By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger.org RUTLAND – A city panel heard an initial cost estimate of $2.5 million for adding a gymnasium to its recreation building. The results of a $6,000 feasibility and cost analysis by NBF Architects in Rutland of the gymnasium addition were presented to the Rutland Board of Aldermen’s recreation committee at a…

By Lani Duke Hearing to determine Zingale’s position at town administrator Joe Zingale’s position as Rutland Town administrator is under scrutiny. Select Board Chair Josh Terenzini suspended Zingale with pay Aug. 29 after Terenzini’s delivery of a disciplinary letter resulted in an argument. The Select Board will meet to determinate whether Zingale should be fired…

By Lani Duke Lake group tries new approach to eradicating milfoil from Bomoseen: new harvester gets to work The Lake Bomoseen Association has wound up a 10-day, $29,500 weed harvesting program in which a pair of harvester boats cut and pulled Eurasian milfoil from water south of the float bridge. Over time and careful observation,…

By Alan Keays, VTDigger Vermont State Police say a man who pointed a gun at officers during a standoff early Friday at his home in Poultney was shot and killed when five troopers opened fire. After the shooting, police said they went into the residence and found Michael Battles, 32, dead on the floor in…

UPDATE: 7:24 p.m. Sept. 5 — Killington residents passed the vote to purchase the land for a public safety building, 102 yes; 84 no. By Evan Johnson KILLINGTON—On the evening of Thursday, Aug. 31, about 50 members of the Killington community attending an informational meeting in advance of a special vote Sept. 5 to purchase land…

By Janice Edwards Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that its 2017 Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to Josephine “Jo” S. Williams. This Citizen Award will be presented to Jo during an Open House reception on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. sponsored by the Chamber. The public is cordially invited to join…

By Dave Young, courtesy of Killington Resort Some of the best skiers in the world met with fans at last year’s World Cup. By Karen D. Lorentz The newly formed Killington World Cup Committee (KWCC) is a fundraising arm of the Killington Mountain School that was formed to help sustain World Cup racing at Killington…

Photo By Adam Federman, VTDigger Jeff Wennberg, Rutland public works commissioner By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger RUTLAND – The state is investigating a nearly 1 million gallon overflow of untreated sewage into East and Otter creeks earlier this month in Rutland City, according city Public Works Commissioner Jeffrey Wennberg. The state could fine the municipality for…

PROSPER Team Leader Kimberly Griffin, right, hands out information about the PROSPER program during the eclipse party in Brandon on Monday, Aug. 21. By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON—A new program designed to help parents and kids communicate is being offered to fifth and sixth graders and their families in the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union (RNeSU). Those…

Photo by Paul Holmes Labor Day is a bit of a misnomer. While the holiday is devoted to workers, many have the day off.  Created by the labor movement in the late 19th century, Labor Day was established to highlight the achievements of American workers, both from a social and an economic perspective. Labor Day…

RUTLAND—Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter has released a summary of fiscal year 2017. The shelter is a nonprofit organization serving women, men, and children in the second-most populous county in Vermont who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, RCWNS provided direct services to 924…

RUTLAND—The Regional Prevention Partnerships grant initiative has announced its new name, Partners for Prevention. Since January 2017, the prevention partnership has laid groundwork for coordinated substance abuse prevention in the Rutland region and surrounding communities by facilitating regular community meetings. This group of stakeholders includes representatives from law enforcement, education, mental health and substance abuse…

By Karen D. Lorentz The years 1879, 1891, 1916, 1931, the 1960s, 1970 and 2017 have much in common. Do you know why? Here’s a clue: “Midway of the southern range of the Green Mountains... and close to the banks of the historic Otter where that stream winds its way through southwestern Vermont, is Rutland—by…

By Karen D. Lorentz Rutland County faces a serious population decline that has already begun. The county lost over 1,000 residents between 2010 and 2013 when the estimated population was 60,622 (further reading on VT population). The projection from a 2013 study is that by 2020 it will be 60,791 if the economy is growing.…

By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON — Plans to build a convenience store and Dunkin Donuts where the Mobil station currently sits have been put on hold as the Segment 6 Route 7 project gets underway. Property owner Midway Oil in Rutland received a permit from the Brandon Development Review Board in April 2016 to tear…