By Alan J. Keays The words of a Poultney teenager charged in a thwarted school shooting plot resonated in the small room as a Senate panel advanced a bill Friday, Feb. 23, allowing authorities to seize a firearm from a person deemed a risk to themselves or others. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5 to 0 to…

Jay Hickory Kelly Lange Jim Haff By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON— On Monday, Feb. 26, about 30 people attended the Select Board candidates’ forum at the Killington Welcome Center hosted by the Killington Pico Area Association (KPAA). After brief opening remarks by the three candidates—Kelly Lange, Jay Hickory and Jim Haff—the format followed a question…

RUTLAND—After nearly two years of accomplishment in leading College of St. Joseph, President Lawrence G. Jensen has announced that he plans to retire. Jensen, who became interim president in 2016 and was named the College’s sixth president in 2017, made the announcement to faculty and staff on Tuesday, Feb. 27. “It has been a wonderful…

By Stephen Seitz LUDLOW—After postponing its meeting twice, the Two Rivers Supervisory Union has adopted a budget of close to $6.2 million. The final figure adopted by the board is $6,180,132, about $11,000 lower than the previous proposal. “The proposed budget covers the central office and special education,” TSRU Superintendent Meg Powden said, adding that…

By Michelle Monroe Vermont’s education tax system is notoriously complex. When reviewing the school budgets presented prior to Town Meeting Day, here are some things to keep in mind. All education taxes go into the Education Fund. Since the Brigham decision and the passage of Act 60, Vermont has paid for its schools as a…

By Karen D. Lorentz KILLINGTON—Skiers and riders interested in Killington have a new season pass option for winter 2018-19 called the Ikon Pass. Killington and Pico will continue to offer their respective season passes, but those rates have not yet been released. The M.A.X. Pass is not being offered next season. The Ikon Pass, a…

RUTLAND – To honor the lives lost and families affected by the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, College of St. Joseph will host a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. The entire community is invited to join students, faculty and administration in remembrance of the victims of the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland,…

RUTLAND—Always wanted to live in Vermont? Here’s your chance to move to the Green Mountains—and live in a free, super-efficient smart home! Green Mountain Power (GMP), Naylor & Breen Builders, the United Way of Rutland County, NBF Architects and Rutland Mayor Dave Allaire kicked off GMP’s Rutland Innovation Home Contest Monday, Feb. 26, a national…

CASTLETON—Castleton University announced Friday, Feb. 23, that as part of a comprehensive response to a projected operating loss of $1.5 million for the current year, it will restructure its current workforce through a combination of layoffs, position eliminations, and early retirements. The restructuring will also enable the University to minimize a projected shortfall for the fiscal year…

By Karen D. Lorentz KILLINGTON—Hairball greets families arriving at Ramshead with hi-fives, a good morning or a “Yo” if it’s a teenager, and always a smile. He’s Killington’s first—and only—monkey-ambassador. Scenes of green-jacketed mountain ambassadors interacting with and helping guests repeat every day at Killington Resort. Glenn Jacobi gives “tame the Beast tours” and promises…

KILLINGTON—Thursday, Feb. 15 marked 100 consecutive days of skiing for the 2017-18 season. And Jackie and Jim Nimal from Killington skied all of them—perfect attendance. That includes the Saturday in January when Killington was unfortunately closed due to severe cold and wind conditions. That day they skied Pico mountain. Jackie and Jim Nimal were last…

Michael Botti KILLINGTON—Come gather to celebrate and share the life and times of Michael Botti, a.k.a. “Mikey.” All are welcome to join. The celebration will be held at the Lookout Tavern in Killington, Mikey’s favorite spot. Lookout owners Joy and Phil Black have generously offered to host the reception starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday,…

By Karen D. Lorentz KILLINGTON—With parents who were avid skiers, Kristel Fillmore was one of the lucky kids who skied from an early age. Although she was born in Somers Point, N.J., her parents took the family to Pico Mountain where Fillmore learned to ski at 4 years old. Taught by instructors in the Pico…

By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—On Town Meeting Day, March 6, voters in Killington will be asked to approve general fund expenditures of $4.4 million, of which $3.17 million will be raised by property taxes. This represents a tax rate of $0.41— a 4.4-cent increase per $100, or 11 percent, over last year. The three candidates…

Students in Bridgewater, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock can attend any of the four elementary schools Students and families in the new Windsor Central Unified District (WCUD), which consists of the towns of Bridgewater, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock) can now choose which of the four district elementary schools they would like to…