Vermont news

• Residents near polluted lake call for Act 250 farm regulation

  21-11-2017 23:55 via vtdigger.org
  An outbreak of blue-green algae closed Lake Carmi in northern Vermont this fall. File photo
  FRANKLIN — Residents fired up over toxic algae in Lake Carmi told lawmakers Monday that agriculture — a source of phosphorus feeding the algae — should no longer be exempt from most of the state’s land-use laws.
  More than 50 people packed the meeting, where dozens took to the podium to express their frustration with the condition of the lake that is the town’s centerpiece. Me
  
  Read more

• State police: Driver in crash that killed 4 had THC in system

  21-11-2017 23:48 via vtdigger.org
  Lt. John Flannigan testifies before a legislative committee. Photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDiggerVermont State Police say the driver at the wheel of a crash this summer in Bridport that resulted in his death and killed three of his passengers had a high-level of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his system.
  Toxicology test results showed that the driver, Steven Holmes, 21, of Chatsworth, Georgia, had a “high concentration of Delta-9 THC” in his system, according to a press re
  
  Read more

• Rutland brewpub owner looks to open new beer-making facility in city

  21-11-2017 22:52 via vtdigger.org
  The Hop’n Moose brewpub in Rutland is looking to expand o a microbrewery. Photo By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger.RUTLAND – A Rutland brewpub is looking to grow its beer-making operation.
  The city’s Board of Aldermen at a meeting Monday night approved several business incentives for Dale Patterson, owner of the downtown Hop’n Moose brewpub, to open a separate brewing and canning facility, to be known as Rutland Beer Works, on Granger Street.“We’ve long aspired to see
  
  Read more

• Burlington Telecom also-rans merge proposals as vote nears

  21-11-2017 22:48 via vtdigger.org
  Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger. File photo by Alexandre Silberman/VTDiggerBURLINGTON — Two previously rejected bidders have unveiled a combined proposal to buy Burlington Telecom, adding another level of uncertainty to the prolonged sale process.
  Councilors are feeling a time crunch. They need to sort through a flood of new information in time for a City Council meeting Monday, where they plan to decide among the three proposals — one from newly combined ZRF Partners and Schurz Com
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Donovan dismisses campaign finance case against Corren

  21-11-2017 21:33 via vtdigger.org
  Candidate for lieutenant governor Dean Corren during a debate at the Tunbridge World’s Fair on WDEV’s The Mark Johnson Show. Photo by Anne Galloway/VTDiggerVermont’s attorney general agreed Tuesday to dismiss a high-profile campaign financecase filed against Dean Corren, a former candidate for lieutenant governor.
  Attorney General T.J. Donovan said any further prosecution of the state’s case brought by his predecessor would be unfair.
  Former Attorney General William Sorre
  
  Read more

• Giving Thanks: What Are You Grateful For? dlvr.it/Q28y6t https://t.co/AOi9FavFGj

  21-11-2017 20:22 via twitter.com
  
  Giving Thanks: What Are You Grateful For? dlvr.it/Q28y6t https://t.co/AOi9FavFGj
  
  Read more

• LISTEN: Organic Standards At A Crossroads dlvr.it/Q28dgm https://t.co/sV7HGjspf4

  21-11-2017 19:48 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Organic Standards At A Crossroads dlvr.it/Q28dgm https://t.co/sV7HGjspf4
  
  Read more

• Writers for Recovery #10: John Gower

  21-11-2017 18:54 via vtdigger.org
  Photo by Gary MillerWriters for Recovery is a series of writing workshops focused on stories of addiction and recovery. Participants write about their personal stories of struggle, perseverance, moments of doubt and inspiration and the slow but steady work of renewal and healing from addiction.John Gower lives in Burlington in a furnished room. He says writing makes his life bigger: it doubles the pleasure, doubles the fun. He thinks dating a woman long distance is what started his interest
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Dartmouth students accuse professors of creating hostile work environment

  21-11-2017 17:52 via vtdigger.org
  From left, Paul Whalen, Todd Heatherton and Bill Kelley, professors at Dartmouth College.(This story was first published in the Valley News on Nov. 21, 2017.)
  HANOVER — Fifteen Dartmouth College students have released an anonymous statement accusing three professors involved in a sexual misconduct investigation of creating a hostile work environment at the school.
  Psychology professors Bill Kelley, Todd Heatherton and Paul Whalen “created a hostile academic environment in which sexua
  
  Read more

• Gov. Phil Scott announces appointments to Cybersecurity Advisory Team

  21-11-2017 15:50 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of the GovernorMonday, November 20, 2017
  Contact:Rebecca Kelley, Office of the Governor802-828-6403
  [email protected]
  Advisory Team Established in Governor’s Executive Order to Strengthen State’s Cybersecurity
  Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced appointments to his Cybersecurity Advisory Team, which he established via Executive Order 18-17 in October.
  “Addressing cybersecurity is a critical mission for government, one
  
  Read more

• Calling all emerging artists for VCFA’s ‘immigration | imagination’ online video festival

  21-11-2017 15:45 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VCFANov. 20, 2017
  Contact:Tim Simard
  [email protected]
  vcfa.edu
  Montpelier, Vt.—The Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) MFA in Visual Art program is calling for emerging artists to participate in an upcoming online video festival called “immigration | imagination.” The video exhibition will be juried by artist, curator, and MFA in Visual Art faculty member Việt Lê with support from VCFA. This is an opportunity for emerging visual a
  
  Read more

• MVP Health Care named Best Medicare Plans by U.S. News & World Report

  21-11-2017 15:40 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — MVP Health CareNovember 20, 2017
  Contact:Jo Ann LeSage Nelson
  [email protected] or 518.928.4134 (cell)
  Schenectady, N.Y. – MVP Health Care’s Medicare Advantage Plans have been named Best Medicare Plans for 2018 in New York State and Vermont by U.S. News & World Report, earning a rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible five stars. MVP insures 61,000 Medicare beneficiaries in New York and Vermont, and is among the top performing health insurance comp
  
  Read more

• Jo Bradley presented prestigious CDFA Lifetime Achievement Award

  21-11-2017 15:35 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VEDANovember 20, 2017
  Contact:Toby RittnerPresident & CEOCouncil of Development Finance Agencies614-705-1300
  [email protected]
  www.cdfa.net
  Jo Bradley, Chief Executive OfficerVermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)802-828-5627
  www.veda.org– Distinguished Development Finance Career Recognized –
  Jo Bradley lo-res.jpgColumbus, OH — The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2017 CDFA Lifetime Achievem
  
  Read more

• Presidential biographer discusses hit ‘Hamilton’ musical at Vermont Humanities Council event

  21-11-2017 15:30 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Humanities CouncilNov. 20, 2017
  Contact:Ryan Newswanger, Director of Communications, (802) 262-1354
  Montpelier ~ Presidential biographer Willard Sterne Randall will discuss how the life of Alexander Hamilton inspired a major Broadway musical in a talk at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier on December 6 at 7:00 p.m. His talk, “Hamilton: The Man and the Musical,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free a
  
  Read more

• Vermont Agency of Education brings back ‘Teacher Feature’ on social media accounts

  21-11-2017 15:25 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Agency of EducationNovember 20, 2017
  Contact:Haley Jones
  [email protected]
  Barre, VT. – The Vermont Agency of Education today announced the return of the Teacher Feature on the Agency’s social media accounts.
  The Teacher Feature social media campaign, originally started in 2011, is a way to spotlight Vermont teachers doing great things in their school communities. All Vermonters are encouraged to nominate educators who deserve recognition for their
  
  Read more

• Vermont Energy Co-op welcomes new general manager

  21-11-2017 15:20 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Energy Co-opNov. 20, 2017
  Contact:Suzie Quinn802-363-1385
  [email protected]
  November 20, 2017 – Colchester, VT – The Board of Directors of the Vermont Energy Co-op, a member-owned fuel services and energy efficiency cooperative located in Colchester, Vermont has named Brian Gray as the Co-op’s new General Manager.
  Gray comes to the Energy Co-op with 30 years experience serving the local utility community, most recently as Energy Services Manager with V
  
  Read more

• Sens. Lee, Leahy introduce USA Liberty Act in the Senate

  21-11-2017 15:15 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Sen. Patrick LeahyNov. 17, 2017
  Contact:Conn Carroll (Communications Director to Sen. Lee), 202-224-9377
  David Carle (Communications Director to Sen. Leahy), 202-224-3693
  (FRIDAY, Nov. 17, 2017) — Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) have jointly introduced the Uniting and Strengthening American Liberty Act (USA Liberty Act) of 2017 in the United States Senate. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act will ex
  
  Read more

• Leahy statement on 3rd emergency supplemental request for recent natural disasters

  21-11-2017 15:10 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Sen. Patrick LeahyNov. 17, 2017
  Contact:Jay Tilton202-224-2667
  Appropriations Vice Chairman Leahy’s StatementOn The Third Emergency Supplemental RequestFor Recent Natural Disasters
  [WASHINGTON (FRIDAY, Nov. 17, 2017) — Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Friday issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s emergency supplemental request, totaling $44 billion, to address recent natural disasters. Earlier this mo
  
  Read more

• Airline-style variable pricing comes to Bromley, Cranmore, Jiminy Peak

  21-11-2017 15:05 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Fairbank GroupNov. 14, 2017
  Media contact:Jeff BlumenfeldBlumenfeld and Assoc. PR203 326 1200, [email protected]
  SKIERS SAVE 30 TO 50 PERCENT IF THEY PLAN AHEAD
  HANCOCK, Mass. (Nov. 14, 2017) – As the start of the 2017-18 ski season has begun, the Fairbank Group of New England ski resorts – Bromley Mountain, Cranmore Mountain Resort and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort – today officially launched airline-style variable lift ticket pricing for skiers and
  
  Read more

• Queens man sentenced to 10 months in prison for drug conspiracy

  21-11-2017 15:00 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — United States Attorney District of VermontNovember 17, 2017
  Contact:Tim AtkinsonUnited States Attorney’s Office, District of Vermont802.951.6725
  [email protected]
  Burlington, Vermont — The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that, on November 16, 2017, John Williams, 33, of Queens, New York was sentenced to ten months in federal prison after his guilty plea to a charge that he conspired to distribute heroin and cocaine b
  
  Read more

• Vermont unemployment rate holds at 2.9 percent in October

  21-11-2017 02:42 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Department of LaborNovember 17, 2017
  Contact:Mathew Barewicz, (802) 828-4153
  [email protected]
  The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for October was 2.9 percent. This reflects no change from the revised September rate. The national rate in October was 4.1 percent. As of the prior month’s preliminary data, the Burlington-South Burlington Metropolitan NECTA was tied for the fifteenth low
  
  Read more

• Pownal Act 46 recount confirms ‘no’ vote

  21-11-2017 02:06 via vtdigger.org
  (This story by Derek Carson appeared first in the Bennington Banner on Nov. 20, 2017.)
  POWNAL — A recount of votes in Pownal on whether to merge five local school districts confirmed the results reported earlier this month.
  The recount was initiated after Pownal Assistant Town Clerk Julie Weber received a written request from a resident within the 10-day deadline following the vote, which failed by a thin margin, 214-210. On Monday evening, after the manual recount was completed, the numbe
  
  Read more

• Recommissioned hydro facility again producing power

  21-11-2017 01:46 via vtdigger.org
  Developer Bill Scully explains the generating equipment in the powerhouse of the newly commissioned Hoosic River Hydro facility in North Pownal. The orange generator unit is on the left, and the gray turbine cover is to the right. Photo by Jim Therrien/VTDigger
  POWNAL — A defunct hydropower facility that once stood amid the ruins of a polluted former factory — at the center of a federal Superfund cleanup site — now stands restored and officially recommissioned.Over the past yea
  
  Read more

• Future appears murkier for Vermont Yankee fuel

  21-11-2017 01:14 via vtdigger.org
  Vermont Yankee spent fuel pad. Photo courtesy of Vermont YankeeBRATTLEBORO — It’s never been clear exactly when Vermont Yankee’s radioactive spent fuel might leave Vernon or where it might go.
  And the situation may have gotten even murkier over the past year, mostly due to leadership changes in Washington.
  State nuclear engineer Tony Leshinskie said he’s been deeply involved in planning for the day when rail cars full of spent fuel depart from Vermont Yankee. But he said
  
  Read more

• Ansley Bloomer: Local wood achieves local good

  21-11-2017 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Ansley Bloomer, the assistant director of Renewable Energy Vermont.
  A healthy working landscape is a crucial part of Vermont’s identity. With almost 80 percent of Vermont covered in forested land, wood markets provide a sustainable economic solution for rural Vermont communities. Stewardship of these natural resources is essential, so historically we have relied on low-grade wood markets to incentivize the tasks essential to maintaining forest hea
  
  Read more

• John McClaughry: A global renewable energy power play

  21-11-2017 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by John McClaughry, the vice president of the Ethan Allen Institute.Here’s an interesting insight into the arcane world of global renewable energy politics, based on the Oct. 30 column in Forbes by widely read energy blogger Rod Adams.
  Last week the annual Conference of Parties (COP23), the consultative body for the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, convened in Bonn, Germany. For the past eight years a business-oriented Sustaina
  
  Read more

• Lauren Waite: Paying for carbon with the ESSEX Plan

  21-11-2017 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Lauren Waite of Bristol. This is a letter to the Vermont Climate Action Commission.As a grandmother I cannot accept that there is nothing we can do to arrest the climate change spiral we have created over the past several decades. I cannot stand by so that my grandchildren and all the other young inhabitants of our Earth come of age while our planet becomes increasingly uninhabitable. While it is possible that we are on a path that cannot be turned arou
  
  Read more

• Burlington to use grant to fight steep child care shortage

  21-11-2017 00:03 via vtdigger.org
  A child plays on a slide. Photo by Jean Melis/Wikimedia Commons
  Burlington will start committing a half million dollars per year to promote expanding early education programs, helping to alleviate a dire shortage of care and education space for youngchildren in the city.
  In early 2015, Mayor Miro Weinberger’s office put out a report that showed, among other issues, a lack of quality child care options in the city. There are about 1,225 childcare spots in the city, but many are not all full
  
  Read more

Follow @NewsVermont_ on Twitter!