Vermont news

• House agriculture committee weighs honeybee bill

  07-02-2018 22:52 via vtdigger.org
  Global decline of honeybees is associated with pesticide use. File photo courtesy of UVM
  The most widely-used class of pesticides in the country may be banned for home use in Vermont, if a bill aimed at protecting the state’s pollinators becomes law.
  The bill, H.688, under consideration by the House Agriculture Committee earlier this week, would ban most household uses of neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides chemically related to nicotine that has come under scrutiny for its potential tox
  
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• House agriculture committee weighs honey bee bill

  07-02-2018 22:52 via vtdigger.org
  Global decline of honey bees is associated with pesticide use. File photo courtesy of UVM
  The most widely-used class of pesticides in the country may be banned for home use in Vermont, if a bill aimed at protecting the state’s pollinators becomes law.
  The bill, H.688, under consideration by the House Agriculture Committee earlier this week, would ban most household uses of neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides chemically related to nicotine that has come under scrutiny for its potential to
  
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• Vermont Fair Repair Act: Cyber Expert Voices Concerns

  07-02-2018 22:13 via vtdigger.org
  Contact:Paul PagetCEO of Pwnie [email protected]
  The Honorable Michael SirotkinChair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General AffairsVermont State House115 State StreetMontpelier, VT 05633-5301
  Subject: Cybersecurity and S. 180
  Dear Chair Sirotkin and Members of the Committee:
  We have heard about it for years but there is no doubt that the “Internet of Things” or IoT has arrived. But, what is it really? The IoT is billions of Internet-connected
  
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• Vermont Olympians follow in their families’ ski tracks

  07-02-2018 22:05 via vtdigger.org
  Ryan Cochran-Siegle of Starksboro with his mother, Barbara Ann Cochran, who won slalom gold in 1972. Provided photo
  As one of 327 million Americans, Vermonter Stan Dunklee can calculate the mathematical improbability of competing for the U.S. Olympic team.
  “There are some 240 winter athletes,” he says. “If you look at the population of our country, the odds of someone making it are more than one in a million.”RELATED STORIESVermonter has Team USA covered at Winter GamesVe
  
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• Trump administration appoints Anthony Linardos as State Director for USDA Rural Development in New Hampshire and Vermont

  07-02-2018 21:30 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — USDA Rural DevelopmentFebruary 5, 2018
  Contact:Pollaidh [email protected]
  Concord, NH – The Trump Administration appointed Anthony Linardos as the new State Director for USDA Rural Development in New Hampshire and Vermont. Linardos began his new role on Feb. 5, 2018, he will serve out of the jurisdiction’s Concord office.
  “I am honored to be appointed by the Trump Administration to serve the hard-working rural residents of New Hamp
  
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• LISTEN: Burlington Bishop Calls Synod To Attract, Retain Vermont Catholics dlvr.it/QFRMsV https://t.co/BvaBwrzL4O

  07-02-2018 21:09 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Burlington Bishop Calls Synod To Attract, Retain Vermont Catholics dlvr.it/QFRMsV https://t.co/BvaBwrzL4O
  
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• Vermonter has Team USA covered at Winter Games

  07-02-2018 21:01 via vtdigger.org
  Rutland writer Peggy Shinn is lead snow-sports reporter for the U.S Olympic Committee’s website, TeamUSA.org. Photo by Andrew Shinn
  Team USA’s Peggy Shinn just flew more than 14 hours to South Korea, all to jump into nearly three weeks of skiing and snowboarding, luging, bobsledding and biathlon shooting.
  More amazingly, Shinn squeezed all her necessary equipment into two suitcases, from her MacBook laptop to her smartphone, recorder “and good ol’ pen and paper.” Th
  
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• Hearty Recipes To Warm Up A Vermont Winter dlvr.it/QFRGzz https://t.co/wQSNnpGNuS

  07-02-2018 20:52 via twitter.com
  
  Hearty Recipes To Warm Up A Vermont Winter dlvr.it/QFRGzz https://t.co/wQSNnpGNuS
  
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• House passes bill that updates parentage laws

  07-02-2018 20:18 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, is the chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  The House has advanced a measure that a lawmaker who helped shepherd it through the chamber says addresses the changing nature of Vermont families.
  The bill, according to House Judiciary Committee Chair Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, “recognizes our common humanity that parentage is about love, regardless of biology.”
  H.562, aimed at modernizing Vermont’s parentage laws, was ap
  
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• Kevin's New Heart: Swanton Man Receives Mass General's 500th Heart Transplant dlvr.it/QFQkfv https://t.co/doMRfMokWf

  07-02-2018 19:20 via twitter.com
  
  Kevin's New Heart: Swanton Man Receives Mass General's 500th Heart Transplant dlvr.it/QFQkfv https://t.co/doMRfMokWf
  
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• LISTEN: Kevin's New Heart: Swanton Man Receives Mass General's 500th Heart Transplant dlvr.it/QFQj5y https://t.co/IHRy7ZEOSC

  07-02-2018 19:17 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Kevin's New Heart: Swanton Man Receives Mass General's 500th Heart Transplant dlvr.it/QFQj5y https://t.co/IHRy7ZEOSC
  
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• Whistleblower complaint filed against Hermitage Club

  07-02-2018 18:00 via vtdigger.org
  The Hermitage Club in Wilmington. Photo by Kristopher Radder/Brattleboro Reformer
  (This story by Chris Mays was published in the Brattleboro Reformer on Feb. 7, 2018.)
  DEERFIELD VALLEY — A former employee of the Hermitage Club has filed a whistleblower complaint against the company’s management.
  Robert Balewicz, former manager of the Hermitage Club’s real estate arm, Hermitage Club Realty LLC, alleges that he was fired after complaining of illegal accounting activities and kick
  
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• Sanders decries Trump’s authoritarian attacks

  07-02-2018 17:47 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of Sen. Bernie SandersFebruary 6, 2018
  Contact:Josh Miller-LewisOffice of Sen. Bernie [email protected]
  Washington, D.C. – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Tuesday after President Donald Trump accused members of Congress who did not clap during his State of the Union address of being un-American and treasonous:
  “The great political issue now facing our country is not Democrat vs. Republican or progressive
  
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• LISTEN: One Small Town, Many Athletes: How Norwich Excels At Producing Olympians dlvr.it/QFQ6fJ https://t.co/yDlC0wFaV6

  07-02-2018 17:46 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: One Small Town, Many Athletes: How Norwich Excels At Producing Olympians dlvr.it/QFQ6fJ https://t.co/yDlC0wFaV6
  
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• Howard Center appoints Jacqueline Dragon as HR Director

  07-02-2018 17:37 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Howard CenterFebruary 6, 2018
  Contact:Martie MajorosHoward [email protected]
  Burlington – Jacqueline Dragon joined Howard Center as Human Resources Director in December. Ms. Dragon will provide strategic leadership for Human Resources to include workforce planning and employee engagement for the organization’s 1,500 employee workforce.“We are pleased to welcome Jacquie to Howard Center. She brings extensive experience in human reso
  
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• One Small Town, Many Athletes: How Norwich Excels At Producing Olympians dlvr.it/QFQ1VF https://t.co/VIU1X35hzS

  07-02-2018 17:31 via twitter.com
  
  One Small Town, Many Athletes: How Norwich Excels At Producing Olympians dlvr.it/QFQ1VF https://t.co/VIU1X35hzS
  
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• UVM hosts No-Till and Cover Crop Symposium, March 1

  07-02-2018 17:19 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — The University of VermontFebruary 6, 2018
  Kirsten WorkmanThe University of Vermont802-388-4969, ext. [email protected]
  South Burlington – The 2018 No-Till and Cover Crop Symposium will feature talks by researchers, field crop growers and other experts from the U.S. and Canada.
  It will take place on March 1 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton (formerly the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center), just off I-89 at Exit 14W in South Burlington. It&
  
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• State of Vermont declares Feb. 8 Legal Records Appreciation Day to honor Samuel Hand

  07-02-2018 17:09 via vtdigger.org
  News Release – The University of VermontFebruary 6, 2018
  Contact:Jeff WakefieldThe University of [email protected]
  Burlington- The University of Vermont’s Center for Research on Vermont Thursday released a new book, Green Mountain Scholar: Samuel B. Hand, Dean of Vermont Historians, a collection of important scholarly writing on Vermont political and legal history and historiography.
  In conjunction with the book release, Governor Phil Scott has issued a pro
  
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• #BlackGirlMagic panel aims to empower women Feb. 9 at VLS

  07-02-2018 16:59 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Law SchoolFebruary 2, 2018
  Contact:Maryellen Apelquist, Director of CommunicationsVermont Law [email protected]
  South Royalton – The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at Vermont Law School will present “#BlackGirlMagic: Black, Intelligent, and Educated—Now That’s Power,” a celebration and panel discussion from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in Yates Common Room at VLS. The event is free and open to the public a
  
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• CCV United Faculty focus on strengthening Vermont’s public higher education system

  07-02-2018 16:24 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — American Federation of Teachers, VermontFebruary 2, 2018
  Contact:Matt McGrathAmerican Federation of Teachers, [email protected]
  Montpelier — CCV United Faculty opened negotiations with the Community College of Vermont (CCV) Administration for their first contract on Wednesday after successfully organizing more than 500 faculty into their union. Members of the CCV United Faculty Bargaining Committee met at the Vermont Statehouse before the f
  
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• Mexican citizen sentenced for unlawfully reentering the United States

  07-02-2018 16:17 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — U.S. Department of JusticeFebruary 1, 2018
  Contact:Tim Atkinson, ReceptionistUnited States Attorney’s Office, District of [email protected]
  Burlington – The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont and the Swanton Sector Office of the United States Border Patrol announce that Francisco Robles-Guerra, 41, a citizen of Mexico, was convicted and sentenced today in United States District Court in Rutland for reentering the United S
  
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• Burlington Fire Fighters Union endorses Mayor Miro Weinberger for a third term

  07-02-2018 16:05 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Miro for MayorJanuary 31, 2018
  Contact:Jordan [email protected]
  Burlington – The Burlington Fire Fighters Association (BFFA), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 3044 has endorsed Mayor Miro Weinberger in support of his upcoming re-election effort on Town Meeting Day, March 6, 2018. This is the fifth labor endorsement for Mayor Weinberger, who recently was endorsed by the Burlington Police Officers’ Association, Interna
  
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• Waterbury state office complex achieves LEED Platinum

  07-02-2018 15:40 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Freeman French Freeman, ArchitectsJanuary 30, 2018
  Contact:Mike [email protected]
  Waterbury – Some of Vermont’s largest and oldest office buildings are now also among the state’s greenest.
  In late December 2017 the United States Green Building Council awarded the State Office Complex in Waterbury, Vermont its highest honor: LEED Platinum.
  The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, commonly referred to as LEED, is the mos
  
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• Vermont Federal Credit Union to award $8,000 in educational scholarships

  07-02-2018 15:24 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Federal Credit UnionFebruary 6, 2018
  Contact:Kylie J. Perry, Marketing StrategistVermont Federal Credit [email protected]
  Burlington – Vermont Federal Credit Union will be awarding $8,000 in educational scholarships to students with a history of strong academic achievement and service to the community.
  Vermont Federal is now accepting online scholarship applications for the 2018-2019 academic year. This year, the Credit Union will
  
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• Howard Fairman: Vermont, New England and Canadian hydropower

  07-02-2018 07:30 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Howard Fairman, of Putney, a native Vermonter who likes to note what was unnoted, ask what was unasked, say what was unsaid about a public issue: sharing food for thought with fellow grassroots Vermonters.
  Why did the commonwealth of Massachusetts choose controversial Northern Pass Transmission in New Hampshire instead of welcomed New England Clean Power Link in Vermont to deliver “clean,” renewable hydroelectricity from Hydro-Québec
  
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• Hospital revenue could be tapped for universal primary care

  07-02-2018 03:35 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison, is the chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. On the right is Sen. Dick Mazza, D-Grand Isle. Photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDiggerWhen Vermont hospitals generate unexpected revenue, the state should take at least half of that money to support a universal primary care initiative, a key senator said on Tuesday.
  Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison, chairwoman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, introduced the idea of a hospital “reinvestment contribution&rdq
  
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• Scott urges Congress to expand opioid addiction treatment under Medicare

  07-02-2018 03:12 via vtdigger.org
  Gov. Phil Scott and Human Services Secretary Al Gobeille testify before the House Ways and Means health subcommittee Tuesday. Photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger
  WASHINGTON — Gov. Phil Scott and members of his administration encouraged lawmakers in Congress on Tuesday to consider expanding Medicare to cover opioid addiction services.
  Scott and Human Services Secretary Al Gobeille appeared before a subcommittee of House Ways and Means to testify on Vermont’s experience combating the op
  
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• Republican leader proposes drug testing for welfare recipients

  07-02-2018 02:40 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Don Turner, R-Milton, center, and Rep. Chris Pearson, P-Burlington, share a laugh with House Speaker Shap Smith, right.Photo by John Herrick
  The House Republican leader is proposing a bill that would allow for drug testing of people receiving financial assistance through a state program for low-income families.If a test comes back positive for an illegal substance, a person in the state’s Reach Up program could continue to receive state assistance provided they take part in drug treat
  
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• Weinberger opens window for action if F-35 measure meets major opposition

  07-02-2018 02:24 via vtdigger.org
  Three F-35A test aircraft, AF-2, AF-3 and AF-4, fly in formation over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin photo
  Explaining his support for the impending basing of 18 F-35 fighter jets at Burlington International Airport, Mayor Miro Weinberger’s position has long been that resistance is most likely futile. The time to modify or nullify the Air Force’s decision has passed, he often says.Yet a review of contentious fighter jet basings in other U.S. cities reveals that drastic
  
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• Mary Grass: Health care by algorithm

  07-02-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Mary Grass, who is retired and lives in Burlington.
  An algorithm is a procedure for solving a problem. Any algorithm is only as good as its information about the problem is accurate. When the problem is designing a system to deliver health care in Vermont most efficiently, it is by definition complex. But to make costs and revenues the only criteria of relevance in the design of the system is a grave and costly error. Patient health and need must be con
  
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• First mayoral forum is mostly two against one

  07-02-2018 00:59 via vtdigger.org
  Burlington mayoral candidates Infinite Culcleasure and Carina Driscoll, and incumbent Mayor Miro Weinberger, at a candidate forum Monday. Photo by Cory Dawson/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — United by a shared goal of depriving Miro Weinberger of a third term as Burlington’s mayor, two independent challengers sought to cast themselves as the candidates of the people during the first mayoral forum of the 2018 election season.
  About 300 people turned out to hear the three mayoral candidates: Wei
  
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• Jeff Wennberg: Managing sewer overflow events

  07-02-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jeff Wennberg, who is commissioner of the City of Rutland Department of Public Works.
  Lake Champlain International has adopted an agenda to address the issue of “combined sewer overflows.” While this is commendable, LCI has not fairly represented the facts. If policymakers react to LCI’s hyperbole serious harm to Vermont’s waters may result.
  Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) happen when sewer systems that carry both stormwater and
  
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• Tom Evslin: Protecting civil liberties

  07-02-2018 00:50 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Tom Evslin, an entrepreneur, author and former Douglas administration official. This post first appeared on his blog, Fractals of Change.There is no way that the allegations in the Nunes memo, even if they are all true and there is no mitigating evidence which was withheld, exonerate the president from allegations that he or his campaign collaborated with Russians or that he attempted to obstruct justice. Conversely, what President Donald Trump did or d
  
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• Chief medical examiner back on job after probe

  07-02-2018 00:40 via vtdigger.org
   
  Attorney Brooks McArthur, shown here in a file photo, says the allegations levied against State Medical Examiner Steven Shapiro were unsubstantiated. Photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger
  Vermont’s chief medical examiner is back at work after being placed on paid leave nearly a month ago.
  Chief Medical Examiner Steve Shapiro returned to his regular duties Monday following a state Department of Human Resources investigation, according to the state Department of Health. He had been put o
  
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• Footprints in the snow lead to border arrests

  07-02-2018 00:05 via vtdigger.org
  U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling the border in Vermont. File photo/ courtesy Border Patrol
  Footprints in the snow led border patrol agents to seven arrests last week — five Romanian nationals hoping to be smuggled across the border from Canada to the United States, and two men who have been charged with attempting to smuggle them.
  Irvin Munoz-Diaz, a 23-year-old Mexican citizen and Canadian resident, and Candido Emanuel Noriega-Quezada, 20, a Guatemalan citizen living in Rhode Island,
  
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