WOODSTOCK—Innovation is in the air at Woodstock Union High School/Middle School (WUHSMS) with the completion of the new 2,000-square foot state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, a modern natural light-filled space, which officially opened this month within a former woodshop/classroom at the school. While the school operated a temporary Innovation Lab all year, the newly completed space is…

By Karen D. Lorentz Ski patrollers are regarded as “the good Samaritans of the slopes” for tending to both the injured and the multitude of behind-the-scene duties that enable them to promote safety on the slopes. From early morning trail checks to taking care of the gear used and repacking toboggans to the evening check…

By Polly Lynn Mikula BRANDON— Pete Brooks and his two brothers-in-law, Riker Wikoff and Andrew Gates, plan to open a taproom in downtown Brandon, brewing a rotating selection of artisan beers. “Best case scenario, we open early fall,” Brooks said, explaining that the timeline will be determined by the permitting process. The Red Clover Ale…

RUTLAND—Spring may be missing in action, but businesses continue to sprout in downtown Rutland at a healthy pace. For the sixth month in a row, downtown has seen a new business open its doors each month. They’re all different and each is working to meet the demands of the local community in diverse ways. “We’re…

RUTLAND—The State of Vermont has issued a “Do not drink” order to tenants of the Rutland Airport Business Park after per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were found in the business park’s water system. PFAS were not found in any of the wells tested along Airport Road and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) notified all…

Killington Resort’s annual Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge competition, being held Saturday, April 7, is a rite of spring ushering in the season with soft bumps and a big tailgate party as amateur bumpers take to the slopes of Outer Limits. The top 32 men and 16 women advance. Photo by Jerry LeBlond

By Karen D. Lorentz KILLINGTON—With 151 total property sales, “2017 was a record-breaking year for real estate sales in Killington, surpassing the number of sales at the peak of the market in 2006,” reported Kyle Kershner, broker/owner of Killington Pico Realty. The year 2006 saw 139 total sales, including all types of properties from land…

By Mike Polhamus, VTDigger Residents’ worries over pesticide use by a mosquito-control district in Rutland County have Vermont Law School clinicians asking the state to hold off on issuing a permit allowing application of chemicals that kill adult mosquitoes. Some residents who live within the Brandon-Leicester-Salisbury-Goshen-Pittsford (BLSG) Insect Control District say the “adulticide” chemicals the district…

RUTLAND—To support the ongoing growth of entrepreneurship in Rutland County, the Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) partnered with the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) and Berkshire Bank to offer a free 10-week business planning course to 17 emerging entrepreneurs in Rutland County, with extended training through a unique mentorship program. The course is being…

By Julia Purdy PITTSFORD—The fourth Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on the application to build a Dollar General store on Plains Road in Pittsford village convened Monday, March 26, in two segments: a site visit and a presentation indoors at the Lothrop School gym. Both were open to the public. ZBA chair Stan Markowski opened…

By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—At 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, the Killington Select Board came out of executive session to announce the termination of Deborah Schwartz from the position of Town Manager “without cause.” The board unanimously approved the motion. There was little discussion. Board Chair Steve Finneron explained that “Under the contract there’s…

By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—About 30 people attended a special Select Board meeting Wednesday, March 28, for a presentation by Brown Golf Management (BGM). The meeting was held at the Sherburne Memorial Library at 5 p.m. It was the second time the town of Killington has brought BGM in for help. The first time was in the…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger Hundreds of gun activists swarmed the State House lawn Saturday afternoon, March 31, to protest the passage of S.55, legislation that puts sweeping new restrictions on gun use in Vermont. Republican Gov. Phil Scott has promised to sign the bill into law. During the rally, participants formed two lines on the sidewalk…

RUTLAND—An exit “motorcade” for Rutland Regional Medical Center’s retiring CEO Tom Huebner was held on Friday, March 23 at 12-noon. Community members and hospital staff gathered inside the main lobby, outside and around the building to wave farewell. The Rutland fire department, police, and regional ambulance provided an escort as he drove around the building…

By Polly Lynn Mikula   KILLINGTON—About 30 people attended a special Select Board meeting Wednesday, March 28, for a presentation by Brown Golf Management (BGM). The meeting was held at the Sherburne Memorial Library at 5 p.m. It was the second time the town of Killington has brought BGM in for help. The first time, was in…