June 21, 2014
Police seek info on theft LINCOLN Ñ State Police are investigating a theft of money from a hiker on the Long Trail in the Town of Lincoln. The victim, Joshua Pruitt, 26, of Cartersville, Geo., was staying at the Battell Shelter on the Long Trail and he had set up his campsite to rest for the evening around 6 p.m. on the evening of Monday, June 9. The victim left the camp site momentarily and upon his return, he observed two males rummaging through his pack. The victim confronted the two males and they stopped going through his pack. Words were exchanged between the three men and the two males told the victim that Ò he had better watch out because he is all alone out here.Ó The victim felt uneasy and gathered his things and left the campsite. The victim is a full time fire fighter in Georgia and is conducting a series of hiking expeditions to raise money for a charity supporting families of fallen fire fighters. The suspects are described as two white males, between late 20Õ s and early 30Õ s. If you have information regarding this incident please contact State Police at 802388-4919. Information can also be submitted online at www.vtips. info or text Ò CRIMESÓ (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS.
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Phase 1 of Brandon project ends June 20 ‘Segment 6’ construction nears long-awaited finish By Pete DeMola pete@denpubs.com BRANDON Ñ Commuters and other travelers along U.S. Route 7 have been enduring more than 12 weeks of slow traffic, and sometimes one-way going, in downtown BrandonÑ but traffic snarls and some lost local business are but a small, albeit painful, price to pay for the townÕ s vital, water supply reconstruction project. Known officially as Ò Segment 6 Roadway ProjectÓ , the multi-year-long project came on the heels of Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. The Town of BrandonÕ s water system sustained severe damage when the Neshobe River jumped the falls and flooded downtown streets, even undermining several buildings including the historic, and still closed, Briggs Carriage House. According to Town Manager Robin Bennett, thereÕ s some light at the end of Segment 6Õ s pipeline; phase one of the project is expected to wrap up June 20. Ò Some of this has been in the works, but we had to move it up because of Irene,Ó Bennett said. Ò The tropical storm compromised our waterlines.Ó Project manager J.A. McDonald, Inc., based in Lyndon Center, Vt., has been praised for providing town officials and members of the local Chamber of Commerce with thorough, weekly construction updates. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
STUDENT WALK — Middlebury Union Middle School students walked in the drizzle along Court Street (Route 7) in Middlebury June 13. The entire student body strolled more than a mile from the MUMS campus to Middlebury Union High School; there, MUMS students joined members of MUHS’ Class of 2014 in a dry run of the weekend’s commencement exercises. The annual event welcomes MUMS students to the MUHS graduating seniors final week. Photo by Lou Varricchio
New life for a classic Rutland eatery By Pete DeMola pete@denpubs.com RUTLAND Ñ Rutland has become a food loverÕ s paradise in the last couple of years, with several new restaurants calling downtown home. The cityÕ s latest dining establishment brings memories from the past along with it. Wally Sabotka owned and operated the South Station Restaurant from its inception in 1982 until it was sold to new ownership in 2006. The property, and location, served Sabotka well for 24 years. When the South Station went up for sale last year, Sabotka jumped at the opportunity to host a successful business once again at the South Main Street location. Now, the Southside Steakhouse is ready to open its doors. Sabotka recently owned SamÕ s Steakhouse in Ludlow and is bringing many of the steakhouse practices he imposed along with him, including in-house dry aging in a climate-controlled meat locker, he said. Sabotka also plans to have traditional burgers, comfort foods, and an extensive wine list on his menu. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14