KILLINGTON—You could hear a pin drop as selected students from Windsor Central Supervisory Union (WCSU) competed in their annual WCSU spelling bee at Woodstock Union High School’s Teagle Library on Friday, Oct. 10. Words such as “depth” and “lieutenant” were among the many challenges that student competitors faced. Sixth grader Wilbur Abrams and fifth graders…

In honor of National Fire Prevention Week, Steve Finer of Killington Fire and Rescue gave safety presentations to KES students Tuesday, Oct. 7. Finer and teachers spoke with children about how to avoid fires and asked them to ensure that there are smoke detectors in their homes with batteries changed annually. Discussion centered around what…

By Lani Duke Benson buzz BENSON—ATV trails are closed now with the start of hunting season. Don’t be surprised to find enthusiastic four-wheelers on town roads. When you close down hunt camp, please pack up your unopened, non-perishable foods to drop off at G&L on Route 22A, the Benson Village Store, or the Benson town…

By Lani Duke Musical chairs at City Hall Former Rutland City Public Works commissioner Alan Shelvey is taking over the position as interim zoning administrator from Robert Barrett. Barrett had filled the position since the August retirement of former zoning administrator James Simonds, but wanted to return to his city building inspector duties, saying he…

By Stephen Seitz ROCHESTER – Park House, which provides independent living for senior citizens, is holding a unique fundraiser: raffling off decorated sleds. “We collected old-fashioned runner sleds,” said Park House Executive Director Juli Reiderer. “Local artists decorated them with winter scenes and other art. They donated their time and materials.” The tickets are $20…

WOODSTOCK — On Wednesday, Oct. 8, Gary S. Thulander, president and general manager of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, announced the appointment of Lerome Campbell as new pastry chef at the resort’s dining venues, in particular, the Red Rooster restaurant. “Lerome Campbell brings such artistry to the pastry kitchen,” said Thulander. “He is a master…

WOODSTOCK—On Sept. 27, 2014, at the 11th annual Vermont Fine Furniture, Woodworking & Forest Festival, the finest wood craftspeople in Vermont exhibited their design entries in the design competition hosted by the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association (VWMA). The competition is open only to those pieces that are designed and made in Vermont, by Vermont woodworkers…

On Monday, Oct. 6 at approximately 6:30 a.m., Ann M. Grandbois, age 51 from Washington, Vt., struck three bears that were walking on Interstate 91. Grandbois was driving south on Interstate 91 at mile marker 16.5 near Exit 4 on the Dummerston/Putney town line; the bears were walking north in the southbound travel lanes. After…

CLARENDON—On July 2, the Vermont State Police were notified by the Vermont Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) of their concern regarding a possible sexual relationship occurring between Tiffany Pagan, 25, of Clarendon, and a 15-year-old student. Pagan is a former peer educator for Rutland City Public Schools. Through the investigation it was learned…

BRIDPORT — At about 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, State Police from the New Haven Barracks were called to a report of a motorist who had collided with a dead horse that was lying on VT Route 22A in Bridport. An investigation revealed that Eric Baker, 38 of Whitehall, N.Y., was traveling to work northbound on…

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…