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…

RUTLAND — Rutland City and Rutland Town Republican Committees have announced dates for caucuses to elect delegates for the Vt. State Republican Convention set for May 21. The purpose of the State convention will be to elect 13 delegates to represent Vermont Republicans at the national convention in Cleveland Ohio in July. Rutland City and Rutland…

Ripley Road in Rutland is closed at the location of the bridge. Access to all businesses on Ripley Road between Business Route 4 and the bridge will be maintained at all times. Motorist, bicyclist and pedestrian traffic will not be permitted to cross the bridge. Follow signed detours. The bridge is scheduled to reopen in…

RUTLAND — NeighborWorks of Western Vermont will be conducting a residential survey of Northwest Rutland. Volunteers will be going door-to-door, asking residents to participate in a survey about their community. This is the second time NeighborWorks will be administering this survey in the roughly 15-block area north of State Street and west of Grove Street. In…

by Lani Dukes Infrastructure plans The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging hopes to buy and renovate the former Maple Terrace assisted living facility, 143 Maple St., with the goal of turning it into the organization’s new permanent offices. SVCA recently asked for a $300,000 Vermont Community Development Program grant toward that end; both the Rutland…