By Mike Polhamus, VTDigger.org The governor struck a pugnacious tone Wednesday, May 18, while announcing robust job growth in Vermont’s renewable energy sector over the past year. The sector exceeded growth projections in 2015 by 3 percent, meaning an additional 1,400 employees over the past year, for a total of 17,700 renewable energy-related jobs in…

By Elizabeth Hewitt and Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org Burlington College officials announced Monday, May 16, that the school will close effective May 27 because of the “crushing weight of the debt” incurred with the purchase of a lakefront property on North Avenue. College trustees voted unanimously Friday — the day before commencement — to close the…

Starting May 23 and running through Memorial Day, the Vermont State Police (VSP) will be increasing enforcement efforts to promote safe, responsible driving in support of Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). Operation C.A.R.E. is a national campaign by state police agencies across the country that have joined together in the endeavor of reducing human…

Tip hotline for citizens to report suspicious activity As the summer season brings people outdoors in groups to enjoy the warmer weather and festivities, the Vermont State Police would like to remind those attending any large or small group event around the state, that these events are an ongoing safety and security concern for organizers…

By Lani Duke On second thought . . . Act 46 vote ORWELL—When Orwell voters turned down the Act 46 consolidation of Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union with a decisive vote of 211 to 121, that rejection disallowed the entire plan for all the schools involved. Orwell voters chose to reject the consolidation plan out of the…

By Lani Duke New board members at RMHS RUTLAND CITY—Rutland Mental Health Services (RMHS) recently announced that five new members are joining its board of directors. They are: Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen, Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton, general practice lawyer Michael McClallen, retired hospital administrator Laird Covey, and Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union Special Services…

RUTLAND—Volunteers, hospital employees, and local emergency responders will take part in a mock-disaster exercise on Saturday, May 21 at the Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport in No. Clarendon. This full scale exercise will test the preparedness and response of local, regional and state agencies should a real crisis occur. The event, sponsored by Rutland Regional Medical…

PLYMOUTH—On May 10 at 6:37 p.m., Vermont State Police arrested 61-year-old Steven Radonis of Plymouth, Vt., for home improvement fraud. Investigation revealed that Radonis failed to properly complete work that was agreed upon by contract and billed Richard Martin, age 57 of Plymouth, for over $90,000. Radonis was issued a criminal citation to appear in…

HARTLAND—On May 12 Vermont State Police arrested 46-year-old Tamara Ross of Hartland, Vt., for embezzlement. Ross was the treasurer for the First Universalist Society Church, located at 8 Brownsville Road in the town of Hartland. The president of the church noticed anomalies in the church’s budget, which sparked an investigation. The Investigation concluded that Ross…

By Chris Biddle State Representative Larry Cupoli of Rutland (left) stands with Rutland Garden Club President Marlene Burke and State Senator Kevin Mullen of Rutland (right). Cleary holds a framed copy of Senate Concurrent Resolution 39, commending the organization’s beautification efforts in the city of Rutland for the past 100 years. By Chris Biddle RUTLAND –…

Submitted Alison Clarkson By Stephen Seitz WOODSTOCK—As Senate President pro tempore John Campbell is stepping down, Rep. Alison Clarkson (D-Woodstock) is stepping up. Clarkson recently announced her bid to replace Campbell, who has taken a position as executive director of the Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs. “I have looked at three Senators who…

On Sunday, May 15, 62 students crossed the stage at the College of St. Joseph’s 57th commencement ceremony. CSJ President Dr. Richard Lloyd conferred degrees upon the graduates. Academic Dean Dr. Jonas Prida led the processional. Rutland City Chief of Police Brian Kilcullen addressed students, their families, and faculty and staff in attendance, speaking of the…

POULTNEY—On Saturday, May 14, Dr. John P. Holdren, President Obama’s top advisor on science and technology issues, outlined for Green Mountain College graduates how “science and fact” have guided development of the Obama administration’s climate action plan. “The science of climate change is based first on the fundamental physics and chemistry of the atmosphere and oceans, the…

By Polly Lynn An enormous meteor streaked across the sky at approximately 12:50 a.m. Tuesday morning. At first the sky lit up a green/blue color, then the very bright fireball, also known as a bolide, appeared in the southwestern sky and streaked east across the entire sky, appearing to come close to land before dying out.…

CHESTER — The owners of Phoenix Books, an independent bookstore with locations in Essex, Burlington and Rutland, recently purchased Misty Valley Books in Chester, Vt. Michael DeSanto and Renee Reiner met with Lynne and Bill Reed — who bought the Chester landmark in 2001 — for the closing Monday, May 16. “Twenty-one years ago,” said…