By Robin Alberti IRA—Milky Way Farm, on Route 133 in Ira, is one of Vermont’s quintessential dairy farms — it has the pictureque vistas, barns and animals that postcards and calendars are made of. Robert Clark, Sr. purchased the land for the Milky Way Farm in 1984, and it is the last dairy farm currently…

By Stephen Seitz As sure a sign of spring as robins returning and crocuses blooming, the season also sees road construction crews getting back to work. In Rutland Town, the traffic signal at the intersection of Green Mountain Plaza, Seward Road and Route 7 is scheduled to be replaced. The project begins in July and…

By Evan Johnson Springtime roadwork will continue through this week on two projects in central Vermont, with planing and resurfacing of significant portions of east- and west-bound corridors. Route 4 Work on the nearly 15-mile repaving project on Route 4 will continue this week. According to an update from project engineer Greenman Pedersen, Inc., shoulder…

By Julia Purdy CHITTENDEN—On Wednesday, May 3, a public informational meeting was held on the proposed purchase by the Green Mountain National Forest of 2,052 acres in the town of Chittenden, currently owned by Blue Ridge Properties LLC. Presenters were Trust for Public Lands Project Manager Kate Wanner and District Ranger Chris Mattrick from the…

CASTLETON—Honoring students who served their country, a ceremony was held at Castleton University April 24, inducting 10 undergraduates into the Castleton chapter of the SALUTE Veterans Honor Society. SALUTE is the only national honor society highlighting the achievements of student veterans. SALUTE membership recognizes their commitment to academic excellence, high principles and superior achievements throughout…

What is the price tag of a college education? According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2016–2017 school years was $33,480 at private colleges, and $9,650 for state residents at public colleges. For any high school senior that is a huge price tag. Rutland South Rotary Club understands that these college bound…

Teams of paddlers, cyclists and runners took to the river and roads around Rochester last weekend as the sixth annual DisasTour race. The triathlon event features a 15-kilometer bike, 12-kilometer paddle and a 9-kilometer run. The event benefits local nonprofits and remembers the 2011 tropical storm Irene. Adam Whitney won the men’s individual race with…

Are you ready for some softball? Killington Softball League is looking for a few good men and women to play. The league will start in late-May. Anyone interested in forming a team or playing on one should contact Commissioner Dave Hoffenberg at killingtonsoftball@gmail.com.

NORTHFIELD—Norwich University has been named a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security, through 2022. Also, the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Crime Center recently certified Norwich as a National Center for Digital Forensic Academic Excellence (CDFAE). Both federal certifications designate Norwich’s cybersecurity…

Hissss for rattlesnake studies FAIR HAVEN—The Timber Rattlesnake Conservation Council has asked the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife for a moratorium on “invasive” studies of rattlesnakes. VF&W’s official figures show a population of only a few hundred living in western Rutland County, thought to live primarily in the Rattlesnake Ridge area of Fair Haven,…

Ponderosa Steakhouse remodeling to Ground Round Tom Maniery’s new Ground Round Grill & Bar restaurant is taking applications for more than 75 employees as it transforms from the former Ponderosa Steakhouse at 559 U.S. Route 7 South to an all-new restaurant. Maniery touts a “new facility and ambiance, expanded menu, and a new and unique…

WHITE RIVER JCT.—Upper Valley Aquatic Center has opened its new fitness center. The new space houses a much larger family-friendly locker room with private changing suites; a new group exercise studio for classes such as Yoga, Pilates, and stretching; and a physical therapy offices of Be Fit Physical Therapy. In keeping with the existing modern…

NORTHFIELD—Last week, Norwich University broke ground on a new academic building as well as renovations to Webb, Dewey and Ainsworth Halls in a combined $48.5 million project. This project is the second major construction project undertaken as part of the $100 million Forging the Future campaign. The five-year campaign is timed to culminate during the…

The United Way of Rutland County is pleased to announce that Caprice Hover is becoming its executive director. Most recently, Caprice has been the executive director of the Rutland County Parent Child Center. Hover replaces Jim Kahle who has been acting as interim executive director. Mr. Kahle is assuming the position of board chair. “I…

RUTLAND—The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) has received Certificate of Need approval from the Green Mountain Care Board for a merger with Manchester Health Services in Manchester, Vt. “We are delighted to move forward with the merger,” said Ronald J. Cioffi, RN, CEO of the VNAHSR. “For more than 50…