SoRo OKs Merger in Re-Vote

Original Plan Awaits Rochester

In a major turnaround Tuesday, Royalton voters approved the proposed school merger in a re-vote, 377 to 248. “I am ecstatic—over the moon. Royalton citizens have done their kids a great favor,” said Geo Honigford, a school board member who also served on the study committee that developed the proposal to merge Bethel, Rochester, and Royalton into one school district, […]

Rochester Nears Re-Vote On Tuesday



Rochester has plenty to think about before next Tuesday’s merger re-vote rolls around. A moribund plan to merge school districts in Rochester, Bethel, and Royalton had a surprising revival Tuesday, when Royalton voters cast a stunning reversal of their April 11 rejection of the proposal. (See other article.) Now the future of the three-town merger rests in squarely in the […]

Exit 4 Property Will Be Conserved



Just days ahead of a June 15 deadline, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, with help from the local group Exit 4 Open Space, has raised the $1 million needed to purchase 22.5 acres of land at the I-89 Exit 4 interchange. That parcel of land abuts the Interstate and includes the golf driving range. Along with an additional 150 acres […]

Moulton Seeks Stability

VTC Anticipates Growth in Enrollment

Now that the 151st graduating class of Vermont Technical College has flown the coop, one would think that freshly minted VTC President Patricia Moulton would finally have some time to relax and settle into her still-new position. But as her schedule will attest, the lazy days of summer are a long way off for Moulton as she takes the helm […]

Area Students Fascinated by What’s in the River

Clear Water Provides Great Chance To Learn

A recent visitor to the U. S. Forest Service CCC Camp off Route 100 in Rochester would have seen a surprising sight. For seven days, the lovely but little-used spot on the upper White River was over-run with young people, some of them grade-schoolers, and some high-schoolers. Some could be found huddled into little tents, and many were up to […]

OSSU Begins Search for New Supt., Principal



Searches for a superintendent and an elementary principal are underway in the Orange Southwest Supervisory Union. School officials said this week that both searches will include opportunities for students, community members, and employees of the district to meet with finalist candidates. The administrative turnover is not the only major change in store for OSSU, which will officially become a unified […]

It’s Dump the (Gas) Pump Day



Stagecoach announced today that it will join with other transit systems nationwide to participate in the 12th annual National Dump the Pump Day, today, Thursday, June 15. In honor of Dump the Pump Day, Stagecoach is offering fare-free rides for all passengers who ride the bus on Thursday, June 15. “Community transportation is a cornerstone of local economies,” said Stagecoach […]

Selex Agree To Chip In $10,000 for Exit 4 Fund



Taxpayers of Randolph contributed to the success of the $1 million fund drive to buy a 22-acre parcel at Exit 4. Both the Conservation Commission and the Economic Development Council came to the select- board meeting June 8 to ask the selectboard to contribute. Brendan Barden, of the Commission, asked for $10,000 from the Conservation Fund, while Michael Tragner, chair […]

Hundreds of Rare Orchids In Peak Bloom in Hartland



Eshqua Bog, a small 40.8 acre preserve co-owned by The Nature Conservancy and the New England Wildflower Society, is host to a treasure of wild orchids that are expected to erupt in color, shapes and scents the third week of June. Hundreds of showy lady’s slippers with blooms the size of a small fist, will dot the rich wetland. The […]

Dads Free at VINS On Fathers Day



The Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee will offer free admission to fathers on Fathers Day, this Sunday, June 18, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Come for the day, and enjoy the lively beginnings of summer. Celebrate and attend a live bird program, explore nature trails with scenic views of the Ottauquechee River, or visit unique exhibits. Spend part of […]