By Stephen Seitz LUDLOW—It seems that the question of combining the elementary school systems of Ludlow and Mount Holly is not yet fully decided. A petition has been filed to reconsider the November vote, in which Ludlow voted 344-172 and Mount Holly voted 341-66 to adopt the proposal. In other words, a do-over. “I don’t…

RUTLAND—Stafford Technical Center unveiled a student-created bench made possible by a grant from Rutland South Rotary last week. Last spring Stafford was awarded a $750 grant for a student project. The funds were used to purchase the materials to build an Adirondack style bench by two students in the Power Mechanics and Welding program. Dylan…

By Evan Johnson Poultney—A Poultney man was the only victim of a fire that occurred on the evening of Jan. 8 in Poultney. At 2:49 p.m., the Poultney Fire Department received a report of a building on fire on Hampshire Hollow Road with a unresponsive man lying outside. The Poultney Fire Department, Rutland County Sheriff’s…

By Evan Johnson Linda and Ted Fondulas, former owners of Hemingway’s, the once celebrated restaurant in Killington, are reviving their Food Odysseys for Vermont. The couple’s concept of a “food odyssey” encompasses a variety of food and beverage related activities, including cooking classes, visits to farmsteads, vineyards, orchards, and artisan food or beverage producers, as…

By Alan J. Keays, VT Digger A panel charged with coming up with ways to combat the opioid crisis in Vermont has developed recommendations it will now work with others to help turn into reality. The Governor’s Opioid Coordination Council has compiled a draft document which is expected in the next couple of weeks, with some…

More than 400 highly-trained volunteer instructors and guides make Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ mission of empowering individuals with disabilities possible. Out of a dedicated pool of volunteers, the Vermont Adaptive staff recognized one outstanding volunteer at the organization’s winter orientation sessions last month. Program Coordinator Kelly Walsh presented Maggie Holt of Burlington with the…

By Evan Johnson Backcountry skiers and split-boarders ascend into the Brandon Gap on Dec. 31 to take advantage of plentiful snow in freezing temperatures.

By Gerrie Russell The Osher Life Long Learning Institute in Rutland exists to promote continuing education for area residents age 50 and older. It operates under the auspices of the University of Vermont and is run by a volunteer board of directors comprised of local people who work year round to provide topics of interest.…

Lender shoots self in foot CLARENDON—Mortgage lender Provident Funding Associates is trying to foreclose on the house at 266 Creek Rd., Clarendon. The action is the fourth time Provident has attempted to foreclose on what the real estate website Zillow describes as a 3,750-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath single-family home on 30 acres with a heated pool,…

Killington, VT- An opportunity has opened for Killington students who are attending or will be enrolling in an accredited two or four-year college and who have a minimum 3.0 GPA. A-1 Auto Transport, Inc., a car shipping company based in California who delivers vehicles to and from the Killington area of Vermont announced this week…

County farmers adapt with the times WELLS—The Larson Farm in Wells has changed from a large commercial dairy farm with 150 Holstein cows in 1993 to a smaller organic farm with 20 head of Jersey cows, some heifers, and 20 Devon beef cattle. Twelve years ago, Rich and Cynthia Larson began selling raw milk at…

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB), Vermont Land Trust and the Intervale Center received a three-year, $546,000 grant from the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to help Vermont’s next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs access land and grow viable businesses. VHCB’s Viability Program provides planning services for established farm, food and forestry sector…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger The House Judiciary Committee isn’t wasting any time. On Day 1 of the 2018 legislative session Wednesday, Jan. 3, the panel will get to work on H.511, known as the marijuana legalization bill. Other matters the Senate and House Judiciary committees are expected to take up during the session include policies regarding…

By Evan Johnson The board of directors of the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL) announced last week that all of its existing programs will continue operating into the future, despite RAFFL’s impending closure. The RAFFL board announced in October that it would cease operations by year end, but hoped to transition these successful…

Subzero temperatures are forecast for Vermont over the next several days. Wind chills are expected to reach 20 to 30 degrees below 0 F. in areas of the state. Hypothermia, frostbite, and other hazards are a serious concern in these conditions. The state recommends the following actions to keep yourself, your household, pets and your…