LUDLOW—Monday, Feb. 29, is Leap Year . To mark this “additional day” of the year, the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is encouraging everyone to do something kind for someone else, and is calling the day “Leap of Kindness Day.” In announcing this new initiative, the OVRCC acknowledged its peers at the Saratoga County…

by Lani Duke Paul’s Pizza down, not out A Valentine’s Day evening fire severely damaged the community icon Paul’s Pizza on Route 4A in Hydeville, flaring up about 10 p.m., just after workers had left after closing. In addition to Castleton’s fire department, other responders at the scene included Fair Haven and Poultney fire crews,…

by Lani Duke Alderman contestants Alderman candidate George Gides describes himself as an analyst with strong negotiation skills. At age 49, he is relatively new to Rutland, having moved to the city from Bristol in 2005. His private sector work experience has him integrating major software systems in the field of health care. If elected,…

Submitted Rory Carrara Contributor to the Young Writers Project RUTLAND–Mount Saint Joseph Academy (MSJ) freshman Rory Carrara was recently chosen to perform a reading of her poem “How?” on the Regional Educational Television Network (RETN), according to a Feb. 12 press release. She was selected to appear on RETN as a “Millennial Writer on Stage”…

Submitted Dorran Cooley On Feb. 10, the Vermont State Police were notified of a possible stolen credit card, originating in North Clarendon, Vt. Initial investigation revealed that unauthorized purchases of fuel were being made to a credit card account owned by 74-year-old Phillip Alderman of North Clarendon. These purchases had occurred at the rate of…

Courtesy of PEGTV Candidates will answer questions from moderator Tom Donahue in the live forum. RUTLAND–PEGTV, Rutland County’s public access television station, will be broadcasting a live forum of candidates running for Rutland City Aldermen on Feb. 18, 2016. The forum will air on PEGTV channel 21 at 7 p.m. Candidates will answer questions from…

Courtesy of Mettawee Community School Mettawee Community School Principal Brooke DeBonis (left) and third grade teacher and Geo Bee organizer Mark Rampone (right) proudly stand with the top three finishers in Mettawee’s 2016 Geo Bee: Students pictured (l-r) Brett Rosenbauer, the school champion; Tucker Haynes, the runner-up; and Lily Cole, third place. WEST PAWLET—Following winter…

Courteys of RE/MAX Realty Vermont single family homes and condo sales show an increase in  2015 compared to 2014. An affordable housing market in Vermont led to an increase in sales in 2015. According to Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) data, single-family home sales increased 12.6 percent year-over-year, while condominium sales experienced modest…

Wages are above national average A new report released by the national non-profit The Solar Foundation found Vermont to be No. 3 in solar jobs per capita in the country, for the third year in a row. Nationally, the solar industry continues to set record job and installation growth, creating jobs at a rate 12…

Rutland City Rutland leaders discuss affordable housing at Candidates’ Forum Too many of Rutland’s landlords don’t live in their own rental units, incumbent alderman candidate William Notte commented at a Feb. 10 public forum. He was responding to a question asking what the candidates might enact to bring down high rents that keep young professionals…

Poultney budget contains minor increase POULTNEY—Poultney voters will be asked to approve a slightly increased budget over that of the previous year, up by only a bit over 2 percent, $1,139,189 for the 2016-17 fiscal year, compared to the current year’s $1,115,271. The largest increases are in the library budget and the health and welfare area.…

On Feb. 10 the American Red Cross announced this year’s selection of  “everyday people” to be honored for the heroic things they do in their community. The Everyday Heroes awards are celebrated all over the country; the awards honor people who personify the Red Cross mission of service and help in local communities. To herald…

RANDOLPH – Vermont Technical College recently announced two new degree programs that will start in the fall of 2016. Both programs expand its connection to economic development in Vermont. The college’s first-ever master’s degree, the Master’s of Science in Software Engineering, received approval by the New England Association of Schools and College’s at its fall…

RUTLAND–The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has awarded Rutland Regional Medical Center’s Worksite Wellness Committee the 2015 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness award. The award recognizes Vermont employers who have made programs and initiatives that encourage staff to make healthy choices a priority. Rutland Regional’s Wellness Committee is a cross-disciplinary team that…

Marlboro business man Brandon Riker announced last week that he hired Ben Young to be his campaign manager in his bid for lieutenant governor. The hiring comes six months before the Democratic Primary. “I am excited to bring on someone with Ben’s experience to run my campaign,” Riker said. “Ben has been involved in campaigns…