College of St. Joseph’s baseball team is back-to-back USCAA national champions after defeating Apprentice School 6-1 in the title game on May 19. The Fighting Saints entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and began their title defense with a 2-0 win over Marygrove College on May 15 and a 3-2 win over Penn…

By Evan Johnson Roadwork continues on many well-traveled roadways in central Vermont this week. Here are updates on two projects causing the greatest delays in Killington and Rochester. Route 73 Pike Industries and their subcontractor, J. Hutchins, will continue installing underdrain from the intersection of Route 73 and Clay Hill Road, moving towards Mom and…

Central Vermont’s sugar maple’s and ash trees among the hardest to be hit Forest tent caterpillars have hatched, according to forest health specialists from the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The insect is expected to cause widespread defoliation this summer, mostly in forests across northeastern and central Vermont. Forest tent caterpillars are native…

RUTLAND— Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman visited Rutland’s Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) on Sunday, May 21. Greg Cox, president of the VFFC board of directors, hosted the site visit and discussion along with board members Ryan Yoder, vice president; Jody Condon, treasurer; Kathleen Krevetski, secretary; and Joshua MacDuff. “I thoroughly enjoyed my site tour of…

Vermont Fish & Wildlife staff are gearing up for what will likely be another record year for bear conflicts. They are asking the public to help keep Vermont’s bears wild by removing any potential food sources that would cause them to associate people with food. “The number of bear complaints we’ve received has increased nearly…

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States designated for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.  It is observed annually on the last Monday of May, this year on May 29. Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day.  Veterans Day celebrates the service of…

RUTLAND— Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman visited Rutland’s Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) on Sunday, May 21. Greg Cox, president of the VFFC board of directors, hosted the site visit and discussion along with board members Ryan Yoder, vice president; Jody Condon, treasurer; Kathleen Krevetski, secretary; and Joshua MacDuff. “I thoroughly enjoyed my site tour of…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND — A Vermont judge has rejected a Rutland man’s challenge to the “sniff test,” ruling the smell of marijuana alone does provide probable cause for police to search a vehicle. “Vermont’s decriminalization statute explicitly states that it leaves unchanged marijuana’s ability to furnish probable cause. The national consensus is…

By Stephen Seitz (Updated with edits May 25, by Todd Trzaskos at Vermont Wine Media) LUDLOW—Local connoisseurs don’t have far to go to find the latest offerings of Brook Farm Vineyard. The vineyard has come to Ludlow at 116 Main Street, the Circa 1810 tasting room. Brook Farm, located in Proctorsville, grow and make wine from…

Rochester, Royalton, Mount Holly and Ludlow to vote on measures By Evan Johnson Closing high schools and unifying school districts are the ballot items voters in central Vermont will confront in the coming weeks. Thanks to a measure approved by the Legislature, the deadline for towns to pass Act 46 unification measures has been extended…

Hiking Vermont’s hillsides is a great way to enjoy a spring day, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont recommend you check to see if the area you’re planning to hike or climb is open. Several cliff areas are currently closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. “Peregrine nesting is well underway this…

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department encourages the public to learn more about invasive species and help combat their spread. Landowners can play an important role in controlling non-native, invasive plants such as knotweed and buckthorn, while boaters and anglers can help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species such as spiny water fleas and…

By Sen. Bernie Sanders The good news is that Vermont has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country; fully 88 percent of our kids leave high school with a diploma.  All of us – parents, educators, community members and most of all, our hardworking students – should feel great pride in…

CASTLETON—On Saturday, May 13, Castleton seniors walked across the stage and received their diplomas from President Dave Wolk. Commencement ceremonies are a time-honored tradition signifying an important milestone in nearly every graduate’s life. After spending most of their lives in school and the past four years at university, students are now challenged with the task…

RUTLAND—Seventy students passed across the stage at the College of St. Joseph’s 58th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13. CSJ President Lawrence Jensen conferred degrees upon the graduates. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robert Goddard led the processional. Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas addressed students, their families, and faculty and staff in attendance, speaking of…