By Polly Lynn A cockapoo is breed of dogs that is a cross between the cocker spaniel and the poodle. It may not be the first breed one thinks about for search and rescue missions but owner Tom Levy says his dog Bluu is a natural. Weighing in at just 30 pounds, Bluu has no…

By Cristina Kumka Tucked inside one of Rutland’s redeveloping neighborhoods is a rare business that mirrors what’s happening around it — innovatively growing to better serve the community. Lenoci’s Fine Shoe and Leather Repair Shop started 82 years ago after John Lenoci, an Italian cobbler, made his way to Fair Haven then Rutland, working at…

LUDLOW – Okemo Mountain Resort has added kids’ snowmobile tours to its lineup of winter activities for families visiting the popular ski and snowboard resort. Pint-sized Polaris snowmobiles travel at a maximum speed of 8 mph. Kids love the look and sound of the Indy 120 XC – a real snowmobile built for kids. Each…

By Steve Costello With a national record set last year and a lack of a specific goal at the 2014 Gift-of-Life Marathon – 12 Days of Giving, a black-and-white definition of success seems elusive to a lot of observers. Since the GOLM wrapped up, I’ve been asked at least 100 times if the new GOLM…

By Cristina Kumka The newly-formed Killington Volunteer Fire Department Facilities Committee, charged with reviewing the needs and wants of the department and possibility of a new firehouse, took a tour of the Killington Road fire station on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The committee considered a feasibility study done by Dore & Whittier Architects, Inc. in which…

BarnArts Center for the Arts is seeking female actor to join our 9-cast ensemble for “Death and Taxes.” We lost a female actor unexpectedly and need some ASAP.  Rehearsals now in progress.  Performances Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Please contact director Jo Oliver-Yeager at [email protected]

Photo by Cristina Kumka Sticky notes supporting the ban of the controversial  app, “After School,” cover the windows of the administrative offices at Rutland High School . This time it was the kids in the classroom teaching the adults. A controversial mobile application that was downloaded on some Rutland High School students’ phones and used…

SOUTH ROYALTON—On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. a car driven by Allyssa Ashline, 27, of Randolph, Vt., got stuck on the tracks of an ungated railroad crossing on North Windsor Street in South Royalton, directly in the path of a northbound AMTRAK passenger train. The road surface was icy and the vehicle was unable…

RUTLAND — Monday, Dec. 15, the Vermont Foodbank held its first event at its new Park Street location in Rutland. Pack to Give Back brought together business leaders, school children, elected officials, and concerned citizens to pack holiday food boxes for 500 Rutland area residents. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be expanding into Rutland,”…

KILLINGTON—Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports recently announced that Laura Schutz of Burlington and Frank Kelley of Chester are the 2014 recipients of the organization’s annual Jim Hutchinson Volunteer of the Year Award. “These two volunteers exemplify what Jim Hutchinson stood for when it comes to being a volunteer,” said Executive Director Erin Fernandez. “They tirelessly…

Photos and story by Robin Alberti KILLINGTON — The fourth annual Killington 5K Turkey Trot was a great success, said event organizers Kasie and Jamie Munson. “Our goal is to bring the community and out-of-towners together,” said Kasie Munson. Last year, she heard that a couple from out-of-state met a ski instructor who had no…

The Gift-of-Life Marathon—12 Days of Giving began Dec. 2 and will run through Dec. 16 at locations throughout Rutland County. But before it even began, one local volunteer had was up and running in order ot help ensure its success. Bobby Poquette, a longtime Red Cross and GOLM volunteer, was honored today as Gift-of-Life Marathon…

KILLINGTON – Residents, business owners and local stakeholders of the Town of Killington are invited to attend the Planning Commission Meeting to discuss pedestrian connections and improvements between the existing Killington Road sidewalk and the Killington Ski Resort.  The purpose of this initial local concerns meeting is to collect early input on experiences, issues, and…

Two fatalities reported The Vermont State Police participated in the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign as well as Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from Nov. 26 through Nov. 30, 2014. Sadly, there were two fatalities on Vermont roadways over this holiday weekend. There have been 42 total fatalities…

RUTLAND — Strangefellows Pub located at 13 Evelyn Street in Rutland is hosting a grand opening on Friday, Dec. 5. Being a pub only open 4-10 p.m. may seem like a strange idea, but at Strangefellows Pub it makes sense. Open every day except Mondays, Strangefellows will offer a wide variety of food, beer, liquor and…