By Sen. Bernie Sanders The good news is that Vermont has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country; fully 88 percent of our kids leave high school with a diploma.  All of us – parents, educators, community members and most of all, our hardworking students – should feel great pride in…

CASTLETON—On Saturday, May 13, Castleton seniors walked across the stage and received their diplomas from President Dave Wolk. Commencement ceremonies are a time-honored tradition signifying an important milestone in nearly every graduate’s life. After spending most of their lives in school and the past four years at university, students are now challenged with the task…

RUTLAND—Seventy students passed across the stage at the College of St. Joseph’s 58th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13. CSJ President Lawrence Jensen conferred degrees upon the graduates. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robert Goddard led the processional. Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas addressed students, their families, and faculty and staff in attendance, speaking of…

Route 73 Pike Industries’ subcontractor, J. Hutchins, will continue replacing drainage culverts through this week. They will be working near the intersection of Route 73 and West Hill Road and moving west on Route 73. J. Hutchins will also be cutting brush that is overhanging the roadway next week. Pike Industries will install underdrain along…

RUTLAND—Londonderry-based Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind has acquired the all product lines and assets of Rutland’s Vermont Maple Crafters. Founded in 2014 by Jackson Whelan and Lenny Montuori, VMC’s flagship hot sauce — Vermont Maple Sriracha — has become one of the region’s most popular specialty foods. The company’s product line includes several hot sauces, as…

RUTLAND—A small army of Rutland Blooms volunteers made a big contribution to the ongoing beautification of the City of Rutland Thursday, May 11, planting 46 crabapple trees. The planting comes just days after a devastating wind storm wreaked havoc, toppling trees and causing considerable damage. “The timing was coincidental, but the storm definitely made today’s…

WINDSOR COUNTY—During the week of May 8, members of the Vermont Drug Task Force(VDTF) conducted arrest operations in Windsor County after several months of investigation. The Vermont Drug Task Force was assisted by the Springfield Police Department, the State Police Westminster Barracks, the Chester Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security while executing these…

Explosive business opens at former Taco Bell site RUTLAND TOWN—Chip Greeno is opening a C&C Fireworks store on the site of the long-unused Taco Bell across Route 7 from Home Depot, scheduled to open by Memorial Day, according to the Rutland Herald. He will bring a portable building to the property with plans to operate…

Three Rutland County students recognized in art competition U.S. Representative Peter Welch, D-Vt., hosted the the Congressional Art Competition at Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier, and recognized three local students. Eli Sanderson of Center Rutland, a student at Long Trail School, won for his piece, “Powder Daze.” Kristen Drew of Wells, a student…

By Evan Johnson BRANDON—They came from Thailand, Somalia, the Philippines, Canada, Sweden, Mali, Bhutan and more, but at the end of the naturalization ceremony at the Neshobe School in Brandon on Wednesday, May 10, 62 candidates from 29 countries left as Americans. The event on Wednesday afternoon filled the school auditorium with elected representatives, area…

By Karen D. Lorentz The high elevation CCC Road between North Shrewsbury and Route 100 in Plymouth will reopen this month, according to Stewardship Forester Lisa Thorton of the Rutland office of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR). Thorton said in an email to the Mountain Times that “Similar to previous years,…

Harriet Layton Bellerjeau, age 76, passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of May 1. She was surrounded by family, birdsong, and sunshine in her glorious garden. Born to William Young Bellerjeau and Ysabel Welanetz Bellerjeau in Plainfield, N.J., on Aug. 24, 1940, she earned her first degree in medical technology at the…

On Thursday, May 11, friends and families gathered at the Rutland High School Theater to honor the 2017 inductees to the National Technical Honor Society. Every year Stafford Technical Center inducts students to the society who have met the criteria of an 88 or better in the student’s academic classes and a 90 or better…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A proposal to build a Dollar General store in Pittsford has been withdrawn, at least for now. The possibility of a store locating in town led some residents to post signs in their front yards that read, “We Don’t Want Your Dollar General.” Vermont is home to more than 30…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger With a historic vote Wednesday, May 10, the Vermont Legislature became the first in the country to send a marijuana legalization bill to its governor. The House passed the latest version of a legalization proposal on a vote of 79-66. With the House’s approval, the bill, S.22, moves on to Gov.…