RUTLAND—Last month, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) released the newly approved tactical basin plans for the Battenkill, Walloomsac, and Hoosic rivers and  their tributaries, referred to as Basin 01. The basin plan will protect, maintain, and improve surface waters by managing the activities that result in surface water stressors, and address the pollutants associated…

RUTLAND—Continuing the reorganization and refocusing of the Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC), the REDC Board of Directors has elected new members from three of the region’s leading companies. John Casella II, 31, of Casella Construction; Shana Louiselle, 30, of Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO); and Mark Werle, 52, of Ryan, Smith & Carbine, Ltd., will…

BRANDON—The Compass Music and Arts Foundation (CMAC) could benefit from a donation of $1,000 if it can raise a further $1,000 through matched funding. Through an anonymous donor, this challenge is directed towards completing the performance hall. To date, the Foundation has received $205 from members of the community. Monies raised would be used to…

BETHEL—A one-of-a-kind university popped up in central Vermont in 2014, and it has been attracting interest across Vermont and the nation. Bethel University (BU), a “pop-up university,” offers free mini-courses to anyone and everyone. Classes meet in the town hall, the school, the library, and in homes and businesses all over town on topics as…

TINMOUTH — On Jan. 27, at approximately 1:28 p.m., members of the Vermont State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Vermont Route 133 in the area north of Vermont Route 140 in Tinmouth. Investigation determined that Brennan R. Howard, age 18 from Middletown Springs, was traveling northbound when he reached for a water bottle…

RUTLAND — On Jan. 26, troopers from the Rutland State Police Barracks responded to a report of a car break-in at Northwood Park in Rutland Town. Maxine Garfinkel, age 80 from Rutland City, advised that she parked her vehicle to walk with a friend before running errands and noticed when she returned that her window was…

By Lani Duke Hubbardton fire shows perils of remodeling HUBBARDTON—Trapped between walls and dropped ceilings, a fire took down a Hubbardton home erected about 225 years ago. Missing from the townscape is the one-and-one-half story, post-and-beam Cape Cod-style house at 2750 Black Pond Rd. The fire started in a chimney, with its smoke becoming visible…

By Lani Duke Rutland City On the ballot Rutland City voters will see an added pair of bonds on their March 1 ballot. The Aldermen had already approved a $2.5 million bond to replace White Pool and a $19 million budget. One of the added bonds is for an equalization tank to stabilize water pressure…

By Lee J. Kahrs Last Tuesday, Jan. 19, voters in eight towns overwhelmingly approved a proposal to merge six school districts into two under the state’s Act 46 school consolidation law. The Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, along with the Barstow School District, proposed a new side-by-side school district, which the state Board of Education approved…

Homestead properties see an 11 cent decrease, while non-homestead properties nearly flat By Stephen Seitz and Jim Haff KILLINGTON — Estimated taxes have been set for the 2016/2017 fiscal year. Acting Town Manager Dick Horner said the municipal tax rate has been set at $0.3198. Last year’s rate for an 18-month budget cycle was $0.4633…

By Stephen Seitz Except for Killington, there doesn’t seem to be much excitement in area races for local office on the east side of the Green Mountains this year. Killington town clerk Lucrecia Wonsor said that former selectman Jim Haff will challenge chairwoman Patty McGrath for the three-year seat. Otherwise, she said, the other candidates…

By Christopher Biddle SHREWSBURY – With long hours of operation, a weather- and tourist-driven economy, and a small pool of viable workers, small local grocery stores are struggle to remain viable. Sally Deinzer, manager of the Shrewsbury Coop at Pierce’s Store, said they need to increase revenues by 10 percent. Kevin Neubert, owner of the…

ED to remain open during the entire project RUTLAND—The Green Mountain Care Board recently approved an amended Certificate of Need for an expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department (ED) at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC). The project will begin in February and is expected to take up to 18 months. It will include 1,840…

On Monday, Jan. 25, Gov. Peter Shumlin, his senior health care advisors, and Green Mountain Care Board Chair Al Gobeille released details of how Vermont will seek to transform its health care system under the so-called “all payer model” from one that rewards fee-for-service, quantity-driven care to one that rewards quality-based care that keeps Vermonters…

By Karen D. Lorentz Editor’s Note: In honor of Okemo’s upcoming 60th anniversary, this is part II of a series on the area’s growth to one of the nation’s top 15 ski resorts. On Saturday, Jan. 30, at 1 pm at the Clock Tower Base area, the resort will celebrate with the Muellers at a…