By Julia Purdy RUTLAND—All real estate speculation isn’t bad. In Rutland’s case, the city sees it as an avenue toward the revitalization of in-town neighborhoods and a way to get tax sale properties – typically distressed and an invitation to trouble – off its books and into the hands of new owners with the skills…

By Polly Lynn Mikula BRANDON—Old pipes and erosion led to a break in a Brandon sewer pipe, spilling over one million gallons of sewage into the Neshobe River. This is the second time in a month that over a million gallons of wastewater has dumped into the river. The most recent break occurred April 4-5…

By Karen D. Lorentz Nationally, the Airbnb trend has caught on in ski towns, so it’s not too surprising that it is popular in Killington. In fact, Killington ranks no. 1 for having the most Airbnb accommodations in Vermont with 453 listings (from 161 hosts). Four of the five towns with the most Airbnb rentals…

By Katie Powers Belle Kidder was 14 years old when she took Introduction to College Studies (ICS) at Fair Haven Union High School—she was the only freshman in the class. “When I signed up for the class I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” said Kidder, who had been homeschooled before joining…

Part of Killington Resort’s Nor’Beaster, its annual spring celebration, the Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge was held this past Saturday, April 7. Participants and spectators wore brightly colored apparel, many in retro or just plain old fun costumes – there was even a unicorn – to enliven the slopeside parties. Competitors took to the bumps of…

RUTLAND—Rutland Regional Medical Center has been awarded the Advisory Board 2018 Workplace of the Year Award. The annual award recognizes hospitals and health systems nationwide that have outstanding levels of employee engagement, according to the April 4 news release. Lesley Classen, Rutland Regional’s Manager of Employee Relations & Recruitment, accepted the award on behalf of…

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…