Police charge kids with vandalism of Barstow school

CHITTENDEN — State Police responded to an alarm activation at the Barstow Memorial School late on Saturday night, and found lights on in the building along with a vehicle parked at the rear of the school. After finding no one inside the school, one of the troopers spotted two boys walking out of the woods behind the school.The two boys - whose names are being withheld because they are both 16 years old - admitted to taking fire extinguishers from the school busses and peeing in the seats, according to police. The extinguishers were recovered from their car. The boys also admitted to going into the school through an unlocked door and walking around. They were taken into custody and charged with unlawful trespass, vandalism to a motor vehicle and larceny from a motor vehicle.   

Rug braiding workshops to begin in Wallingford

From our Rutland County Express Wallingford columnist Tammy Heffernan:

Recently, I had the opportunity to have a delicious lunch with three of the rug braiders that will be volunteering their time for the Gilbert Hart Library’s annual rug braiding workshop that will start in a couple weeks at the library.
These women, Lois Johnstone, Ellen Moyer and Angela Hinscuin were quick to correct me when I referred to them as rug braiding teachers or experts, maintaining that they are only there to help others get started in the craft or help along others with projects that are already in the works.
Rug braiding is sometimes referred to as an American Art. Its history comes from our early colonial settlers particularly here in New England, where scraps of used clothing would be repurposed into braided rugs to cover bare floors and provide additional warmth. While a braided rug has a home anywhere, it is particularly found in the farmhouses that make up a majority of Vermont and New England landscape.

Cause of fatal Bridgewater crash still unclear

From today's Rutland Herald: 

Asia Hickory was carrying plates to one of her tables when she happened to look out the window at Route 4 just moments before a fatal crash Sunday.

The 18-year-old waitress was used to seeing cars travelling at high speeds outside Blanche and Bill’s Pancake House in Bridgewater, but the scene she saw just moments before a 2004 GMC Envoy and a 2001 Ford Escape collided head-on Sunday afternoon didn’t involve a passing attempt on the straight-away section of highway.

“There was no third car,” she said Tuesday.

What Hickory saw was the Envoy, travelling west toward Killington, driving slightly over the yellow line into the eastbound lane. Just a moment before impact, she saw the Envoy make a sharp swerve back into the westbound lane. But by then, she said it was too late.

“Neither car tried to brake,” she said. “I’m not sure if the driver (of the Envoy) was distracted or something and he tried to correct himself at the end. The other driver (of the Escape) never swerved.”

Read the full story on RutlandHerald.com >>>

‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ coming to the Paramount

The Paramount Theatre will present the world premiere of Scholastic’s “Clifford The Big Red Dog LIVE!” in the historic hall on Friday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. (note the curtain-time change from the originally announced 8 p.m.).
Celebrating 50 years in 2012, Scholastic’s “Clifford The Big Red Dog” has charmed and amazed children with his engaging adventures and “Big Ideas.” Now, kids will have a whole new way to experience the crimson canine.
Mills Entertainment, the producers of this national tour, chose Rutland’s Paramount Theatre as not only the venue to premier its latest production , but, also selected it as the location for the cast and creative team to first meet; the production will be rehearsed in Rutland for nearly two weeks between Christmas and the premiere. Featuring a brand new story, Clifford The Big Red Dog LIVE! brings the well-loved characters from Birdwell Island — including Emily Elizabeth, Cleo, T-Bone, Jetta, Charlie, and of course, Clifford — to a fun-filled spectacle for the whole family.
Tickets are $21.50-$26.50; call (802) 775-0903, or go online to www.paramountlive.org.

Police identify woman killed by car in Rutland

A woman who was killed trying to cross Route 7 in Rutland on New Years Day was identified by Rutland Police as Nancee L. Gell, 54, from Norwalk, Conn. Gell was visiting the area, police said, and was trying to cross the four-lane road in front of the Economy Inn when she was struck by a 2001 Subaru Legacy being operated by a 16 year old juvenile. The name of the driver has not been released.

Police do not believe that alcohol or speed were factors in the accident; it was raining at the time and Gell was wearing dark clothing, which may have affected visibility.

Bells of Joy for Christmas performance

RUTLAND — The Bells of Joy, directed by Karen James, will present its 28th annual Christmas concert today, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of the United Methodist Church, 71 Williams St. Inspired by the lessons and carols service from Kings College, Cambridge, in England, this concert will feature original handbell compositions and adaptations of traditional Christmas carols, like “Away in a Manger,” as well as a rousing “Sing We Now of Christmas” played on this unique instrument of 56 handbells and 39 handchimes by 13 ringers. Lessons will be read by Alan Betts. Also featured on the program will be the Stoodley Quartet ringing an arrangement of “Coventry Carol.” Guest clarinetist David Klock will join the choir for “Rise up Shepherd” and perform solo holiday selections accompanied by director Karen James.
A free-will offering will be collected.

Howard Coffin to speak on Civil War in Rutland

RUTLAND — Howard Coffin, author, lecturer, and historic preservationist, will examine “The Overland Campaign of 1864,” in which Vermont played a major role and paid a heavy price, at Rutland’s Godnick Center today, Dec. 2, at 1:30 p.m. This campaign put a death grip on the Confederacy. There will also be a discussion of the battles of Wilderness, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg, which led to Gen. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.
Admission is $5; call (802) 446-2041.

Beyond "The Leash"

As you might have heard, a part of Rutland's iconic downtown bronze sculpture "The Leash" disappeared, then was found this week. Here's what Rutland reporter Gordon Dritschilo had to say about it:

One might be able to say there was a silver lining to the vandalism in Depot Park if it winds up stimulating interest in the work of the late Patrick Farrow

As I said in my previous post, I was very fond of Farrow and his art had a lot to do with that.

Susan Farrow still operates the Castleton gallery where they exhibited together. Patrick's work shows a fascination with both organic and mechanical structures as well as the intersection between the two.

Continue reading>>>

Sculpture element found: "The Leash" shows up at Rutland Northeast School

vyto starinskas / staff photo

Downtown Rutland Partnership Executive Director Michael Coppinger accepts the meter part of "The Leash" sculpture from Rutland Police Department Cpl. Ray LaMoria this morning. The meter was found by a janitor this morning at Rutland's Northeast School. There are no suspects or explanation in the theft at this time.

Drug treatment center draws support in Southwestern Vermont

RUTLAND - A decade ago, a proposed methadone clinic to treat opiate and heroin addiction in Rutland was roundly denounced and defeated at public forums.

The exact opposite took place at a public hearing Tuesday where a comprehensive drug treatment model that would include a methadone clinic in the city was universally approved by residents who offered an opinion. A crowd of about 100 people attended the two-hour forum at the Howe Center.

Granted, many of the speakers identified themselves as pharmacists, counselors, lawyers and other professionals with connections to either drug enforcement or drug treatment programs.

But compared to the debate generated at meetings held 10 years ago concerning methadone treatment, the public forum hosted by Rutland Mental Health Services and Rutland Regional Medical Center was far less fractured — a difference that was noted by a number of panelists who participated in the forum.

“Thirteen years ago, this discussion didn’t go so well,” Rutland City Police Capt. Scott Tucker said. “Law enforcement said we didn’t like that idea.”

Read the full story by Brent Curtis in the Rutland Herald >>