Killington’s Harnett takes second The OCB/WNBF Bodybuilding, Figure, and Bikini Championships were held Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at Cape Cod Community College. Allysa Lines, Cassie Harnett and Mariah Legault took first, second and  fifth place, respectively. Harnett was coached by Kristen Markowski and Kellsey Eaton a former bikini contest champion. Photo courtesy of Lori Harnett…

By Alan Keays, VTDigger.org Prosecutors say a man facing a murder probe in a crash that killed five teenagers while he was fleeing police late Saturday night, Oct. 8, in Williston should have his bail increased to $250,000 in a separate criminal case pending against him. “In this matter, [Steven Bourgoin] is currently under investigation…

By Julia Purdy RUTLAND—The small white house at 38 West Street, familiar to many as the Good Cent$ thrift store, was demolished Thursday, Sept. 29, and is now an empty lot ready to receive the winter’s snow piles from the parking lot of Grace Congregational Church. The house’s disappearance came as a surprise to many.…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org The executive director of the Vermont Lottery will leave his post Oct. 14 to take a job in Chicago. Greg Smith has been running the Vermont Lottery, a state agency headquartered in Berlin, since the summer of 2014. The agency announced his resignation Sept. 27. Under Smith’s tenure, lottery ticket sales…

Best values, rates as selection tightens, brokers say By Karen D. Lorentz The prices are good, interest rates are low, and the inventory selection is good but beginning to decrease, according to real estate brokers in the Killington area, who are very busy. Many credit a buyer’s market and good values for vacation properties with…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org RUTLAND — A settlement between Rutland City and the Agency of Natural Resources seeks to put to rest differences over the remediation of Moon Brook. The agreement signed Thursday, Oct. 6, dismisses an earlier appeal filed by the city challenging the agency’s designation of Rutland as a small municipal separate storm…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org RUTLAND — Denise Thompson and her family are the last remaining tenants in three properties that were seized at the start of the month as part of a civil forfeiture case that will see the homes turned over to a nonprofit devoted to community redevelopment. Thompson was given an extra week…

Feral Cat Day is Oct. 16 at the Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS). Rutland County is fortunate to have volunteers caring for hundreds of cats at feral cat colonies throughout the county every day. These volunteers love the cats and find great joy and satisfaction in knowing they are part of something worthwhile. RCHS is…

By Patricia Minichiello A new playground is coming to Rutland Town in the next few months, town officials said recently. “We have just received a grant to build a playground at Northwood Park,” said Mike Rowe, recreation director for the town. He spoke briefly about the project and said that it will require volunteers from…

KILLINGTON—"Spell exhilarate,” said the moderator of the Killington Elementary School vs. Barnard Academy Spelling Bee competition last week. Nervous energy filled the specials’ room at KES on Thursday morning, Oct. 6, as the start time approached. But the excitement of a spelling bee exhilarated many simultaneously. Congratulations to Barnard Academy as they move on to…

By Julia Purdy HUBBARDTON—“Kit” Carson Davidson died Thursday, Sept. 28, 2016, at age 92, but he remains in spirit in the uplands of the Hubbardton home he called “Taconic Mountains Ramble.” This unique corner of Rutland County has been enjoyed by locals and world travelers alike, and its transfer Oct. 5 to the state of…

CASTLETON— On Thursday, Oct. 7, more than 600 Rutland County high school sophomores participated in a “financial reality fair” at Castleton University. The fair, which acted as an interactive financial literacy tool for students, was sponsored by Heritage Family Credit Union and was part of the fourth annual Sophomore Career Summit, sponsored by the Rutland…

RUTLAND COUNTY—This year marks the 11th year of “Boating with Becky” for the W2W (Woman to Woman) cancer support group. This summer was their first memorial cruise on Lake Bomoseen in honor of Becky Oberkirch, a group member from Hubbardton who passed away last February. W2W is an open support group for women of all…

By Jimmy Britt RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center hosted its 110th Art in the Park Festival Saturday and Sunday Oct. 8-9. Dozens of fine art and craft vendors ranging from painters, sculptors and photographers to jewelers and food vendors were in attendance. The event not only gives local vendors a chance to showcase and sell their…

Jim Kahle will temporarily lead the organization taking over for Nanci Gordon RUTLAND COUNTY—The United Way of Rutland County (UWRC) announced Tuesday, Oct. 4, that Jim Kahle, Vice Chair of the board of directors, will temporarily lead the organization as interim executive director. Kahle takes over for Nanci Gordon, who served as the organization’s executive…