Vermont news

• Cyanobacteria blooms continuing into the fall

  22-09-2017 23:34 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Department of HealthSeptember 21, 2017
  Media Contacts:Vermont Department of Health802-863-7281
  Vermont Department of Environmental ConservationPerry Thomas, Lakes & Ponds Program Manager802-490-6198
  BURLINGTON – The current warm, sunny weather has created ideal growing conditions for cyanobacteria in Vermont waters, especially at Lake Carmi and St. Albans Bay in Lake Champlain.
  “Unfortunately, the same summer weather that may extend our beach season i
  
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• Biologists seek input on snake sightings

  22-09-2017 23:31 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Fish & Wildlife DepartmentSeptember 21, 2017
  Media Contacts:Doug Blodgett, Vt Fish & Wildlife, 802-777-5772;Jim Andrews, Vt Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, 802-352-4734
  Fall is a Great Time to Spot Snakes
  MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Biologists are asking the public to report snake sightings this fall to the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas to help document the extent of the state’s eleven snake species.
  “Fall is an ideal time to see snakes as they mov
  
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• Vermont Brewers Association launches refreshed brand and new website

  22-09-2017 23:28 via vtdigger.org
  News Releases Vermont Brewers AssociationSeptember 21, 2017
  Contact:Amy Cronin
  [email protected](774) 217-0182
  BURLINGTON, VT- The Vermont Brewers Association (VBA) is pleased to announce the completion of a refreshed brand focused on the discovery of world class beer throughout the state with the theme of Beer Worth Finding.
  The website, vermontbrewers.com, houses thirteen beer trails that assist locals and tourists alike in exploring the Green Mountain State. There i
  
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• China’s top human rights lawyer in exile to speak at St. Michael’s College

  22-09-2017 23:24 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — St. Michael’s CollegeSeptember 21, 2017
  Contact:Mark Tarnacki802.654.2795
  [email protected]
  Saint Michael’s College will host China’s leading human rights lawyer in exile, Teng Biao, for a presentation titled “No Country for Justice” at 5 p.m. on September 27, 2017 in the Dion Family Student Center Roy Room (third floor). Professor Rowena He of the Saint Michael’s history faculty will be moderator of the presentation as well as a contrib
  
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• Porter Medical Center nurses finalize new contract

  22-09-2017 22:58 via vtdigger.org
  The union representing 130 nurses at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury has finalized a three-year employment contract with hospital management.
  Alice Leo, president of Porter Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, said the new contract will increase pay for nurses while improving working conditions and nurses’ professional development opportunities.
  “We’re really happy with what we have,” Leo said. “Of course, there’s always room for improvement, but
  
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• Court rebuffs Hinesburg residents on gas pipeline

  22-09-2017 22:54 via vtdigger.org
  Vermont Gas Systems’ offices. Photo by Andrew Kutches/VTDiggerVermont Gas continued its undefeated streak Friday with a victory in the Supreme Court over several Hinesburg residents who challenged the company’s use of a public park for a controversial natural gas pipeline.
  In the process, the justices carved out an exception to a long-established law holding that public property dedicated to one use can’t be seized through eminent domain for another, separate use.
  Companies may
  
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• WDEV sold to ‘Corm’

  22-09-2017 22:44 via vtdigger.org
  Kenley Squier, the longtime owner of WDEV.Photo from the Stowe ReporterWDEV will be sold to Steve Cormier, the sales director for Radio Vermont Group and the former radio show co-host of popular program “Corm and the Coach.”
  Kenley Squier, the owner of the Radio Vermont Group, made the announcement late Friday afternoon.WDEV FM and AM is part of the Radio Vermont Group, which includes 101 The One (WCVT on Mt. Mansfield at 101.7 and sister station WEXP FM 101.5 in Rutland), and WLVB F
  
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• VOSHA: Hospital must investigate complaints into worker injuries

  22-09-2017 22:04 via vtdigger.org
  The Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital. Photo by Roger Crowley/for VTDiggerState regulators are demanding that a psychiatric hospital investigate patient assaults of four workers.The workers were assaulted on September 12 at the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital in Berlin. Three workers were sent to the emergency room. Two of the four had “serious concussions” as a result of the assault, according to documents.At the time of the incident, several mental health specialists reported tha
  
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• LISTEN: Should Vermont Teachers Be Allowed To Strike? dlvr.it/PpnxwN https://t.co/OMX2MhHqHw

  22-09-2017 21:43 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Should Vermont Teachers Be Allowed To Strike? dlvr.it/PpnxwN https://t.co/OMX2MhHqHw
  
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• Experts: Dairy’s future in Vermont sweeter than maple’s

  22-09-2017 21:38 via vtdigger.org
  Dairy cows munch hay at Fairmont Farms in East Montpelier. Photo by John Herrick/VTDiggerProjected changes in Vermont’s climate over the next 50 years look grim for the maple industry but rosy for dairy, according to experts who presented at a community lecture in Craftsbury Wednesday.
  Travis Reynolds, an environmental studies professor at Colby College and family producer of maple syrup in Stannard, said Vermont’s maple industry is “facing a catastrophe.”
  “I think
  
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• Woman’s fatal overdose leads to drug bust in Burlington

  22-09-2017 20:33 via vtdigger.org
  BURLINGTON — A police investigation that began with a woman’s overdose death in a Pearl Street apartment last month led to a recent raid in the same same building and the arrest of three men on drug charges.
  A 43-year-old woman was found dead from an overdose at 416 Pearl St. on Aug. 18, according to police, who said she had cocaine, heroin and fentanyl in her system.
  Christopher Handy was arrested during a drug raid at his Pearl Street apartment in Burlington. Courtesy Photo / Burli
  
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• YWP: ‘Queen of Denial’

  22-09-2017 17:45 via vtdigger.org
  Young Writers Project, an independent nonprofit based in Burlington, engages young people to write and use digital media to express themselves with clarity and power, and to gain confidence and skills for school, the workplace and life.Check out the most recent issue of The Voice, Young Writers Project’s monthly digital magazine. Click here.Each week, VTDigger features a writing submission – an essay, poem, fiction or nonfiction – accompanied by a photo or illustration from Yo
  
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• SCOV Law Blog: Vermont’s felony-murder rule

  22-09-2017 17:30 via vtdigger.org
  Creative Commons photo by walknboston via FlickrEditor’s note: This piece from the SCOV Law Blog is by Charlie Buttrey.
  State v. Baird, 2017 VT 78
  When recently retired Vermont Supreme Court Justice John Dooley and longtime trial Judge Michael Kupersmith both take your side in a legal dispute, you’re usually in pretty good shape.RELATED STORIESSCOV Law Blog: Determining a child’s ‘home state’?SCOV Law Blog: Proper paperwork requiredSCOV Law Blog: Court shoots down t
  
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• 'Sorry,' But Study Finds Apologizing Doesn't Help With Rejection dlvr.it/PplVJC https://t.co/68eHe9PGhu

  22-09-2017 17:24 via twitter.com
  
  'Sorry,' But Study Finds Apologizing Doesn't Help With Rejection dlvr.it/PplVJC https://t.co/68eHe9PGhu
  
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• Regulators approve hospital budgets

  22-09-2017 17:18 via vtdigger.org
  Health care regulators have approved budgets for 14 Vermont hospitals, slightly decreasing the amount they sought to take in from patients and insurance companies.
  The Green Mountain Care Board will allow the hospitals to increase patient care revenue by an average of 3.01 percent, and increase prices that patients and insurance companies pay by an average of 2.08 percent.
  Those numbers are slight decreases from what the 14 hospitals originally sought: an average patient care revenue increase o
  
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• LISTEN: 'Sorry,' But Study Finds Apologizing Doesn't Help With Rejection dlvr.it/PplNnP https://t.co/SAtAiWDlwZ

  22-09-2017 17:15 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: 'Sorry,' But Study Finds Apologizing Doesn't Help With Rejection dlvr.it/PplNnP https://t.co/SAtAiWDlwZ
  
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• First West Nile virus case confirmed

  22-09-2017 17:01 via vtdigger.org
  State health officials have confirmed the year’s first case of human illness due to West Nile virus. The case involved an unidentified Addison County resident who was diagnosed earlier this month with neuroinvasive disease, a serious form of the illness that affects the nervous system.
  Since 2003, there have been 12 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Vermont. The most recent were in 2016 when two Windsor County residents were diagnosed with the neuroinvasive type of West Nile virus.
  The
  
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• Bennington group loses bid for medical marijuana license

  22-09-2017 15:41 via vtdigger.org
  Medical marijuana. Photo by Troy Holden, www.troyholden.comBENNINGTON — A local group’s bid for a medical marijuana facility license has been rejected by state officials, who said they determined the application was incomplete.
  However, one of the remaining five groups in the running for the next production and retail license proposes a facility in the Bennington area, said Lindsey Wells, who oversees the Vermont Medical Marijuana Registry.
  Wells added Thursday that she expects a dec
  
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• Vermont Department of Taxes follows IRS for tax relief to disaster areas

  22-09-2017 15:35 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Department of TaxesSept. 21, 2017
  Contact:Kate StrousseExecutive Staff AssistantVermont Department of Taxes(802) 828-3763 or [email protected]
  Montpelier, Vt., Sept. 21, 2017—In an effort to provide some relief to those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the Vermont Department of Taxes has announced it is extending filing deadlines to Jan. 31, 2018, for filers living in hurricane disaster areas. The affected individuals and businesses may file retu
  
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• Tick questions answered at special presentation in Wilmington

  22-09-2017 15:30 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Southwestern Vermont Medical CenterSept. 21, 2017
  Media Contact:Ashley Brenon JowettCommunications & Marketing SpecialistPhone: 802.447.5019Fax: 802.447.5214
  [email protected]
  Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Vermont Department of Health Present What You Need to Know about Tick-Borne Illness
  BENNINGTON, VT—September 21, 2017—According to the Vermont Department of Health, tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in Vermont. Tick bites and t
  
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• Burlington​ ​Business​ ​Association​ ​on​ ​Burlington​ ​Telecom​ bids

  22-09-2017 15:25 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Burlington Business AssociationSeptember 20, 2017
  Contact:Kelly DevinePhone: 802-863-1175
  www.bbavt.org
  Burlington, VT –This morning, Mayor Miro Weinberger and City Attorney Eileen Blackwood announced details of the three bids to buy Burlington Telecom. The offers come from 2 companies: Ting, which is owned by Tucows, Schurz Communications and a local cooperative bid from Keep BT Local. Each of these bids is viewable at Burlington Telecom’s we
  
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• Lt. Gov. Zuckerman celebrates National Hunger Awareness Day and Senior Month

  22-09-2017 15:20 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Lt. Gov. David ZuckermanSeptember 20, 2017
  Contact:Megan Polyte802-622-4136
  EAST MONTPELIER As part of National Senior Month and Hunger Action Day, Lt. Governor David Zuckerman visited with Twin Valley Seniors in East Montpelier. Statistics show 1 in 6 older adults struggle with hunger and senior centers make a difference. Twin Valley Senior Center provides over 190 meals each week to the homebound as part of their Meals on Wheels program. At the Center approximately 270 sen
  
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• Peak foliage colors approaching in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

  22-09-2017 15:15 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Department of Tourism and MarketingSeptember 20, 2017
  Contact:Philip Tortora, Communications DirectorVermont Department of Tourism and Marketing(802) 522-7323; [email protected]
  MONTPELIER, Vt. – As late summer weather continues to bring warmth, plenty of sunshine, and scattered showers, fall foliage colors are developing nicely, albeit gradually, throughout most of Vermont. The Northeast Kingdom is fast approaching peak color and is expected to be at
  
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• ACS CAN urges Gov. Scott to oppose Graham-Cassidy Repeal Bill

  22-09-2017 15:15 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSept. 20, 2017
  Contact:Marc KaplanAmerican Cancer Society Cancer Action Network518.796.1038
  [email protected]
  Drastic Medicaid Changes, Dismantling of Individual Insurance Marketplace and Potential Rollback of Essential Health Benefits Could Endanger Access to Critical Care for Millions of Americans
  MONTPELIER, VT – Sept. 20, 2017— Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) sent a letter to
  
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• UVM research unlocks new clue in the ‘race against time’ between microbes and immune response

  22-09-2017 15:10 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — UVMSept. 20, 2017
  Contact:Jon Reidel, [email protected], 802-656-8206
  A new University of Vermont research finding could lead to targeted treatments to increase immune activity — in cancer therapy, for example — or to suppress immune reactions, like in patients with multiple sclerosis.
  Researchers have long known that glucose — or sugar — fuels cellular activity, including cells involved in immune response. While previous research focused on sugar st
  
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• Gov. Phil Scott lauds Vermont fish hatcheries for leading on energy efficiency

  22-09-2017 15:05 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of the GovernorWednesday, September 20, 2017
  Media Contact:Rebecca Kelley, Office of the Governor802-828-6403
  [email protected]
  Staff-led energy efficiency projects to generate $1.4 million in energy savings
  Grand Isle, Vt. – At a press conference today, Governor Phil Scott recognized a series of staff-led energy efficiency projects across Vermont’s fish hatchery system, which will generate at least $1.4 million in energy savings and substantially
  
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• Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets announces over $1M in available grant funds

  22-09-2017 15:00 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & MarketsSept. 20, 2017
  Contact:Trevor AudetVermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets116 State St., Montpelier Vermont 05602-2901
  agriculture.vermont.govTel: 802-522-4725
  The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is pleased to announce the availability of over $1M in grants for the FY18 grant cycle. Funding will be available through the following grant programs:
  Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
  The Working Lands
  
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• Montpelier seeking Vermont artist for public art at One Taylor Street

  22-09-2017 04:23 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Community Engagement LabSeptember 20, 2017
  Contact:Paul Gambill, Executive Director, Community Engagement Lab
  [email protected]; 802.595.0087
  The city of Montpelier is seeking proposals from a Vermont artist or team of artists for a major public art installation for the One Taylor Street Redevelopment Project. Deadline for submission is November 1.
  Visual, craft or design artists in all media – including landscape architects and interior designers –
  
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• Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging presents workshop for people new to Medicare

  22-09-2017 01:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA)
  Sept. 20, 2017
  Contact:Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA)Kheya GangulyDevelopment and Communications CoordinatorPhone: 802.786.5990Email: [email protected]
  Rutland, VT – SVCOA’s SHIP (Statewide Health Insurance Assistance Program) program will present a Medicare Workshop, taking place at the Godnick Senior Center, 1 Deer Street, Rutland, Vermont on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 3 – 5 pm. The wor
  
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• The Maple Guild wins top honors with ‘Best of East’ award

  22-09-2017 01:09 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — The Maple GuildSept. 18, 2017
  Contact:John Campbell / 860-705-5816 / [email protected] Pinto / 201-362-3988 / [email protected]
  The Maple Guild’s Grade A Original Maple Syrup wins the coveted titleat Natural Products Expo East
  ISLAND POND VT, September 18, 2017— The maple company that regularly wins over consumers’ hearts (and stomachs) is also winning award after award at trade shows. The Maple Guild continues to wow judges, taking home Natural
  
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• Dexter Mahaffey: The age of infinite interruptibility

  22-09-2017 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Dexter Mahaffey, of Charlotte, who is head of school at Vermont Commons School in South Burlington.
  In his essay “A Good Scythe,” Wendell Berry writes about his preference for using the old-world tool over the now ubiquitous weed-eater. While Berry objects to the combustion engine tool’s effect on our environment, his focus here is on pace. A scythe, he argues, limits one’s work naturally: There’s only so long you can keep
  
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• Mary Gerisch: Single payer myths

  22-09-2017 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Mary Gerisch, of Bennington, who is a retired civil rights attorney. She is an active leader and board member of Rights & Democracy and is also on the board of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice.
  Let’s clear up a few myths about Vermont’s efforts to enact universal — so-called single-payer — health care.
  Myth #1: Single-payer health care failed in Vermont. You can’t fail at something you didn’t actua
  
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• Step Into Action Recovery Walk takes to the streets to celebrate Vermont’s recovery community

  22-09-2017 00:56 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Step Into Action Recovery WalkSept. 20, 2017
  Media Contact:Laura Kessen802-825-7875
  [email protected] Into Action Recovery Walk
  Local Event Raises Awareness of Substance Use Disorder Support Services in Vermont and Sends Message of Hope
  Burlington, VT – September, 23, 2017 – The Step Into Action Recovery Walk, in celebration of National Recovery Month, will take to the streets of downtown Burlington on Saturday, September 23rd to help spread a messag
  
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• Prosecutor: ‘Privilged lifestyle’ caused Rutland attorney to cheat

  22-09-2017 00:14 via vtdigger.org
  RUTLAND – Federal prosecutors say he evaded taxes to maintain a “privileged lifestyle” and should serve time behind bars to send a message that “white collar” crimes are taken seriously.
  His counsel claims that the once-prominent Rutland lawyer has already suffered, losing his law license, his legal practice and enduring humiliation and embarrassment after the federal charges against him came to light earlier this year.
  The two sides will present their arguments to
  
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