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. 

By Brooke Geery It was an exhilarating weekend of banked slalom action at The Beast as the ninth edition of Slash and Berm banked slalom took over the Stash terrain park. The Slash and Berm is held in partnership with the resort and our friends at Darkside Snowboards and Burton Snowboards with all proceeds benefiting…

Staff report A Woodstock police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after he was arrested for drunk driving. Kaleb McIntire, 33, of Bridgewater, had been with the department since 2020. He was arrested for suspicion of DUI on March 2 after Vermont State Police responded to a domestic disturbance on Braley Hill Road…

By Katy Savage A second Act 250 hearing for the Base Camp at Bear Mountain housing development project lasted just 20 minutes and generated almost no questions on Tuesday, Feb. 28.  “We will make a decision as quickly as we possibly can,” Act 250 board member Devon Fuller said at the meeting. The applicants, Ottauquechee…

By Karen D. Lorentz Sixty-four years ago on President's Week, the Killington Ski Area was discovered by skiers, and they’ve flocked to the area ever since, making it the leader in Vermont and the East in skier visits. That four Pomalifts were running on Killington Mountain that first season was testament to the vision and…