This Week’s News
Local ranch looks to give back to veterans
By RUSSELL JONES Although his dream got off to a slow start, Bruce Fowler says his project, which has lofty goals, is finally getting some traction. “It’s taken some time, had some rough patches, but we’re getting going now,” the stout ex-military man said. “I’ve been helping people and feeding people for years, but I […]
Connected to community, students pick Town Hall for prom
By RUSSELL JONES Through the grand columns of the building’s front façade and into the large ornate auditorium of Brandon’s Town Hall waltzed about 100 Otter Valley Union High School juniors and seniors for this year’s School Prom. It was the first time the town hall had been used for Prom since 2012, prom committee […]
Proctor sees worst storm damage since Irene, Brandon roads fare better
By RUSSELL JONES All of the rain Vermont received early this month, coupled with the melting snowpack, has left some area towns looking at roads in need of repair — but at the end of the day, other years have been worse. FEMA, along with Vermont Emergency Management, traveled around several counties last week, including […]
Spaghetti dinner raises money to support live music
By RUSSELL JONES The Brandon Inn hosted a spaghetti dinner fundraiser this past Friday that helped raise money for a pavilion to be built that will be the site for Music at the Riverbend, Brandon’s annual free summer concert series. Called the “Raise the Roof” fundraiser, the pavilion will be located at the performance space […]
Legislative Report
By BUTCH SHAW The Vermont Constitution authorizes the Legislature to conduct its business every two years in a biennium, but does not speak to the length of the session. The Legislature in recent years, however, has historically chosen 18 weeks as an appropriate time for the legislative body to complete its work. With that in […]
Photos of the Week
Sports
Pond Hill Ranch Rodeo saddles up for summer
By RUSSELL JONES The 48th year of pro rodeo excitement got underway near Castleton on Saturday, June 29 at Pond Hill Ranch. The field was packed with young cowboys ready to prove themselves and seasoned pros ready to reaffirm their positions at the top of the rankings. Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Organization, the Pond […]
Local racers see success at Devil’s Bowl
By RUSSELL JONES After rain has cancelled or shortened the first several events of the season, racing finally got underway as Devil’s Bowl Speedway dropped the green flag for the “Topless for Dad” Father’s Day special on Sunday, June 16. Several local racers finished up near the top, and one West Rutland racer took the […]
OV coaches named coach of the year, other Otters make All-MVL teams
By RUSSELL JONES Six members of the Otter Valley baseball and softball teams were selected to the 2019 All-MVL teams, and OV softball coaches Kelly Trayah and Toni Poalino were selected as MVL Coaches of the Year. On the baseball diamond, seniors Josh Beayon, Reilly Shannon, Patrick McKeighan and Nate Hudson were selected for first […]
Slaters top Otters, 3-1
Controversial call ends OV’s title chances By Andy Kirkaldy An Otter Valley Union High School baseball team led by seven multi-year senior starters compiled an outstanding 18-win season this spring. But on Friday night the 19th, and most important, victory slipped out of the top-seeded Otters’ grasp in the Division II final in Burlington at […]
OV’s ‘comeback magic’ fizzles against Mt. Abe, 9-1
By RUSSELL JONES The Otter softball team has brought a kind of magic with them throughout the Division II playoffs. Comeback magic. They were down in every game they’ve played this postseason. Yet, no team has been able to top them on the scoreboard when it’s all said and done. That is, until they ran […]