Friday, July 3 BENNINGTON — Four teens from Southwest Vermont Career Development Center traveled halfway across the country last week to put their knowledge to the test — and returned as gold medalists. More than 90 contests More than 5,400 students from around the country, with representatives from every state, competed in one of the 91 hands-on occupational and leadership   Full Story

Bennington: Fireworks and more Actor Willy Jones will deliver his traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10 a.m. at the Bennington Battle Monument. Family activities are scheduled at Willow Park starting at 11 a.m. Fireworks at Willow Park are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Manchester Festivities will begin at 9:30 a.   Full Story

Friday, July 3 HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. — A man charged in connection with the killing of a horse in December 2008 rejected a plea deal in court on Wednesday. Michael J. Lohnes, 26, of Hoosick Falls, is charged with burglary, criminal mischief and a felony count of cruelty to animals after police said he broke into a stable owned by a relative and killed Skye, a horse owned by Dawn Feathers.   Full Story

Friday, July 3 BENNINGTON — A Shaftsbury man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Bennington District Court to three counts of prohibited acts. Matthew Cole, 34, was originally charged in October 2008 with five counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. The case went to trial in April 2009 and ended in a hung jury.   Full Story

Thursday, July 2 BENNINGTON — The Bennington School District recently shared a list of needs for each of the three elementary school buildings that includes major renovation and construction projects as well as purchasing new technologies and furniture. The seven suggestions from the school principals and administration are broken into short term, intermediate term, and long term needs   Full Story

Thursday, July 2 BENNINGTON — Another series of strong storms featuring heavy rains drenched the area Tuesday, leading again to flash flooding in the downtown. 2 inches per hour Several inches of water flowed swiftly down Main Street Tuesday afternoon as storm drains struggled to keep up with rain falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour.   Full Story

Wednesday, July 1 BENNINGTON — The Bennington School District Board has unanimously approved the construction of a 3,600-square-foot addition to Bennington Elementary School that could cost up to $435,000. The majority of the funding for the addition, which will consist of three 1,200-square-foot classrooms, will come from a reserve fund for capital improvements, renovations and major   Full Story

Wednesday, July 1 BENNINGTON — State's Attorney Erica Marthage expressed concern Tuesday over how teachers at Mount Anthony Union High School handled reporting an alleged sexual assault that occurred on school grounds. Brett Vlach, 17, of the Applegate Apartments, pleaded not guilty in Bennington District Court on a lewd and lascivious conduct charge and was released with conditions.   Full Story

POWNAL - Three people, including prominent Manchester area developer Ben Hauben, were involved in a three-vehicle crash Monday on Route 7 in Pownal, near the Massachusetts border. Police said a 2008 VW Touareg, driven by Hauben, 66, was traveling south on Route 7 when he drifted into a long line of traffic in the northbound lane.   Full Story

Wednesday, July 1 BENNINGTON — The Bennington School District Board voted unanimously Monday to approve the purchase of $100,000 worth of new computer technology for the three elementary schools. The majority of the money, all of which the district has in its budget, will go toward purchasing new laptop computers for the fifth-grade students and teachers to use in the classroom.   Full Story

Wednesday, July 1 GREENWICH, N.Y. — The Greenwich Health Center has received a face-lift — and a name change. Now, the building located on Route 29 is more spacious and more convenient for patients throughout eastern New York and western Vermont. "We had been talking about a new building since 2003," said Christine Hoard, a member of the Glens Falls Hospital foundation.   Full Story

Wednesday, July 1 POWNAL — The third annual Tri-State Fair will be held this August at the former Green Mountain Race Track, despite the financial troubles of the track's owners. Progress Partners, the track's owners, recently had a foreclosure complaint filed against them by Bayview Loan Servicing.   Full Story

Wednesday, July 1 BENNINGTON — A former federal building in downtown Bennington that now serves as the police station will have its marble steps repaired next month at a cost of at least $122,000. Bennington Town Manager Stuart A. Hurd said town officials became aware a few years ago that some of the steps were separating, allowing water to seep into the South Street building.   Full Story

Wednesday, July 1 BENNINGTON — A Bennington teenager, who, along with four others, was charged in April with kidnapping, pleaded guilty in Bennington District Court Monday to a reduced charge of unlawful restraint. Cameron A. Martin, 16, also pleaded guilty to aggravated operation of a vehicle without the owner's consent and petit larceny.   Full Story

Tuesday, June 30 BENNINGTON — The Bennington School District Board voted unanimously Monday evening to form a subcommittee that will look into possibly merging the BSD with the Mount Anthony Union School District. After the motion was made by Bob Butterfield, each member of the board praised the idea of forming the committee at the July 6 board meeting.   Full Story