Vermont news

• Rutland City fires firefighter accused of impersonating cop, fleeing drunken crash

  29-12-2017 22:53 via vtdigger.org
  Brent M. Garrow, a Rutland firefighter, appears in Rutland Superior Court to face a charge of impersonating a police officer. Pool photo by RobertL. Layman/for the Rutland HeraldRUTLAND – A Rutland City firefighter arrested for impersonating a police officer this summer and then for drunken driving and leaving the scene of a crash early Thanksgiving morning has been fired.Mayor David Allaire confirmed Friday that Brent M. Garrow, 31, of Rutland Town, had been terminated. Allaire, who was n
  
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• Panel creates ‘roadmap’ to combat opioid abuse

  29-12-2017 20:53 via vtdigger.org
  Jolinda LaClair, Gov. Phil Scott’s director of drug prevention. File photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger
  A panel charged with coming up with ways to combat the opioid crisis in Vermont has developed recommendations it will now work with others to help turn into reality.
  The Governor’s Opioid Coordination Council has compiled a draft document which is expected in the next couple of weeks, with some editing changes, to become the group’s final report and recommendations to be presen
  
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• Two face heroin charges after high speed chase

  29-12-2017 20:24 via vtdigger.org
  A southern Vermont man and woman are behind bars on charges of heroin trafficking after a high-speed chase where the suspects allegedly drove more than 130 miles per hour to elude police during a two-state pursuit.
  Jacob McAllister. Photo provided by Vermont State Police.
  Vermont State Police said troopers found 257 bags of heroin and cash inside a vehicle driven by 26-year-old Jacob McAllister of Westminster and his passenger, 22-year-old Chelsea Ovaitte of Bellows Falls. Troopers report they a
  
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• Giving today makes sense: All donations will be matched up to $12K

  29-12-2017 19:29 via vtdigger.org
  $34,347 left to raise by December 31st.
  Dear Readers,
  A change in federal tax law that goes into effect on Jan. 1 will affect deductions for charitable gifts in 2018.
  Now may be the best time to give to VTDigger if you plan to itemize deductions. While donations will remain deductible, the standard deduction is doubling next year and may affect itemization of your charitable donations in 2018.
  We know readers support us because of our mission, but the tax deduction is also an importan
  
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• Give now before tax changes go into effect Jan. 1

  29-12-2017 19:29 via vtdigger.org
  $34,347 left to raise by December 31st.
  Dear Readers,
  A change in federal tax law that goes into effect on Jan. 1 will affect deductions for charitable gifts in 2018.
  Now may be the best time to give to VTDigger if you plan to itemize deductions. While donations will remain deductible, the standard deduction is doubling next year and may affect itemization of your charitable donations in 2018.
  We know readers support us because of our mission, but the tax deduction is also an importan
  
  Read more

• $17,385 left to raise by Sunday. Give now before tax changes go into effect Jan. 1

  29-12-2017 19:29 via vtdigger.org
  $17,308 left to raise by December 31st.
  Dear Readers,
  A change in federal tax law that goes into effect on Jan. 1 will affect deductions for charitable gifts in 2018.
  Now may be the best time to give to VTDigger if you plan to itemize deductions. While donations will remain deductible, the standard deduction is doubling next year and may affect itemization of your charitable donations in 2018.
  We know readers support us because of our mission, but the tax deduction is also an importan
  
  Read more

• $16,678 left to raise by Sunday. Give now before tax changes go into effect Jan. 1

  29-12-2017 19:29 via vtdigger.org
  $16,678 left to raise by December 31st.
  Dear Readers,
  A change in federal tax law that goes into effect on Jan. 1 will affect deductions for charitable gifts in 2018.
  Now may be the best time to give to VTDigger if you plan to itemize deductions. While donations will remain deductible, the standard deduction is doubling next year and may affect itemization of your charitable donations in 2018.
  We know readers support us because of our mission, but the tax deduction is also an importan
  
  Read more

• Farm First services available to help Vermont farm families

  29-12-2017 18:08 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Farm FirstThursday, December 28, 2017
  Contact:Farm First1-877-493-6216
  MONTPELIER, Vt.- Farm First is lending a helping hand to Vermont farm owners and their families. Farm First provides free and confidential business and personal service for Vermonters working in agriculture. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has teamed up with the Agency of Human Services, INVEST Employee Assistance Program and UVM Extension to create Farm First to ensure that Vermont
  
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• Vermont youth prepare for 2018 robotics season

  29-12-2017 18:05 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — FIRST Robotics Challenge
  Media Contact:Stephen FarringtonTeam 6933 Lead [email protected]
  BETHEL, VT, 29 December – While many people this week are enjoying a break between holidays, five Vermont youth robotics teams are hard at work gearing up for the kickoff of the 2018 season of FIRST Robotics Challenge, also known as FRC.
  FRC teams compete in adrenaline pumping tournaments played each spring on college campuses, in high school gyms, and athletics arenas
  
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• Peoples Trust Company presents goal-setting seminars with Tom Murphy

  29-12-2017 18:01 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — People’s Trust Company of VermontDec. 28, 2017
  Contacts:Jay Cummings, Peoples Trust Company of Vermont, [email protected], 802-752-1848
  Tom Murphy, Sweethearts & Heroes: 802-309-9539, [email protected]
  A year from now, you’ll wish you started today. Learn more on 1/3 & 1/4, 2018.
  ST. ALBANS, Vt. –– ’Tis the season to make changes, and Peoples Trust Company (PTC) of Vermont has teamed with St. Albans, Vt.’s Tom Murphy,
  
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• Vermont PBS airs the governor’s State of the State address live

  29-12-2017 17:57 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont PBSDec. 28, 2017
  Contact:Julia [email protected]
  Vermont PBS will be airing Governor Phil Scott’s State of the State Address on Thursday, January 4. It will be carried live on vermontpbs.org/live and on our Facebook page at 1:30 pm.
  A broadcast of the address will air at 7 pm on the same day.
  What: State of the State AddressWho: Governor Phil ScottWhen: January 4, 2018, 1:30 pm and broadcast at 7 pmWhere: Vermontpbs.org and Vermont PBS&
  
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• Avangrid Renewables commissions Deerfield Wind, the company’s first project in Vermont

  29-12-2017 17:52 via vtdigger.org
  News Release Avangrid RenewablesDec. 29, 2017
  Contact:Media Contacts:Paul [email protected]
  Art [email protected]
  PORTLAND, OREGON — December 29, 2017 — Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) began commercial operation at its newest wind farm, and first in Vermont, the Deerfield Wind Farm, in the towns of Readsboro and Searsburg today. The new wind farm construction, which created nearly 200 jobs at its peak
  
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• A look back 2017: Rare homicide shocked the Arlington community

  29-12-2017 17:29 via vtdigger.org
  Butler hangs his head during his arraignment on first-degree murder charges. File photo by Holly Pelczynski/Bennington Banner
  (This story by Ed Damon was published in the Bennington Banner on Dec. 29, 2017.)
  ARLINGTON — The violent death of Helen Jones in her home last January shook this community. A suspect arrested in connection with the stabbing of the 81-year-old woman faces murder and burglary charges, with the case set to be ready for trial in the summer. The charges against the Sund
  
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• SCOV Law Blog: Held without bail amid a tangle of charges

  29-12-2017 17:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This piece from the SCOV Law Blog is by Elizabeth Kruska.State v. Orost, 2017 VT 110 
  This is a bail appeal across four different dockets. Two get reversed, and that’s really only just so that bail can be imposed in those two particular cases.RELATED STORIESSCOV Law Blog: Held without bail amid a tangle of chargesSCOV Law Blog: When a key witness is absentSCOV Law Blog: Parental rights termination ruling appealed to Supreme CourtSCOV Law Blog: Trial court rejects
  
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• PHOTO GALLERY: VTDigger’s top photos of 2017

  29-12-2017 16:33 via vtdigger.org
  From the Northeast Kingdom to Washington, D.C., VTDigger’s original photography helped us tell stories throughout the year. Explore the gallery below to read more about our favorite shots from 2017. 
  Read the story on VTDigger here:PHOTO GALLERY: VTDigger’s top photos of 2017.
  
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• Vermonters scramble to pay property taxes early amid federal changes

  29-12-2017 01:34 via vtdigger.org
  BURLINGTON — Municipal officials have been inundated with residents’ requests to pay property taxes early so they can take advantage of a brief window to save money created by the new federal tax law.The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which President Donald Trump signed Dec. 22, overhauls the national tax code. The law will cap the income tax deduction for state and local taxes at $10,000; however, there is no limit for 2017. That change, which goes into effect with much of the law on Jan. 1
  
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• Jim Condos: Congress must help states protect integrity of elections

  29-12-2017 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos.
  As Vermont’s chief election official, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of our elections is one of my highest priorities. In a world of constantly changing technology we must stay ahead of those who seek to undermine the integrity of our elections. We must ensure that our elections are secure and free from interference, especially cyberattacks from foreign entities like Russia.
  Alongside election officials
  
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• Linda Sullivan: Economic development — developing the will

  29-12-2017 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Rep. Linda Joy Sullivan, a Democrat who represents the Bennington-Rutland District in the Vermont House of Representatives and is a member of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. This is the last of a three-part commentary. Part 1 was published Tuesday and Part 2 on Wednesday.
  Earlier this year I began hearing well-produced radio ads on VPR extolling a lightly populated rural state — Iowa — as a thoroughly business-frien
  
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• Andrew McLaughlin: ESSEX Plan aims to reduce cost of electricity

  29-12-2017 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Andrew McLaughlin, of Woodstock, who is on the board of Sustainable Woodstock. 
  It is pretty clear to most Vermonters that we need to deal with the buildup of carbon in our atmosphere. What is less well-known is how well we are doing. Certainly one sees lots and lots of solar panels. But the hard truth is that Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 4 percent since 1990. We must do better and we can. The ESSEX Plan is one piece o
  
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• Bills to watch: Special ed, interstate districts and taxes top education agenda

  29-12-2017 00:54 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. David Sharpe, D-Bristol, the chair of the House Education Committee, speaks in favor of an education bill on the House floor. File photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger
  Special education students’ access to private schools, expansion of career and technical schooling, and leadership for pre-kindergarten programs are expected to be on the House and Senate education committees’ agendas in the upcoming session.
  But as usual, the biggest issue will be money, as lawmakers scramble to clos
  
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• Vermont ski association gets new president

  29-12-2017 00:15 via vtdigger.org
  The trade organization for Vermont’s ski areas will have a new president early next year.
  Molly Mahar will take the helm of the Vermont Ski Areas Association in January, the organization announced Thursday.
  The group represents 20 alpine ski areas and 30 cross-country centers in Vermont.
  Mahar, a Waitsfield resident and University of Vermont graduate, currently oversees marketing, sales and communications at Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire. She previously worked in marketing at Sugar
  
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• Vermont Ski Areas Association taps Mahar as CEO

  29-12-2017 00:15 via vtdigger.org
  The trade organization for Vermont’s ski areas will have a new president early next year.
  Molly Mahar will take the helm of the Vermont Ski Areas Association in January, the organization announced Thursday.RELATED STORIESVermont Ski Areas Association taps Mahar as CEOPawlak named president of national skiing trade groupSki official withdraws from new jobVermont ski promoter to run national trade group
  Molly Mahar has been named head of the Vermont Ski Areas Association. Courtesy photo
  The
  
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• Vermont Ski Areas Association names first woman CEO

  29-12-2017 00:15 via vtdigger.org
  The trade organization for Vermont’s ski areas will have a new president early next year.
  Molly Mahar will take the helm of the Vermont Ski Areas Association in January, the organization announced Thursday.RELATED STORIESVermont Ski Areas Association names first woman CEOPawlak named president of national skiing trade groupSki official withdraws from new jobVermont ski promoter to run national trade group
  Molly Mahar has been named head of the Vermont Ski Areas Association. Courtesy photo
  
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