Mitchell fires Keays after publishing story, follow-up nixed By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org John Mitchell, the president of the Rutland Herald, fired the top editor at the newspaper on Friday evening, Aug. 5. The Herald’s news editor, Alan Keays, was terminated hours after he authorized publication of a story questioning the newspaper’s financial situation. A follow…

RUTLAND – Mary Cohen, who has served for the past four months as interim director of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, has a new title: executive director. RRCC announced her appointment to the executive director’s position Tuesday, Aug. 9, following a four-month evaluation of potential candidates and the Chamber’s goals and future, Board President…

RUTLAND—Rutland Welcomes, a group of citizens working to create a warm, safe, inviting atmosphere for potential refugees, recently announced that it will host a donation drive next Saturday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rutland United Methodist Church. The organization is now seeking donations from the community, specifically, household items in…

By Polly Lynn RUTLAND—The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) will host its second annual Summer Harvest Fest feast and fundraiser, Sunday, Aug. 14, beginning at 3 p.m. Highlights of the gala event will include music, cocktails, a centerpiece competition dubbed the “Iron Gardener,” a silent auction, and a sit-down dinner. “We have an ‘Iron Gardener’…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org It’s taken far too long for the BJ’s Wholesale Club in Rutland Town to open its doors, said Kevin Mullin. The nationwide membership-only chain has been held up by permit delays and litigation for more than three years. So when Mullin shops at a BJ’s in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., not far…

KILLINGTON–Construction on the first three miles of an extensive mountain bike trail network in Killington has begun, marked by a formal groundbreaking Friday, Aug 5. Town officials, residents, and mountain bike enthusiasts gathered for the ceremony kicking off the project which, when completed, will boast over 15 miles of mountain bike trails. The Killington Select…

Change due to new postal regulations Staff report PITTSFIELD—Due to postal regulations, The Mountain Times can no longer be direct-mailed to Pittsfield residents on the rural route. The change is effective immediately. There is a distribution box in the vestibule at the Pittsfield post office, sharing a building with the Swiss Farm Market (a.k.a., the…

RUTLAND— The Rutland Regional Chamber announced Tuesday, Aug. 9, the appointment of Janelle Howard as director of business development. Growing up in Rutland County, Howard has a strong background in marketing, real estate and retail sales, and will be focused on marketing the chamber, local businesses and the region in collaboration with other organizations. “After returning…

POULTNEY—The Vermont State Police, along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, are conducting a joint investigation into the untimely death of William “Cole” Wohle, age 18, of Francestown, N.H., following his death on the evening of July 30, 2016. Wohle had been attending a rodeo at Pond Hill Ranch in Poultney, Vt. According…

Top 13 handicap pet photos will be selected of the 136 entries By Polly Lynn Mikula MENDON—Tracey Fowler of Mendon has entered her pets in a calendar contest and is seeking local support. The top 13 most popular photos will earn their place as the months of the 2017 Handicappedpets.com Calendar, plus one lucky pet…

PROCTOR—The town of Proctor is preparing for a complete townwide reappraisal for the 2017 Grand List, Town Manager Stanley Wilbur recently announced. The Town has hired Appraisal Resource Group, Inc., to assist the town assessor in completing the required reappraisal information. The first phase of the project includes the inspection of all residential and commercial…

RUTLAND CITY—A new baby and a new job won’t leave Alderman Matt Bloomer enough time to fill the requirements of his city position, Bloomer announced July 28. He intends to resign Tuesday, Sept. 6. Bloomer’s first child is scheduled to arrive in October. His new job is with his father’s law practice. His two-year term…

By Gerrie Russell A beautiful Vermont evening, good food, great conversation with a lot of laughs and the promise of entertainment within walking distance lured almost 50 Killington Active Seniors to their annual picnic. This was held last Thursday evening, Aug. 4,  at the Herbert L. Johnson Recreation Center. Long-time Killington residents, summer residents and…

Leading female CEOs will inspire next generation of leaders Green Mountain Power President and CEO Mary Powell was named among the top 25 Most Influential Women of the Mid-Market CEO Connection in 2016. This list recognizes the top 25 women in the U.S. based on their ability to influence change, innovation, and standards for excellence…

RUTLAND–On Aug. 3, the Vermont State Police responded to the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland and arrested inmate Ashley Blanchard, age 23, of Mount Holly, for possession of heroin and transporting a regulated drug into a place of detention. Blanchard had been returned to the correctional center by the Rutland Field Supervision Unit…