Vermont news

• Amendment calls for review of lottery after VTDigger report

  02-05-2018 23:38 via vtdigger.org
  Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Statehouse on Tuesday, May 1. Photo by Colin Meyn/VTDiggerThe head of the Senate has proposed an amendment that would require the commissioner of the new liquor and lottery commission to conduct a review of the state’s lottery following a VTDigger investigation that exposed winnings that were “just too lucky.”
  The amendment to H.571, which merges the liquor and lottery commissions into one bo
  
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• Saliva testing bill meets demise in Senate panel

  02-05-2018 22:54 via vtdigger.org
  Creative Commons photoA bill that would have allowed law enforcement to obtain saliva for testing from motorists suspected of drugged drive has effectively been shelved for this legislative session.
  The legislation faced threats of legal challenges from the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the state’s Defender General’s office. They both contend that detecting a certain drug is in a person’s system does nothing to prove impairment behind the wheel.Get a
  
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• Democratic priorities in peril as end of legislative session approaches

  02-05-2018 20:07 via vtdigger.org
  House Minority Leader Don Turner speaks at a press conference on minimum wage legislation. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDiggerHouse Republicans have had little success in slowing down progressive legislation as bills have cruised through the Statehouse in recent months. But as the end of the session nears, they are set to play spoiler.The House GOP’s vote last week to uphold the governor’s first veto of the year — a toxic contamination bill — not only killed that bill f
  
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• Hermitage Club seeks to use loan to avert foreclosure

  02-05-2018 20:02 via vtdigger.org
  The Hermitage Club in Wilmington. Photo by Kristopher Radder/Brattleboro ReformerThis story by Chris Mays was published by the Brattleboro Reformer on May 1.
  NEWFANE — A court will decide whether a receiver will be appointed to run the Hermitage Club in response to a foreclosure filing, or if the company can use a $26 million loan it says it has been offered to continue operations and pay off its debt.RELATED STORIESLawyer seeks to withdraw as Hermitage counselBank moves to appoint a recei
  
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• UVM appoints T. Simeon Anaou new chief information officer

  02-05-2018 19:19 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — UVMMay 1, 2018
  Contact:Jeff Wakefield, [email protected], 802-578-8830
  University of Vermont President Tom Sullivan today announced the appointment of T. Simeon Ananou as the University’s new chief information officer, effective July 1. He is currently the Vice President for Information Technologies Services and Chief Information Officer at SUNY’s University at Albany.
  “Dr. Ananou is an accomplished information technology advocate with more than 20
  
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• Children’s Literacy Foundation awards grants to NH and VT public libraries

  02-05-2018 19:16 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF)May 1, 2018
  Contact:Erika Nichols-Frazer, Communications Manager(802) [email protected]
  The Children’s Literacy Foundation Awards Ten Rural Libraries Grants to Public Libraries in New Hampshire and Vermont
  Waterbury Center, VT: The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) awards its Rural Libraries grant program to ten public libraries in New Hampshire and Vermont in towns of populations of 5,000 or
  
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• Leahy announces more than $16M in affordable housing and community development funds for Vermont

  02-05-2018 19:11 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Sen. Patrick LeahyMay 1, 2018
  Contact:David Carle(202) 224-3693
  WASHINGTON (TUESDAY, May 1, 2018) – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that Vermont will receive more than $16 million in new affordable housing and community development funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and NeighborWorks America.
  Earlier this year, as Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Leahy successfully negotiated a bipartisan deal to
  
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• Vermont Law School presents free ‘Hot Topics’ summer lecture series on environmental issues

  02-05-2018 19:07 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Law SchoolMay 1, 2018
  Contact:Maryellen Apelquist, Director of Communications, Vermont Law Schooloffice: 802-831-1228, cell: 802-299-5593, [email protected]
  SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt., May 1, 2018—Throughout the summer, Vermont Law School faculty, distinguished scholars, media fellows and others will deliver one-hour “Hot Topics” lectures on a variety of current issues in environmental law and policy. Free and open to the public, the lectures will
  
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• Affordable housing embraces automated wood heat

  02-05-2018 19:03 via vtdigger.org
  News Release – Department of Forests, Parks & RecreationApril 30, 2018
  Contact:Emma Hanson | Wood Energy Coordinator, Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation802-622-4187 | [email protected] |http://fpr.vermont.gov/
  Andrew Perchlik |Public Service Department | Clean Energy Development Fund802-828-4017 | [email protected] | http://publicservice.vermont.gov/renewable_energy/cedf
  MONTPELIER, VT – Not that long ago, the Hollister Hill Apartments on Austin Road in
  
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• VEDA approves $9.3 million in financing for economic development projects

  02-05-2018 18:59 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VEDAApril 30, 2018
  Contact:Jo Bradley, VEDA CEOPhone: 802-828-5627
  Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved $9.3 million in loans to help support commercial, agricultural, energy and small business projects throughout Vermont.
  “With the help of VEDA financing, several companies are enhancing their production capabilities, a technology firm is expanding, and renewable energy projects are being developed,” said Jo Bradle
  
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• Essex Police offer advice on safe disposal of needles found in cleanup

  02-05-2018 18:53 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Essex PoliceApril 30, 2018
  Contact:Ofc. Stephen DunningEssex Police Department145 Maple St. Essex Junction VT, 05452Phone 802-878-8331Fax 802-878-1340
  The Essex Police would like to remind the public to be aware and cautious as they begin their spring cleanup outside. There is a large number of hypodermic needles that have been inappropriately disposed of over the winter months on the sides of the roads and sidewalks.If you find a needle you can dispose of it following the V
  
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• Nonprofits host Business Leaders Breakfast on Housing on May 11 in WRJ

  02-05-2018 18:47 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vital CommunitiesApril 30, 2018
  Contact:Allison Rogers Furbish, Communications [email protected] x108
  Panel will Discuss the Residential Construction Market and Ongoing Projects
  April 30, 2018 – White River Junction, Vt. – Business and community leaders from throughout the greater Upper Valley region are invited to the Spring Business Leaders Breakfast on Housing from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, May 11, at the Fireside Inn in West Lebanon
  
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• Vermont Nut Free plans relocation to Colchester

  02-05-2018 18:41 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Town of ColchesterApril 30, 2018
  Contact:Mark [email protected]
  Kathi O’[email protected]
  Colchester, VT – The Town of Colchester is pleased to announce Vermont Nut Free from Grand Isle, VT will be relocating to Colchester in the fall of 2018. Vermont Nut Free will be moving into the former Furniture World of Vermont building. They will be occupying 17,500 square feet of the 25,000 square foot building locate
  
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• Ehlers sounds populist themes in campaign launch

  02-05-2018 18:39 via vtdigger.org
  James Ehlers at a launch event for his campaign to become the Democratic candidate for governor, held at the Socialist Labor Party Hall in Barre. Photo by Mike Polhamus/VTDigger
  Longtime environmental advocate James Ehlers officially announced his candidacy for governor Tuesday at the Old Labor Hall in Barre.
  The location and the date of Ehlers’ announcement — May 1, also known as International Workers Day — was no coincidence, organizers said.Get all of VTDigger's political ne
  
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• VBSR celebrates National Small Business Week in Vermont

  02-05-2018 18:32 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — VBSRApril 30, 2018
  Media Contact:Samantha Sheehanw. (802) 862-8347 c. (401) [email protected]
  – VBSR Member Businesses Support their Communities, our Environment, andour Economy –
  Burlington, VT – Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility kicked-off National Small Business Week this morning with a tour of Gordon’s Window Décor’s manufacturing facility and showroom in Williston along with representatives from the Sm
  
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• Photographer aims to preserve a disappearing state

  02-05-2018 18:03 via vtdigger.org
  Northeast Kingdom lensman Richard W. Brown has published his collection of black-and-white photos in the book “The Last of the Hill Farms: Echoes of Vermont’s Past.” Photo by Richard W. Brown
  Richard W. Brown remembers how, shortly after he moved to Vermont 50 years ago, Audubon magazine introduced him to the world by publishing his photographs alongside a short biography.
  “It said, ‘Richard Brown is working on his first book, ‘The Last of the Hill Farms,&rsqu
  
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• Margolis: Scott’s plan a backhanded way to close schools

  02-05-2018 14:11 via vtdigger.org
  Secretary of Administration Susanne Young. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  Editor’s note: Jon Margolis is VTDigger’s political columnist.Gov. Phil Scott’s administration unveiled Tuesday a plan to hold down future spending on public education by compelling small towns to close their schools.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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• House ag committee rejects ban of bee-harming pesticide

  02-05-2018 03:41 via vtdigger.org
  The use of neonicotinoids have been blamed for the worldwide decline of honeybees. Photo courtesy of UVM
  The House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday declined to ban the use on ornamental plants of a pesticide known to harm bees, but agreed instead to further study of the issue.The bill, H. 915, also minus the ban on the use of neonicotinoids on ornamental plants, was approved on a unanimous vote in the Senate last week. Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with
  
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• Leahy and Welch blast FDA labeling rule for maple syrup

  02-05-2018 03:06 via vtdigger.org
  Vermont Grade A Medium Amber maple syrup for sale in a Vermont gift shop. Creative Commons photo by Raffi Asdourian via Flickr
  Vermont’s congressional delegation is pushing back against a rule proposed by the Food and Drug Administration that would require producers of pure maple syrup to put “added sugar” labels on their products.Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch, both Democrats, joined maple syrup producers at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier Tuesday morning to
  
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• Two bills may become one to muster support in response to Sawyer ruling

  02-05-2018 02:46 via vtdigger.org
  Jack Sawyer, 18, of Poultney appears in Vermont Superior Court in Rutland on April 17, 2018. Pool photo by Ryan Mercer/Burlington Free Press
  A panel of House lawmakers is looking to combine a popular domestic terrorism bill with a less popular rewrite of the state’s “attempts” statute in a move they hope will lead to the passage of both.Both pieces of legislation have been brought forward in response to a Vermont Supreme Court ruling in the case of an 18-year-old man accused of
  
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• House backs effort to eradicate ‘systemic racism’

  02-05-2018 01:41 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Kevin “Coach” Christie, chair of the state Human Rights Commission, called for the roll call vote. File photo by John Herrick
  A bill designed to “eradicate systemic racism within state government” received overwhelming support in the House Tuesday.
  Representatives voted 140-2 in favor of the latest version of S.281, which calls for the creation of a new, cabinet-level administrator who would work with an advisory panel to identify and reform racism in Vermont governm
  
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• CoverageCo’s fortunes get boost in Senate action

  02-05-2018 01:22 via vtdigger.org
  CoverageCo “radio” devices provide cellular service on rural roads. Courtesy photo
  CoverageCo, the tiny and troubled cellular phone company that has been working to bring cellular phone service to parts of rural Vermont, got two pieces of good news on Tuesday: a green light for state funding from the Senate and cooperation from a crucial business partner.
  The Senate passed amendments to the budget bill, adding up to $100,000 to pay CoverageCo’s costs for the next year of provid
  
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• Cyclist pays $100 fine for crash that left woman dead

  02-05-2018 01:19 via vtdigger.org
  This story by Jordan Cuddemi was published in the Valley News on May 1.
  Lebanon — A Tuck School of Business student has paid a $100 fine for illegally riding on a sidewalk after crashing a bicycle into an elderly woman who was hospitalized and died the next day. Get all of VTDigger's criminal justice news.You'll never miss our courts and criminal justice coverage with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
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  Cou
  
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• John McClaughry: The annual education finance end game

  02-05-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by John McClaughry, the vice president of the Ethan Allen Institute.The Vermont General Assembly is in its final weeks of trying to assemble a school finance “reform” bill. Their product so far has become an ever-shifting grab bag of proposals that even veteran legislators must be struggling to follow from day to day.
  The longer this goes on, the more it reminds us of the memorable closing words of Gov. Phil Scott’s explanation of why he
  
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• Jim Blynt: Equality, security and fairness are not outrageous demands

  02-05-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jim Blynt, who has been teaching college level humanities for 30 years, 12 at Community College of Vermont. He is a member of CCV​ ​Faculty​ ​United,​ ​VSCFF​ ​Local​ ​3180, AFT​ ​Vermont-American​ ​Federation​ ​of​ Teachers/AFL-CIO.
  I have been a teacher for over 30 years. For the past 12 of those years I’ve taught at the Community College of Ver
  
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• Michael Long: Safety and equity priority for multi-use streets

  02-05-2018 00:50 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Long, who served more than a decade on the Burlington Development Review Board and has lived in Burlington since 1975. He now teaches English and was a high school teacher in Colchester from 1975 until 2015.
  What Burlington city officials have dubbed the “base concept” for Bank and Cherry streets is in utter opposition to at least three of the four stated “primary goals” for these streets: that they be walkable, bikeable,
  
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• Vermont sues to protect Obama-era car emission standards

  02-05-2018 00:00 via vtdigger.org
  Attorney General TJ Donovan. File photo by Anne Galloway/VTDigger
  WASHINGTON — Vermont is one of more than a dozen states seeking to halt the Trump administration from rolling back Obama-era vehicle emissions standards.
  The lawsuit, filed in the federal appeals court in the District of Columbia, seeks to maintain environmental standards for vehicles with model years between 2022 and 2025.
  The Environmental Protection Agency began the process for revoking the standards last month, after Adm
  
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