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…

LUDLOW—As it plans its programming schedule for 2017, Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA) has decided it will introduce the ability to stream live programming for the benefit of its audiences. Streaming is essentially the process of presenting live events, such as Broadway musicals, sporting events, and national public interest events, as they actually are occurring.…

RUTLAND—In November, Rutland Area Farm and Food link (RAFFL) launched an effort to raise $75,000 to expand its current programming and outreach within the current communities it serves. With a successful campaign by year’s end, RAFFL will be able to continue its efforts to capture fresh, seasonal food from local farms for those in need…

Nissan relocation is back under consideration RUTLAND—Early in 2016, Garvey Nissan filed an Act 250 application to build a new auto dealership on 16.5 acres at the border of Rutland Town and North Clarendon. The dealership had requested the application be held in abeyance while it worked to ameliorate “unforeseen technical issues,” but now the…

County students demonstrate community spirit Ella Patterson, PJ Cummings, and Sophia Rampone are representing Fair Haven Union H.S. in the inaugural Castleton University High School Art Festival. Each student has three works of art in the show, on display now through Dec. 19 at the Christine Price Gallery, located in the lobby of the Fine…

With winter weather now taking hold, Vermonters are readying their birdfeeders. But before residents put up their avian offerings, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife recommends a review of the birdfeeding basics. “Birds of all species have very interesting behaviors, shapes, and plumage, and being close to them to be able to observe this is…

HARTLAND — Vermont State Police have arrested a Massachusetts man in connection with a bank robbery in Hartland over the weekend. The robbery occurred at 10:15 a.m. when a man entered the Hartland branch of the Mascoma Savings Bank on Route 12 at the junction with U.S. Route 5 and demanded money from a teller.…