Submitted John Hill At the annual meeting of Union Congregational Church, Sunday, March 3, the congregation voted to welcome John Hill as its new pastor. An invitation Hill joyfully accepted, saying, “34 years ago, I lived in a world full of anxiety. My life was transformed when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior…

  The Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV) announced March 22 a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $100,000 to the Wallingford Block to support the rehabilitation of the underutilized third-floor into a community space.   The Wallingford Block, formerly the Odd Fellows Block, is a monumental building at the heart of Wallingford village. Constructed in 1824,…

  Submitted VNAHSR Board President Dan DiBattista (left) with CEO Sara King (right), who announced her intent to retire. Sara King, CEO of the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) announced her plans to retire after more than 23 years of leadership with the agency on Monday, March 25. King began with VNAHSR…

The Vermont House of Representatives gave its strong endorsement March 21 to legislation designed to protect bees and other pollinators in the state from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides, known commonly as neonics. The vote in the House was 112-29. The bill (H.706) has four main components: It prohibits the use of field crop seeds (corn, soy, wheat, and…

Submitted Zoie Saunders Governor Phil Scott announced March 22 his appointment of Zoie Saunders to serve as Vermont’s next education secretary. Saunders is an accomplished education leader with broad strategic and operational experience driving school improvement, increasing student outcomes and enrollment, closing service gaps, and optimizing school support services. Currently, Saunders works as the chief…

Courtesy of Vermont State Police Daniel Banyai   By Ethan Weinstein and Diane Derby/VTDigger Daniel Banyai, owner of the controversial former Pawlet gun range and paramilitary training facility known as Slate Ridge, was charged Wednesday with aggravated assault on a protected person and resisting arrest after a traffic stop led to an altercation with a Pawlet constable, according to…

By Jerry LeBlond World Cup Wednesday Ski Bum Race has finished another season despite three postponed/rescheduled races due to weather and/or not enough snow. There were many World Cup worthy falls and yard sales doing serious damage to the wallets of the victims at the apres ski events, not to mention self esteem. Below are this year's winners in all categories.…

Ludlow Farmers Market makes  changes for summer operation Emma Wright, the new director of the Ludlow Farmers Market (LFM), recently spoke to the Ludlow Rotary Club discussing the changes made to the market’s location, date of operation, and organization. Wright, formerly of Idaho where she was involved in farmer’s markets, indicated that the return of…

Shelters, in Rutland and statewide, see minimal use By Katy Savage and Polly Mikula A sudden and unexpected state decision to move up to 100 homeless people staying in hotels to a temporary shelter in downtown Rutland caused chaos in the city and resulted in a lawsuit from Vermont Legal Aid. But after all the…

By Babette Stolk/VTDigger The aircraft engine manufacturer GE Aerospace announced Tuesday, March 12, that it plans to invest $24.9 million in its Rutland facility, which specializes in military and commercial hardware. The funding will go to new equipment, machines and tooling to support the company’s production of aircraft, military and fighter jet engines, according to Patricia…

Pippa Scott is the sole Vermonter to make cut; winner receives full-tuition scholarship By Polly Mikula Pippa Scott, a student at Killington Mountain School in Killington, has been named one of five finalists in the University of Vermont’s inaugural Vermont Pitch Challenge, a new entrepreneurial-focused competition that gives high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from across…

Submitted Patty McGrath Sept. 22, 1960 - March 12, 2024 Patty Ann Job (McGrath) was born in Rutland on Sept. 22, 1960 the youngest of Frederick R. and Patricia E. Job’s six children and the only born and bred Vermonter. She died Monday, March 12 at the Rutland Regional Medical Center of ovarian cancer. She…

Submitted Erica Hurd April 18, 1968 – March 6, 2024 It is with great sadness we share the passing of Erica Hurd at home with family at her side. Erica bravely fought the most aggressive type of breast cancer for three years. Her participation in research studies brings hope for a better future. Erica was…

The Cobra Gymnastics team of Rutland captured two team titles and a record breaking 40 individual titles this weekend at the 2024 Vermont State Championships, March 16-17.   The Rutland Recreation Dept. hosted the championships for the second time in its history — 378 athletes from ten Vermont gymnastics schools competed. The event is run by…

Courtesy Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce The Mojo Cafe, a beloved locally owned modern Mex-Orleans restaurant in Ludlow, recently celebrated its grand re-opening. The rebuilding after the 2023 flood required them to find a new location, and they have now opened their doors at 145 Main St., Ludlow. The team has been working diligently…