Fundraiser hopes to raise $150K in a month to finance home, expanded programing, new store The housing shortage in Rutland County is at crisis level. Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County is expanding its capacity and rising to meet the housing needs of the community. The organization has set a goal to raise $150,000 by…

Rutland residents will soon be able to enjoy a new mural on Rutland City Hall thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program and is led by the Chaffee Art Center. “Murals bring a sense of unity, strong community identity,…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger The Ludlow police officer who shot and seriously wounded a Cavendish man following a pursuit Monday night was a new recruit on patrol with another officer as part of training, according to a press release from Vermont State Police. Zachary Paul, 21, joined the Ludlow Police Department in July after graduating…

By Brett Yates On an average day, more than 4,000 motor vehicles pass through Pittsfield, which has a population of 504, on Route 100, the north-south state highway that crosses its village center. Here, the speed limit drops from 50 to 35 mph. But how many cars actually slow down? New data from the Two…

By Brett Yates On Aug. 18, the Pittsfield Select Board approved a $24,610 expenditure for a backup generator for the Town Hall. The Briggs & Stratton 26kw unit will supply enough power during a blackout not just to keep the Town Hall fully operational but also to keep the lights on at the Town Office…

Even the Covid-19 pandemic couldn’t stop Batman! A marble sculpture inspired by DC’s Caped Crusader Batman and DC comic book creators in Rutland is finally underway, delayed for two years by the Covid-19 pandemic — but not defeated! Italian sculptor Alessandro Lombardo this week began working on the larger-than-life sculpture designed by Chinese artist Jiannan…

By Curt Peterson The Killington Select Board seemed to struggle with semantics as they discussed adoption of the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion at a meeting on Aug. 22. Ultimately the board suggested a committee recommend changes in the document at the Sept. 12 meeting to resolve issues over possible conflicts regarding board authority, enforcement, and…

Young racers Justin Stone and Marty Kelly III held serve at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 20, for the annual Double Feature Night. The busy, 10-race card was also highlighted by a 50-lap Enduro Series race, and by a backpack giveaway at intermission that benefitted more than 200 students in attendance. Middlebury’s Justin Stone won…

This past Saturday, Aug.20, members of the Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) gathered on the Depot Street Bridge, in the Black River, and under the Walker Bridge as over 800 ducks were dropped into the river in the 23rd annual Ralph D. Hogancamp Memorial Duck Race. Members of the LRC standing in the river did not…

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department responded to a bear attack in Strafford on Aug. 20. Susan Lee, 61, of Strafford, was treated at Gifford Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries from the attack. She called 911 while being transported to the hospital by her neighbor. Game Warden Sergeant Jeffrey Whipple and Game Warden Kyle Isherwood…

By Curt Peterson The American Precision Museum in Windsor a real gem one has to be looking for to find, tucked almost under the Route 5 bridge over Mill Brook, just south of the Union Street light. But it’s worth the effort for people of all ages who like to see what American industrial innovation…

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Aviation Careers Education Camp, “ACE Camp,” returned last week to Hartness State Airport in Springfield. Seventeen students from across the region explored a wide range of career opportunities in aviation and aerospace, built rockets and airplane wing ribs, and flew in aircraft ranging from a hot air…

Space can accommodate 55-60 vendors Staff report The Vermont Farmers Market is moving to the Franklin Conference Center in Rutland's Howe Center this winter. Market Board President Paul Horton said after considering options, the Franklin Center was the best place to move. The farmers' market, which originally rented space at the Vermont Farmers Food Center,…

By Katy Savage The Rutland NAACP is asking for change after what appeared to be antique slavery shackles offered by a vendor at a gun show on the Vermont State Fairgrounds Aug. 13-14. The Rutland NAACP sent a letter to the Vermont State Fairgrounds board on Aug. 16, condemning the incident and asking the board…

Staff report The Vermont State Fair in Rutland broke an attendance record for the second year in a row. Fair President Robert Congdon, Jr. said there was about a 10% jump in attendance from last year’s historic high, when an estimated 40-50,000 people attended the fair. “Attendance was up every single day but Wednesday,” Congdon…