Vermont news

• DMV will implement third gender option with reboot of licensing system

  10-01-2018 23:11 via vtdigger.org
  The Department of Motor Vehicles aims to be able to offer Vermonters a gender choice other than male or female on driver’s licenses by the middle of next year.
  Wanda Minoli, the interim DMV commissioner, said the department is shopping for a new licensing and credential system to be installed “by July 2019, if not before.” The department’s request for proposals requires vendors to provide three areas to specify gender, one of which could be designated as nonbinary.
  The De
  
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• DMV looks to state law as it mulls third gender option on licenses

  10-01-2018 23:11 via vtdigger.org
  The Department of Motor Vehicles aims to be able to offer Vermonters a gender choice other than male or female on driver’s licenses by the middle of next year.
  Wanda Minoli, the interim DMV commissioner, said the department is shopping for a new licensing and credential system to be installed “by July 2019, if not before.” The department’s request for proposals requires vendors to provide three areas to specify gender, one of which could be designated as nonbinary.
  The De
  
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• LISTEN: Using Policy To Combat Poverty In Vermont dlvr.it/Q9jBtj https://t.co/KqeWNexNI6

  10-01-2018 22:49 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Using Policy To Combat Poverty In Vermont dlvr.it/Q9jBtj https://t.co/KqeWNexNI6
  
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• Permission To Grow Your Own: The Specifics On Vermont's Marijuana Bill dlvr.it/Q9hzzt https://t.co/YKDvVDdoFt

  10-01-2018 22:12 via twitter.com
  
  Permission To Grow Your Own: The Specifics On Vermont's Marijuana Bill dlvr.it/Q9hzzt https://t.co/YKDvVDdoFt
  
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• Residents told: State keeping pressure on Saint-Gobain over PFOA

  10-01-2018 21:42 via vtdigger.org
  John Schmeltzer, a Department of Environmental Conservation project manager, speaks to Bennington residents Monday about the state’s response to PFOA contamination. Photo by Jim Therrien/VTDiggerBENNINGTON — State officials Monday sought to address residents’ mounting frustration as negotiations continue with the company believed responsible for PFOA contamination of local water supplies.Officials took exception to the conclusions of a consultant for Saint-Gobain Performance Pl
  
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• UPDATED: Senate passes pot legalization, sends to governor

  10-01-2018 19:34 via vtdigger.org
  Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Sears, D-Bennington, speaks on the Senate floor. File photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger
  (This story was updated and expanded Jan. 10 at 8:10 p.m.)
  A bill legalizing the recreational use of marijuana has cleared its last hurdle in the Vermont Legislature.
  The measure, H.511, now heads to the desk of Republican Gov. Phil Scott. He has previously said he would sign the legislation.With Scott’s signature, Vermont would become the first state to legalize recreationa
  
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• Senate passes pot legalization bill; sends to governor

  10-01-2018 19:34 via vtdigger.org
  A bill legalizing the recreational use of marijuana has cleared the last hurdle in the Vermont Legislature.
  The measure, H.511, now heads to the desk of Republican Gov. Phil Scott for approval. He has previously said he would sign the legislation.
  With Scott’s signature, Vermont would become the first state to legalize recreational marijuana through legislation, rather than by voter initiative.The Senate passed the measure Wednesday afternoon by a voice vote.
  Last week, after several hours
  
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• Margolis: The hollow rhetoric of affordability

  10-01-2018 19:14 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Anthony Pollina, P/D-Washington, speaks at a Progressive Party news conference. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDiggerNo mystery about the word of the year in Vermont, at least inside the Statehouse.
  It’s “affordability.”
  Republicans led by Gov. Phil Scott, Democratic legislative leaders Mitzi Johnson (House Speaker) and Tim Ashe (Senate President Pro Tem), and Progressives like Sen. Anthony Pollina, P/D – Washington, all want to make Vermont more affordable.
  Whatever that m
  
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• Bennington salt shed built without wetland permit, town manager confesses

  10-01-2018 19:13 via vtdigger.org
  The environmental permit for the town of Bennington’s salt shed arrived last week, months after construction had begun. Photo by Holly Pelczynski/Bennington Banner
  (This story by Ed Damon was published in the Bennington Banner on Jan. 10, 2018.)
  BENNINGTON — Town Manager Stuart Hurd ordered construction of a new, $425,000 sand and salt shed on Bowen Road to begin without waiting for the required wetlands permit, he revealed on Monday, potentially putting the town in danger of being f
  
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• Gifford brings Vermont MedDrop kiosk to community

  10-01-2018 18:47 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Gifford Medical CenterJanuary 8, 2018
  Contact:Robin Dutcher(802) 728-2284
  Safe, 24-hour lobby collection box for unused, unwanted, or expired medications
  RANDOLPH –Unused drugs or over-the-counter medications left in the home can find their way into the hands of children or potential addicts, and in-home disposal methods like flushing down the drain or throwing in the trash can contaminate waterways. Gifford Medical Center has installed a collection kiosk in their main
  
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• State legislators to join nonviolent training event at Grace Congregational Church in Rutland

  10-01-2018 18:42 via vtdigger.org
  Press ReleaseJan. 8, 2018
  Contact:Steven [email protected]
  On the weekend of January 14 and 15 Grace Congregational Church, UCC located at 6 Court Street in Rutland will host a two day Nonviolence Training Session to which the general public is invited. Co-facilitators of the event are former State Legislator the Rev. Dr. Steve Berry and Activist Glenn Cratty, both of whom are associates of Campaign Nonviolence a national organization founded by author and activist Fr. John Dear who w
  
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• D-H Study: Patients who use opioids may be more satisfied but not healthier

  10-01-2018 18:36 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Dartmouth-HitchcockJanuary 8, 2018
  Contact:Mike Barwell(603) [email protected]
  LEBANON, NH ­­– Patients with common musculoskeletal conditions who use opioids may be more satisfied but have poorer health when compared to patients who do not use opioids.
  That is one of the conclusions of a new study by researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the University of Michigan. The team’s primary interest was to determine if patient’s per
  
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• ECO AmeriCorps members treat MLK Day as a day ON and not a day off

  10-01-2018 18:31 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — ECO AmeriCorpsJanuary 8, 2018
  Contact:Carlie Wright, 802-249-1362; [email protected]
  ECO AmeriCorps members treat MLK Day as a day ON and not a day off
  MONTPELIER — ECO AmeriCorps program members will help the Central Vermont Humane Society with a much-needed painting update at the organization’s facility from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm on January 15th, 2018. ECO AmeriCorps members will participate in this service project to honor Dr. Martin Luther Kin
  
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• Community Barn Ventures launches in downtown Middlebury

  10-01-2018 18:26 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Community Barn VenturesJan. 8, 2018
  Contact:Community Barn Ventureswww.communitybarnventures.com
  Mary Cullinane646 483 [email protected]
  Stacey Rainey617 201 [email protected]
  Innovative business leaders open doors to support entrepreneurs and community
  Middlebury, VT – Vermont-based business leaders Mary Cullinane and Stacey Rainey have launched Community Barn Ventures, an organization committed to helping others grow their business
  
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• Marshfield Town Forest Public Visioning Workshop and Open House

  10-01-2018 18:20 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Stranahan Town Forest CommitteeJanuary 8, 2018
  Media Contacts:Rich PhillipsChair, Stranahan Town Forest Committee(802) [email protected]
  Kate ForrerCommunity Forestry Outreach SpecialistVT Urban and Community Forestry ProgramUniversity of Vermont Extension(802) [email protected]
  Drew Pollak-Bruce, CPRPAssociate PlannerSE Group(802) 735-9144 (o) | (303) [email protected]
  The Marshfield Town Fore
  
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• VSAC scholarship deadline is nearing

  10-01-2018 18:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VSACJan. 8, 2018
  Media Contact:Sabina [email protected]
  Apply by Feb. 16 for any of 126 scholarships worth $5.7 million
  WINOOSKI (Jan. 8, 2018)—Vermont Student Assistance Corp. is reminding high school seniors and returning college students to apply now for any of the 126 scholarships administered by VSAC.
  Scholarships—like grants—are financial aid that you do not need to pay back. Scholarships are offered by many different groups, organiz
  
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• Burlington Gap Year Fair to highlight exciting opportunities for teens

  10-01-2018 18:06 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — USA Gap Years Fairs & Enroute ConsultingJan. 8, 2018
  Media Contacts:Julia Rogers, Director, EnRoute Consulting; [email protected]; 609-529-1459
  Alia Pialtos, Director, USA Gap Year Fairs; [email protected]; 508-864-8808
  Vermont teens will have the opportunity to learn more about available programs for Gap Year students at the 2018 Burlington Gap Year Fair. A Gap Year is a structured time of personal growth aided by activities of enrichment.
  The event will tak
  
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• Southwestern Vermont Medical Center opens dental practice

  10-01-2018 18:02 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Southwestern Vermont Medical CenterJan. 8, 2018
  Contact:SWMC Dentistrysvhealthcare.org/dentistry802-447-5525fax 802-447-5536
  BENNINGTON, VT—January 8, 2018—Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) has opened SVMC Dentistry. The medical director for the practice is Michael Brady, DDS. He is joined by Richard Barbierri, DDS, and Russell O’Connell, DMD.
  “Proper dental care is essential to overall health, and there is a tremendous need for dental servic
  
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• ‘The Opiate Effect’ to be shown in Manchester followed by community forum

  10-01-2018 17:45 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VT PBS, Manchester Community LibraryJan. 8, 2018
  Contact:Cindy Waters, Adult Services Librarian and Programming CoordinatorManchester Community LibraryP.O. Box 1105 ~ 138 Cemetery Avenue/Route 7AManchester Center, VT 05255Direct Phone: 802-549-4577Library Phone: 802-362-2607Fax: 802 362-0859E-mail: [email protected]: www.mclvt.orgFind us on facebook
  VT PBS and local community partners to focus on prevention and education geared toward youth in our community.
  Film Scre
  
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• When it comes to combating poverty in Vermont, what policy changes can best help? If you're struggling, what polici… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  10-01-2018 16:44 via twitter.com
  When it comes to combating poverty in Vermont, what policy changes can best help? If you're struggling, what polici… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• How 'Barn Quilts' Came To Blanket Franklin County dlvr.it/Q9frfq https://t.co/NJVM2scHdO

  10-01-2018 16:33 via twitter.com
  
  How 'Barn Quilts' Came To Blanket Franklin County dlvr.it/Q9frfq https://t.co/NJVM2scHdO
  
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• Trying To Get Central Vermont Wired dlvr.it/Q9fVnT https://t.co/KwfWjr6oE4

  10-01-2018 15:40 via twitter.com
  
  Trying To Get Central Vermont Wired dlvr.it/Q9fVnT https://t.co/KwfWjr6oE4
  
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• LISTEN: Trying To Get Central Vermont Wired dlvr.it/Q9fVVT https://t.co/XwECAsZDlz

  10-01-2018 15:40 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Trying To Get Central Vermont Wired dlvr.it/Q9fVVT https://t.co/XwECAsZDlz
  
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• Burlington School Board considers using surplus to buy down tax rate

  10-01-2018 11:54 via vtdigger.org
  Burlington School Superintendent Yaw Obeng addresses reporters alongside members of the school board. Photo by Morgan True / VTDiggerBURLINGTON — The Burlington School Board presented preliminary budget figures Tuesday night that show the education property tax in the city could jump 10 percent.
  The 90-minute budget presentation at Hunt Middle School in the city’s New North End came a day after district officials presented early spending figures to the Burlington City Council. A stan
  
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• Lawmakers consider cracking down on forced arbitration

  10-01-2018 03:57 via vtdigger.org
  Myriam Gilles, a professor of law at Yeshiva University, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee recently. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  After Kimberly Matson lost her job with Reinhart Foodservice in Burlington, she took the matter to federal court.Matson, according to court papers, felt she had been wrongfully terminated out of retaliation.
  Reinhart responded to the lawsuit by seeking to move the dispute to arbitration, a process Matson had agreed to when she joined the company. Last
  
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• Lawmaker’s education tax overhaul aims to slow spending

  10-01-2018 03:45 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Scott Beck, R-St. Johnsbury, left, with Rep. Don Turner, R-Milton. File photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger
  A lawmaker is proposing a radical overhaul of education funding that he said should slow the growth of statewide school spending.
  Rep. Scott Beck, R-St. Johnsbury, will outline the proposal to the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. One of its main components is to rescind the income sensitivity feature of the current funding system. Beck said that component would be replaced wi
  
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• With legalization expected, backers keep up push for regulated pot market

  10-01-2018 02:20 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, D-Bradford, speaks at a news conference Tuesday on cannabis reform. On the right is Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman. Photo by John Young/VTDigger
  As the Vermont Senate prepared for a Wednesday vote on a bill to legalize small amounts of marijuana, supporters rallied to back the long-debated change while pushing to go farther.
  The Senate is slated to vote early in the afternoon on a measure the House approved last week that would remove civil and criminal penalties for posses
  
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• Paul Ralston: High-tech manure management part of water quality solution

  10-01-2018 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Paul Ralston, of Middlebury, a local entrepreneur who is the owner of Vermont Coffee Company and a former member of the Vermont Legislature. The Vermont Coffee Company purchases 100 percent of its electricity from Vermont Cow Power farms. Vermont Coffee Company is a contributor to VTDigger.
  What will it take to solve Vermont’s water quality problems? We don’t know.
  The problem of water quality is one issue in which there’s consensus am
  
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• Rick Fleming: The state of spousal maintenance reform

  10-01-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Rick Fleming, who is the president of Vermont Alimony Reform.
  The Spousal Maintenance Task Force has submitted its report to the Legislature and there is still much work needed to be done to bring comprehensive reform to Vermont. The task force public hearing that was held on Nov. 6 overwhelmingly showed that there are significant issues with Vermont’s statutes and case law that need to be clearly defined to meet the charge of Act 60, bringing con
  
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• Kevin Mullin: Let’s give our kids a healthy start

  10-01-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Kevin Mullin, of Rutland, a former 19-year member of the Vermont General Assembly and current chair of the Green Mountain Care Board.Medical costs in Vermont related to asthma, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease have increased from $1.52 billion in 2010 to $2.04 billion in 2015. According to the Vermont Department of Health, the costs related to chronic diseases are expected to continue increasing by 75 percent from 2010 to 2020. The Vermont De
  
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• Shelburne manager renews conflict with shelter officials after attack

  10-01-2018 00:20 via vtdigger.org
  Harbor Place motel in Shelburne. Police say a man used a machete to attack a Meals on Wheels volunteer Friday at the motel, which is used for emergency housing. Photo by Cory Dawson/VTDiggerSHELBURNE — The town’s chief executive is seeking to bring public pressure on officials in charge of Harbor Place motel, an emergency shelter where police say a man recently used a machete to attack a Meals on Wheels volunteer.
  Town Manager Joe Colangelo said Tuesday he had been stonewalled by off
  
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