The recent arrival of cold temperature has formed early-season ice on Vermont ponds, lakes and rivers. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds winter enthusiasts that ice should never be considered safe and ice conditions vary. “We are urging all outdoor enthusiasts—people going ice fishing, cross-country skiers, hikers, and snowmobilers—to be extremely cautious and prepared if…

Hearing on revised bylaws announced PAWLET—The Pawlet Select Board will hold a public hearing on proposed revisions to the town’s unified bylaws Jan. 3 in the town hall conference room. The revisions expand the industrial district along the western border of West Pawlet and the New York state border, and add several parcels to commercial…

Board of Alderman contest gets early start RUTLAND—Although petitions to run for the Board of Aldermen are due in late January, Alderman Christopher Ettori has already announced his intent to run for reelection. Alderman Tom DePoy has also confirmed he intends to run for reelection, saying that he feels there are important projects underway that…

  American’s made strides in efficiency and recycling during war rations By Julia Purdy Seventy-five years ago, on Dec. 8, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt went to Congress to ask for a declaration of war. The previous day, Japanese military planes had bombarded the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Later that same day,…

PROCTOR—The Lady Phantoms of Proctor High School presented Woman to Woman (W2W) with a check for $1,001 from their fundraising event — the Lady Phantoms vs. Cancer soccer games. Ladies from W2W had the opportunity to meet and thank these young women on the soccer field and again at their school where they presented them in…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger RUTLAND — A $30,000 grant will help explore the feasibility of building a 128-room hotel, conference center and pedestrian shopping plaza along the Evelyn Street corridor in downtown Rutland. The Rutland Redevelopment Authority will use the money from the Vermont Community Development Program to hire a consulting engineer to assess the…

First time the Special Olympics USA training camp has been held in Vermont By Evan Johnson It’s not every day that you get to meet an Olympic medalist, but on Tuesday, Dec. 13, that’s what happened to 20-year-old Jeremy Beckham. While at a training camp at Killington Resort for the upcoming 2017 Special Olympic games…

By Evan Johnson and Lani Duke RUTLAND—Dogs in the Rutland area will have two spaces all their own to sniff, play and romp in this spring. A new nonprofit comprised of Rutland residents plans to open two parks. One will be adjacent to the West Rutland Rec. Center on two acres by the soccer field…

By Gaen Murphree If you heard a loon’s wild cry, were lucky enough to spot a bald eagle nest or watched a peregrine falcon on the wing this past summer, you shared in the continued resurgence of three of the state’s most charismatic winged species. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons and common loons — once endangered…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org RUTLAND — The Rutland teachers’ union says school administrators retaliated against employees and discouraged union activity after failing to adequately address numerous incidents of “student-on-staff violence.” A complaint filed Wednesday, Dec. 7, with the state’s Labor Relations Board alleges that Rutland City Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Robert Bliss blamed staff for…

Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Dec. 8 his intention to allow Vermonters convicted of that offense prior to the law change to apply for a pardon, essentially wiping the offense off their criminal record. He cited 2013 legislative action to decriminalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana as he made the announcement. Applications will…

By Evan Johnson KILLINGTON—Killington and the Green Mountain National Golf Course have found a way to report their financial standings to the public: keep the details separate. Last week, the Select Board heard from Bill Hall, principal and audit director with R.H.R. Smith & Co., which is preparing the audit for the town. In completing…

QUECHEE—The Vermont Institute of Natural Science has re-opened its spectacular outdoor exhibit titled “Ice Age Mammals on the Meadow.” This year, the exhibit features an Irish elk, a dire wolf, a saber-toothed Cat, and a handful of mastodons. The sculptures will be on display in the VINS meadow for visitors to see through April 2017.…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org RUTLAND — In a highly anticipated ruling, U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford has denied a motion by Donald Fell’s defense seeking to declare the Federal Death Penalty Act unconstitutional as cruel and unusual punishment. The 57-page decision issued Tuesday, Dec. 13, states that it is not within a trial judge’s purview…

This holiday season marks the 117th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a favorite tradition among Vermont’s birding community.  Birders in Vermont are encouraged to participate in the count, which is happening in Vermont from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2. Even novice birdwatchers can participate because every event is led by an experienced birder. Organizers and…