{"version":"https:\/\/jsonfeed.org\/version\/1","title":"Local Stories- Vermont","home_page_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/","feed_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/json","items":[{"id":"o1023-1576-66787257f32f9","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/weather-warning-tornado-watch-issued-for-our-area\/","title":"WEATHER WARNING: Tornado Watch Issued for our area","date_published":"2024-06-23T19:07:00+00:00","summary":"Get the latest updates from National Weather Service","content_html":"<p>After a week of severe weather in Rutland, the area braces for the potentially significant storms to come on Sunday. High temperatures and high humidity have led to strong storms in parts of the area. As temperatures and humidity remain high, the potential is very real for tornadoes Sunday afternoon and evening.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>The National Weather Service has issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/forecast.weather.gov\/showsigwx.php?warnzone=VTZ011&amp;warncounty=VTC021&amp;firewxzone=VTZ033&amp;local_place1=Rutland%20VT&amp;product1=Tornado+Watch&amp;lat=43.6089&amp;lon=-72.9796\">tornado watch<\/a> for a all of Vermont, as well as parts of New York and New Hampshire. The areas under threat are highlighted in yellow:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-dnt=\"true\" align=\"center\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont until 8 PM EDT <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zHJ7EeJJTA\">pic.twitter.com\/zHJ7EeJJTA<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NWS Burlington (@NWSBurlington) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NWSBurlington\/status\/1804922257694929197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 23, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/66785b42a6ea9.jpg","author":{"name":"Ally Reid"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/75623"},{"id":"o1023-1576-6668917e5a2f8","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/rutlands-best-babysitter-savannah\/","title":"Rutland's Best Babysitter: Savannah!","date_published":"2024-06-11T18:03:42+00:00","summary":"After a region-wide search, we have found our Rutland's Best Babysitter!","content_html":"<p><img alt=\"Rutland's Best Babysitter - Savannah\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/66688928ae19f.jpg\" style=\"width: 474px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; margin: 3px; float: left;\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p>Listeners from all over the Rutland area nominated their babysitter for the contest. They told us why their babysitter is the best. Donna had this to say about Savannah:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>&ldquo;Savannah is the kindest most responsible young women I have ever known. She is wonderful with my children. Savannah is compassionate, kind, loving, respectful, and most of all my children lover her. She has been baby sitting for me for 3 years. I use her services on the weekend, she is always available when I need her. She is not only a baby sitter but an educator as she is always doing something with my children that is related to learning. She has taught my youngest her ABC&#39;s and she has been helping my 5 yr old with reading. Savannah also makes sure my children are well taken care of and the house is always cleaned when I get home, which is a big PLUS. &nbsp;I can&#39;t say enough why Savannah would be most deserving for this acknowledgement and honor. Savannah is going to be moving on to attend college and we will miss her dearly, she is like one of our family. I know she will be hard to replace when it comes time as she has set a high standard for a baby sitter. Thank you for letting share how amazing Savannah is as a baby sitter and a person. She deserves this so much. Thank you again.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>It doesn&rsquo;t get any better than that! Savannah was the obvious choice for the $500 prize, and she can forever claim to be Rutland&rsquo;s Best Babysitter!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Congratulations to Savannah from Catamount Radio!<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/66689161026c5.jpg","author":{"name":"Rick Harrington"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/75459"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65f35159bcf9c","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/rutland-girls-hoops-star-named-gatorade-vt-player-of-the-year\/","title":"Rutland Girls Hoops Star named Gatorade VT Player of the Year","date_published":"2024-03-14T19:34:00+00:00","summary":"It's the first ever honor for Rutland High School","content_html":"<p><strong>CHICAGO (March 14, 2024)<\/strong> &mdash; In its 39th year of honoring the nation&rsquo;s most elite high school athletes, Gatorade&nbsp;today announced Anna Moser of Rutland High School is the 2023-24 Gatorade Vermont Girls Basketball Player of&nbsp;the Year. Moser is the first Gatorade Vermont Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Rutland High&nbsp;School.<\/p>\n\n<p>The award, which celebrates the nation&rsquo;s top high school athletes for excellence on the court, in the classroom&nbsp;and in the community, distinguishes Moser as Vermont&rsquo;s best high school girls basketball player. From CEOs and&nbsp;coaches to star athletes, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport, touting an all-star&nbsp;group of alumni that includes Candace Parker (2003-04, 2002-03 &amp; 2001-02, Naperville Central High School, Ill.),&nbsp;Paige Bueckers (2017-18, Hopkins High School, Minn.) and Juju Watkins (2022-23 &amp; 2021-22, Sierra Canyon&nbsp;School, Calif.).<\/p>\n\n<p>The 5-foot-8 sophomore guard averaged 16.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game this past season, leading the&nbsp;Raiders (16-6) to the Division I state tournament semifinals. Moser also averaged 2.6 steals and 2.1 assists per game.&nbsp;As a freshman, she was named to the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association&rsquo;s Dream Dozen Team, which&nbsp;recognizes the top underclassmen in the state.<\/p>\n\n<p>Moser has volunteered locally on behalf of a senior living center and has fundraised for the Heather Abbott&nbsp;Foundation, which provides prosthetic limbs to trauma victims. She is also a cross country state champion and&nbsp;accomplished alto saxophone player. &ldquo;Anna is a player that can burn you from any spot on the floor,&rdquo; said Karen&nbsp;Henry, Brattleboro High School head coach. &ldquo;She moves well without the ball, creates her own shot and her driving&nbsp;ability is unmatched.&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n<p>Moser has maintained a 3.8 weighted GPA in the classroom. She will begin her junior year of high school this fall.&nbsp;The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of&nbsp;the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls&nbsp;basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track &amp; field and awards one National Player&nbsp;of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection&nbsp;Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and&nbsp;determine the state winners in each sport.<\/p>\n\n<p>Moser joins recent Gatorade Vermont Girls Basketball Players of the Year Sabine Brueck (2022-23, North Country&nbsp;Union High School), Elyse MacDonough (2021-22, Rice Memorial High School), Catherine Gilwee (2020-21,&nbsp;Champlain Valley Union High School) and Olivia Rockwood (2019-20, Windsor High School), among the state&rsquo;s list&nbsp;of former award winners.<\/p>\n\n<p>As part of Gatorade&rsquo;s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant&nbsp;to donate to a social impact partner. To date, Gatorade Player of the Year winners&rsquo; grants have totaled more than&nbsp;$4.9 million across more than 1,600 organizations.<\/p>\n\n<p>To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student athletes, visit&nbsp; playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow us on social media on Facebook at&nbsp;facebook.com\/GatoradePOY, Instagram at instagram.com\/Gatorade and Twitter at twitter.com\/Gatorade.<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b180b3f133d.jpg","author":{"name":"Gatorade POY Press Release"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/73769"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65c4f94b18ee7","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/sweet-surprise-with-early-return-of-the-shamrock-shake\/","title":"Sweet Surprise with Early Return of the Shamrock Shake","date_published":"2024-02-08T15:54:51+00:00","summary":"The Fan Favorite Shamrock Shake makes an early return to local McDonalds","content_html":"<p><span style=\"font-size:16px;\">Today feels like a lucky Day! It&rsquo;s not even Valentine&rsquo;s Day and Shamrock shake fans are already clamoring for the McDonald&rsquo;s St. Patrick&rsquo;s treat.&nbsp; While usually Shamrock Shake enthusiasts have to wait until the end of February for the sweet treat, McDonald&rsquo;s has announced that it has officially been added to its menu this week along with the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:16px;\">Created in the late 1960s by a Connecticut franchise owner it was quickly rolled out nationwide by 1970 and has been a St. Patrick&rsquo;s Day staple ever since. However, it appears the original recipe was different, involving a combination of lemon-lime sherbet, vanilla ice cream, and vanilla syrup, dyed green for the holiday.&nbsp; By the 1973 McDonald&rsquo;s was advertising a vanilla milkshake with green coloring before eventually adopting its signature mint flavoring in 1983.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:16px;\">If you can&rsquo;t get to McDonald&rsquo;s but still need your Shamrock Shake, a copycat recipe is circulating on the Internet and you only need four ingredients. 2 cups of vanilla ice cream, 1 and &frac14; cups of milk, &frac14; teaspoon of mint extract and 8 drops of green food coloring. Just be sure to use mint and not peppermint.&nbsp;Blend the ingredients, add whipped cream and a cherry and you are ready to celebrate the return of the Shamrock Shake from home.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:16px;\">What restaurant recipe would you most like to have?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jGyAX1zQFno?si=ND728EW-2u5MYa-8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"560\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size:11px;\">Feature Photo courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Wfaa8\">YouTube.com\/<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Wfaa8\">@Wfaa8<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65c4f7e923d75.jpg","author":{"name":"Jackie Powell"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72831"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65bd253b40552","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/what-did-punxsutawney-phil-predict-for-the-end-of-winter\/","title":"What Did Punxsutawney Phil Predict for the End of Winter?","date_published":"2024-02-02T17:24:00+00:00","summary":"Did he see his shadow or no?","content_html":"<p>As I&#39;m sure you&#39;re aware, today is Groundhog Day. So that means that good ole&nbsp;Punxsutawney Phil was pulled out of his hole or cage or whatever to make his prediction about the end of Winter. Will we have an early Spring or will we get some extra Winter?<\/p>\n\n<p>This year, Phil says that Spring will come early for us. The groundhog made his appearance in Gobbler&#39;s Knob,&nbsp;Pennsylvania and according to the people who know better than you or I do, Phil did NOT see his shadow. Also, for what it&#39;s worth, Punxsutawney Phil is only correct about 40% of the time. You might want to take that into consideration before you get too excited about his prediction. However, in this case, I&#39;m okay with believing what he has to say because I&#39;m all for an early Spring.<\/p>\n\n<p>Side note on all of this, there were about 30,000 people in attendance for this years Ground Hog Day festivities. So as silly as this celebration may seem, it&#39;s a huge help to the area every single year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Now we wait to see if Phil was correct with his prediction. Will we actually get an early Spring? I guess we&#39;ll find out soon enough.<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65bcfcdcadd50.jpg","author":{"name":"Jackie Powell"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72678"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65b922183adf8","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/the-sweet-arrival-of-girl-scout-cookie-season-in-vermont\/","title":"The Sweet Arrival of Girl Scout Cookie Season in Vermont","date_published":"2024-01-30T16:21:44+00:00","summary":"It's almost time for Girl Scout Cookie Season, find out when you can get your Thin Mints!","content_html":"<p>As the frosty winter months continue to unfold in Vermont, a much-anticipated event warms the hearts of its residents - the Girl Scout Cookie Season. This annual tradition, deeply rooted in the community, brings not only the delightful taste of various cookies but also a sense of unity, empowerment, and will officially be underway with cookies in stock as of Tuesday, February 9th!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>While you&#39;re on the hunt for your favorite Girl Scout Cookies you can visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.girlscouts.org\/en\/cookies\/how-to-buy-cookies\/cookie-finder-results.html?#05701\">Girl Scout cookie locator<\/a> to find a booth sale near you between February 16 - March 17.&nbsp;The Girl Scout Cookie Season is more than just a fundraiser; it&#39;s a symbol of the entrepreneurial spirit of young girls. It&#39;s a time when Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains come together to learn about business ethics, money management, and the importance of community service. Each box of cookies sold is a step towards their personal growth and a contribution to their troop&#39;s collective goals.<\/p>\n\n<p>This year, the Girl Scout Cookie Season in Vermont promises to be as exciting as ever. From the classic Thin Mints to the beloved Samoas, the variety of cookies available caters to every palate. New additions to the cookie lineup are also anticipated, adding an element of surprise and delight to the season.<\/p>\n\n<p>The Girl Scout Cookie Season is not just about buying cookies; it&#39;s about supporting the dreams and aspirations of young girls. Each purchase helps fund troop activities, community projects, and even trips for the girls. It&#39;s a way for the community to invest in the future leaders of Vermont.<\/p>\n\n<p>Taking a bite out of Girl Scout Cookie Season in the Green and White Mountains is a cherished tradition that brings joy, learning, and community spirit. It&#39;s a time when the simple act of buying a box of cookies can make a significant difference in a young girl&#39;s life. So, as the season unfolds, let&#39;s embrace the spirit of giving and support the Girl Scouts in their endeavors.&nbsp; Most importantly, what&rsquo;s your favorite flavor?<\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:10px;\"><em>feature photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/flickr.com\/photos\/hinnosaar\/4373634220\/in\/photolist-7Eu25y-EHUrjz-7S3zim-7RZk6F-cizDeN-4w58VB-AJgAT-2dfEfrj-azdEo-2iStzGT-7RZk5x-65Z2B8-KzxyuF-EuEb4c-KzxxNv-4w2KpF-4uacnW-2cvn4eE-3aXHHs-9h6wYL-2n8tPCa-9m2HxL-BiKVq-9ikWow-2iQ6xgH-DAHimM-7S3zgh-2iQaWTd-7RZk4X-2iQ9hsB-6djDhC-2iQ6xbc-ahDTDu-kJxpep-2fMK61a-62x4qE-9ydkKk-2kwfqcv-dtTY95-2odJMDs-6djDzS-kJSQiz-kJSQMv-dVxAWD-7CJj3R-nLhw1r-6aajkE-5GMj2B-b9Poba-LDw6A6\">Marit &amp; Toomas Hinnosaar<\/a>, Flickr Creative Commons (<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0 DEED<\/a>) Changes made: Cropped, resized<\/em><\/span><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b7ecbd6aa78.jpg","author":{"name":"Jackie Powell"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72598"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65b82bddebd03","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/rutland-cold-rolled-fatbike-fest-2024-around-the-corner\/","title":"Rutland Cold Rolled Fatbike Fest 2024 Around The Corner","date_published":"2024-01-29T22:51:09+00:00","summary":"Start\u2026Your\u2026BIKES!!!","content_html":"<p>On February 11th, 2024, the Rutland Cold Rolled Fatbike Fest is BACK and better than ever!!! With fat bikers joined from all around, Rutland&rsquo;s Fatbike fest is one for the books for all who love this thrill-seeking biking experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>The event takes place Sunday, February 11th, with group rides starting at 10:00am at the Giorgetti Athletic Complex (2 Oak St Ext.)&hellip;also known as the Pine Hill Trailhead!!! Groups are then invited to convene back at this spot for a 12:00pm lunch, catered by Ranch Camp of Stowe, VT!!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>The festival will also host a vendor village, which caters to ALL ages and ALL biking abilities&hellip;woohoo!!!! &ldquo;Party Central&rdquo;, otherwise known as the remote aid station, will be located at the overlook. And rumor has it, the overlook will also feature a bonfire and refreshers&hellip;<\/p>\n\n<p>And the best part? For a grand total of $50, you will: be able to participate in group rides, indulge in the catered lunch, and even get a SIGNED original Cold Roll Rutland artist print!!!!! (Tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com).<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b8287391483.jpeg","author":{"name":"Jocelyn Slaughter"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72573"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65b8279aa8f38","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/bennington-countys-got-talent-is-back\/","title":"Bennington County\u2019s Got Talent Is BACK!!","date_published":"2024-01-29T22:32:58+00:00","summary":"Showtime Set For February 22nd","content_html":"<p>If you&rsquo;re someone who loves supporting your community, as well as the arts within&hellip;we have just the event for you!!! Returning for its 7th annual showcase, Bennington County&rsquo;s Got Talent is officially booked and READY for its 2024 return!!! And, the best part, you can be part of it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>The showcase promotes the finest talents within the Bennington County, showcasing acts ranging from; comedy, dance, instrumental, and group performances!! And apart from the distinguished set of 4 judges, YOU (well, the audience as a whole) have the chance to become the 5th judge!! Voting will be facilitated not only through a paper ballot, but you can also help with the judging through an online platform as well (gosh, don&#39;t you just love technology!!!). And, with the help of assigned seating, attendees are sure to be nice and cozy while enjoying this year&rsquo;s show!!<\/p>\n\n<p>If you wanted to reserve your spot ahead of time, all you have to do is purchase tickets online (nice and easy!!). Tickets are $13 online, OR can be bought at the door for $15. The show will be taking place on Thursday, February 22nd, at the Monument Arts &amp; Cultural Center (44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, VT). Doors open at 5:30pm, with showtime set for 6:00pm!! There will be a cash bar, as well a variety of snacks&hellip;because we all know a good show leaves you hungry for more!! (Both metaphorically AND literally in this scenario!!!).<\/p>\n\n<p>So, make sure to come out and support this TALENTED group of FOURTEEN acts for their chance at $1,000!!!!!!!! For more information, check out this post we found on the Bennington County&rsquo;s Got Talent 2024 Facebook&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b8270440c6d.jpeg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b8235fa7bde.png","author":{"name":"Jocelyn Slaughter"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72572"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65b82156b07d2","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/vermonts-winter-renaissance-faire-is-back-in-town\/","title":"Vermont\u2019s Winter Renaissance Faire Is Back In Town ","date_published":"2024-01-29T22:06:00+00:00","summary":"The Faire-est Of All","content_html":"<p>Held annually at Champlain Valley Expo (in Essex, VT), the Vermont Winter Renaissance Faire is fun for ALL!!! And this year&hellip;you and your loved ones can experience the fun on February 3rd &amp; 4th, 2024!! (That&rsquo;s right around the corner!!).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>This year&rsquo;s event will be the 7th annual Faire, a 2-day venture that leaves us all wanting more. Between the fun and eccentric costumes, and the dazzling performances, the Renaissance Faire is quite a &ldquo;must-go&rdquo; experience no matter where you reside.There are musicians, acrobats, dancers, comedy performances, and of course, medieval jousts!! And, we can&rsquo;t forget about the fabulous selection of Faire foods and spirits either (or, the free parking!!!).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>The event will run both Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. Tickets are $20\/day, OR $30 for the whole weekend (what a steal!!). Kids under 12 are $5, and under 6, is FREE&hellip;count us in!!!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Check out some of these photos we found from the Faire&rsquo;s Facebook page:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b820825ded8.jpeg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b8207c0b016.jpeg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65b81e38c85a3.jpeg","author":{"name":"Jocelyn Slaughter"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72571"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65a951711d338","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/vermont-state-trooper-saves-girl-from-an-icy-pond\/","title":"Vermont State Trooper saves girl from an Icy Pond","date_published":"2024-01-18T16:27:29+00:00","summary":"Terrifying scene unfolded near Cambridge with a happy ending thanks to a quick thinking trooper","content_html":"<p>In the heart of Vermont, a tale of heroism unfolded that has left the community in awe. A Vermont State Police trooper, whose courage and quick thinking saved the life of an 8-year-old girl, has become a beacon of hope and a testament to the dedication of law enforcement officers. On a frigid winter day, the tranquility of the Vermont landscape was disrupted by a distress call. An 8-year-old girl and her 6-year-old sister had fallen into a freezing pond near Cambridge. The 80-year-old property owner was able to get the 6-year-old to safety but was unable to reach the 8-year-old near the center of the pond. The call was received by the Vermont State Police, who immediately dispatched Trooper Michelle Archer, who thankfully was only minutes away, to the scene.<\/p>\n\n<p>With great effort, Archer managed to pull the girl back to the shore where Trooper Keith Cote checked if the girl was okay before rushing her to an ambulance that was already on site.&nbsp; The child was taken to a hospital in Burlington with injuries that at first were thought to be life threatening but amazingly she made a full recovery and is now back home.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" loading=\"lazy\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/embedded-video\/mmvo202161221749\" width=\"560\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<p>The community has hailed Trooper Archer and Cote as heroes. Their bravery and dedication to duty have not only saved a life but also served as a reminder of the selfless service that law enforcement officers provide every day. The Vermont State Police Department has commended Archer for her heroic act, reinforcing their commitment to the safety and well-being of the community and recommend the two troopers as well as the 80-year-old property owner for the agencies life saving award.<\/p>\n\n<p>This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in the most serene settings. It also underscores the importance of teaching children about the risks associated with icy bodies of water. However, above all, it highlights the bravery, dedication, and quick thinking of our law enforcement officers, who are always ready to risk their lives to save others.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the end, the story of Trooper Archer and the 8-year-old girl she saved from a freezing pond is one of hope, courage, and community. It&#39;s a testament to the everyday heroes among us, who, without hesitation, step up when duty calls.<\/p>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65a9510b60426.jpg","author":{"name":"Jackie Powell"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72321"},{"id":"o1023-1576-65a5648eab3bd","url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/blogs\/local-stories-vermont\/post\/rutland-celebrates-the-return-of-winterfest\/","title":"Rutland celebrates the return of Winterfest ","date_published":"2024-01-15T16:59:58+00:00","summary":"Rutland celebrates the return of Winterfest February 16 - 25!","content_html":"<p>&nbsp;As the calendar flips to February 2024, the residents of Rutland, Vermont, and visitors from far and wide, eagerly anticipate the return of the beloved Winterfest. This annual celebration, scheduled to run from February 16th to 25th, is a beacon of joy and community spirit in the heart of the winter season.<\/p>\n\n<p>Winterfest in Rutland is more than just a festival; it&#39;s a tradition that brings the community together, celebrating the beauty and fun of the winter season. The event is a ten-day extravaganza filled with a variety of activities designed to appeal to all ages and interests.<\/p>\n\n<p>The festival kicks off on Friday, February 16th, with an opening ceremony that sets the tone for the days to come. The streets of Rutland come alive with the sounds of laughter and music, the air filled with the scent of delicious food from local vendors, and the sight of twinkling lights reflecting off the snow creates a magical atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n<p>One of the highlights of Rutland&#39;s Winterfest is the ice sculpture competition, where talented artists transform blocks of ice into intricate works of art. The sculptures, glistening in the winter sun, are a sight to behold and provide fantastic photo opportunities for visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"684\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frutlandwinterfest%2Fposts%2Fpfbid029xujbtGqiCihQFhpnRK4dL9iLCCjH9EBDWhSS2q8VmR66k9nZPQiDW5AXc48jRhhl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" width=\"500\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<p>For those looking for fun, Human Foosball will kick off Feb 22nd along with your chance to take a skate with Bigfoot! For the adventurous, there&#39;s the thrilling snowmobile race across the frozen landscape and those who prefer a slower pace, there&#39;s the winter nature walk, where participants can enjoy the serene beauty of Vermont&#39;s winter landscape.<\/p>\n\n<p>Children&#39;s laughter fills the air during the snowman building contest and the much-anticipated sledding race. The festival also includes indoor activities such as craft workshops, storytelling sessions, and a Chili Cook off February 17th.<\/p>\n\n<p>As the festival draws to a close on February 25th, the community gathers for the closing ceremony. This includes a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the winter sky, providing a fitting end to ten days of winter fun and camaraderie.<\/p>\n\n<p>Winterfest&#39;s return to Rutland, Vermont, in February 2024 is a testament to the enduring spirit of the community and their love for the winter season. It&#39;s a time for residents and visitors to come together, to celebrate, and to create memories that will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Feature photo courtesy of&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Embed not found<\/p>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/1023\/65a55f8cb01c2.jpg","author":{"name":"Jackie Powell"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.rock945vt.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/5015\/blogs\/posts\/72231"}]}