With an eye toward attracting visitors and celebrating the Rutland region’s history and the 30th anniversary of the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center (CSSC), a major new downtown Rutland sculpture has been commissioned. MKF Properties and Green Mountain Power commissioned the roughly 10-ton sculpture as a tribute to the thousands of quarry workers, stonecutters and…

City programs combat cabin fever Keep an eye on some of the interesting events at the Rutland Free Library. Wednesday, March 8, will present the Lego Building Challenge sponsored by the Rutland Boys & Girls Club. The library also offers opportunities to practice Japanese, German, and French; programs for babies and toddlers; conversations about land…

WEST HAVEN—Devil’s Bowl Speedway, located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., already has its first “win” in the 2017 stock car racing season. At a conference at the Plaza Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 18, it was announced that NASCAR has awarded a $10,000 grant to the speedway for capital improvements and facility…

According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Loyalty Day originally began as “Americanization Day” in 1921 as a counter to the Communist May 1 celebration of the Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York’s Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in 1949, May 1…

Safety concerns cancel ice fishing derby BENSON—Low water levels, rainy weather forecasts, and poor ice conditions led to Fair Haven Rotary Club’s cancelling its planned 45th annual Great Benson Ice Fishing Derby. This cancellation was only the second time the event has been cancelled. Organizers decided to continue with the cash raffle, though, with such…

RUTLAND—The Vermont Foodbank announced the promotion of Genna Williams to the position of branch manager for its Rutland distribution center. Williams spent the past year and a half as the Vermont Foodbank’s southern region gleaning coordinator, leading teams of volunteers to harvest fresh produce from area farms rescue thousands of pounds of fresh produce. A…

CASTLETON—Castleton University, in partnership with Vermont PBS, invites Vermont high school students to participate in the 22nd annual Castleton Videofest. High school students throughout Vermont and the surrounding area are encouraged to enter submissions in any of four categories: documentary, experimental/animation, narrative fiction, and public service announcements/advertisements. Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded for first…

It is hard to imagine ourselves in a situation where we don’t have the ability to make sound decisions regarding our health care. Yet planning for a time when we might not be capable of making important medical decisions is crucial for each of us. It is something people of all ages should be thinking…

The staff of the Mountain Times had a busy and successful weekend at the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s annual convention in Boston, Feb. 24 -25. In awards for advertising, circulation and marketing, the Mountain Times took home first place in the categories of “Pure Advertising Niche Publcation” and first place for “Local Display…

WOODSTOCK—During the long winter months, it’s not uncommon for the mind to drift toward the warm beaches of a tropical destination. While most may be unable to escape the cold, it’s not stopping the senior residents of Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living, who are currently working hard to reach the sandy shores of Cabo San Lucas…

Killington—Monday, Feb. 27, marked a very special day for Paul Giblin at Killington Resort. A Killington enthusiast for over 30 years and second home owner who didn’t start skiing until age 40 at Gray Rocks Canadian Ski Resort,  Paul celebrated his 81st birthday skiing with his wife, Teresa, and friends on a sunny, bluebird day…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger A sense of fear and unease has taken hold on dairy farms in Vermont and across the Northeast in the wake of enforcement actions last week that led to the deportation of nearly 700 unauthorized immigrants nationwide. Though no farms in Vermont or nearby states were raided, those who work in…

By Evan Johnson At its Feb. 21 meeting, the Killington Select Board announced the local option tax results for the fourth quarter. Killington took in $153,655.43 in sales and use and $92,823.89 in room and meals receipts during October, November and December. The fourth quarter results bring the totals for 2016 to $355,152.11 in rooms…

Local members of the League of Women Voters of Vermont sent the following questions to every candidate on the Castleton ballot. Their responses are published here. Voting will be at Castleton Fire Hall on Tuesday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LIBRARY TRUSTEE: (5-year term): The Trustees develop policy and guide the operation…

Marz Kelly of Pittsford, previously of California, Oregon, Georgia and Boston, died in his sleep Thursday Feb. 23 at the age of 36. Being the most amazing man and incredible son anyone could ever hope to know, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers please attend one of…