Vermont news

• Latest House proposal moves further from governor’s tax position

  08-06-2018 23:54 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Janet Ansel, center, chairs a House Ways and Means Committee meeting on June 8, 2018. Photo by Colin Meyn/VTDigger
  The House Ways and Means Committee gave preliminary approval on Friday to a bill that is likely to further frustrate the governor’s promise that there will be no tax rate increase on Vermonters this year.Democrats on the committee approved the proposal, which would increase both residential and non-residential rates, despite the objections of Rep. Kurt Wright, R-Burlingto
  
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• Inntopia CEO: Company investigated sexual harassment allegations

  08-06-2018 23:51 via vtdigger.org
  From left: Craig DeLuca, Lisa Senecal, Trevor Crist. Courtesy Stowe Reporter.
  Trevor Crist, the CEO of Inntopia, says the company acted immediately to investigate accusations of sexual harassment against a top level executive.In news reports on Wednesday, Crist said the Stowe-based online travel reservation firm conducted an internal investigation of Craig DeLuca, the former president and COO, and took steps to review sexual harassment policies after a female job applicant alleged that DeLuca ha
  
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• This Vermonter Is Running For 6 Statewide Offices. Here's Why dlvr.it/QWgZrn https://t.co/Roufb1oZuC

  08-06-2018 23:40 via twitter.com
  
  This Vermonter Is Running For 6 Statewide Offices. Here's Why dlvr.it/QWgZrn https://t.co/Roufb1oZuC
  
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• Churning Through The History Of Butter dlvr.it/QWg9gv https://t.co/blS2paqtMQ

  08-06-2018 22:02 via twitter.com
  
  Churning Through The History Of Butter dlvr.it/QWg9gv https://t.co/blS2paqtMQ
  
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• Cartoons from “The New Yorker” 100 Cartoons-20 Cartoonists at Laumeister Art Center

  08-06-2018 21:49 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Cartoons from “The New Yorker” 100 Cartoons-20 Cartoonists at Laumeister Art CenterJune 8, 2018
  Contact:Marion Whiteford, SVC [email protected]
  BENNINGTON —The Laumeister Art Center at Southern Vermont College presents an exhibition and sale of participating cartoons from “The New Yorker” June 25 to September 9, 2018.
  “The New Yorker” magazine, renowned for its serious fiction, essays, and journalism ha
  
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• Vermont Foodbank kicks off new gleaning program in Rutland

  08-06-2018 21:48 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont FoodbankJune 8, 2018
  Contact:Nicole Whalen802-505-0123
  Rutland, VT—As the days get longer and warmer, home gardens and local farm fields are beginning to fill up with fresh produce – the growing season is underway. And with it, the Vermont Foodbank’s gleaning teams are taking to the fields to harvest surplus fresh food for people struggling to afford it.
  Gleaning is the act of harvesting excess vegetables from farm fields. Oftentimes the produce is
  
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• Leahy Announces Committee Approval Of Key Transportation Funding

  08-06-2018 21:06 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of U.S. Sen. Patrick LeahyContact:David Carle(202) 224-3693
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (THURSDAY, June 7, 2018) — Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday preserves key infrastructure resources for communities across Vermont and the nation.The bill includes $255 million for Consoli
  
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• Leahy Steers Housing And Community Development Programs Vital To Vermont Through The Senate Appropriations Committee

  08-06-2018 21:04 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of U.S. Sen. Patrick LeahyJune 7, 2018
  Contact:David Carle(202) 224-3693
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Thursday steered a funding bill through the Senate Appropriations Committee that protects vital housing and community development programs important to Vermont from elimination by the Trump administration and maintains new investments achieved in last year’s bipartisan budget deal.T
  
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• Sanders Outlines Plan to Strengthen Postal Service

  08-06-2018 20:57 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of U.S. Sen. Bernie SandersContact:Josh [email protected]
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) outlined his plan to strengthen the United States Postal Service in a letter Thursday to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the chairman of the president’s task force on the Postal Service.
  “Unfortunately, for decades, the Postal Service has been under attack by those who want to profit off of the Postal Service&rsqu
  
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• Small Businesses Invited to the Training and Matchmaker Event

  08-06-2018 20:52 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Department of Economic DevelopmentJune 6, 2018
  Contact:Leonarda Stewart, Vermont Department of Economic [email protected]
  MONTPELIER – Small businesses throughout New England and New York will have the opportunity to meet procurement and prime contractors, as well as representatives from state and federal government agencies, at the 2018 Training and Matchmaker Event being held on June 20th and 21st at the Killington Grand Reso
  
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• 2018 Grantees of the Working Lands Enterprise Fund Announced

  08-06-2018 20:44 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Agency of AgricultureJune 7, 2018
  Contact:Scott Waterman,Agency of Agriculture, Food & MarketsOffice 802-828-2179Cell 802-622-4662
  Montpelier – The Working Lands Enterprise Board awarded over $750,000 in grants to 25 Vermont agriculture and forest sector businesses and service providers at the statehouse today, in support of businesses and organizations that support Vermont’s working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has distributed o
  
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• Vermont Passport Agency to host passport application event

  08-06-2018 18:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Passport AgencyJune 7, 2018
  Contact:Kelley Irey(802) [email protected]
  Passport Day on Saturday, June 30
  The Vermont Passport Agency is hosting a special event to accept applications for U.S. passport books and passport cards on Saturday, June 30. The event is part of the U.S. Department of State’s family travel campaign which promotes parents applying early for their child’s passport before the busy summer travel season. Saturday hours make
  
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• YWP: ‘Blame’

  08-06-2018 17:45 via vtdigger.org
  Young Writers Project, an independent nonprofit based in Burlington, engages young people to write and use digital media to express themselves with clarity and power, and to gain confidence and skills for school, the workplace and life.Check out the most recent issue of The Voice, Young Writers Project’s monthly digital magazine. Click here.Each week, VTDigger features a writing submission – an essay, poem, fiction or nonfiction – accompanied by a photo or illustration from Yo
  
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• SCOV Law Blog: Weighing a child custody case

  08-06-2018 17:30 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This piece from the SCOV Law Blog is by Elizabeth Kruska.Bratton v. Holland, 2018 VT 54
  This case is a pretty good example of how hard custody cases can be when figuring out what is really best for kids. There are lots of different pieces a court needs to take into consideration when it needs to figure out what is really in the best interest of the child.Get all of VTDigger's criminal justice news.You'll never miss our courts and criminal justice coverage with our weekly hea
  
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• Hermitage may keep records, accounts to attempt restructure, judge rules

  08-06-2018 17:20 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 June 8.
  NEWFANE — The receiver appointed to protect and preserve foreclosed Hermitage Club properties will not take custody of all of the company’s business records, bank accounts or emails.RELATED STORIESBank asks court to deny Hermitage’s objections to receivership orderHermitage property goes to auctionRole of receiver for He
  
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• WonderArts executive director to join 2018 Creative Community Fellows New England cohort

  08-06-2018 16:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — WonderArts VermontJune 7, 2018
  Press Contact:Ceilidh [email protected]
  National Arts Strategies would like to extend a warm welcome to the 25 creative change agents joining the inaugural Creative Community Fellows New England cohort. From creating a community media center in a Maine ice cream parlor to performances in Rhode Island highlighting rising sea levels, the selected individuals embody a drive to strengthen their communities through cr
  
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• 13th annual Kelly Brush Ride supports adaptive sports and ski racing safety

  08-06-2018 16:01 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Kelly Brush FoundationJune 7, 2018
  Contact:Whitney Coombs802-846-5298 [email protected]
  BURLINGTON, Vt. (June 7, 2018)—The 13th annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is scheduled for Saturday, September 8 in Middlebury, Vermont. Participants can register online to ride 100, 50, 20 or 10 miles, and/or play a round of golf at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course at Middlebury College.
  The Kelly Brush Ride, which rolls through Ve
  
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• Sterling College appoints new dean of community and work

  08-06-2018 15:54 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Sterling CollegeJune 7, 2018
  MEDIA CONTACT:Katie Lavin802.586.7711 x [email protected]
  Sterling College Appoints Yvette McDonnell as Dean of Community and Work
  June 7, 2018 • Craftsbury Common, VT • Following a national search, Sterling College has appointed Yvette McDonnell as its Dean of Community and Work. In her new role, McDonnell will oversee a broad range of programs and services that support the wellbeing and holistic education of Sterling Colle
  
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• Gevalt leaving Young Writers Project

  08-06-2018 15:46 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Young Writers ProjectJune 6, 2018
  Contact:Geoff [email protected]
  A goodbye, of sorts
  I love this photograph. It was taken by a friend and inspiring spirit, Cecilia Giordano, better known as Ceal, back when she was going to The Big Picture School at South Burlington High School and was our intern. I like it because she took it and because she was someone who always challenged me and challenged YWP and that made us better. I like it, too, because it betray
  
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• Senate passes contentious budget bill as threat of shutdown mounts

  08-06-2018 04:02 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia, reports the latest budget proposal on the Senate floor on Thursday. Photo by Colin Meyn/VTDigger
  Refusing to capitulate to demands from the governor and eliminate the possibility of a nonresidential property tax hike next year, the Senate passed a budget bill Thursday that would prevent a government shutdown, but which now faces an almost certain veto.
  As lawmakers and Gov. Phil Scott remain gridlocked over this year’s spending package, the House introduced
  
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• Federal deal preserves addiction treatment funding

  08-06-2018 04:02 via vtdigger.org
  Secretary of Human Services Al Gobeille called the news of the federal waiver timely. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  A new deal with the federal government means Vermont won’t lose millions of dollars in funding for inpatient substance abuse treatment.
  Officials on Thursday announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has decided to allow the state to continue receiving federal Medicaid money for addiction services at several residential treatment facilities.Get all
  
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• Bennington County sheriff seeks new term, this time as a Democrat

  08-06-2018 03:43 via vtdigger.org
  Bennington County Sheriff Chad Schmidt is facing an election challenge in the Democratic primary. Photo by Holly Pelczynski/Bennington Banner
  BENNINGTON — Bennington County Sheriff Chad Schmidt is seeking another four-year term as head of the department he has led since 2009.
  Previously a Republican, Schmidt said he will run as a Democrat in this campaign.Get all of VTDigger's criminal justice news.You'll never miss our courts and criminal justice coverage with our weekly headlines in your
  
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• Sportsmen groups hire favorite NRA law firm for legal challenge

  08-06-2018 03:28 via vtdigger.org
  Cooper & Kirk partners outside the U.S. Supreme Court. The Washington, D.C., law firm well-known for its work on gun rights and other conservative causes will lead the fight against a law passed this year banning high-capacity gun magazines
  Vermont sportsmen’s groups have hired a Washington, D.C., law firm well-known for its work on gun rights and other conservative causes to lead their fight against a law passed this year banning high-capacity gun magazines.
  David Thompson, the managi
  
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• Margolis: Who will blink first, and will anyone be watching?

  08-06-2018 03:03 via vtdigger.org
  Gov. Phil Scott meets with Senate leaders on May 21 to discuss expectations for the special session. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  Do you feel the drama, the tension, the excitement of the showdown between Republican Gov. Phil Scott and the Democratic-dominated Legislature?
  No?Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
  Sundays only (Weekly Wrap) Email me stories on these subjects... Business News
  Courts & Correcti
  
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• Burlington to VTrans: The waterfront is not a railyard

  08-06-2018 02:43 via vtdigger.org
  Burlington residents look forward to the day when trains will once again stop at Union Station on the waterfront, but they don’t want want them to stay overnight.
  BURLINGTON — Residents and business owners who live or work on the city’s scenic waterfront embraced the return of passenger train service at a Wednesday night meeting. But their enthusiasm turned to universal dismay when presented with the prospect of railroad cars overnighting in their midst.
  For years, the tan bric
  
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• Inquiries flow in for much-publicized remote work program

  08-06-2018 02:06 via vtdigger.org
  Fall foliage at Athens Pond. Photo courtesy of Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
  If world class winter sports, fall foliage and top-rated craft breweries aren’t enough to attract new residents to Vermont, would $10,000 help do the trick?
  Hundreds of people from around the world are interested enough in the new program to contact the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development to try to find out.
  Last week Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill that would pay workers to move to Verm
  
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• Inquiries flow in for much-publicized $10,000 remote work program

  08-06-2018 02:06 via vtdigger.org
  Fall foliage at Athens Pond. Photo courtesy of Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
  If world class winter sports, fall foliage and top-rated craft breweries aren’t enough to attract new residents to Vermont, would $10,000 help do the trick?
  Hundreds of people from around the world are interested enough in the new program to contact the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development to try to find out.
  Last week Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill that would pay workers to move to Verm
  
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• Behind picture of American prosperity, a slow slide to despair and homicide

  08-06-2018 01:22 via vtdigger.org
  Yellow crime scene tape blocked access to the Orleans home of Randall and Thea Swartz the day after the murder.
  NEWPORT — Seated at the defense table, in Orleans County Superior Court, clothed in mud-brown prison issue, cuffed and chained, Randall Swartz seemed dwarfed by his lawyer and the sheriff’s deputy at his side.
  Released only on Friday from the hospital, where he’d been treated for the gunshot wound to the stomach that police say he’d inflicted on himself, he had
  
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• Joseph Gainza: Merchants of death

  08-06-2018 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Joseph Gainza, the founder of Vermont Action for Peace and the producer and host of “Gathering Peace” on WGDR and WGDH. He lives in Marshfield.
  Donald Trump is determined to make America grieve again. He is preparing to pour ever greater numbers of U.S. made weapons into hot spots across the globe. This may well result in American soldiers and Marines once again finding themselves facing enemies armed with advanced weapons manufactured in th
  
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• Neil Johnson: Vermont and economic honesty

  08-06-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Neil Johnson, of Waitsfield, an independent candidate for lieutenant governor who is state chair of the Green Mountain Party and the owner of the Johnson Real Estate Group.
  Vermont is a beautiful state, the privilege of being from Vermont is not lost on me. Vermont has three pressing issues at hand. Affordability, school funding and unaddressed drug problems.
  In the affordability category, one of Vermont’s pressing issues is having industry and jo
  
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• James Lyall: What do state’s attorneys want?

  08-06-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by James Lyall, who is executive director of the ACLU of Vermont.
  When Vermonters go to the polls this year, they should be aware that of all the candidates on the ballot, one of the most powerful and least accountable — a public official many Vermonters know almost nothing about — is their local state’s attorney.
  Elected prosecutors (called state’s attorneys in Vermont) have incredible power over the lives of Vermonters entangled i
  
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