After a whole lot of mixing and shaking Vermont crowned its Bartender of the Year at Killington April 12.  “Father and Son” was the name that Matt Farkas, a bearded, tattooed bartender from Winooski gave the drink he was making up on the spot last night, April 12, in Killington. Farkas, who works at Winooski’s…

Courtesy of PEGTV

By Robin Alberti Miss Emma Murray and her fourth-grade students hold the placemats they made for their pancake breakfast. Back row: Miss Emma Murray, Jacob Roth, Brian Hayes, Sophia Nisimblat, Chloe Masillo and Lexi Fuster. Middle row: Joseph Goes, Brexton Eckler and Emma Blodorn. Front row: Paige Fieldhouse, Maxwell Abrams, Charlie Rice and Clara Shortle.…

By Steve Costello Volunteers plant  a tree last year for the Rutland Blooms project. RUTLAND—With Castleton University joining Green Mountain Power as lead partners and a host of significant contributions from the business community, Rutland Blooms will kick off its most ambitious effort yet this spring. “Thanks to the partnership with Castleton and support from…

Investigating animal cruelty By Stephen Seitz BRIDGEWATER—The FBI has added cruelty to animals on its list of felonies, just as the Vermont Volunteers for Animal Services Humane Society (VVSA) has entered into a contract to investigate these crimes in Windsor County. “We have a designated officer,” said VVSA Executive Director Sue Skaskiw, “but we need…

By Lisa Lynn KILLINGTON—On Tuesday evening, April 12, the Vermont Tourism Summit, the largest gathering of tourism professionals in the state, kicked off at Killington Mountain Resort in a most appropriate way—with the second annual Vermont Bartender of the Year contest presented by Hotel VT, the Vermont Distillers Association, Vermont Ski + Ride magazine and…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, vtdigger.org The Vermont House has approved a measure that would raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. The body OK’d the bill, H.93, on a vote of 84 to 61 after hours of debate and consideration of several amendments Tuesday. The bill would gradually increase the age for purchasing tobacco…

By Karen D. Lorentz Almost 18 years after leasing the Mount Sunapee ski area in Newbury, N.H. with the understanding that they would be able to expand the existing ski area as well as improve it, Okemo operators Tim and Diane Mueller—also operators of Crested Butte in Colorado—received some good news. On April 6, the…

KILLINGTON—Green Mountain National Golf Course will open for the 2016 golf season on Thursday, April 14 while skiers and riders are still hitting the mountain at the Killington Ski Resort. “Where else can you golf in the morning and then ski all afternoon except for the Town of Killington?” asked Green Mountain National’s head golf…

RUTLAND—The Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter announces a collaboration with several law enforcement agencies in Rutland County during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Throughout April, the following agencies will display teal ribbons on their vehicles to highlight support for victims of sexual violence and encourage prevention efforts: Rutland County Sheriff’s Department, Rutland City Police Department,…

Castleton University’s commitment to educating Vermont students recently took another step forward in the form of a guaranteed scholarship available to all Community Colleges of Vermont graduates. The Transfer Success Scholarship is designed to bring the cost of Castleton tuition in line with that of CCV, providing a strong incentive for CCV graduates to continue…

RUTLAND—NeighborWorks of Western Vermont has entered the Seeds of Change grant program for an opportunity to win either a $20,000 or $10,000 grant and is asking the community to get out and support its application. The grant program aims to enhance the environmental, economic and social wellbeing of gardens, farms and communities. The grants will…

The Democratic Party voters of Killington officially organized the Killington Democratic Committee on April 2 at 3 p.m. at a party caucus. Elected officers of the Town Committee: Brian Horton – Town Chair & Secretary Shaurice Abney – Vice Chair & Treasurer Heidi Lynch – Assistant Treasurer Elected to the 2016 Democratic State Convention in…

Science Pub lecture explores the perennial question By Julia Purdy Even though snow is still likely to be in the forecast, now is the time gardeners and homeowners are gearing up for the spring ritual of inspecting gardens and yards and planning how to carry out projects for this growing season. It was not surprising,…

RUTLAND—The automotive training program at Stafford Technical Center in Rutland has received accreditation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Stafford Technical Center’s automotive technology program has been accredited in the area of maintenance and light repair. To achieve this recognition, the school’s automotive training…