Vermont news

• Bill creates ‘fast-track’ clearance of misdemeanor pot convictions

  11-02-2018 23:05 via vtdigger.org
  A prominent lawyer hopes to make it easier for people with misdemeanor marijuana convictions to clear their names.Robert Sand, a Vermont Law School professor and former Windsor County State’s Attorney, is promoting a bill, H.865, that would create a “fast-track” expungement process for people who have misdemeanor convictions.
  The legislation follows the enactment last month of H.511, which legalizes the possession of up to 1 ounce of pot and the cultivation of two mature and fo
  
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• Critics trash Scott’s plan to cut doctor loan repayment fund

  11-02-2018 22:35 via vtdigger.org
  Georgia Maheras, Vermont public policy director for the Bi-State Primary Care Association.Gail Auclair doesn’t mince words about the impact of Vermont’s loan-repayment program for doctors and nurses.
  Auclair, chief executive officer of Bradford-based Little Rivers Health Care, says without that program, “We might not even be here.”The loan repayment fund in question makes it possible for rural communities to attract doctors and nurses who might otherwise pass up small tow
  
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• At forum, Sanders looks to make Germany an example

  11-02-2018 22:13 via vtdigger.org
  Peter Wittig, German ambassador, spoke in Vermont last week. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — It isn’t often that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., comes across as a moderate. Sanders, a self-avowed social Democrat, has long burnished his lefty credentials with the promotion of universal health care, protections for Social Security, free college tuition and higher taxes for the wealthy to support programs that would benefit society at large.
  Sanders’ proposals have not gai
  
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• At forum, German ambassador serves as a foil for Sanders

  11-02-2018 22:13 via vtdigger.org
  Peter Wittig, German ambassador, spoke in Vermont last week. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDiggerBURLINGTON — It isn’t often that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., comes across as a moderate. Sanders, a self-avowed social Democrat, has long burnished his lefty credentials with the promotion of universal health care, protections for Social Security, free college tuition and higher taxes for the wealthy to support programs that would benefit society at large.Sanders’ proposals have not gaine
  
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• Most families of Vermont Olympians cheering from home

  11-02-2018 21:00 via vtdigger.org
  Friends of Montpelier hockey player Amanda Pelkey have set up a gofundme.com page to raise money to send her parents, Ann and John Pelkey, to this month’s Olympics. Provided photo
  When Shaftsbury cross-country skier Andy Newell competed in his first Olympics in 2006, he traveled to Torino, Italy, with his parents and grandparents, aunt, two uncles and two cousins. So when Newell was named to this year’s U.S. team after repeat performances in 2010 and 2014, family members knew they&rs
  
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• State librarian mum on whether to drop Fisher’s name from award

  11-02-2018 20:00 via vtdigger.org
  Author Dorothy Canfield Fisher.
  State Librarian Scott Murphy was asked last month by the Vermont Board of Libraries to act on a recommendation to remove the name of Dorothy Canfield Fisher from the prestigious children’s book award.
  If Murphy has formed an opinion on the matter, he is clearly not saying. In fact, after several emails, phone messages and visits to his office by a VTDigger reporter, he has not responded in any way.
  During its Jan. 11 meeting, the board voted 7-0 to recommend
  
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• State librarian mum on dropping Dorothy Canfield Fisher from award

  11-02-2018 20:00 via vtdigger.org
  Author Dorothy Canfield Fisher.
  State Librarian Scott Murphy was asked last month by the Vermont Board of Libraries to act on a recommendation to remove the name of Dorothy Canfield Fisher from the prestigious children’s book award.
  If Murphy has formed an opinion on the matter, he is clearly not saying. In fact, after several emails, phone messages and visits to his office by a VTDigger reporter, he has not responded in any way.RELATED STORIESBoard of Libraries delays book award decisionM
  
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• Then Again: ‘Young men do draw the true love knot’

  11-02-2018 19:30 via vtdigger.org
  Love knots are an old romantic tradition in America. The Vermont Historical received this love knot, dated 1816, several years ago from a donor. Photo by Mark Bushnell
  Editor’s note: Mark Bushnell is a Vermont journalist and historian. He is the author of “Hidden History of Vermont” and “It Happened in Vermont.”This is not your usual Valentine. The young man spelled out his affection for the young woman of his desire in verse, then he set his verse in blocks of curv
  
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• Margolis: Burlington overreaching in effort to remove mural

  11-02-2018 18:00 via vtdigger.org
   
  Controversial mural, along an alley off the Church Street Marketplace, depicts Burlington’s history. Photo by Cory Dawson/VTDigger
  Editor’s note: Jon Margolis is VTDigger’s political columnist.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
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• State leaders discuss Vermont’s agricultural economy at the Vermont Packinghouse

  11-02-2018 15:35 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont PackinghouseFebruary 8, 2018
  Contact:Maggie [email protected]
  North Springfield – How often do you see legislators, state officials, the Lt. Governor, farmers and community members discussing farm and food issues in a slaughterhouse?
  That’s what happened this past Monday morning at the Vermont Packinghouse, a meat processing facility based in North Springfield, VT in a former Ben & Jerry’s ice cream plant.
  Not everyone would
  
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• Gov. Phil Scott’s public schedule: Feb. 10-16, 2018

  11-02-2018 15:30 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of Governor Phil ScottFebruary 9, 2018
  Contact:Ethan T. Latour, Asst. Director of Policy and CommunicationsGovernor Phil [email protected]
  Saturday, February 10
  10:00 AM – 11:00 AMSt. Albans RiseVT Active Play EventSt. Albans City Elementary School, 29 Bellows Street, St. Albans, VT
  Sunday, February 11
  No public events scheduled
  Monday, February 12
  No public events scheduled
  Tuesday, February 13
  11:00 – 11:30 AMA Healthier State House kick-offR
  
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• VLS presents ‘Promoting Justice for Military Service Members and Veterans’ March 16

  11-02-2018 15:25 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Law SchoolFebruary 9, 2018
  Contact:Maryellen Apelquist, Director of CommunicationsVermont Law [email protected]
  South Royalton – Vermont Law School will present “Promoting Justice for Military Service Members and Veterans,” an afternoon of discussions with veterans advocates and legal experts from 12:45 to 4:45 p.m. Friday, March 16, in Yates Common Room on the VLS campus. The event is free and open to the public and p
  
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• Sarah Ashworth returns to VPR as news director

  11-02-2018 15:20 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Public RadioFebruary 7, 2018
  Contact:Michelle OwensVermont Public [email protected]
  Colchester – Award-winning public radio journalist Sarah Ashworth will return to Vermont Public Radio in March as director of news. She will lead the station’s 15-person news team.Ashworth brings a variety of experiences to VPR, which has significantly increased its public service journalism over the last 17 years as a result of audience demand. She will lead VPR’s
  
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• Leahy and other senators question Secretary Mattis on cost to taxpayers of President Trump’s military parade

  11-02-2018 15:15 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of Sen. Patrick LeahyFebruary 7, 2018
  Contact:David CarleOffice of Sen. Patrick Leahy202-224-3693
  Washington, D.C. – Senator Patrick Leahy on Wednesday – with Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) – sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis to explain the impact of President Trump’s directive to conduct a military parade in Washington, D.C, on American taxpayers.
  “At a time of war,
  
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• Bridgewater Corners woman sentenced for embezzlement from employers

  11-02-2018 15:10 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — United States Attorney’s Office, District of VermontFebruary 6, 2018
  Contact:Tim Atkinson, ReceptionistUnited States Attorney’s Office, District of [email protected]
  Burlington – The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Susan Blaue, 39, of Bridgewaters Corners, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Burlington to two years of probation following her guilty plea to a federal forgery charge. U.S. Distri
  
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• Value-added dairy products earn more green by going green

  11-02-2018 15:05 via vtdigger.org
  News Release –Department of Environmental ConservationFebruary 6, 2018
  Contact:Celia RiechelDepartment of Environmental [email protected]
  Montpelier – A typical tourist trip to Vermont might include hiking on the Long Trail, skiing at one of our many resorts, fishing for wild brook trout, visiting a farm, and sampling some of the finest cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. People come to Vermont because it represents a vibrant counterpoint to the narrative,
  
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• Vermont GOP: Burlington-area Democrats push for ‘vetoes’ rather than results

  11-02-2018 15:00 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont RepublicansFebruary 8, 2018
  Contact:Mike DonohueVermont [email protected]
  Berlin – In an unannounced, and potentially illegal, meeting in the basement of a state building, leading Democrats met yesterday to strategize on how to undermine Governor Scott’s agenda to grow the economy and make Vermont more affordable for families and businesses.
  The meeting – which according to the Democratic Secretary of State did not abide by Vermont&r
  
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• Gov. Phil Scott’s public appearance schedule for the week of Feb. 11

  11-02-2018 11:26 via vtdigger.org
  Sunday, February 11
  No public events scheduled
  Monday, February 12
  No public events scheduled
  Tuesday, February 13
  11:00 – 11:30 AMA Healthier State House kick-off
  Rooms 10 & 11, Vermont State House, Montpelier, VT
  11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  League of Women Voters Legislative Day
  Governor’s Ceremonial Office, Vermont State House, Montpelier, VT
  Wednesday, February 14
  8:30 – 9:30 AM
  Open Door Coffee
  Governor’s Ceremonial Office, Vermont State House, Montpelier, VT
  11:45
  
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