By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A panel of lawmakers voted in favor of a bill that would allow law enforcement officers to use saliva testing to detect the presence of drugs in motorists. The House Transportation Committee approved the bill, H.237, on Friday, Feb. 9, by a vote of 10-0-1. Before it is taken up by the…

By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON— Three candidates will face off for the open seat on Killington’s three-person Select Board. Jay Hickory, Kelly Lange and Jim Haff are all running to replace Chris Bianchi, who is not seeking re-election. Chuck Claffey, had originally submitted a petition for the seat as well but has since dropped out,…

A typical tourist trip to Vermont might include hiking on the Long Trail, skiing at one of our many resorts, fishing for wild brook trout, visiting a farm, and sampling some of the finest cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. People come to Vermont because it represents a vibrant counterpoint to the narrative, so prevalent elsewhere,…

Submitted Borrow snowshoes at the library! RUTLAND— With the snow piling up, Vermonters in Rutland County have a  new opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Libraries throughout the county have teamed up with the Vermont Department of Health to promote physical activity by making snowshoes available for children and adults to borrow for…

By Robin Alberti Emery Mikula delights in the fresh snow in Killington. Killington saw 16 inches of fresh snow Sunday, Feb. 4, for a total of 23 inches since last Thursday, plus another 12 inches is predicted to fall this Wednesday-Thursday. Punxsutawney Phil predicted another six weeks of winter when he came out of his…

By Lee J. Kahrs, The Reporter BRANDON— There is both support and concern among state and local officials regarding the recreational marijuana bill, which was approved by the House and Senate and signed by Gov. Phil Scott in January. Bill H.511, which allows the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and two mature…

MONTPELIER – High school students from across the state marched to the Vermont State House on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and met with lawmakers to speak out against the dangerous influence flavored tobacco has on Vermont’s kids and teens. The members of the youth-led organization Our Voices Xposed (OVX) come to Montpelier each year to discuss the challenges…

By Lauren Owens Keri Reid

On Feb. 3-4, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., Troopers from Rutland Barracks conducted a saturation patrol in the town of Killington. Troopers focused their efforts on stopping and arresting individuals operating under the influence of alcohol/ drugs. While on patrol, Troopers conducted 11 traffic stops, issuing multiple Vermont Civil Violation Complaints and warnings. One operator…

QUECHEE – On Sunday, Jan. 28, police responded to a call from the Quechee Gorge. A Hartford resident in his early 20s had jumped to his death, authorities reported. They did not release the name of the deceased. Authorities said the young man had been successfully talked off the bridge by a friend less than…

PROCTOR— On Jan. 30, troopers from the Vermont State Police, Rutland Barracks conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 103 in Mount Holly for a speeding violation. The operator was identified as Kevin Burnham, age 49 from Proctor. Troopers also identified Deana Burnham and Keeghan Burnham, both age 25 from Proctor, as passengers in the…

By Lani Duke Rutland-area scholars on Castleton U, CCV honors lists Castleton University recently revealed the names of those students who made the President’s List and Dean’s List for 2017-18 fall semester. President’s List students must be full-time students with a grade point average of 4.0. On that list, students who list their home town…

By Lani Duke Poultney quarry, Part One POULTNEY— Blasting at a slate quarry across the road from their property has damaged their home to the point that it has no resale value, Jeffrey and Kristin Silverman claimed in a lawsuit they filed against Hilltop Slate Inc., K-D-Stone Inc., and Jeffrey Dunster, in U.S. District Court…

Submitted SEAN MESZKAT By Karen D. Lorentz Stepping into a snowsport shop at Okemo is akin to being a kid in a candy store. There’s so much gear, clothing, and accessories in a kaleidoscope of shapes, sizes and colors — to say nothing of new stuff every year — that, for me, it’s not just…

By Tom Rogers Anglers cast lines in Vermont rivers. The Fish & Wildlife Department is offering Intro to Fly Tying, a series of introductory classes for fly fishing anglers interesting in learning how to tie their own flies. The courses are offered by the department’s Let’s Go Fishing program in partnership with the Mad Dog…