Submitted Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County selects its first partner homebuyer Melissa Fournier (right) shown with her daughters. RUTLAND—Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County (HFHRC) is pleased to announce the selection of Melissa Fournier as its first Partner Homebuyer. Melissa Fournier grew up in the Rutland area and has worked at a local hotel…

By Robin Alberti Pre-k student Bree Sarandrea joyously drums on a djembe. By Robin Alberti KILLINGTON — On the morning of Friday, June 3, the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten at KES had a “banging” good time. Gordon Goes, director of “Bang On A Drum” School of Percussion of Killington, volunteered to bring in 17 djembes to…

Submitted Pictured (l-r): Cearra O’Hern, Nina Borzekowski, and Mikaya Potvin at the ceremony at State House  on May 20. The Vermont Department of Libraries is pleased to announce the state winners of the 2015-2016 Letters about Literature contest. Hosted by the Library of Congress and now in its 23rd year, this contest challenges students in…

By Stephen Seitz and Amy McClure RUTLAND – As Craig Mosher’s involuntary manslaughter case wends its way through the court system, farmers are worried about the future should there be a conviction. In July 2015, Connecticut resident Jon Bellis died after his car hit a bull owned by Mosher. The animal had escaped his enclosure…

RUTLAND — The Downtown Rutland Partnership recently announced its 2016 Friday Night Live Summer Concert Series lineup, this year expanding 25 percent from three headlining artists to four. Featured on the stage this year is “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks on July 8; lead singer of 80s megahit-maker Foreigner’s Lou Gramm on July 15; nationally…

RUTLAND – With summertime blood shortages looming, organizers of the Gift-of-Life Marathon and a local kidney donor and recipient are urging blood donors to sign up for the record-setting drive’s little cousin – the 2016 Summer Mini Marathon on July 19. Rutland City resident Summer Stoutes donated a kidney to Rutland Town resident Brent Garrow…

By Lee J. Kahrs PITTSFORD—After years of discussion, the Town of Pittsford is dipping its proverbial foot into the local mosquito control pool. At a regular meeting on May 18, the Pittsford Select Board unanimously accepted the Brandon-Leicester-Sudbury-Goshen Mosquito Control District’s invitation to join as a member town, which entails an annual contribution to the…

On June 2, 2016, long-haul truck driver Lashawn Jones, 41, of Alpharetta, Georgia, was charged with three counts of Gross Negligent Operation with Death Resulting after killing three when Jones’s 2016 International tractor-trailer crossed the center line on U.S. Route 4 in Killington on Dec. 29, 2015, and caused a head-on crash with a Cadillac Escalade…

RUTLAND — BalanceWorks of Rutland has received a $25,000 Regional Economic Development Grant sought by Rutland Economic Development Corp. (REDC) and provided by the State of Vermont. “Investment spurred by the grant will create two new jobs in the region and increase productivity at BalanceWorks through the purchase of a 3-D printer, software, technical support,…

Gov. Peter Shumlin June 1 signed a law to  more closely align Vermont’s juvenile justice system with brain development research and best practices for serving young people who interact with the criminal justice system. Vermont is one of the few states where 16- and 17-year-olds are currently charged in criminal court as adults for any offense, including misdemeanors. The new…

This summer from June 1 to Sept. 1, over 100 Vermont public and academic libraries will be handing out passports in the second annual Passport to Vermont Libraries program, encouraging patrons to visit some of Vermont’s unique, beautiful and creative libraries:  “So many towns have interesting libraries that reflect the unique nature of their communities”…

Courtesy of Betty Hughes Nancy Evans Hamor and Jason Evans stand with the Killington pre-k class at the entrance to KES’s Nature Trail. KILLINGTON — Nancy Evans Hamor, past Sherburne Elementary nursery school teacher from 1968-1969, turned 70 years old last month. Her memories of her time in education are strong and happy ones. In honor…

RUTLAND — Vermont State Police at the Rutland barracks are investigating a robbery that occurred Saturday, June 4 at Mac’s Market, 151 West Business Route 4 in Center Rutland. The robbery took place at 6:57 p.m. According to police a lone male robber assaulted the store’s clerk and stole property. The store clerk was only…

Courtesy of Steve Smith Photography Rylee Field, Miss Vermont Montpelier woman to promote positive mental health and wellness Rylee Field, age 24, of Montpelier was crowned Miss Vermont 2016 at the historic Barre Opera House on Friday evening, May 27. Field is a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College, where she earned a B.A. in creative writing. She…

By Lani Duke New student member elected to school board RUTLAND TOWN—Rutland High sophomore Connor Solimano joins the Rutland City School Board as its junior student representative. The 15-year-old from Rutland Town won his school board seat running against fellow sophomores Krisha Sachdev and Abigail Hawkins. His first meeting as a board member took part…