On Oct. 6, Anthony Fitzgerald, age 23 from Rutland, escaped from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Windsor, Vt. Fitzgerald was reportedly working outside at the farm portion of the correctional facility. Initial investigation revealed that the inmate cut the wire fence to escape. Fitzgerald was said to have escaped from the facility at around…

PITTSFIELD—On Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Timothy J. Lensing, 64, of Pittsfield was driving a 2015 Volvo V60 station wagon southbound on VT-Route 100. At mile marker 1, while rounding a bend, Lensing encountered a “rafter,” or flock, of turkeys trying to cross the road. Lensing attempted to avoid the birds by…

KILLINGTON — On Oct. 3, at approximately 7:01 p.m., the Vermont State Police received a call from Leslie Thompson, who advised that Sean Blake, age 24 of Killington, was unconscious in a vehicle from a possible overdose. Police made contact with Blake on Northside Drive in Killington, where he was initially found unconscious, but breathing. Blake…

The Agency of Agriculture’s Consumer Protection Division is reminding Vermonters to take steps to ensure they “get what they pay for” when heating their homes. “With winter approaching, it’s important for Vermonters to know there are rules in place to govern transactions related to fuel and firewood,” said Henry Marckres, chief of the consumer protection…

PITTSFORD—Due to numerous tips regarding dog fighting activities in Vermont, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has partnered with the Vermont Police Academy to train local animal control officers, law enforcement officers and humane society agents from across the state on how to investigate the increasingly prevalent crime of organized…

RUTLAND — Visitors to the City of Rutland will soon be greeted by new solar-lit welcome signs and flower displays, thanks to a unique collaboration between businesses, non-profits and the City of Rutland, Mayor Chris Louras announced in a release, Monday, Oct. 6. Work will soon begin to install four “Welcome to Rutland” signs at key…

RUTLAND—A sand filter designed to reduce, treat and filter stormwater runoff has been installed on city-owned property at Southern Boulevard, within the Moon Brook watershed. The Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District (RNRCD) was awarded a Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Ecosystem Restoration Grant to design and install the stormwater management utility. With this funding, the…

Courtesy of Killington Police Chief Whit Montgomery The Killington Police Department responded to 55 total incidents, Sept. 2-30. Date, Time, Type Location Sept. 30 at 2:58 p.m. Assist - Public Roaring Brook Rd Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Traffic Stop Route 4 / Killington Pass Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. Traffic Stop Route 4 /…

KILLINGTON—Killington Mountain School now has a chapter of the National Honor Society, and five KMS students were recently inducted into this longstanding organization, which recognizes outstanding high school students. Sophie Norton, Ava Mattsson, Cassidy Bebo, Piper Jenne, and Myles Frendel are the first group of KMS students to be inducted; the group recently received certificates…

By Lani Duke New addiction treatment center? Dartmouth College medical student Jeff DeFlavio recently announced his plans to open a opiate addiction treatment alternative on Baxter Street in Rutland. He had opened a similar clinic in Claremont, N.H., in March, and has since opened another Recover Together clinic in Lebanon, N.H. His business plan also…

By Lani Duke Castleton College partners with Paramount Theatre CASTLETON — Castleton College recently announced a growing partnership with Rutland’s Paramount Theatre, aimed at expanding arts and cultural offerings for students and the community. Two Soundings events showcased in the Paramount this fall mark the first-ever collaborative programming events, a partnership more than seven years in…

By Julia Purdy Editor’s note: This is the first of two articles tracking the effects of marijuana legalization on public safety.  In December of 2012, four days apart, limited recreational use of marijuana became legal in both Washington State and Colorado. Proponents of legalization in both states had succeeded in placing the measure on their…

By Stephen Seitz Twice a year, a number of Vermont’s artists and artisans invite the public into their studios to see their creativity in action. Under the auspices of the Vermont Crafts Council, Open Studio weekend gives the curious a chance to see an artist at work, see those works which make the cut and…

By Karen D. Lorentz Twenty-five years is a long time, but in reality it goes by fast. For agents at Ski Country Real Estate, it means having seen an amazing cycle of relationships with customers that has often come full circle. “Over 25 years ago, we started out as new agents working with seasonal renters,…

By Karen D. Lorentz Following the national real estate peak in 2006 and the 2007-2008 economic downturn, properties at most mountain resorts saw a precipitous drop in sales prices and activity levels. However, activity has been picking up nationwide and prices are moving up slowly, reports Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association.…