Judicial change requested, claim of bias Christopher Sullivan, convicted of drunken driving and leaving the scene of a pedestrian fatality, has asked that Judge Theresa DiMauro be replaced for his upcoming resentencing hearing. He was scheduled to appear before her June 29. In 2015, Sullivan was sentenced to four to 10 years in jail. The…

Archaeology dig on Buckner Preserve WEST HAVEN—Castleton University students are among the diggers laboring to learn about humans’ interaction with the environment in the southern Lake Champlain Basin. They are taking part in an archaeology dig at the Helen W. Buckner Preserve in West Haven. Altogether, students and others are excavating a large precontact campsite…

By Lani Duke After analyzing more than a century’s precipitation records, Dartmouth College researchers concluded northern New England weather patterns have indeed changed. Intense rain events of two or more inches inside of 24 hours are 53 percent more likely than they were in the 1990s, researcher Jonathan Winter told the Valley News, June 19.…

July 11-12—RUTLAND—Close to 500 million foreign travelers visited European destinations in 2016, according to the World Tourism Organization. That’s 4 percent more than the prior year — and the U.S. Postal Service is ready to prepare travelers for such future excursions. To make it easier to apply for a U.S. Passport, the Rutland post office will offer extended hours…

By Evan Johnson After a brief Independence Day break, crews are back at work on some of the region’s road improvement projects. Here is the latest report: Route 73 Last week, Pike Industries continued paving the intermediate course last week, starting at the intersection of Route 73 and Route 100 working west towards the intersection…

WEST PAWLET—The emergency generator at the Mettawee Community School in West Pawlet was dedicated earlier this month in a ceremony hosted by school principal Brooke DeBonis. Additional speakers were Pawlet Emergency Management Director Bob Morlino and Ed Cleveland of the Pawlet Select Board. Morlino explained that the 20-kilowatt Kohler Power diesel generator was made possible…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger Surrounded by government officials and the state’s top health care regulator, executives at Rutland Regional Medical Center cut the ribbon Thursday on a $6 million expansion of the hospital’s emergency department. The expansion adds 1,880 square feet, with five rooms designed to help patients in psychiatric crisis who are being held…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger The Vermont Agency of Transportation says flash flooding has washed out roads in several areas of the state and temporarily suspended Amtrak service. Saturated ground compromised about 800 feet of New England Central Rail track in West Hartford. Passengers traveling on the Vermonter Amtrak service will be bussed to destinations. A…

Dirty Girl Mud Run partners with Komen New England, an affiliate of Susan G. Komen®  Saturday, July 8—KILLINGTON—On July 8, Killington Resort invites women to participate in one of the world’s largest women-only mud runs to raise awareness for breast cancer. Susan G. Komen®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funds more breast cancer research…

By Alan Keays, VTDigger KILLINGTON—A Killington man who faced a manslaughter charge after his escaped bull caused a fatal crash on Route 4 has reached a plea deal that will allow him to avoid jail. Craig Mosher, 63, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Rutland Superior Court to a reduced misdemeanor offense of reckless endangerment in the…

Vermont’s fishermen have more places to cast a line,thanks to expanded offerings at Vermont State Parks. Six more state parks will offer free loaner fishing equipment and educational resources. Page 17

Independence Day celebrations abound in the region. Many towns have parades and entire days filled with barbecues, 5K runs, readings of the Declaration of Independence, and many more community-building events commemorating the 241st birthday of America, July 4. Pages 8-10

PLYMOUTH UNION—The Plymouth Memorial Garden and Community Center Sign was dedicated Sunday, June 11. The garden is in memory of Eliza Ward, a life-long resident. Several of her family were present for the celebration. Engraved bricks memorializing loved ones surround the garden restored by Bruce and Midge Tucker. The sign at the community center announces information…

KILLINGTON—New features have been installed at the Killington Recreation Center this summer. A new playground was installed this past year with the help of the town’s highway crew, and Killington campers have had a blast on the new playground and are enjoying the new features, reported Kim Peters, Killington recreation director.  The extended plan is…

Vermont State Parks and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department have expanded the popular Reel Fun Vermont program for 2017. Eighteen Vermont State Parks now offer free loaner fishing equipment to park visitors, along with a mix of educational resources focused on the sport of fishing. “We’re excited to offer Reel Fun at six more…