By Robin Alberti In mid-June Don Pitaniello, 58, of Rutland, thwarted a robbery at Mac’s Convenience Store at 145 North Main Street in Rutland by drawing a gun on a knife-wielding robber Sunday night, June 15. He was subsequently suspended from his job as a clerk at the convenience store. Upon hearing this, folks in…

By John Flowers MIDDLEBURY — As newly appointed interim president, Dan Smith has set progressive goals over the next year to help Vermont Technical College better establish its niche in higher education, while attracting a higher number of applicants. The goals are readily attainable, Smith said, because the college has proven itself as a wise…

Photo by Gillian Stippa By Katie Jickling, VTDigger.org There has been an uptick in the number of black bear sightings in the past few weeks, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports. Mark Scott, Director of Wildlife, estimated that the department has received “a couple dozen” calls from all over the state. In all those…

Okemo summers are increasingly successful, the resort reports By Karen D. Lorentz In 1996 when Tim and Diane Mueller were interested in developing Jackson Gore, they cited several reasons for expanding Okemo Mountain Resort. In addition to adding more beginner and expert terrain and improving their ability to handle bus groups and learners, they cited…

KILLINGTON — On Tuesday, July 8, the Killington Selectboard held a special meeting at 10 a.m. to review the professional report on the town’s Fire Department facilities. Architects Dore and Whittier were hired by the town to review the Fire Department facilities (which includes two stations), and provide recommendations for renovating the aging facilities. The final…

RUTLAND – Mount Saint Joseph Academy of Rutland is proud to name Sarah Fortier as its new principal. Fortier brings a wealth of experience to the position, including having served as the dean of students and teacher for Mount Saint Joseph Academy since 2004. Fortier stated, “I have always been drawn to MSJ as it…

By Cristina Kumka RUTLAND — Preliminary statistics from a data expert working for the Rutland City Police Department show that calls for service since the start of this year are down 24.9 percent compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, drug crimes are up 28.4 percent, an indicator of proactive policing and more people…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org Vermont’s second largest hospital says its rates are likely to grow by 8.4 percent next fiscal year, because payments from government programs that cover health care services aren’t keeping up with inflation. In a letter to the 1,100 employees of Rutland Regional Medical Center, CEO Tom Huebner said the hospital board…

By Cristina Kumka KILLINGTON — Town Manager Seth Webb recently outlined scenarios that might convince voters to repeal the town's local option sales and use tax that flows $450,000 into town coffers annually. The Economic Development and Tourism Commission (EDTC) meeting, held Monday July 14, at the town offices, was attended by town, resort and…

By Cristina Kumka KILLINGTON — Town Manager Seth Webb recently outlined scenarios that might convince voters to repeal the town’s local option sales and use tax that flows $450,000 into town coffers annually. The Economic Development and Tourism Commission (EDTC) meeting, held Monday July 14, at the town offices, was attended by town, resort and…

Fourth vote set for July 22, includes over $100K in additional cuts By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON – The public has made it clear that it does not want a significant tax increase, and the select board has listened, but if voters don’t pay their taxes, it doesn’t matter what budget is approved. On Monday,…

Long time resident of Killington, Helen Bates is turning 95 years old on July 21. Her family is  having a card shower for her. Please send cards to Grandma Bates, Mountain View Center, 9 Hayward Ave., Rutland VT 05701. She would to get cards from all of her longtime friends!

Sunday, July 20 at 4 p.m.— KILLINGTON — This Sunday friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of Kenneth, “Ken” or “KB,” Budzyna, at the Foundry at Summit Pond in Killington at 4 p.m. Budzyna was 66 years old when he passed away suddenly, June 4, after a heart attack in Florida. Budzyna lived…

Killington town and resort discuss plan to repeal local option tax By Cristina Kumka KILLINGTON — Town Manager Seth Webb recently outlined scenarios that might convince voters to repeal the town's local option sales and use tax that flows $450,000 into town coffers annually. The Economic Development and Tourism Commission (EDTC) meeting, held Monday July…

By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org updated Wed, Mar 12, 2014 06:18 PM Vt. is joined by three other New England governors echoing Obama's call Gov. Peter Shumlin wants to increase the state's minimum wage from $8.73 per hour to $10.10 per hour, by 2017. Shumlin's pitch matches that of President Barack Obama, who's calling for the…