By Stephen Seitz Brandon, Hancock, Ludlow and Rochester will receive downtown and village center tax credits for certain rehabilitation projects, according to an Aug. 11 statement from Gov. Peter Shumlin’s office. “These incentives are proven to jump-start transformation in communities and have brought jobs, business and housing to downtowns and villages across the state,” according…

RUTLAND – Green Mountain Power began construction Tuesday, Aug. 12, on an innovative new solar project at Stafford Hill Solar Farm to improve resiliency and security in communities by generating clean energy that can be stored and used to power an emergency shelter at Rutland High School during a storm. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Stafford Hill Solar…

By Karen D. Lorentz KILLINGTON —Last year Killington introduced a new concept to the winter resort industry.  A learn-to-ski program featured four days of lessons, lift tickets, and special Elan E-Rise skis, with all participants who completed the program receiving a pair of skis free of charge. That program is proving to be a game…

By Cristina Kumka KILLINGTON — The town of Killington has a $1.1 million deficit from Tropical Storm Irene, making the number one priority improving the town's fiscal strength going into the new fiscal year, according to Killington Town Manager Seth Webb. The town performed approximately $3.1 million of projects, but has only gotten paid back…

By Karen D. Lorentz There has been some progress concerning the Killington Village Master Plan and Resort Parking Project permits that were issued by the District #1 Environmental Commission on October 7, 2013 but then appealed. Judge Thomas S. Durkin, who is presiding over the two appeals before the Superior Court’s Environmental Division (aka the…

On Aug. 7, Chris Raveis, president of William Raveis Affiliates, announced the addition of the firm’s newest affiliates, William Raveis-BCK Real Estate and William Raveis-Stowe Realty. Both BCK Real Estate and Stowe Realty are owned and operated by broker John Biondolillo, an industry veteran with 25 years of real estate experience. BCK Real Estate joins…

RUTLAND — On Aug. 9, Bill Kelley of Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center announced that Fred Bova and Lori Murphy are the new owners of Pyramid Fitness, formerly a branch of the wellness center. “When we opened Pyramid Fitness almost four years ago, it was because I saw a need in our community for high-quality fitness offerings…

By M. D. Drysdale The new executive director of the Chandler Center for the Arts will be a Michigan man who sent his application for the position from Thailand during a trip around the world with his wife Janine. Kurt Thoma and his wife fell in love with Vermont during trip here a seven years…

Vermont Fish & Wildlife has reopened cliffs previously closed to hiking and access earlier this spring to protect nesting peregrine falcons. “The young peregrines have fledged, and nesting data suggest the species had a good year due, in part, to cooperation from hikers and rock climbers during this critical nesting period,” said Fish & Wildlife’s…

RUTLAND — Mount Saint Joseph Academy of Rutland is proud to name Charles C. Stevens as the new guidance director. Charles “Chip” Stevens brings with him impressive multi-faceted experience and great enthusiasm to the position. Stevens’ background includes a B.A. from Hobart College in English and History, and an M.Ed. in Administration and Planning and Social Policy from…

Plymouth Notch—The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation partnered with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to host an official naturalization ceremony on Monday, Aug. 11. The Honorable John M. Conroy, U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, administered the Oath of Allegiance to 20 citizenship candidates at the President Calvin Coolidge State…

SOUTH ROYALTON — Vermont Law School has partnered with the Center for Food Safety’s BEE Protective Campaign, making it the first higher-education campus in the country to earn official neonicotinoid pesticide-free designation. BEE Protective promotes policies that protect pollinating insects from bee-toxic pesticides. “Honey bees and other pollinators play a critical role in agricultural systems,” said…

By Lani Duke The start of school is around the corner Area teachers and students are looking forward to the beginning of the academic year.  In Castleton, fall registration is at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, for kindergarteners through eighth grade, at Castleton Elementary. On Friday, Aug. 22, parents and students can meet principal Kathleen…

By Lani Duke Mailing alert Rutland’s Public Works Department is not responsible for any mailing from the “American Water Resources of Vermont” that offers “water and sewer line protection services.”  Although its website bears an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the company is engaging in suspicious business practices, especially with the “second notice”…

PITTSFIELD — Come celebrate the end of summer at the annual Pittsfield’s Picnic held this year on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 12:30-4 p.m. This gathering on the town green originated from necessity immediately after Tropical Storm Irene, when local businesses had no power for refrigeration. One year later, an anniversary party called Pittsfield’s Town Shut…