Attorney Elizabeth L. Kohler is rejoining the northern New England law firm Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC. Kohler will serve Of Counsel in the Burlington office, working in the firm’s Energy and Telecommunications Group. Kohler previously worked for the firm as an associate from 1994-1995. “We are delighted to welcome Beth back to the firm and to the Energy and Telecom Group,” said firm Managing Partner Paul Ode.

Gov. Peter Shumlin today named Eldred French to replace outgoing Sen. William Carris, who is resigning his Rutland County seat for health reasons. French is an arborist who has run the Acorn Tree Service for nearly 40 years. French served two terms in the Vermont House, but lost his re-election bid last November in a district newly created through redistricting. During his legislative tenure, he was a member of House Judiciary Committee. “Eldred was hardworking, energetic and well respected in the House,” said Gov. Shumlin.

Tara Meyer has realized her grandmother’s dream, and then some.

Meyer’s grandmother wanted to be a nurse during World War II. Ironically, it was demand to act as her family’s caregiver at home that prevented her from realizing her dream.

Meyer wanted to be a furniture maker and traveled from her hometown of North Attleboro, Mass., to Goddard College in Vermont to learn the trade. But a job after college in a family-owned home for adults with developmental disabilities had her looking to nursing.