Vermont news

• The Deeper Dig: The Nordic Way

  27-10-2017 22:47 via vtdigger.org
  Author Anu Partanen (right) talks to Mark Johnson at a VTDigger event in Montpelier. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDiggerWhen author Anu Partanen moved to the United States in 2008, she knew she would encounter some social policies that differed from those of her native Finland. But she didn’t anticipate the anxiety that would come next.
  “That was a surprise to me,” she told Mark Johnson at a VTDigger News & Brews event. “I just started feeling like I
  
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• Phoenix Books event to highlight Amazon’s stealth invasion of Vermont

  27-10-2017 22:26 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Phoenix BooskOctober 26, 2017
  Contact:Katie WightPhoenix Books802-343-8526
  [email protected]
  Looking at what the online retailer’s growing power means for our local communities
  BURLINGTON, Vt. — Phoenix Books in partnership with VTDigger and Northshire Books announced Thursday an upcoming event featuring Stacy Mitchell, founder of the Institute of Local Self-Reliance, to discuss what Amazon’s growing dominance means for Vermont’s local businesses, jo
  
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• Saint Michael’s College November (& early December) 2017 Calendar

  27-10-2017 22:20 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Saint Michael’s CollegeOctober 26, 2017
  Contact:Mark Tarnacki802.654.2795
  [email protected]
  Saint Michael’s College November (& early December) 2017 Calendar(Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.)
  Monday, October 30
  Saint Michael’s College presents a group of biology honor students/researchers discussing summer and current research with Professor Ruth Fabian-Fine and her spiders! (and related neuroscience research opportunitie
  
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• BDCC & SeVEDS annual meeting a celebration of partnerships

  27-10-2017 22:17 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — BDCCOct. 26, 2017
  Contact:Jennifer Stromsten, [email protected]
  Martin Langeveld, Nancy and Tom Cain, and Larry Cassidy Honored
  BRATTLEBORO, VT – The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) & Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) Boards of Trustees, Members, and Staff hosted this year’s annual meeting at the Vermont Jazz Center at the Cotton Mill in Brattleboro. BDCC President Craig Miskovich and Executive
  
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• Dartmouth-Hitchcock celebrates dedication of the Jack Byrne Center with public events Nov. 3-5

  27-10-2017 21:59 via vtdigger.org
  News release — Dartmouth-HitchcockOctober 26, 2017
  Contact:Rick Adams(603) 653-1910
  [email protected]
  LEBANON, NH – Dartmouth-Hitchcock will celebrate the completion and dedication of its new Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care with public events Friday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 5.
  The Jack Byrne Center, located on the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center campus in Lebanon, is an advanced clinical facility to provide integrated, patient- and family-centered
  
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• ‘Vanishing Vermonters’ author Peter Miller to speak at Phoenix Books Rutland

  27-10-2017 21:55 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Phoenix BooksOct. 26, 2017
  Contact:Kristen EatonPhoenix Books802.872.7111 (p)802.872.7112 (f)
  [email protected]
  www.phoenixbooks.biz
  Rutland, Vermont – October 26, 2017: On Thursday, November 16th at 6:30pm, Phoenix Books Rutland will host photographer Peter Miller for a talk on his new book, Vanishing Vermonters.
  Vanishing Vermonters: Loss of a Rural Culture, is the newest and most important of Peter’s five books on his home state. He recorded 23 Vermonte
  
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• Champlain Senior Center moves to the O.N.E. Community Center this weekend

  27-10-2017 21:52 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Burlington Parks, Recreation & WaterfrontOctober 26, 2017
  Contact:Diana Wood, Marketing & Outreach Manager, 802-865-7089
  enjoyburlington.com
  The Champlain Senior Center, which has been part of the McClure Multi-Gen Center at 241 North Winooski Avenue, is moving to its new location in the Old North End Community Center (the former St. Joseph’s School) at 20 Allen Street!
  The Champlain Senior Center will be closed on Friday October 27 and Monday & Tuesday Oct
  
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• Secretary of State Jim Condos announces 3 additional Transparency Tour stops

  27-10-2017 21:48 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Secretary of State Jim CondosOctober 26, 2017
  Contact:Eric Covey, 802-828-2148
  Montpelier, VT—Secretary of State Jim Condos is pleased to announce three additional stops on his fourth biennial Transparency Tour. Every two years, since taking office in 2011, Secretary Condos has travelled the state to discuss transparency and open government, Vermont’s Public Records Act, and Open Meeting Law with municipal and state employees, elected officials of all stripes, lo
  
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• Vermont Retail & Grocers Association to offer bimonthly webinars

  27-10-2017 21:45 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Retail & Grocers AssociationOctober 26, 2017
  Media Contact:Erin Sigrist, PresidentVermont Retail & Grocers Association802-839-1928
  [email protected]
  Webinars include online marketing strategies, succession planning, taxes, regulations, and more
  Montpelier, Vt. – As part of an effort to provide needed services and instruction for retailers, grocers and small businesses throughout the state, Vermont Retail & Grocers Association (VRGA) is now offering bim
  
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• Rights and Democracy health care organizer accompanies Sanders on Canadian fact-finding trip

  27-10-2017 21:41 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Rights and DemocracyOctober 26, 2017
  Media contact:Shay Totten
  [email protected](802) 324-3198
  BURLINGTON – An RN and lead organizer from Rights & Democracy will be traveling to Canada with US Bernie Sanders to learn how our neighbors to the north provide quality, universal health care while spending about half as much per capita as we do in the US.
  Rights & Democracy’s Jessica Early, RN, who heads up RAD’s health care justice organizing, will accompan
  
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• House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development holding hearings on privacy and data security breaches

  27-10-2017 21:35 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — House Committee on Commerce and Economic DevelopmentOctober 26, 2017
  Contact:Agatha KesslerPhone: (802) 828-2231Fax: (802) 828-2424E-mail: [email protected]
  The House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development is a legislative committee that considers matters related to business organizations, including issues related to privacy and data security breaches.
  Speaker Johnson has authorized the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to meet this fall to
  
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• With state support, bulk pellet delivery capacity expands in Vermont

  27-10-2017 21:31 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Agency of Natural ResourcesOctober 26, 2017
  Media Contacts:Emma HansonTel: 802-622-4187Email: [email protected]: http://fpr.vermont.gov/
  Andrew PerchlikTel: 802-828-4017Email: [email protected]: http://publicservice.vermont.gov/renewable_energy/cedf
  MONTPELIER – Hitting the road this month is a brand-new bulk pellet delivery truck for Vermont Renewable Fuels (VRF). The 2017 Kenworth capable of hauling 16-tons of pellets with fully pneumati
  
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• Governor puts out fire permit reforms

  27-10-2017 21:29 via vtdigger.org
  Michael Desrochers (left), executive director of the Division of Fire Safety, with Gov. Phil Scott. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDiggerGov. Phil Scott touted reforms to the state’s fire permit program Thursday that he said will streamline the process while ensuring safety.
  The governor said developers were frustrated how long it took to receive public safety permits from the Division of Fire Safety.Among the changes outlined by Division of Fire Safety Executive Director Michael Desrochers wer
  
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• Young Vermonters gather to draft a youth declaration of rights

  27-10-2017 21:25 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Afterschool Inc.October 25, 2017
  Contact:Holly Morehouse, Vermont Afterschool, Inc.802-598-4005 / [email protected]
  RANDOLPH, VT — Young Vermonters ages 9-22 gathered recently to draft a Youth Declaration of Rights and express what they feel are salient needs for young people across the state.
  The 38 youth spent the day at the Chandler Music Hall meeting new people from around the state, learning about what a right is, and engaging in discus
  
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• After firing administrator, Rutland Town rethinks government structure

  27-10-2017 21:18 via vtdigger.org
  Jeffrey Wennberg, front, former Rutland mayor and current city public works commissioner, and David Lewis, a retired town manager from Killington, appear Tuesday at a meeting of the Rutland Town Selectboard about different forms of municipal government. Photo by Alan J. Keays/VTDiggerRUTLAND TOWN — Local Selectboard members heard the pros and cons of various forms of municipal government structures as they weigh how to move forward after firing their town administrator last month.
  Retired
  
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• VEDA approved $198.9 million in FY2017 financings

  27-10-2017 21:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VEDAOctober 27, 2017
  Contact:Jo Bradley, Chief Executive OfficerVermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)802-828-5627
  Highest Year in Agricultural Lending
  South Burlington, VT – VEDA approved 344 financings in FY2017 totaling nearly $199 million. For the second year running, the Authority also surpassed any prior year’s agricultural loan approvals.
  These and other measures of the Authority’s contributions to Vermont’s economy will be presented tod
  
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• Vermont Foodbank, Red Kite Candy partner to fight hunger for the holidays

  27-10-2017 21:08 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Foodbank & Red Kite CandyOct. 24, 2017
  Contact:Mike McCabeRed Kite Candy(802) 449-3400
  Barre, VT, Oct. 24, 2017 – Followers of both the Vermont Foodbank (www.vtfoodbank.org) and Red Kite Candy (www.redkitecandy.com) will be busy working on their best caramel ideas in hopes of being voted the winner of Candy Lab, a partnership between these organizations that will raise much-needed funds for the Foodbank’s holiday season. The contest winner will be fea
  
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• LISTEN: A Checkup On Vermont Health Connect dlvr.it/Pxw1P7 https://t.co/cU6CIbpfSq

  27-10-2017 19:34 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: A Checkup On Vermont Health Connect dlvr.it/Pxw1P7 https://t.co/cU6CIbpfSq
  
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• Fire destroys former auction house in Waterbury Center

  27-10-2017 18:54 via vtdigger.org
  The old brick building that, until recently, housed CC Auctions on Route 100 in Waterbury Center was destroyed by an overnight fire. Photo by Kayla Collier/Waterbury Record(This article by Kayla Collier was published on the Waterbury Record’s website this morning.)
  Volunteer firefighters in Waterbury jumped out of bed at 2:18 this morning and strapped on their gear as pagers sounded for a Waterbury Center building that was engulfed in fire.
  Loading up six trucks, they hurried to the blaze
  
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• Rutland suspended worker in 1M gallon sewage spill

  27-10-2017 18:38 via vtdigger.org
  Jeff Wennberg is the Rutland public works commissioner. File photo by Adam Federman/VTDiggerRUTLAND — Rutland City officials had contemplated firing the plant operator who was on duty when nearly 1 million gallons of overflow sewage spilled into East and Otter creeks this summer. Instead they agreed to a 10-day unpaid suspension of the city worker and other penalties.
  City officials had refused to comment on the disciplinary action taken against the employee in the Aug. 5 incident.
  Records
  
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• Vermont corrections officer of the year dies in apparent suicide

  27-10-2017 17:46 via vtdigger.org
  Corey Beaudet, 41, seen on a fishing trip just days before his death. Courtesy photoThe apparent suicide of a corrections officer has prompted an advocacy group to call for improving conditions in Vermont’s prisons and reducing incarceration.
  Corey Beaudet, 41, died Oct. 18 in Ira from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a news release from the Vermont State Police. His death is under investigation.
  Beaudet had been a state employee since 1999, according to the Vermont D
  
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• YWP: ‘Good Morning’

  27-10-2017 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: Cops in the kitchen

  27-10-2017 17:30 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This piece from the SCOV Law Blog is by Elizabeth Kruska.State v. Allis, 2017 VT 96
  Creative Commons photo by walknboston via Flickr
  Ever have it when you don’t expect to find police in your kitchen? But then you leave the room for a second, and bam! Cops in the kitchen.
  That’s sort of what happened here. Christian Allis lived with his girlfriend. Back in October 2015, police got a call about what looked like a car crash. They arrived on scene and found Christian
  
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• Vote on school rehab in Massachusetts town slows merger with Stamford

  27-10-2017 16:29 via vtdigger.org
  Clarksburg (Massachusetts) Elementary School was built in 1952. A junior high wing was added in 1967. Another addition was made five years later. Construction plans call for additional class and instruction space and major infrastructure upgrades, along with a new gymnasium. Photo by Jim Therrien/VTDiggerSTAMFORD — Stamford hasn’t given up its quest for a merged school district across state lines with the Clarksburg (Massachusetts) Elementary School.
  But the lengthy and difficult pro
  
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• We're spending today's show getting an update on @VTHealthConnect. Have questions/comments about the exchange? dlvr.it/PxmPwl #VT

  27-10-2017 14:48 via twitter.com
  We're spending today's show getting an update on @VTHealthConnect. Have questions/comments about the exchange? dlvr.it/PxmPwl #VT
  
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• VTDigger releases 2016 annual report and 990 tax form

  27-10-2017 14:01 via vtdigger.org
  We are very grateful to VTDigger readers and underwriters for making our work possible.Thanks to you, VTDigger grew by 37 percent in 2016, with total revenues of $1.2 million.
  That growth has spurred an expansion of our daily news at VTDigger. In addition to our reporting on public policy issues and politics, we now offer reporting from Chittenden County, Southern Vermont and Washington, D.C. We have continued our coverage of the Jay Peak scandal and investigated fraud allegations in the town of
  
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• Burlington man arrested for lewdness in UVM library

  27-10-2017 13:01 via vtdigger.org
  A Burlington man was arrested Thursday night for lewd and lascivious conduct in UVM’s library.
  Officials at Bailey-Howe Library called UVM police Wednesday night after a man, later identified as Bryce David Whitney, exposed himself and attempted to hug several women in the library, pushing one into a bookshelf, according to Tim Bilodeau, deputy chief of UVM Police.
  Whitney, the women and the library officials were present when police arrived, Bilodeau said.
  Whitney was arrested on the char
  
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• Burlington man arrested for lewdness in UVM in library

  27-10-2017 13:01 via vtdigger.org
  A Burlington man was arrested Thursday night for lewd and lascivious conduct in UVM’s library.Officials at Bailey-Howe Library called UVM police Wednesday night after a man, later identified as Bryce David Whitney, exposed himself and attempted to hug several women in the library, pushing one into a bookshelf, according to Tim Bilodeau, deputy chief of UVM Police.Whitney, the women and the library officials were present when police arrived, Bilodeau said.Whitney was arrested on the charge
  
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• Much-debated limits on turbine noise get lawmakers’ OK

  27-10-2017 05:09 via vtdigger.org
  Margaret Cheney, a member of the Vermont Public Utility Commission. File photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDiggerStrict new noise limits will apply to future wind development in Vermont, after a legislative committee gave the controversial rules the go-ahead Thursday.The approval marks a major victory for opponents of large-scale wind energy, whose ranks include Gov. Phil Scott.Environmental advocates have decried the limits as a guarantee that wind energy has no future in Vermont.
  Yet the sound limits
  
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• Lawyer claims EB-5 cover-up went ‘right to the top’: Shumlin

  27-10-2017 04:20 via vtdigger.org
  Former Gov. Peter Shumlin, left, and Lawrence Miller, former secretary of the agency that oversaw the Vermont EB-5 Regional Center. File photo by John Herrick/VTDiggerA Stowe lawyer for investors drawn into an alleged “Ponzi-like” scheme claimed Thursday that former state officials engaged in fraud and cover-up and that former Gov. Peter Shumlin likely knew about it.
  Attorney Russell Barr has filed suit against former state officials and the Vermont EB-5 Regional Center, alleging the
  
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• Without dollars, some see Trump opioid ‘emergency’ as empty

  27-10-2017 02:31 via vtdigger.org
  (This story was updated Oct. 26 at 9:25 p.m.)
  WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency Thursday, but many in Vermont question whether he went far enough.
  In a speech at the White House, Trump vowed to crack down on the illicit import of the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, make the overdose-reversing drug Narcan more available, and lift a 16-bed cap on the size of residential facilities that can get Medicaid funding for addiction treatment.
  &
  
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• State awaits fate as Congress moves from budget to taxes

  27-10-2017 01:41 via vtdigger.org
  Vermont Commissioner of Finance and Management Adam Greshin. “We are developing a budget assuming the status quo, because as of today, we don’t know any better,” he says. File photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDiggerWASHINGTON — On a slim four-vote majority, the U.S. House adopted a budget resolution Thursday, clearing the way for Congress to buckle down on tax reform.
  House leadership opted to bring the Senate-approved budget blueprint directly to the floor for a vote, instead
  
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• Governor supports having armed guards at meeting

  27-10-2017 01:07 via vtdigger.org
  Gov. Phil Scott is backing the decision by a high-ranking administration official to have armed personnel attend a public hearing to help maintain order, a move some members of the public found intimidating.
  Environmental Conservation Commissioner Emily Boedecker last week asked that two Fish and Wildlife Department game wardens attend a hearing on cleanup efforts for Lake Carmi in Franklin County, which has been closed because of a toxic blue-green algae bloom. Boedecker said she wanted the war
  
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• William Graham: A small state with a big opportunity

  27-10-2017 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by William Graham, a poet, novelist and travel writer who lives in Stowe. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in literature and communications from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He is a member of the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club.
  Six years ago, my wife, son and I moved to Vermont from Chicago. Like many new residents, we were attracted to the natural beauty of the state as well as to its progressive political tradition and ci
  
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• Amy Johnson: Creating stronger communities through family leave

  27-10-2017 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Amy Johnson, who is program director of The Family Center: Parent Child Center of Northwestern Counseling and Support Services in St. Albans.
  Two minute micro-naps had become part of my standard routine during my pregnancy. I would lock myself in the employee bathroom, set my alarm for two minutes, and hope the brief amount of time would suppress the pain and nausea I was feeling from pregnancy. Often, instead of napping I would cry in the bathroom from
  
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• Patrick Low: In defense of free speech at UVM

  27-10-2017 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Patrick Low, a senior political science and Asian studies major at the University of Vermont. He is from Washington, D.C.
  Wesley Richter is a student at the University of Vermont. He is charged with disorderly conduct based on a third party overhearing part of a phone conversation in which Mr. Richter “allegedly used explicitly racist and threatening language directed toward African Americans and general diversity initiatives on campus” (ema
  
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