The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) published its weekly report of planned construction activities that will impact traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont, July 29-Aug. 2 and ongoing. Below are roadways in Rutland and Windsor County that will be affected.   I-91 Hartland: Multiple single-lane closures will be in effect on I-91 Southbound from north…

By Curt Peterson The Hartland Select Board officially set the FY2025 property tax rate at its July 29 rescheduled meeting. The total “homestead” tax will be $2.9905 per $1,000 assessed value. The FY2024 rate was $2.4709, making this year’s increase a little less than 20%. Selectman Tom Kennedy suggested board members review the School Board’s…

The Killington Sharks 8 and Under freestyle relay team won its heat at the District meet July 27, at White’s Pool in Rutland. Pictured (l-r) Willow Kimball, 8; Ro Cash, 7; Esmé Mikula,6; and Steven Geiger, 7. The state race will be held Aug. 3-4 at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Jct.

By Curt Peterson and Polly Mikula “Participating in the reassessment is the most fiscally responsible thing you can do,” said Town Manager Michael Ramsey as he opened the Killington informational meeting on the upcoming reappraisal of Grand List properties, Tuesday, July 23. “We don’t want others to come in and assume we all have golden…

By Polly Mikula  Salmeri, 62, has been coming up to Killington for most of his life, moving here full-time 35 years ago. “I used to come up here when I was a young kid with my uncles from Weymouth, Massachusetts, we belonged to the Mercury Ski Club,” he said. “The ski club was great, we…

Donald “Don” Williams, 85, of Mendon passed away on July 10, 2024. Born on November 28, 1938, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Don was well known for his straightforward, honest demeanor, always telling it like it is, yet with a big hearted and kind spirit underneath. Don proudly served in the U.S. Army 1959 to 1962 and…

Dave Bienstock of Killington VT passed away from interstitial lung disease, peacefully on June 25, 2024, with his wife, Diane Benton, by his side. Bienstock, originally a music teacher from Brooklyn, New York, worked for many years at Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, New York. He was passionate about skiing and would travel to Killington to ski…

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. (VTF&F) is asking for help with monitoring wild turkeys.  Since 2007, the department has run an annual online survey in August for reporting turkey broods. Beginning in 2021, the survey was expanded to include July. The use of citizen scientists in this way facilitates the department’s ability to collect important turkey…

The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC), Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), and Community Health Clinics of the Rutland Region (Community Health) are celebrating the Farmacy Project’s 10th year this month. Farmacy, which began at VFFC as Health Care Shares, is a produce prescription program that provides fresh locally grown produce to people facing chronic diet-related…

Staff report When Five Elements Salon & Day Spa owner Kelly Sweck decided it was time to retire she decided the ideal buyer was the person who had been running the spa for the past five years: her manager Sarah Lemery. The sale of the business was finalized in May.  Lemery said she is “excited…

Killington Road reopened to two-way traffic Friday afternoon, July 19. The event was commemorated with a ribbon cutting ceremony and short procession of town and state rep vehicles. “We wanted to get the word out that Killington Road has reopened,” said Selectman Jim Haff. “However, the former detour up West Hill Road is also still…

By Polly Mikula An electrical fire at the ShackletonThomas furniture and pottery headquarters in the Bridgewater Mill broke out last Friday afternoon, July 19. Firefighters rushed to the scene and swiftly put out the blaze with the help of a recently updated sprinkler system. No one was inside the ShackletonThomas portion of the building when…

Runner Elle Purrier St. Pierre, rugby player Ilona Maher and rower William Bender will represent the U.S. By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Vermonters are famous for skiing and snowboarding off with Winter Olympic medals. But three athletes with Green Mountain State ties are aiming to sprint, grand slam or speed their way into Summer Games history. Montgomery runner Elle…

Biking program builds health, empowerment, and community  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross VT) and Terry Bicycles are welcoming the return of the Wellness Revolution Cycling Program in Rutland for the 2024 season. This free program serves those who identify as women to help them break through barriers that keep them from getting…

Saving Evergreen for posterity By Julia Purdy When the Vermont General Assembly approved the bylaws for the then Pine Hill Cemetery in Center Rutland, the bylaws allowed lot owners to hold meetings if warned 15 days ahead. That was in 1860. That right was exercised 164 years later, on May 22, 2024, when 75 current…