By Victoria Gaither Before rock climbing was made cool through Instagram and Facebook, Vermont climbers already had a footing in this now-popular sport. “I have been climbing for a year now. I love the sport; it is awesome,” said Joshua Buckley, a Green Mountain Union High School senior from Chester. Buckley is one of many…

By Katy Savage Seventeen current and former members of the Killington Search and Rescue team resigned in a letter to town officials on March 12 saying the new fire chief created a toxic work environment and mistreated women, but the Select Board largely dismissed the claims at a meeting on March 20. The male town…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the first-ever drinking water standard for PFAS, a group of chemicals linked to some cancers and other negative health impacts.  While Vermont is one of several states with an existing drinking water standard for PFAS, the federal agency’s proposed standard — which is now subject to…

By Liz Dimarco Weinmann Throughout March, organizations around the world celebrated International Women’s Day and, in the U.S., National Women’s History Month. Experts from the arts, politics, business, science, medicine, and social justice, weighed in. Most offered optimistic ideas regarding challenges women deal with every day. Others brandished banalities like “know your value,” “expect to…

Suggests creation of separate public safety agency Editor's note: On Monday, March 13, 17 members of Killington Search and Rescue (KSAR) submitted the following letter (dated March 12) to Killington Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth detailing their vote of no confidence in newly hired fire chief Chris LaHart. The organization seeks a “collaborative discussion with Killington…

The magic number is 276. Rutland South Rotary Club’s Project Dictionary recently donated 276 dictionaries to third graders at Rutland Intermediate School, Proctor Elementary, Rutland Town School, Clarendon Elementary, Rutland Area Christian School, Barstow, and Christ the King. Rotarians visited these schools, distributed the dictionaries, and engaged with the students. Supporting childhood literacy is one…

Staff report Woodstock Village residents will vote to eliminate two elected auditor positions at the annual meeting March 21 and hire a public accountant or auditing  firm to review finances.  “We’ve had a hard time finding people who want to run to be elected auditors,” Town Manager Eric Duffy said. One auditor position is vacant…

Director of Rutland Regional Planning Commission lives his passion for Rutland, shares his vision with others By Liz DiMarco Weinmann It was in March of last year that Devon Neary first contacted me, with a thank-you note on Facebook, in response to an op-ed I had written about the accomplishments of the region’s emerging leaders.…

By Curt Peterson Gesine Bullock-Prado’s book signing at the Norman Williams Public Library on March 11  had a crowd laughing and reliving all the stories and baking advice she shared.  A capacity audience heard Mary King interview the famous, energetic, humorous 53-year-old cook, pastry chef, TV celebrity and teacher. As a bonus, attendees were provided…

Killington awarded maximum CRRP grant of $1 million  Staff report Governor Phil Scott and  the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) announced the first round of approved grant applications for projects that spur economic recovery through the Community Recovery and Revitalization Program (CRRP) on Tuesday, March 14.  Killington received the maximum award of $1…

Teen launches business to raise mental health awareness after losing friends to suicide, mom seeks help By Katy Savage On the surface, Eli McDermott seemed happy. The 18-year-old had just graduated from Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine and was a rising snowboard star. He was just about to attend college in Utah. “I definitely thought…

The Housing Trust of Rutland County received a $3.9 million grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for the redevelopment of the Columbian Avenue apartments and adjacent lots to create East Creek Commons.  This grant is the first secured funding for the project budget of $11.2 million.  The project will include a complete renovation…

The Cobra Gymnastics Team of Rutland was on fire this past weekend in North Adams, Massachusetts, at the Hip Hop Classic. The Xcel Bronze, Silver and Gold teams all showed their strengths by capturing first place team wins over a large populated field of New England gymnasts. Cobra is in its 11th year of hosting…

Staff report Incumbents Cathy Solsaa and Kevin Kiefaber were reelected to the Rutland City School Board of Commissioners  on Town Meeting Day along with newcomers Ryan Carney and Heather Hauke.  Mary McDonald fell short of getting a seat.  Solsaa was the top vote-getter with 1,478 votes, followed by Ryan Carney with 1,446 votes and Heather…

Staff report The Barstow Unified School District passed by a large margin 307 to 77 on Town Meeting Day. "The BUU board worked hard to bring forth a responsible budget that puts the needs of students first, and the support of voters made it possible," Superintendent Kristen Hubert said in a statement.