Vermont news

• Lindsay Kurrle: The good news on unemployment insurance rates

  15-03-2018 23:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner Lindsay Kurrle.
  I was excited to announce last week that Vermont employers, as well as Vermonters who are collecting unemployment, will both benefit from three changes to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program starting July 1, 2018. Due to the health of the unemployment insurance trust fund, the Department of Labor anticipates a reduction in the average UI tax rate paid by employers, while increasing the maximum
  
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• Sandra Batchelder & Dana Woodruff: Who belongs in Vermont?

  15-03-2018 23:50 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Sandra Batchelder, a retired teacher who lives in Barre, and Dana Woodruff, a community herbalist who lives in Plainfield. Both belong to Central Vermont Standing Up for Racial Justice.
  Some people may be shocked to hear that on New Year’s Day, while walking to work, Francisco Rosendo Casarrubias was followed all the way into the barn and arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, targeted simply
  
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• Treatment center worker charged with groping teen

  15-03-2018 23:32 via vtdigger.org
  Earl Katon appears by video at his arraignment Thursday. Photo By Cory Dawson/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — A youth treatment center worker pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he groped a 15-year-old female patient and asked her to take nude photos of herself for money.
  Police said that in addition to the alleged groping and the photo request, Earl Katon also bought alcohol, a vaporizer and a female sex toy for the minor, according to a press release.
  Katon, 42, of Enosburg Falls worked at
  
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• The Deeper Dig: Students speak out

  15-03-2018 23:23 via vtdigger.org
  Vermont students rallied at the Statehouse in February to push for stricter gun control measures. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDiggerThis Wednesday, young people across the country walked out of their schools to demand an end to gun violence. In Vermont, students not only fought discouragement from education leaders, but also a winter storm that shut down school districts across the state, in order to get their message out.
  The walkouts were the lat
  
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• LISTEN: She's From Jersey. She Tends Jerseys. She Says Vermont Dairy Regulations Make A Hard Job Harder… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  15-03-2018 20:03 via twitter.com
  LISTEN: She's From Jersey. She Tends Jerseys. She Says Vermont Dairy Regulations Make A Hard Job Harder… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Vermonters for a Clean Environment report shows Vermont policies not achieving renewable energy goals

  15-03-2018 18:37 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermonters for a Clean EnvironmentMarch 14, 2018
  Contact:Annette Smith, Executive DirectorVermonters for a Clean Environment(802) 446-2094
  Danby, VT: Today Vermonters for a Clean Environment released a report, Understanding Vermont’s Energy Policies. It describes five current policies, and explains how they are not doing what Vermonters expect regarding energy policy and consumption. The five policies the paper reviews are:
  · Renewable Energy Standard (RES)
  &mid
  
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• She's From Jersey. She Tends Jerseys. She Says Vermont Dairy Regulations Make A Hard Job Harder… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  15-03-2018 17:47 via twitter.com
  She's From Jersey. She Tends Jerseys. She Says Vermont Dairy Regulations Make A Hard Job Harder… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• VTDigger launches resource for underwriters

  15-03-2018 16:36 via vtdigger.org
  VTDigger has created a new resource for businesses who seek to reach our statewide audience through underwriting on our website. Available on the website here, the resource provides information on a number of new products for underwriting that VTDigger offers​, including ​run of site underwriting campaigns​, podcast sponsorship and sponsored content, allowing underwriters to get their message out to our 220,000 average monthly readers.
  VTDigger creates custom underwriting packa
  
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• Friday At Noon: Gov. Scott On Gun Bills, Budgets And School Spending dlvr.it/QL7Wvh https://t.co/str06C6hAW

  15-03-2018 15:42 via twitter.com
  
  Friday At Noon: Gov. Scott On Gun Bills, Budgets And School Spending dlvr.it/QL7Wvh https://t.co/str06C6hAW
  
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• March delivers over five feet of snow to Vermont resorts

  15-03-2018 14:50 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Ski VermontMarch 14, 2018
  Contact:Chloe Elliott, Communications ManagerSki [email protected]
  Montpelier – A favorite among powder lovers, March is historically Vermont’s snowiest month of the winter and this season it’s living up to that reputation. Since the beginning of March over five feet of snow has fallen at resorts, and in the last 24 hours, resorts across the state welcomed in between one to two feet with more snow forecasted f
  
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• Crisis fuel still available for struggling southeastern Vermont households

  15-03-2018 14:40 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — SEVCAMarch 14, 2018
  Contact:Pat BurkeSEVCA802-722-4575 [email protected]
  Westminster — SEVCA announced that Crisis Fuel assistance is available through the second week in April (for most types of heat) to households in Southeastern Vermont facing a heating emergency. In addition, the state of Vermont has decided to allow people who have already received Crisis Fuel assistance and have household incomes up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level to apply for a second as
  
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• Vermont Law School hosts panel on victories for Vermont agriculture

  15-03-2018 14:35 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Law SchoolMarch 13, 2018
  Contact:Maryellen Apelquist, Director of CommunicationsVermont Law [email protected]
  South Royalton – Vermont Law School will present “We Are All in This Together: Victories and Solutions in Vermont Agriculture,” a panel discussion from 5:15 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, in Chase Community Center on the VLS campus. The event, designed to explore the many roles we all can play in sustainable and profi
  
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• Sen. Patrick Leahy: Sunshine Week keynote address at the National Archives

  15-03-2018 14:30 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of Sen. Patrick LeahyMarch 12, 2018
  Contact:David CarleOffice of Sen. Patrick Leahy202-224-3693
  Washington, D.C. – Every year, during Sunshine Week, we recommit ourselves to an essential premise of our democracy: Our government must be an open government. A government that hides from the people can never be a government of, by, and for the people. Sunshine Week is a time to reflect on this principle, and to challenge ourselves to make our democracy ever mor
  
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• Aspenti Health receives Jack Barry Award

  15-03-2018 14:25 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Aspenti HealthMarch 13, 2018
  Contact:Nicole Junas RavlinPeople Making Good [email protected]
  South Burlington – On February 14th, Aspenti Health™ was presented with the prestigious Jack Barry Award during Recovery Day at the Vermont State House. Aspenti received this honor for its Change Corridor, a Stigma Prevention Awareness Campaign at the Burlington International Airport.
  Vermont Adult Mental Health Addiction Recovery President, Peter Espenshade,
  
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• Public meeting to be held on conserved lands in Northeast Kingdom

  15-03-2018 14:20 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Department of Fish & WildlifeMarch 13, 2018
  Contact:Doug Morin802-793-3837
  St. Johnsbury– The Vermont Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Forests, Parks, & Recreation are holding a public meeting to discuss future management and use of a group of conserved lands in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
  The meeting will discuss the Bill Sladyk Wildlife Management Area, Black Turn Brook State Forest, and Averill Mountain Wildlife Management Area, primaril
  
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• Health Care and Rehabilitation Services police liaison to assist Vermont State Police

  15-03-2018 14:15 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Health Care and Rehabilitation ServicesMarch 13, 2018
  Contact:Alice J. BradeenHCRS(802) 886-4567 ext. [email protected]
  Springfield – Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s community mental-health agency, announced today that it is partnering with the Vermont State Police in order to further assist individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
  HCRS’ Police Social Work program has embedded a Police Liaison within t
  
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• Inaugural Main Street Grants will help fund seven downtown projects

  15-03-2018 14:10 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — National Life GroupMarch 13, 2018
  Contact:Ross Sneyd, Corporate CommunicationsNational Life Group802-229-3866
  Montpelier – Seven communities around Vermont were announced on Tuesday as the inaugural winners of Main Street Grants, a program the National Life Group Foundation created in partnership with the Vermont Community Foundation.
  The grants include funding for signs to guide visitors through downtowns, renovation of a community center, and updating a historic perf
  
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• The Radio Vermont Group announces the return of Dana Jewell

  15-03-2018 14:05 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — The Radio Vermont GroupMarch 13, 2018
  Contact:Steve Cormier802-244-7321
  Waterbury – Vermont Radio Broadcaster and former WDEV Wake Up Vermont co-host Dana Jewell plans to return to WDEV (AM 550 FM 96.1, 96.5, 98.3, 101.9) on March 26th. Jewell was the signature morning voice six days a week at WDEV from 2001 to 2008 following the retirement of longtime morning host Michael Carey. For eight years listeners started their day with Dana’s easy going conversation
  
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• ACORN hosts Real Organic Project Gathering, March 21

  15-03-2018 14:00 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — ACORNMarch 12, 2018
  Contact:Annie [email protected]
  Middlebury – All farmers, food producers, environmental activists, students and citizens are invited to attend the Real Organic Project Gathering with guest speaker David Miskell of Miskell’s Premium Organics. Hosted by ACORN, the gathering will take place on March 21, 2018 for a 5:00-6:30 Happy Hour talk at Lincoln Peak Vineyard in New Haven.
  The certified Organic label is easily the most
  
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• Lawmaker proposes ‘assault weapon,’ high-capacity magazine bans

  15-03-2018 02:25 via vtdigger.org
  Guns laid out at a shooting range in Carson City, Nevada. Photo by Mitch Barrie/Flickr Creative Commons
  A South Burlington lawmaker is proposing a measure he says is aimed at broadening the discussion about gun legislation.
  Rep. Martin LaLonde, a Democrat, has submitted a sweeping amendment to a Senate-backed gun bill that includes several new provisions to the legislation.
  The proposal includes a ban on assault-style guns as well as high capacity magazines, defined in the proposal as any device
  
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• Regulators pitch ‘unique’ solution in hospital budget debate

  15-03-2018 01:39 via vtdigger.org
  UVM Medical Center. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  For the past month, there’s been a tug of war over millions of dollars of hospital revenue in Vermont.
  On one side, Green Mountain Care Board members have been weighing their options after discovering that three University of Vermont Health Network hospitals exceeded their patient-revenue budgets by a combined $43.8 million in fiscal year 2017.
  On the other, UVM hospital administrators have lobbied against the regulatory body making
  
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• House not funding Scott’s proposed mental health facility this year

  15-03-2018 01:21 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Bill Lippert, center, chair of the House Health Care Committee; and Rep. Anne Donahue, right, the vice chair, listen to testimony at a hearing Tuesday evening about mental health workers. Photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger
  The Scott administration proposed a temporary mental health facility earlier this year that would require $2.9 million to build and $1.5 to operate. It looks like it will get neither, according to leaders of the House committees drafting next year’s budgets.In January
  
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• #MeToo moment as House passes anti-sexual harassment bill, takes on women’s health

  15-03-2018 01:09 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas was the lead sponsor of the anti-sexual harassment bill the House passed on Wednesday. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  As the #MeToo movement continues to make its mark on American life and work, the Vermont House has approved legislation that will strengthen the state’s sexual harassment laws and provide new protections for those subjected to workplace misconduct.“Sexual harassment is not merely a violation of the decency with which we all deserve to
  
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• House passes anti-sexual harassment bill, takes on women’s health

  15-03-2018 01:09 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas was the lead sponsor of the anti-sexual harassment bill the House passed on Wednesday. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  As the #MeToo movement continues to make its mark on American life and work, the Vermont House has approved legislation that will strengthen the state’s sexual harassment laws and provide new protections for those subjected to workplace misconduct.
  “Sexual harassment is not merely a violation of the decency with which we all deserve t
  
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• Even in winter, Lake Carmi stirs worry

  15-03-2018 00:05 via vtdigger.org
  Residents worry green ice in frozen Lake Carmi is a sign of cyanobacteria. Photo Mike Polhamus/VTdigger
  It’s mid-March and the ice on Lake Carmi is green.
  Residents of the town of Franklin, where the lake is located, worry it could signal another year of cyanobacteria blooms on the lake. There have been blooms on the lake for as long as anyone can remember, but never as bad as last year.
  “It was the worst this summer I’ve ever seen it,” said 88-year-old Gilbert Dewing, wh
  
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• Curt McCormack: Raise the minimum wage

  15-03-2018 00:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Rep. Curt McCormack, of Burlington, a Democrat who represents the Chittenden 6-3 district in the Vermont House of Representatives.
  We know that a lot of middle-aged people, including couples, work full time at the minimum wage, which means that they do not make enough to provide just the basics for their families.
  So, what can we do? We can start by gradually raising Vermont’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, so working people can meet the basics to c
  
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• William Moore: Toxic exposure bill too broad

  15-03-2018 00:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by William D. Moore, the president and CEO of the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, who is a registered lobbyist.
  One bill that is making its way through the legislative process may have ramifications that far exceed the intent of the legislation. It has been introduced in response to the chemical contamination around the former Chemfab (Saint-Gobain) facilities.
  The bill in question is S.197, An Act Relating to Liability for Toxic Substance Exposures o
  
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