By Katy Savage Local public service departments are busier than ever and some can’t find enough volunteers. Rutland City Fire Chief William Lovett said his department is fully staffed with 27 full-time firefighters, but the volume of calls has increased since the pandemic, putting a strain on public service departments that were already struggling with…

Dear Editor, Editor’s note: this was submitted as an open letter to the Killington Select Board on Dec. 10. As the Select Board leads the effort to bring a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District to Killington, it appears obvious that the Board and SP Land are orchestrating an effort to promote this project in the…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger A mother accused of transporting her 9-year-old daughter from Nevada to Vermont for so-called “sexual training” with a man who worked as a CNN producer is facing felony sex abuse charges. The mother’s identity is being withheld because doing so could identify the victim of the sexual abuse. John Griffin, 44,…

By Karen D. Lorentz It’s interesting when a person who is responsible for overseeing the grooming of ski trails has never skied. That’s the case of Okemo’s grooming and trail maintenance team leader John Boudro who has long answered the call of the mountains in another way. Born and raised in Windsor, Vermont, Boudro graduated…

The statewide Support and Services at Home (SASH) program has recognized the Rutland Housing Authority (RHA) for offering SASH services to residents and surrounding community members since 2011, helping to keep older adults and people with disabilities healthy and living independently. The recognition comes at the time that SASH is celebrating its 10th anniversary. RHA…

By Brett Yates On Dec. 16, the Pittsfield Select Board nominated Sandy Begin to become the town’s health officer, effective upon confirmation by the Vermont Health Commissioner. By state law, every Vermont municipality must have a health officer; the position in Pittsfield has stood vacant since Sept. 30, when Rebecca Steward declined a fourth consecutive…

Former owner of Mendon establishment to repurpose name Staff report The former Holiday Inn on Route 7 in Rutland Town will now be called the Cortina Inn. If that name rings familiar, it is. The Cortina Inn was for years a popular local destination but stood vacant until recently repurposed as Vista Senior Living, an…

By Katy Savage The Woodstock Select Board has disbanded the town hall renovation committee after the 10-person volunteer group failed to make a recommendation to improve the building after five years. Select Board members decided Dec. 7 that they’ll appoint a new municipal committee in January. “It is disappointing, of course,” Jill Davies, the co-chair…

By Curt Peterson With indoor winter sports already underway, the WCSU School Board met Monday evening to review policies instituted by Superintendent Sherry Sousa. After intense discussion, board members voted 10-6 in favor of endorsing Sousa’s protocols. Put briefly, indoor middle and high school sports, such as basketball and hockey, will be open to spectators…

By Curt Peterson Killington has adopted a new parking ordinance — and violations will be expensive. “We want people to know: the new ordinance is going to be enforced,” Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth told the Mountain Times. Effective Nov. 1 through April 1, all parking on any street is prohibited. “Because of snow,” Hagenbarth explained.…

By Karen D. Lorentz Just as the mail gets delivered in rain, snow, hail and dark of night, the workers at Okemo Mountain Resort debuted the new Quantum Six Express chairlift as scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 11 — despite the unseasonable rain. After early morning haul line de-icing, the six-seat chairs were put on the…

Ribbon cutting slated for Dec. 17, public open house Dec. 18-19 Officials from Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports will officially open the doors to their second permanent home in Vermont, Murphy’s Annex at Vermont Adaptive – Mt. Ellen, Sugarbush, with a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. An open house will be…

By Curt Peterson Starting in January the Select Board will start meeting in the community room at the new public services building on Killington Road that seats 50 – 60 people safely and comfortably, according to Killington Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth. Access will still be available virtually via Zoom. Links will continue to be posted…

In towns with no zoning, reopened Supreme Court decision has big implications By Emma Cotton/VTDigger A recent decision issued by the Vermont Supreme Court would change the way Act 250, Vermont’s sweeping land use and development law, functions in towns without zoning and subdivision regulations. If it stands, the decision related to a proposed stone…

Last Thursday, Dec. 9, Rutland Regional Medical Center began restricting visitors in order to protect patients from rising Covid cases in the community. Adult inpatients will not be allowed to have visitors; a few patients, such as mothers in labor, will be allowed one designated essential support person per patient for the duration of the…