Vermont news

• Doctor: Murder suspect fit to stand trial

  04-01-2018 22:35 via vtdigger.org
  Aita Gurung, 34, is accused of killing his wife and severely injuring his mother-in-law with a cleaver. Courtesy Photo Burlington Police Department.BURLINGTON — A doctor has found that Aita Gurung, who police say killed his wife and tried to kill his mother-in-law with a meat cleaver in October, is fit to stand trial, according to news reports.Witnesses told police they saw Gurung strike his wife, Yogeswari Kahdka, 32, repeatedly with the cleaver in the driveway of their home in October. K
  
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• Doctor: Cleaver attack murder suspect fit to stand trial

  04-01-2018 22:35 via vtdigger.org
  Aita Gurung, 34, is accused of killing his wife and severely injuring his mother-in-law with a cleaver. Courtesy Photo Burlington Police Department.BURLINGTON — A doctor has found that Aita Gurung, who police say killed his wife and tried to kill his mother-in-law with a meat cleaver in October, is fit to stand trial, according to news reports.Witnesses told police they saw Gurung strike his wife, Yogeswari Kahdka, 32, repeatedly with the cleaver in the driveway of their home in October. K
  
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• LISTEN: The Big Chill: How Vermonters Cope With Dangerous Cold dlvr.it/Q8vxhY https://t.co/4NWX1ApA25

  04-01-2018 21:58 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: The Big Chill: How Vermonters Cope With Dangerous Cold dlvr.it/Q8vxhY https://t.co/4NWX1ApA25
  
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• Full text of Gov. Scott’s 2018 State of the State address

  04-01-2018 21:45 via vtdigger.org
  Madame Speaker, Mr. President, Mr. Chief Justice, members of the General Assembly, distinguished guests and fellow Vermonters:
  Since 1778, Vermonters, elected by their neighbors and bound by a common oath, have gathered to open the legislative session. They left farms, families and businesses, traveled over rugged mountain gaps and winding valley roads, from every corner of our state to come together to solve problems and shape the future.RELATED STORIESFull text of Gov. Scott’s 2018 State
  
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• PFOA health survey in Bennington area will continue longer

  04-01-2018 21:06 via vtdigger.org
  BENNINGTON — A deadline for residents to take a questionnaire about suspected PFOA-related health issues has been extended to Feb. 28.
  Also, Dr. David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the State University of New York at Albany, is joining the research team.
  Carpenter and his graduate students will help get people who are affected by PFOA (perflourooctanoic acid) contamination in Bennington — as well as Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, New York &mda
  
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• UPDATED: Scott says lawmakers must ‘face facts’ about education spending, fiscal trends

  04-01-2018 21:02 via vtdigger.org
  Gov. Phil Scott shakes hands as he enters the House chamber to give his State of the State address Thursday. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  MONTPELIER — In his second address to the state, Republican Gov. Phil Scott offered few sweeping initiatives and homed in on his message of no new fees and taxes.Scott urged lawmakers to rein in spending on education, restructure the state’s economy and find ways to boost business. Affordability was the mantra of the day (with 13 references in th
  
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• Scott: Lawmakers must ‘face facts’ about education spending, fiscal trends

  04-01-2018 21:02 via vtdigger.org
  Gov. Phil Scott. File photo by Andrew Kutches/VTDigger
  MONTPELIER — In his second address to the state, Republican Gov. Phil Scott urged lawmakers to back his push to rein in spending and restructure the state’s economy.
  Demographic and global economic trends are working against the state, Scott said, and the state must restore its fiscal foundation “to ensure we have the funding needed to achieve our aspirations for Vermont.”RELATED STORIESScott: Lawmakers must ‘fa
  
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• Reporter Roundtable: Politics And Priorities At The Start Of The 2018 Legislative Session dlvr.it/Q8v8d1 https://t.co/ewkyFaOppf

  04-01-2018 19:45 via twitter.com
  
  Reporter Roundtable: Politics And Priorities At The Start Of The 2018 Legislative Session dlvr.it/Q8v8d1 https://t.co/ewkyFaOppf
  
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• Nonprofit group hopes to buy, run Prospect Mountain Nordic center

  04-01-2018 19:33 via vtdigger.org
  A local nonprofit group hopes to purchase the Prospect Mountain Nordic Ski Center in Woodford from the longtime owners. Photo by Holly Pelczynski/Bennington BannerA nonprofit group has a contract to buy Prospect Mountain Nordic Ski Center in Woodford from the longtime owners.
  Members of the newly formed group said Tuesday they will continue to operate the cross-country center and expect that seller Steve Whitham and staff members will stay on.
  Whitham owns the center with Andrea Amodeo.“It
  
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• UPDATED: As lawmakers vote on pot legalization, Sessions rescinds memo shielding states from enforcement

  04-01-2018 19:25 via vtdigger.org
  Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C., in May. Photo by Shane T. McCoy/U.S. Marshals
  This story was updated Jan. 4 at 3:49 p.m.
  US Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded an Obama-era policy that shielded states with legalized marijuana from federal action Thursday.
  The direction came at the same time that lawmakers in Vermont debated a measure that would legalize possession of one ounce of marijuanan and home cultivation of two plants. The bill appears poise
  
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• As lawmakers vote on pot legalization, Sessions rescinds memo shielding states from enforcement

  04-01-2018 19:25 via vtdigger.org
  Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C., in May. Photo by Shane T. McCoy/U.S. MarshalsUS Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded an Obama-era policy that shielded states with legalized marijuana from federal action Thursday.
  The direction came at the same time that lawmakers in Vermont debated a measure that would legalize possession of one ounce of marijuanan and home cultivation of two plants. The bill appears poised for full passage in the first few weeks of
  
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• — A Reminder From @JaneLindholm — Reach out to your neighbor in this brutal weather. Ask for help and take care of… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  04-01-2018 18:56 via twitter.com
  — A Reminder From @JaneLindholm —Reach out to your neighbor in this brutal weather. Ask for help and take care of… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• — On Animals In The Cold — Animals are *just* as susceptible to the cold as we are. If it’s too cold for us, it’s too cold for them. 🐈❄️🐕💨

  04-01-2018 18:55 via twitter.com
  — On Animals In The Cold — Animals are *just* as susceptible to the cold as we are. If it’s too cold for us, it’s too cold for them. 🐈❄️🐕💨
  
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• Georgia Mountain wind sold

  04-01-2018 18:49 via vtdigger.org
  A view of Georgia Mountain Community Wind taken with a telephoto lens at the Highbridge boat launch near Scott and Melodie McLane’s property in Fairfax. Photo by Roger Crowley/VTDigger
  An investment firm specializing in renewable energy assets has purchased Georgia Mountain Community Wind, which built four large wind turbines on a Milton hillside.
  David Blittersdorf, one of two former owners of Georgia Mountain Community Wind, said he sold the company for $25.1 million.Greenbacker Renewabl
  
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• Parents: keep your kids warm while waiting for the bus, or drive them when the weather is this cold. It’s not saf… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  04-01-2018 18:38 via twitter.com
  Parents: keep your kids warm while waiting for the bus, or drive them when the weather is this cold. It’s not saf… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• — On staying healthy in the cold — Exposed skin gets frost bite in just 10 minutes in weather like this.

  04-01-2018 18:30 via twitter.com
  — On staying healthy in the cold — Exposed skin gets frost bite in just 10 minutes in weather like this.
  
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• Environmental group to bankroll Shelburne salt shed appeal

  04-01-2018 18:22 via vtdigger.org
  SHELBURNE — An environmental group is donating $20,000 to the town of Shelburne to help pay for an appeal in a long-running court battle over a Shelburne salt shed owned by Vermont Railway.The town selectboard voted 3-1 during a special session Tuesday night to accept the money, provided by the Vermont Natural Resources Council. In a letter to town officials, VNRC Executive Director Brian Shupe said the money is simply a donation, and not an attempt to join the litigation.“Other than
  
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• — On Frozen Pipes — It's really important to avoid using an open flame to reheat. 🚫🔥 Hair dryer is better. PLUS:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  04-01-2018 18:20 via twitter.com
  — On Frozen Pipes — It's really important to avoid using an open flame to reheat. 🚫🔥Hair dryer is better. PLUS:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Vermont Electric Coop urges members to be prepared for dangerous wind chills

  04-01-2018 18:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Electric CoopJan. 4, 2018
  Contact:Jake [email protected]
  Johnson, VT – A weather system is expected to dump several inches of new snow in northern Vermont in the coming hours, and gusty, chilling winds are likely to follow, starting late tonight (Thursday) into Saturday morning. While VEC does not expect extensive electricity outages during this period, VEC is advising our members to be prepared in any case.
  Because of the severe wind chills expe
  
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• Vermont Business Roundtable announces 2017 New Medallion Award recipient

  04-01-2018 18:07 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Business RoundtableJanuary 3, 2018
  Contact:Lisa Ventriss, President, Vermont Business Roundtable(802) [email protected]
  (So. Burlington, VT) Today, Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable (Roundtable) announced the recipient of the Roundtable’s 2017 New Medallion Award, which recognizes exceptional school leadership and progress toward the state’s goals of equity, access, and quality of proficiency-based learning experiences fo
  
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• Ariel Zevon, daughter of Warren Zevon, releases CD

  04-01-2018 17:57 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Ariel ZevonDec. 20, 2017
  Contact:Crystal [email protected]
  Singer/Songwriter Ariel Zevon and Producer Kristina Stykos Release CD
  Peacham, Vermont
  Ever wonder what those odd Vermont off-grid, back-to-the-landers do between 4am goat milking, collecting the eggs, mucking out the barn, scraping snow off the solar panels and getting the kids to school? In the case of Ariel Zevon, stolen minutes are spent plunking the piano or strumming the guitar in search of inspiration f
  
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• Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center elects advisory board members

  04-01-2018 17:51 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VMECWednesday, January 3, 2018
  Contact:Robynn Albert, VMEC Marketing & Training ManagerVermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)PO Box 12, Randolph Center, VT 05061(802) 793-2078 / [email protected]
  Randolph Center, VT – The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) has announced the results of its December 5, 2017 annual election of VMEC Advisory Board members.
  Lisa Groeneveld, COO/ Co-Owner, Logic Supply (South Burlington) was newly elected to the VMEC Adv
  
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• Ballet Vermont hosts dancer interest session and auditions for 2018 season

  04-01-2018 17:47 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Ballet VermontJan. 3, 2018
  Contact:Amy M. OverstreetMedia Liaison for Ballet Vermont(803) 730-2422; [email protected]
  BURLINGTON, Vt. – Ballet Vermont will host a January 6th dancer interest session and February 4th audition for the 2018 season. Ballet Vermont brings dancers, musicians, and composers to Vermont to collaborate on original works of ballet.
  The professional dance company will present Farm to Ballet for its fourth summer season with
  
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• Vermont Federal Credit Union ranks 5th nationally in return of member scoring

  04-01-2018 17:41 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Federal Credit UnionJan. 3, 2018
  Contact:Kylie J. PerryMarketing StrategistVermont Federal Credit Union(802) 923-1322, (888) 252-0202 Ext. [email protected]
  Burlington, VT – Vermont Federal Credit Union ranked highly in Callahan & Associates Return of the Member (ROM) Scoring in the 3rd Quarter 2017.
  Callahan & Associates is a credit union research and consulting firm that supports credit unions by providing actionable data, fostering collab
  
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• Van Oot leaving Downs Rachlin Martin for new venture

  04-01-2018 17:36 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Downs Rachlin MartinJan. 3, 2018
  Contact:Joseph L. Choquette III, External Affairs Manager, 802-225-5510
  (Lebanon, N.H.) Attorney Peter D. Van Oot is leaving the law firm where he has practiced for more than 30 years to join a new venture with Dr. Robert Simpson, the former chief executive officer of the Brattleboro Retreat. The new business, called The Difference Leadership Group, counsels for-profit and non-profit leaders in governance and leadership. DRM environmental law
  
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• Life and music of Robert De Cormier to be celebrated Sunday

  04-01-2018 17:21 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Counterpoint Vocal EnsembleJan. 3, 2018
  Contact:[email protected]
  A Celebration of the Life and Music of Robert De Cormier (1922-2017)Sunday, January 7, 2018, 3-5pmGrace Congregational Church8 Court St, Rutland, VT 05701
  Robert De Cormier, who passed away in November, bequeathed an indelible legacy of music and engaged performance to Vermont, to the world of choral singing, and to all of humanity. At 3pm on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at G
  
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• Armstrong Farm in Calais conserved, new farm business established

  04-01-2018 17:11 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Land TrustJan. 3, 2018
  Contact:Jon Ramsay, Vermont Land Trust, (802) 533-7705, [email protected]
  Elise Annes, Vermont Land Trust, (802) 522-9855, [email protected]
  Calais – Ella Armstrong conserved a scenic and productive farm in Calais with the Vermont Land Trust and sold to the land to farmer Mike Betit, who is moved his organic vegetable business to the property.
  Ella grew up on the 129-acre farm, located at the intersection of Pekin Brook, Peck Hill and George Ro
  
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• VYCC’s Food and Farm Program nationally recognized for top youth corps project of the year

  04-01-2018 17:04 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VYCCDec. 21, 2017
  Contact:Paul Feenan, VYCC Food and Farm Director, [email protected], 802-434-3969
  Breck Knauft, VYCC Executive Director, 802-434-3969 ext. 110, [email protected],
  VYCC’s Health Care Share Among Projects Honored By The Corps Network
  RICHMOND, VT, Thursday, December 21, 2017 –
  The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC)’s Health Care Share (HCS) was among four national Youth Corps projects honored by The Corps Network at the end of 20
  
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• Departments of Labor, Financial Regulation issue best practices for hiring independent contractors

  04-01-2018 17:00 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Department of LaborDec. 20, 2017
  Contact:Stephen MonahanDepartment of [email protected]
  MONTPELIER — The Vermont Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) are collaboratively releasing a new educational document for employers. The guidance is intended to assist employers in distinguishing between coverage requirements for employee and that for independent contractors. The joint guidance is also a way to educat
  
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• The Big Chill: How Vermonters Cope With Dangerous Cold dlvr.it/Q8s3ky https://t.co/ZMCiAbQ0fO

  04-01-2018 14:41 via twitter.com
  
  The Big Chill: How Vermonters Cope With Dangerous Cold dlvr.it/Q8s3ky https://t.co/ZMCiAbQ0fO
  
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• Third candidate jumps into Burlington Ward 3 council race

  04-01-2018 01:55 via vtdigger.org
  Burlington City Hall. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDiggerBURLINGTON — The race for Burlington’s Ward 3 City Council seat is getting crowded.Lizzie Haskell, 21, a recent University of Vermont graduate who has worked with Burlington Democrats for years, announced her candidacy Tuesday.She faces both Independent [Jim Lockridge], executive director of the music incubator Big Heavy World, and Progressive Brian Pine, a former Ward 3 councilor and current financing consultant for the Vermont En
  
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• Mike Mrowicki: The governor’s wild pitches

  04-01-2018 01:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by state Rep. Mike Mrowicki, a Democrat who represents Windham-4 (Putney, Dummerston and Westminster) in the Vermont House of Representatives.
  This time of year, for baseball fans, is called the “Hot Stove League.” It’s wintertime for a summer game when speculation warms interest in the coming season. There’s all sorts of media speculation and conjecture among fans, about what team will do what next.
  It’s kind of like that now
  
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• Extreme cold causes burst pipes, spike in fuel demand

  04-01-2018 01:54 via vtdigger.org
  (This story by Tim Camerato was published first by the Valley News on Jan. 3, 2018, and augmented here with material by Dave Gram of VTDigger.)
  Homes and businesses around the region are contending with burst pipes, spikes in heating oil demand and a run on electric heaters as temperatures dipped to subzero levels over the long holiday weekend.
  The National Weather Service reported a low of minus 27 on Monday night in St. Johnsbury.
  “That’s impressive right there,” Peter Banaco
  
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• Elizabeth Courtney: Time for a miracle

  04-01-2018 01:51 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Elizabeth Courtney, an author and environmental consultant who is former chair of the Environmental Board and former executive director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. She is a volunteer staff at the Sustainable Montpelier Coalition. She can be contacted at [email protected]. A version of this was first published in the Times Argus-Rutland Herald on Dec. 30.
  We like to tell the stories of miracles, small and large, over and again,
  
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• Margaret Harrington: Vermont’s plans to dump on Nevada

  04-01-2018 01:38 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Margaret Harrington, of Burlington, who is host/producer of the “Nuclear Free Future Conversation” broadcast on Ch 17 Center for Media and Democracy.
  Forty years of nuclear waste from Vermont Yankee in Vernon should not be transferred to the proposed high-level nuclear waste dump in Nevada.
  Rep. Peter Welch supported H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act, and continues to support the transfer of Vermont Yankee’s nuclear wa
  
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• UPDATED: Marijuana legalization advances to the House today

  04-01-2018 01:19 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, leads the panel in consideration of a marijuana bill Wednesday. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  A bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Vermont is heading to the House floor Thursday after clearing a preliminary step on the first day of the 2018 legislative session.
  The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday morning passed H.511, a measure that would allow for the possession of small amounts of marijuana
  
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• Pot bill advances on session’s first day; heads to full House

  04-01-2018 01:19 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, leads the panel in consideration of a marijuana bill Wednesday. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  A bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Vermont is heading to the House floor Thursday after clearing a preliminary step on the first day of the 2018 legislative session.
  The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday morning passed H.511, a measure that would allow for the possession of small amounts of marijuana
  
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