By Laurence Matson 1st: Laurence Matson.  2nd: “Kangaroo Mouse with Broken Leg”: This is Laurence’s most popular photo, as calculated by the number of hits it has received on his online gallery (50,000+ in 2010). We think it’s a good metaphor for Laurence’s current situation!  3rd: “A VSPB I”: Owl face, front angle, taken in…

Courtesy of Okemo archives Obituary By Karen D. Lorentz There will be a celebration of the life of Gordon Robbins at Okemo Mountain Resort on March 13 at 7 p.m. in the main base lodge. Robbins died suddenly on Feb. 27 at the age of 73. Born and raised in New York, Robbins was an…

By Julia Purdy RUTLAND —There’s a new kid on the block—a free web application that takes participatory democracy to a new level. It’s NewGrassRoots and it’s the invention of Ben Brown, who grew up in Rutland and calls himself “a cross between an ornery farmer and the mad scientist in the basement.” NewGrassRoots (NGR) belongs…

RUTLAND – Green Mountain Power and groSolar are pleased to announce the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) have awarded the 2015 Project of Distinction Award to Stafford Hill Solar Farm in Rutland. The award was presented this week in Boston at PV America, an annual trade show and conference designed…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org Voters rejected just 20 school budgets on Town Meeting Day, about half the number that went down a year ago. All told, 37 school budgets were defeated in 2014. Jeff Francis, executive director of the Vermont Superintendents Association, said March 4, that 226 budgets passed this week and the rest…

Building A remains standing (left) but  towers B-D  (right) were gutted by the fire that broke out early Saturday. By Polly Lynn Largest fire in a decade, chief says KILLINGTON— Just after midnight Saturday morning, March 7, firefighters from across the region were called to the scene of a major fire at 48 Innsbruck Lane,…

March 14 is Pi Day! Students learn the parts of a circle, calculate the diameter, circumference, and area of circular and spherical objects, and read books such as “Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi,” available in the KES Library.

Incumbent Mill River Union High school board chair Brownson Spencer lost his seat to last-minute write-in candidate Len Doucette in an election coup. Doucette received 269 votes to Spencer’s 134. Although Spencer had served on the board since 2008, he especially lost favor with the public over an unfortunate remark in February about special education…

The community says goodbye to Peter Mello, Rutland City school board president, who leaves not only the school board but also the state. Working in several pro education positions in Rutland County since 1980, Mello is moving back to his home state of Massachusetts to enjoy his grandchildren.

Rutland Regional Medical Center received a $10,000 check from the March of Dimes on March 4. The money funds a Centering Pregnancy program, new to RRMC, that integrates health assessment, education, and support to help local women have healthier pregnancies and babies.

While both parties await the findings of a study on what causes the low fish viability in Moon Brook, Rutland City has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over whether the EPA can regulate storm runoff entering the stream. The EPA blames runoff. The city disagrees. Under less pressing circumstances, the city would…

Rutland Town voters were in an agreeable mood when they cast their ballots last week. They approved all money items, both the $7,847,080 school budget and $992,065 general fund town budget. They were amenable, too, in approving the town’s $3 million surplus, giving a nod to putting $1.5 million toward current expenses, paying $1 million…

UPDATE: Two wings (section C and D) were destroyed by the fire that broke out at the Innsbrook Townhouses late Saturday night. All occupants escaped safely, firefighters reported. The 16-condo complex had four wings, A, B, C and D. The latter two were burned to the ground. The condition of the other wings remains unclear.…

By Robin Alberti KILLINGTON—On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Darkside held its third annual Grudge Match, which turned out to be one of the biggest events that Darkside has hosted at the Dark Park, according to employee Evan Ricker. The Dark Park is located behind the Darkside store on Killington Road. The competition was a bracketed,…

Courtesy of the SAO Report Shaded grey area shows the 1,680 acres Killington leases from the state; the top of the peaks along the ridge. Perplexing proposal lacks big picture planning, say resort experts By Karen D. Lorentz The Vermont State Auditor Douglas Hoffer recently issued a controversial report investigating the state granted leaseholds for…