s Fire Department Facility Review Committee is convinced they have found a location at a price that can’t be beat. On Sept. 5, they’ll need the approval from taxpayers to move forward with their plan to build on a site on Killington…

Courtesy of the town of Killington Proposed new Killington public safety building on Killington Road. By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—On Sept. 5 there will be a special town meeting vote asking residents to approve the purchase of land for a new public safety building on Killington Road to house the fire department and first responders,…

By Robin Alberti Monday’s solar eclipe as seen from Sherburne Memorial Library in Killington. KILLINGTON—Millions of people across the country gathered to watch the rare solar eclipse Monday, Aug. 21. Though Vermont was not in the direct path for a total eclipse, groups gathered at many locations to watch the event. Over 20 people showed…

By Lani Duke Rutland Library public space closed for ceiling repair The Rutland Free Library has temporarily closed the Nella Grimm Fox Room, a popular public meeting space, while repairs are made to its ceiling. A dozen ceiling tiles, totaling an area about 2 feet by 3 feet, fell into the room Aug. 16, Library…

Police are on the hunt for a suspect they say broke into several trucks and stole beverages. According to a press release from the state police, troopers from the Rutland Barracks responded on the morning of Monday, Aug. 21 to the Coca-Cola building on Quality Lane in Rutland for a report of a burglary. Investigating…

By Lani Duke Town managers changing Fair Haven interim Town Manager Jonas Rosenthal said Aug. 17 that the town’s search committee has narrowed the field of applicants for the town manager position to three. He was in the process of sending a questionnaire to each of them so the search committee might get to know…

WEST RUTLAND—A statue of a man is taking shape in the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center, a marble worker from more than a century ago. Carol Driscoll, executive director for the Carving Studio, told the Rutland Herald that the statue differs from the type of work most frequently done at the West Rutland site. It’s…

By Polly Lynn Mikula MENDON—Tracey Fowler of Mendon has once again entered her pets in a calendar contest and is seeking local support. The top 13 most popular photos will earn their place as the months of the 2018 HandicappedPets.com Calendar, plus one lucky pet will make the cover! During the month of August, participants can vote…