Vermont’s black bear population is estimated at 7,000 to 8,500 based on 2022 data, the most recent available, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife department (VTF&W).  “It is important to look at the 2022 population estimate as part of the typical cycles of growth and decline in a bear population that is stable…

  By Curt Peterson  Hartland Select Board Tom Kennedy said the had extended the qualifying period for flood damage coverage to include the town’s July 21 road damage. Hartland had survived the July 17 deluge with little or no damage, but the subsequent storm four days later devastated roads and culverts. At the previous board…

  Around 5,000 people attended the event, tasting whoopie pies from 12 whoopie pie vendors. Here they watch Dream Maker Bakers assemble a 770-pound whoopie pie.    

  There will be a celebration of life for Marianne Adkins of Wilder (formerly of Killington), on Sept. 30 from 2-4 p.m. at the Sherburne Memorial Library. Join for light snacks and refreshments while we remember the life of Marianne Adkins.

  Caden Bear Cushing was born on Sept. 24 to Jen and Patrick Cushing. He weighs 8lb 6oz. “Bear” is the second generation to be born in Killington. Bear’s grandparents Patricia and Jeff Cushing came to Killington in the 1980s to ski and never left. They gave birth to Patrick who grew up in Killington.…

   Killington local Robby Joyce rode in the Pan-Mass Challenge’s (PMC) PMC Unpaved event this past weekend, a gravel bike-a-thon to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber) in Boston.  Joyce’s  journey with the PMC began in 2019 when the father of his close friend, Paul, was diagnosed with cancer.  After the diagnosis, Joyce and…

  Fall season is now underway; new participants welcome By Arra Derderian, Killington Parks and Recreation Board The inaugural season for the Killington Junior Golf League was a success this summer having nine children between the ages of 9-12 years old participating. The program lasted through July and August. The children had instructional range time provided…

  Farmers Kara and Ryan Fitzbeauchamp of Shrewsbury won conservation awards, the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) announced Sept. 14.   The Fitzbeauchamps of Evening Song Farm in Shrewsbury won the 2023 Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award. The winners received the awards at the land trust’s annual member meeting in Barnard on Sept. 13.   “We’re delighted to celebrate…

  About 500 of the world’s best mountain bike athletes are expected to compete in the Fox U.S. Open of Mountain Biking Sept. 23  in four events — a best whip competition, downhill race, dual slalom, and an enduro race,  “We’re excited to show off the Killington Bike Park. We’ve been putting a lot of…

  By Polly Mikula On Monday, Sept. 18, Killington Town Manager Michael Ramsey, received a letter approving the town for an $18,394,000 loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The letter was titled “FY23 Killington Forward – Killington Road Reconstruction Project.” The total note was broken into two loans as each USDA loan…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger The Rutland County state’s attorney said he has determined that the fatal shooting of a Castleton man by a Fair Haven police officer earlier this year was justified and he will not file criminal charges. The shooting by Fair Haven Police Detective Shaun Hewitt took place June 19 in Fair Haven, killing…

  By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Vermont forests have experienced floodwaters, a general excess of moisture, wildfire smoke, unexpected frost and heat waves this growing season. Still, according to state officials, none of those conditions are expected to disrupt the fall foliage season. “In general, things look really good,” said Josh Halman, forest health program manager for the…

  Enrollment is open to ages 5 and older  The University of Vermont Medical Center and the Vaccine Testing Center at UVM’s Larner College of Medicine will operate as a study site for a worldwide Phase 3 clinical study to investigate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of an investigational Lyme disease vaccine candidate. The study,…

  The University of Vermont announced Sept. 5 the Vermont Pitch Challenge, a new entrepreneurial-focused competition that gives high school students from across the world in grades 10-12 a chance to pitch innovative and impactful business plans — all while competing for individual cash prizes and full tuition scholarships to UVM, valued at up to $180,000. …

  By John Flowers/Addison County Independent RIPTON — In addition to abundant rainfall, this summer has brought numerous housing inquiries from people seeking to relocate to an Addison County that has few available homes to offer. The Guilbeau family of Austin, Texas, was among those seeking to lay down new roots in greener and steeper…