By Curt Peterson Hartland Town Clerk Brian Stroffolino surprised the Select Board on March 20 reading a statement accusing a town employee of “abusive, aggressive, disrespectful, threatening, violent and vulgar behavior on many occasions,” which “created a toxic workplace environment.” He didn’t name the offender, but the accused is believed to be Town Manager David…

Mark Foley, Jr. is renovating the upper floors of the Gryphon Building in Rutland to create 10 one or two bedroom apartments.  Gov. Phil Scott announced Wednesday, March 22 that Foley was one of six recipients of $860,000 in  tax credits. Foley received $125,000 toward his $750,000 project.  The Agency of Commerce and Community Development…

Staff report Woodstock Village eliminated its elected auditors in a 16-2 vote at the annual Village meeting on March 21 in favor of hiring a public accountant or auditing  firm to review finances.  Though the Village has elected auditors, this year filled by Steven Stuntz, it has long hired a professional audit firm.  “The function…

By Katy Savage  Two teachers from Rutland county have been named principals of the year by the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA).  Christy Coloutti of Northwest Primary School in Rutland and Debbie Alexander of Lothrop Elementary School in Pittsford were among four principals recognized for their leadership. The honorees were nominated by their peers and chosen…

Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) relaxed the universal masking requirements that have been in place since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic on Monday, March 27 and moved to symptom-based masking. “Symptom-based masking is for people who have any cold or flu-like symptoms when they come to the hospital or outpatient clinics,” said Rick…

Glenna (Pat) Keeley of Woodstock, Vermont, formerly of Newport, Rhode Island, died peacefully on March 25, 2023, of natural causes. She was 95 years old.  Pat Keeley spent her entire life in Newport Rhode Island where she and her husband Ken (deceased) raised their family in their house on Union Street. She spent her early…

John M. Bruno, 80, died Sunday March 26, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born May 5, 1942 in Torrington, Connecticut, a son of John and Helen (Pormbjak) Bruno. He graduated from Torrington High School in 1960.  Bruno studied at the University of Connecticut, first obtaining a bachelor of science degree in…

By Karen D. Lorentz  On March 24, a standing room only crowd learned fascinating highlights on Pico’s history, ranging from its opening and unique position of women having operated it to the area’s ski patrol, ski club, and racing programs that engendered a loyalty that has made the mountain one of America’s 30 longest operating…

By Karen D. Lorentz It’s a cliché, but so true for the Soar family — the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Whether genes or pure luck, both of Hannah Soar’s parents were recreational mogul skiers in the 1980s and even competed in the amateur Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge (BMMC). “My Mom learned to…

By Karen D. Lorentz Spring has sprung and that means Killington’s festive spring events lineup kicks into high gear this Saturday, April 1, with the iconic Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge. The competition features male and female amateurs in five age brackets ranging from 13-and-under to 50-plus. Judges give points for turns and line, air, and…

Editor’s note: On Thursday, March 16, Killington Fire & Rescue Chief Chris LaHart sent the following letter to Killington Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth detailing his response to a Killington Search and Rescue (KSAR)  letter expressing concerns about his leadership and protocol last week, which were then addressed at the select board meeting Monday, March 20…

Woodstock Police Chief Robbie Blish is retiring from the Woodstock Police Department. His last  day on the job will be July 16.  “Since July 15, 2011, I have had the privilege of being entrusted with leading the Woodstock Police Department as its chief of police,” Blish said in a statement. “Throughout this time, I have…

By Katy Savage David Allaire was surprised when about 30 people showed up at the Rutland City Hall on Friday, March 10, including police officers, city employees and community members, to bid him farewell after six years as mayor.  Allaire lost the election to Mike Doenges 1,710 to 1,317 on Town Meeting Day, March 7.…

Two prominent cliff sites in the Green Mountain National Forest are once again temporarily closed to protect critical nesting habitat for peregrine falcons.  As of March 15, the Rattlesnake Cliff Area (Salisbury) and the Mount Horrid/Great Cliff Area (Rochester) are closed until Aug. 1. The falcons are already migrating back to Vermont to their nesting…

Staff report Woodstock Union High School girls' hockey won the Division II State Championship at UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington on March 9, 2023. It was their second championship win in a row and the first time a Vermont D-II girls hockey team has defended a championship win since Montpelier’s U-32 did it back in…