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…

By Donald Dill Marji Graf( on the right), CEO, Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomes Green Mountain at Fox Run Women’s Center for Binge and Emotional Eating to the Chamber. Pictured:Kari Anderson, president and clinical director; Shiri Macri, primary clinical therapist. LUDLOW—There’s only one women’s center for binge and emotional eating in the country,…

By Lani Duke New town manager sets goals for Castleton CASTLETON—Town Manager Mark Shea has begun his new three-year contract with the town, planning to make securing a new town office his top priority. Hopes are the Select Board will have a town office item ready for the 2017 Town Meeting Day ballot. Safety officer…

By Lani Duke Rutland City Combination Pond makes the ballot City voters will consider a non-binding ballot item on the future of Combination Pond and associated waterways. Alderman Gary Donahue cast the only vote against putting the pond on the March ballot during the Board of Aldermen’s Jan. 19 meeting. Both city and state officials…

Courtesy of PBS Gina Bullard gets a bird’s eye view of the Connecticut River Valley in Outdoor Journal’s 14th season. ROCHESTER—“Outdoor Journal,” Vermont PBS’ venerable outdoor program, kicks off its 14th season Tuesday, Jan. 26, with stories that take viewers across the length and breadth of the northeast region. Hosts Lawrence Pyne and Gina Bullard…

PITTSFORD—In early January the Rutland Humane Society and Spring Hill Horse Rescue contacted the state police for help in investigating a group of emaciated horses being pastured off Kendall Hill Road in the town of Pittsford. Police reported that a humane agent from Spring Hill Horse Rescue found a chestnut mare and a palomino mare…

WOODSTOCK—On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) announced the selection of Miller Construction, Inc. as the contractor to replace Vermont Bridge 24 over Kedron Brook during the 2016 construction season. The bridge, located on Route 106 between Kedron Road and Bryant Road, was built in 1924 and is now in poor condition.…

RUTLAND—On Friday, Jan. 22, the College of St. Joseph announced a new Drive to CSJ Grant available to new, commuter students who begin at CSJ in Fall 2016. The new grant allows students to save on room and board costs while it helps cover the cost of the commute to campus. Students can experience the…

LUDLOW–Okemo Mountain Resort was recently named one of the 2016 Best Places to Work in Vermont. The annual list of the Best Places to Work in Vermont was created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Society for Human Resource Management-…

By Robin Alberti Rotary member Jon Curtis adds fuel to the already-blazing fire of left over Christmas trees burned at Pasta Pot. By Robin Alberti KILLINGTON — This past Sunday, Jan. 17, the Pasta Pot in Killington hosted its first Bonfire and Snow Dance to benefit the Killington-Pico Rotary Club. Along with the trees that Rotary…

By Robin Alberti Like many of us, 4-year-old Leah Mrachek of Conn. is thrilled to play in the fresh snow. By Polly Lynn Skiers and riders in Vermont during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend rejoiced when they woke up to over 7” of light fluffy snow Monday morning, Jan. 18. “Powder Day!” Killington…

By Robin Alberti A young snowboarder catches air with style. KILLINGTON — The groms threw down at the 2016 Mini Shred Madness held this past Saturday, Jan. 16 at Killington Resort. Sixty four youth competed in divisions made up of Super Grom (first time park riders, ages 9 and under) and Grom (park-riding experienced kids, ages…

KILLINGTON—Residents of Killington will engage in the process of strategic planning for the future of their town once again. The town’s commission guiding economic development and tourism will hold a town meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, and has invited the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) to facilitate. The meeting is a followup to…