Issue: May 2016
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Vermont’s new anti-sprawl law faces test in Rutland
State’s new anti-sprawl law faces early test in Rutland By C.B. HALLContributing writer RUTLAND, Vt. The struggling Diamond Run Mall in Rutland, Vt., is visible atop a hill in the distance, across Route 7 from a meadow where developers want to build a new BJ’s Wholesale Club store. Opponents, including the mall’s owners, say read more
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N.Y. wine country expands to north
Cold-hardy grapes, simpler regulations allow vineyards to thrive By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer EASTON, N.Y. Vineyards and wineries have lately been spreading northward in the Hudson River valley and beyond, spurred by the advent of new, cold-hardy grape varieties, a booming interest in locally produced food and drink, and newly simplified state regulations. The result is read more
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State pesticide-reporting effort lags
New York program, adopted with fanfare, yields old, opaque data By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer Twenty years ago, a coalition of breast-cancer activists, environmentalists and others celebrated a hard-fought victory when New York agreed to set up a statewide system for tracking the sale and use of pesticides. When the legislation was signed into law read more
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Revival set for oldest N.Y. theater space
Hudson Opera House begins restoration of long-dormant main hall By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer HUDSON, N.Y. Restoration work began this spring on the long-dormant main performance hall at Hudson Opera House. When the $8 million project is completed next year, a modern, flexible 300-seat theater will be ready to host performances on the landmark building’s read more
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Charles Simic – From war to circuses, poems of vivid imagery
Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Simic to read at Bennington College By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer NORTH BENNINGTON, Vt. Charles Simic, a former national poet laureate whose work is known for its vivid images and moods that range from intense sadness to comedy, will read his works May 11 at Bennington College. © Philip Simic Dark read more
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On pesticide data, public deserves better
The possibility that the environment and human health might be at risk from the widespread use of synthetic pesticides has been a matter of public concern for at least the 50-plus years since the publication of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring.” Carson’s pioneering work helped give rise to the modern environmental movement, the creation of the read more
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Developer shelves natural-gas pipeline plans
The developer of a controversial natural-gas pipeline across Rensselaer and Berkshire counties has decided to drop the project after failing to sign up enough utility customers to tap into the new gas supply. The energy company Kinder Morgan Inc. announced April 20 that it had not received the customer commitments it needed to proceed with read more