Vermont news

• Bar owner drops lawsuit claiming racial bias by Rutland Police

  10-08-2018 23:49 via vtdigger.org
  The owner of The Local nightclub in downtown Rutland has dropped his federal lawsuit against the city’s police department. File photo by Alan J. Keays/VTDigger
  RUTLAND — A former bar owner who claimed the city had used discriminatory police tactics that forced him to shut down his business has dropped his lawsuit with no money exchanging hands.
  The city, in court filings, denied the allegations raised in the lawsuit, contending there is no proof any action by the police department le
  
  Read more

• Care board cuts MVP health insurer’s rate hike request

  10-08-2018 22:00 via vtdigger.org
  Green Mountain Care Board hears testimony earlier this year. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  State regulators have significantly reduced a proposed 2019 rate hike for one of the two insurers on Vermont Health Connect.
  The Green Mountain Care Board has ordered that MVP Health Care must cut its average rate increase for individual and small-group plans on the exchange from 10.9 percent to 6.6 percent. When available subsidies are figured in, officials said the actual rate increase for many p
  
  Read more

• Care board cuts health insurer’s rate hike request

  10-08-2018 22:00 via vtdigger.org
  Green Mountain Care Board hears testimony earlier this year. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  State regulators have significantly reduced a proposed 2019 rate hike for one of the two insurers on Vermont Health Connect.
  The Green Mountain Care Board has ordered that MVP Health Care must cut its average rate increase for individual and small-group plans on the exchange from 10.9 percent to 6.6 percent. When available subsidies are figured in, officials said the actual rate increase for many p
  
  Read more

• Burlington Community Boathouse Marina to join Vermont Green Business Program

  10-08-2018 21:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Agency of Natural ResourcesAugust 3, 2018
  Contact:Catherine Coteus(802) [email protected]
  Local Marina Commits to Clean Water by Joining Vermont Green Business Program
  MONTPELIER, Vt – With just shy of 500 square miles of water, Lake Champlain is what a boater’s dreams are made of. Yet, boat traffic can result in pollution from sewage, fuel and other contaminants. Burlington Marina is joining the effort to do its part for the Lake all b
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Campaign 2018: Bernie Sanders Makes His Case For A Third Term As Senator dlvr.it/QfTjKs https://t.co/XryEvhtCJC

  10-08-2018 21:11 via twitter.com
  
  Campaign 2018: Bernie Sanders Makes His Case For A Third Term As Senator dlvr.it/QfTjKs https://t.co/XryEvhtCJC
  
  Read more

• LISTEN: Reporter Roundtable: Looking Ahead To Next Week's Primary dlvr.it/QfTdBP https://t.co/oXoIlbf1GF

  10-08-2018 20:54 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Reporter Roundtable: Looking Ahead To Next Week's Primary dlvr.it/QfTdBP https://t.co/oXoIlbf1GF
  
  Read more

• Green Mountain Power CEO named most CEO Connection most influential woman

  10-08-2018 20:45 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Green Mountain PowerAugust 1, 2018
  Media Contact:Kristin Kelly(802) 318-0872
  MARY POWELL NAMED ONE OF TOP 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN BY CEO CONNECTION FOR THIRD YEAR
  Powell Honored for Innovation and Influencing Change to Help Improve Lives
  COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power President and CEO Mary Powell was named one of CEO Connection’s 2018 Most Influential Women of the Mid-Market for the third year in a row. The 25 CEOs on the list have demonstrated leaders
  
  Read more

• Vermont Creamery receives awards at American Cheese Society Competition

  10-08-2018 20:14 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont CreameryJuly 30, 2018
  Contact:Kara [email protected]
  Websterville, VT— July 30, 2018— Vermont Creamery took home 6 awards at the 35th annual American Cheese Society Competition (ACS), held this year in Pittsburgh, PA on July 27.
  The Creamery’s flagship aged cheese, Bonne Bouche, took first place in its category, as did Lightly Salted Cultured Butter and Fromage Blanc. Bijou took second place in its category and Coupole and
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Kayhart family hosts 2,000 for breakfast and dairy farm tour

  10-08-2018 20:04 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & MarketsJuly 30, 2018
  Media Contact:Rene Thibault802-863-5416 [email protected]
  West Addison, VT – On Saturday, July 28th, more than 2,000 people came to Kayhart Brothers Dairy Farm for a day of excitement, delicious food, and education. It was Vermont Breakfast on the Farm hosted by the Kayhart Family. The free, public event included a pancake breakfast and self-guided tour of the dairy farm. Visitors experience
  
  Read more

• Montpelier officials hope distillery spurs development

  10-08-2018 19:41 via vtdigger.org
  Caledonia Spirits President Ryan Christiansen, left, and Gov. Phil Scott at the company’s distillery groundbreaking in Montpelier. Photo by Kit Norton/VTDigger.
  Montpelier residents on Barre Street can expect a new neighbor next year when Caledonia Spirits opens a new 26,000 thousand square foot distillery and visitors center.
  Caledonia Spirits, the distillers of Barr Hill gin and vodka, officially broke ground on the site for its new distillery on Thursday in front of a crowd of about 50.
  
  Read more

• Emerson Lynn endorses Christine Hallquist as Democratic nominee

  10-08-2018 18:35 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Christine HallquistAugust 10, 2018
  Contact:Cameron H. RussellMobile: 802.734.1561www.christineforvermont.com
  Emerson Lynn: Christine Hallquist best choice among Democrats for Governor
  On Tuesday, Vermonters will have a four-person field to pick from in the Democratic primary for governor. There is 14-year-old Ethan Sonneborn, dance festival organizer Brenda Siegel, clean water activist James Ehlers, and former Vermont Electric Cooperative CEO Christine Hallquist. Among the f
  
  Read more

• The Deeper Dig: Upcoming elections will test Vermont’s voting laws

  10-08-2018 18:33 via vtdigger.org
  Voters in Williston on Town Meeting Day 2018. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  The Deeper Dig is a weekly podcast from the VTDigger newsroom. Listen below, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.Daniel Jones was 22 when he shot and killed a drug dealer in a Burlington alley in 2002. He was an addict, he says, and the killing was an accident.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our we
  
  Read more

• Brad Peacock announces U.S. Senate run

  10-08-2018 18:07 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Brad PeacockAugust 9, 2018
  CONTACT:802-440-2791
  U.S. Senate Candidate Brad Peacock:“Right of free speech does not mean the right to discriminate.”
  Shaftsbury, VT —Brad Peacock, who works as a farmer, recently filed paperwork with both the State of Vermont and the Secretary of the U.S. Senate to run as an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bernie Sanders.If elected, he would be the first openly gay male U.S. Senator in our count
  
  Read more

• Brenda Siegel announces education plan

  10-08-2018 18:03 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Brenda SigelAugust 9, 2018
  Contact:[email protected]
  Today, at 12:30pm in City Hall Park, Democratic GubernatorialCandidate Brenda Siegel released to the press her plan to Support andStrengthen our Public Schools.
  Siegel outlined a transition from a property tax supported educationtowards an income tax based structure. She also advocated for keepingin place the non-residential property tax portion of the currentstructure.
  Siegel further outlined the implementation o
  
  Read more

• 150 acres off Exit 4 in Randolph officially conserved

  10-08-2018 17:54 via vtdigger.org
  The view from the land to be conserved in Randolph. Photo by Mike Polhamus/VTDigger
  This story was published in the Valley News on Aug. 9.
  RANDOLPH — The open farmland that was at the center of a long-running controversy between environmentalists and a developer has been permanently conserved.
  The 150 acres near Exit 4 of Interstate 89 has been purchased by the Ayers Brook Goat Dairy, which is bound to maintain it as agricultural land by an agreement that involves a conservation easement h
  
  Read more

• Claims in Bennington racial profiling suit reinstated

  10-08-2018 17:48 via vtdigger.org
   
  Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette is shown here testifying at the Statehouse. File photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger
  BENNINGTON — Portions of a civil rights lawsuit filed against Bennington police officers, Chief Paul Doucette and the town that were dismissed last year are back on the table.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
  Sundays only (Weekly Wrap) Email me stori
  
  Read more

• YWP: ‘The People I’d Rather Not Be’

  10-08-2018 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
  
  Read more

• SCOV Law Blog: Determining ‘standing’ in a guardianship case

  10-08-2018 17:30 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This piece from the SCOV Law Blog is by SCOV Law editor Andrew Delaney.
  In re Guardianship of C.H., 2018 VT 76
  What exactly is an “interested person” in the context of a guardianship for a developmentally disabled adult? I’m glad you asked because it just so happens that’s just what SCOV considers in this case.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.
  
  Read more

• Dover bans medical marijuana dispensaries

  10-08-2018 17:23 via vtdigger.org
  Jars of medical marijuana. File photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger
  This story by Chris Mays was published in the Brattleboro Reformer.
  DOVER — Medical marijuana dispensaries will not be opening here.
  “The establishment, opening, operation or location of a dispensary in the town of Dover, Vermont, is prohibited,” says an ordinance adopted unanimously by the Select Board Tuesday.
  Police Chief Randy Johnson spearheaded the effort after wanting an ordinance in place for several yea
  
  Read more

• National Bank of Middlebury announces addition

  10-08-2018 17:14 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — National Bank of MiddleburyJuly 30, 2018
  Contact:Donna DonahuePO Box 189Middlebury, VT 05753
  Sarah Cowan, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, National Bank of Middlebury is pleased to announce that Will Eggleston has joined National Bank of Middlebury as Community Business Lender for the bank’s northern market area. He will be working from the bank’s Hinesburg office.
  Will who is originally from Texas has worked in the banking industry for 16+ years i
  
  Read more

• Vermont Commission on Women launches survey to focus on Vermont women’s issues

  10-08-2018 16:56 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Commission on WomenJuly 30, 2018
  Contact:Lilly Talbert802-828-2841
  (Montpelier) – The Vermont Commission on Women (VCW) has launched a short public survey called the Listening Project, designed to help focus future work on issues that matter to Vermonters. The survey asks what needs aren’t being met for Vermont women, what most effects their abilities to provide for themselves or their families, and what can be done to help.
  Burlington area Commissioner M
  
  Read more

• Northern Vermont University sophomore to participate in Giffords Courage Fellowship

  10-08-2018 16:49 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — GiffordsJuly 30, 2018
  CONTACT:Alexandra [email protected]
  Jason [email protected]
  Vermont Student Madison Knoop Selected for Inaugural Giffords Courage Fellowship
  Johnson, Vt., – Northern Vermont University Sophomore Madison Knoop has been selected to participate in the inaugural Giffords Courage Fellowship. Madison will join 27 other students from across the country in the year long program. Following the mass shooting in Park
  
  Read more

• New law reduces personal income taxes for Social Security recipients

  10-08-2018 15:08 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Gov. Phil ScottJuly 27, 2018
  Contact:Rebecca [email protected]
  Kate [email protected]
  NEW VERMONT LAW REDUCES PERSONAL INCOME TAXES BY $5 MILLION FOR SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTSMontpelier, Vt.—Nearly 40,000 Vermonters receiving Social Security benefits will keep more of their income due to an income tax exemption proposed by Gov. Phil Scott and passed by the Legislature. This change, included in Act 11 of the 2018 S
  
  Read more

• Jennifer Rushlow to lead Vermont Law School’s Environmental Law Program

  10-08-2018 05:44 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Law SchoolAug. 9, 2018
  As new Director of the Environmental Law Center at Vermont Law School, a powerful advocate brings experience in climate law, food and ag, clean energy, transportation, and environmental justice.
  Contact:Ben Jervey, Interim Director of Communications, Vermont Law Schooloffice: 802-831-1228, [email protected]
  SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt., August 9, 2018 — Accomplished attorney and environmental advocate Jennifer Rushlow will direct Vermont Law
  
  Read more

• Green Lantern Solar recognized as a 2018 top solar contractor in US

  10-08-2018 05:38 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Green Lantern SolarJuly 30, 2018
  Media Contacts:Green Lantern SolarEden [email protected]
  Solar Power WorldKelly Pickerel, editor in [email protected]
  The Solar Power World Top Solar Contractors list includes Waterbury-based solar firm
  Waterbury, VT – More than 10,600 megawatts of solar power were installed last year in the United States, and local Vermont solar developer and installer Green Lantern Solar h
  
  Read more

• Vermont Taste raises $16,407 for Copley Hospital

  10-08-2018 05:34 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Copley HospitalAug. 6, 2018
  Contact:Leah Hollenberger802-888-8301
  Morrisville, VT – The first ever Vermont Taste encouraged our community to celebrate some of the best things in life: good food, friends and family gathering together, creating a vibrant and healthy community. Proceeds from this community celebration raised $16,407 for Copley Hospital’s Charitable Care Program. 

One participating restaurant likes the concept so much, that they are cont
  
  Read more

• Robert Cotton appointed chief operating officer at National Life Group; Sarah VanBeck becomes chief financial officer

  10-08-2018 05:29 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — National Life GroupAugust 6, 2018
  Contact:Ross Sneyd, corporate communications, National Life Group, 802.229.3866.
  Robert Cotton Appointed Chief Operating Officer; Sarah VanBeck Becomes Chief Financial Officer
  Montpelier, Vermont – Robert Cotton was appointed Chief Operating Officer of National Life Group and Sarah VanBeck was promoted to Chief Financial Officer.
  Mehran Assadi, Chairman, CEO and President, said the appointments reflect National Life’s continued s
  
  Read more

• Lawyer: Ex-Jay Peak owner penned self-serving letter before fraudulent sale

  10-08-2018 03:53 via vtdigger.org
  Attorneys for a group of EB-5 investors exit federal court in Burlington following a hearing Thursday. From left are lawyers Joshua Simonds and Keith Miller. Photo by Bob Locicero/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — An attorney pressing a lawsuit against a Canadian company that formerly owned Jay Peak says a document the firm claims exonerates them in the alleged fraudulent sale of the resort a decade ago is nothing more than a “protect our ass” letter.
  Keith Miller, representing a group of
  
  Read more

• Laurie Gunn: Proposed nurses’ contract improves on wages and benefits

  10-08-2018 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Laurie Gunn, who is vice president of Employee, Patient and Family Experience at the UVM Medical Center.
  The University of Vermont Medical Center is negotiating a new contract with our nurses. Over the past few months, our nurses – who are central to the quality care we deliver – have helped us identify improvements that will ensure the hospital continues to be a place where our staff feel valued, engaged and proud of the work we do together
  
  Read more

• Bob Orleck: THC just as deadly as guns

  10-08-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Bob Orleck, who is a retired pharmacist and lawyer. He served as an assistant attorney general under Vermont Attorney General Jerome Diamond.
  Are you a gun owner concerned about passage of restrictive gun laws? Do you support legalization and sale of marijuana in Vermont?
  If your answer is “yes” to both questions, there is more you need to consider. If it is “yes” to the first question and “no” to the second, it appea
  
  Read more

• Miles Anton: Focus on issues, not identity

  10-08-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Miles Anton, of Brattleboro, who is a high school student, writer and filmmaker.Vermont’s strong link to progressivism has been a defining characteristic of our state’s political compass in recent times. The Progressive Party controls nearly 20 percent of our state Senate and the lieutenant governor’s office. Our senator, Bernie Sanders, is a self described progressive and our representative, Peter Welch is part of the House Progressiv
  
  Read more

• Squirrel blamed for internet blackout

  10-08-2018 00:04 via vtdigger.org
  State government was affected by an internet outage on Wednesday. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  A rodent was behind the Wednesday internet outage that brought down most of the state government websites and interrupted service for some Vermonters, a state official said.The state’s internet provider, FirstLight, informed the state that its internet connection went dark after a squirrel chewed through a fiber optic cable, said John Quinn, the secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Dig
  
  Read more

Follow @NewsVermont_ on Twitter!