Vermont’s fiscal experts will brief all legislators on the state’s economic and fiscal condition at an all-legislators’ meeting via zoom 9:30 AM, Dec. 3, according to the Vermont Legislature’s website.
Today’s News: Seven school districts refuse to question students about Thanksgiving / WRJ drug use, homelessness increase feared / Bar associations won’t back First Amendment resolution / Covid-19 vaccine protest banner removed
This decision to officially become more “welcoming,” and potential state legislation to decriminalize or legalize hard drugs, has led some Hartford residents to express concern about public safety and drug abuse.
At least seven Vermont school districts say they will hold in-person learning today and will not ask children if they were part of multi-household gatherings over the Thanksgiving vacation, as directed by State of Vermont Covid-19 guidelines.
A few days ago, I asked my colleagues in Caledonia County Bar to urge the Vermont Bar Association to take up the resolution. The response? I was verbally assaulted and publicly shamed. Lawyers said that the resolution was “right wing lunacy”, called my defense of the First Amendment “crazy rantings”, and said my proposal was “raw politics”. Several lawyers told me to stop sending messages—they were busy. One lawyer told me to go home and lie down.
A banner raised Sunday morning to protest liability exemption for the Covid-19 vaccine was removed by state workers this afternoon, Jennifer Stella of Health Choice Vermont said. The removal of the banner raised by Health Choice Vermont may be in conflict with a Scott administration policy allowing messaging on state highway property, enacted in June in response to complaints from Black Lives Matter protesters.
Today’s News: School district won’t comply / Health Dept. says Irasburg church attendees should be tested / Recent News
“The Governor’s order, and the subsequent guidance from the Agency of Education, potentially thrust our young children into adult conversations and decisions, which is not appropriate,” Georgia Elementary School principals Julie Conrad and Steve Emery wrote in a Nov. 25 letter to parents. “It also potentially sets up situations where being dishonest could take precedence over our working together to meet every student and family’s individual needs, and that is not a practice that is in keeping with the character we encourage in our students and each other.”
BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Department of Health is urging anyone who attended Sunday services at New Hope Bible Church in Irasburg on November 22 to get tested for COVID-19.
BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 27, 2020 His administration’s plan to quiz students on where they spent Thanksgiving struck a “guilt nerve” and a “resistance nerve” as shown by vehement community pushback, Gov. […]
With release of a Covid-9 vaccine expected within two weeks, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said “there’s no talk of mandatory vaccination” in national advisory councils overseeing vaccination release.
This week’s US Supreme Court decision striking down New York restrictions on religious gatherings explicitly upholds Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s executive order on religious gatherings, both Scott and an administration official said today.
Editor’s Note: the author, a Chittenden County resident and mother of three, holds a Masters Degree in Public Health. November 25, 2020 To Whom it May Concern and May it Concern You: […]
As of 11:44 pm, I’ve only read the first few pages, can’t tell if it’s a bombshell or a dud or just a respectable but insufficient hand-grenade.
Reprinted from today’s reading from Our Daily Bread In the seventeenth century, Martin Rinkart served as a clergyman in Saxony, Germany, for more than thirty years during times of war and plague. […]
If you’re nostalgic for a taste of a Thanksgiving from the good old days, you might want to watch “Thanks to Vermont,” a 1955 promotional video for Vermont products.
On Nov. 24, Scott asked Vermonters not to shop on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday retailing season) if they didn’t have a need to. The normally pro-business Scott may be hoping to stop the new surge of COVID cases, but his comments seem to have rattled small business owners.
Will Covid-19 vaccine be mandatory? / Readers comment on plan to ask students about Thanksgiving travel plans / Health Dept. says “you are not allowed to gather with people you don’t live with.”
On August 25, both Gov. Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine said they were open but not committed to mandatory vaccination for Covid-19. They took a ‘wait and see’ approach. Would the vaccine be safe? Effective? As Gov. Scott said: “details do matter.”
After Gov. Phil Scott yesterday announced that on Monday, school workers will ask both students and parents if they traveled for Thanksgiving, Associated Press reporter Wilson Ring asked if this plan puts children in the position of tattling on their parents. Many readers don’t think much of his answer.
Statement from VT Dept. of Health about Thanksgiving: You are not allowed to gather with people you don’t live with. This includes gathering both inside and outside, and in public and private spaces.
Beavers slain in East Topsham / Kids asked to rat on parents about Thanksgiving? / Gov. Scott gets invite to Bob Orleck’s house for Thanksgiving / Generosity helps needy Vermonters stay warm
The demise of the semiaquatic rodents and the damage to their dam is the result of an onsite visit from a representative from Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, an entity which advises Vermont towns on land management.
The Monday after Thanksgiving, Vermont school staff under direction from the Agency of Education will be asking students and parents if they traveled to other households for Thanksgiving dinner. If they answer yes, they will be required to go to remote learning for 14 days.
While he would have to violate his man-made rule, I invite him and his family to our humble house to give thanks that we still are a free nation with unalienable rights that neither he nor any other misguided despotic leader can unconstitutionally take away.
Many Vermonters in need will receive a surprise gift of warmth this winter thanks to the Split the Ticket Fund. While thousands of Vermont families receive fuel assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, there are many Vermonters that don’t qualify but still need help. These families can receive donations of heating oil, propane, or kerosene from the Split the Ticket Fund, a Vermont based 501c3 non-profit organization.
Presumptive House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) will go into the 2021-22 biennium with at least two big questions to answer:
1. Given Dem/Prog losses to the GOP of a net four seats, can she still muster an override of a veto by Gov. Phil Scott?
2. Can she turn her signature “Emerge” boot camp for Democratic women candidates into a House winner again?
In episode #30 of acclaimed video series “Travels With Charlie,” host Charlie Papillo talks with Newbury school board members Paul Jewett and Marvin Harrison about how the Act 46 forced merger of four school districts has worked – or, more often, not worked.
Sen. Randy Brock (R/D-Franklin) will be taking the reigns when new members are sworn in on January 6, according to current Minority Leader Sen. Joe Benning (R-Caledonia). Sen. Brian Collamore (R-Rutland) will continue to serve as Assistant Minority Leader.
Seven Days should conduct a confidential poll of news staff and editorial employees of Seven Days, VtDigger, and Vermont Public Radio. How many consider themselves conservative, served in the armed forces, donated to Republican presidential candidates, belong to the local fish and game club, fly an American flag, watch NASCAR, support local police, etc.?
One of our native wildlife species historically played an important role on Thanksgiving Day. North America’s native wild turkeys were the ancestors of the Thanksgiving turkey on our dinner table, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. reports.
Top Stories of the Week: Dominion in Vermont / Violent criminals don’t belong in jail, State’s Attorney says / Covid restriction opposition unpatriotic, Scott says / GOP wins 7 seats won by abortion, climate legislation backers / Burlington considers oil heat ban / BLM, Blue LIves Matter flags to fly over Barre / Understanding VT media bias
The Rev. Dr. Craig Lee Bensen went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ unexpectedly at his home in the early hours of Sunday, November 8, 2020. He was 72 years old.
A recount held in North Hero Friday confirmed the election of Republicans Leland and Michael Morgan to the two seats in the Grand Isle – West Milton House districts.
Burlington, towns consider ban on new oil, gas furnaces / Game warden impersonators try to strangle victim / 5% of VT schoolchildren home schooled / VT uses Dominion but not Smartmatic / State revenue up over soft projections
The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were $18.27 million, or 10.1%, above expectations in October.
NEWS SHORTS: At 3:39 this morning, Vermont State Police received a call that a resident of a home on Lamkin St in Highgate had been awakened by two males allegedly impersonating Vermont Fish & Game Officers. Small amount of Pfizer vaccine to reach Vermont December 10. Barre flag-flying schedule listed.
Five percent of Vermont schoolchildren – one in 20 – are being home schooled, according to statistics received from the Vermont Agency of Education. A total of 79,836 students are enrolled in Vermont public schools during the 2020 school year, according to the Vermont Agency of Education dashboard. That’s down from 83,710 in the 2019 school year.
Vermont uses Dominion voting machines but does not use Smartmatic software, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters told Vermont Daily this week.
The ordinance committee in Vermont’s largest city met last night to discuss whether or not they can ban new fossil fuel infrastructure.
The Vermont Fuel Dealers Association has hired an attorney to investigate whether a Vermont municipality can legally ban oil and gas burners or enact a fee that would make it prohibitively expensive to install one. According to this memo from the city of Burlington, under the draft ordinance a new hotel that wants to heat with gas would have to pay an estimated $200,000 for a permit.
Barre to fly BLM, Thin Blue Line flags / Helping VT media understand their bias / Portland Oregon dystopia future of VT? / Archer Mayor in car crash / Fernandez on socialism
A pro-BLM flag supporter on the Council condemned the “hatred” of the pro-police flag, and said there are people in Barre who “cannot see past their hatred.”
Vermont crime novelist Archer Mayor was involved in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17 that sent the driver of the other car to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, state police said.
Vermont conservatives – and Trump supporters in particular – are media shy. At numerous Trump rallies this reporter has asked flag-waving, sign-carrying, “USA” chanting Vermonters to tell me why they support the president. Those willing to answer usually refuse to give their names. Social and family repercussions are feared. Worse, they tell me they’re worried about losing their jobs.
Now that Biden is our president-elect, he may well become socialism’s malleable puppetoon manipulated by the Bernies, the Pelosis, the Omars, as the Democrat Party’s media marketing partners, MSNBC and CNN. Senator Sanders has already formed a unity policy plan with the president-elect, telling NBC News that Biden “will be the most liberal president since FDR.”
Despite the obvious gentrification of the Portland, Oregon neighborhoods where I grew up, ten years ago there were no tent cities scattered along the city-scapes. Now there are too many to count. Trash and garbage were rarely an eye sore along the shoulders of the inner-city freeways. Today it appears as though little to no money is in the budget for keeping the roads clean.
Today’s News: Make that seven seats held by Planned Parenthood-favored lawmakers lost to GOP. And all but one voted for Global Warming Solutions Act. too.
Make that seven Democratic/Progressive Vermont legislators highly ranked by Planned Parenthood whose seats were “flipped” by voters in favor of Republicans Nov. 3. And, all six House members also supported the Global Warming Solutions Act.
What madness is this that the governor, and now the Burlington Free Press, continues to push the false premise that somehow two Halloween parties, a bowling league, and some anecdotal hypotheticals about deer camps, etc., are to blame, while intentionally ignoring mass gatherings? Surely, if there are any upticks in numbers, it is this event that is squarely to blame.
Winooski has followed in Montpelier’s footsteps in proposing a charter change that would allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. If the measure is passed, the proposal would have to be approved by lawmakers — who have stalled a similar measure passed by Montpelier voters.
Vermont uses Dominion machines / Covid measure pushback not ‘patriotism,’ Scott says / Don’t jail violent criminals, treat them, Chittenden prosecutor Sarah George says / Westmore man dies in head-on crash / Election law commentary
Gov. Phil Scott today sharply rebuked Vermonters who in the name of patriotism and freedom refuse to follow state Covid-19 requirements.
Only registered voters should be eligible to run for election to an office. No showboating 15 year olds, green card foreigners, or persons illegally in our country.
Should people arrested for committing violent crimes be sent to jail? Sarah George, Chittenden County State’s Attorney, doesn’t think so. Most violent perpetrators need mental health services instead, she said Friday, Nov. 13 on WVMT’s Morning Drive.
The following is a selection of police incidents that occurred recently in Vermont, as reported by Vermont State Police.
Vermont uses vote tabulation machines manufactured by Dominion, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters told Vermont Daily today. However they are older models than the machines now under scrutiny in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, he said.
Vermont game wardens helped recover two hunters lost in Middlesex Notch Saturday evening, November 14, the opening day of Vermont’s sixteen-day rifle deer hunting season.
All six Democratic/Progressive Vermont legislators whose seats were “flipped” by voters in favor of Republicans Nov. 3 had been strongly endorsed by the Planned Parenthood of Vermont Action Fund.
Police dogs in recent, separate incidents on both sides of Vermont helped apprehend out-of-staters with illegal drug connections who were fleeing human police, police say.
Retail sales will only be allowed in communities that vote to opt-in. In other words: No marijuana retail store can open unless town voters affirmatively decide, at a warned meeting, to allow retail operations. Cultivation, testing, warehousing, and distribution are not subject to any municipal opt-in.
These five Vermont Daily news stories found strong reader interest this week of 11/8 – 11/14. Also included is a September 25 post that has taken on a viral life of its […]
New restrictions on gatherings announced / Bernie wants $2000/month for ‘working class’ Americans / Pandemic impacts fuel prices / AOC uneasy
Senator and possible Labor Secretary Bernie Sanders has upped the ante on proposed stimulus payments for all Americans: he now wants the government to pay $2000 every month for every ‘working class’ American.
The executive orders announced today to reduce transmission of Covid-19 in Vermont do not include any restrictions on religious services, Gov. Phil Scott said.
Shakespeare wrote, ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.’ Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Ortez is uneasy. Recently she tweeted, “is anyone archiving these Trump sycophants for when they try to downplay or deny their complicity in the future?”
Reported recently by the Vermont Fuel Dealers: The concern continues for the more than 1600 fuel oil tanks on the Vermont Red Tag List. In the past two weeks, 48 tanks have been […]
BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 12, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) When it costs too much to be a landlord, just be homeless. In her latest satire documentary, Burlington landlord, “Generally Irritable” video series producer, […]
BURLINGTON – The State of Vermont reported 72 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday morning, the highest number of cases reported since the start of the pandemic, and almost double the number of new […]
by Guy Page Ron Klain, Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s appointee for chief-of-staff, February 13 tweeted “We don’t have a Covid-19 epidemic in the US but we are starting to see a fear […]
Montpelier – In response to recent coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Maine Governor Janet Mills, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, […]
Vermont a ‘brutally violent’ place for teen prostitute, survivor says in video BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) Last year, H568, a bill to study legalization of prostitution passed the Vermont […]
by Guy Page The recount for the Grand Isle – West Milton district in the Vermont House of Representatives will be held Friday, November 20 at the North Hero Town Hall, sources […]
by Guy Page Last year, H568, a bill to study legalization of prostitution passed the Vermont House but was not taken up by the Vermont Senate. It is expected that its supporters […]
Today, as Vermonters observe Veterans’ Day, the residents of the Vermont Veterans Home (VVH) in Bennington have only limited contact with loved ones due to the pandemic and staffing demands. But concerned […]
Scott denies congrats to Biden congrats are premature BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) Saturday Nov. 7, a short time after the national Associated Press and other press organizations declared […]
Saturday Nov. 7, a short time after the national Associated Press and other press organizations declared Democrat Joseph Biden the winner of the Pennsylvania primary and the likely recipient of 270 electoral […]
Dave Gram was let go as WDEV morning talk host this past weekend in part because of how he interjected his political opinions into discussions, both he and station management said. “We […]
Gov. Phil Scott suspended the Vermont Covid-19 ‘travel map’ today. The State of Vermont has implemented a mandatory 14-day quarantine for any non-essential returning or traveling to Vermont. Any Vermonter who travels […]
The State of Vermont will work with the 1,625 Vermont property owners with “red-tagged” fuel tanks – those requiring repair or replacement before fuel can be delivered – to ensure they do […]
ADDISON – Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department staff gathered with conservation partners at the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison on Friday to commemorate a century’s worth of wildlife management area […]
Free Vermont state recognized tribal citizen hunting and fishing licenses will become available in January, 2021, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Act 143, approved by the 2020 Legislature, states […]
Editor’s note: On Election Day, Rep. Cynthia Browning lost her bid for re-election. After vehemently opposing House Speaker Mitzi Johnson during the session this year, the gadfly Democrat from Arlington ran as […]
On Election Day last Tuesday, Art Peterson of Clarendon proved that a determined challenger can defeat an established Democratic incumbent – without any help from Facebook. Seven days ago Peterson was a […]
At 9:05 this morning, WDEV listeners tuned in to the “Dave Gram Show” – only to find Vermont radio veteran Ric Cengeri hosting a new program called “Vermont Viewpoint.” Cengeri, a former […]
Levine, Scott advise small social gatherings – no mandate yet BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 6, 2020 Montpelier – Governor Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, today announced an advisory on social […]
Montpelier – Governor Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, today announced an advisory on social gatherings, strongly recommending they be limited to 10 or fewer people. Noting that Vermont has seen […]
Gov. Phil Scott wants the Legislature to allow mail-in voting for Town Meeting, he said at his press conference today. In response to a question posed by VT Digger’s Anne Wallace Allen […]
By Guy Page The Vermont House Democrat/Progressive supermajority evaporated on Election Day. The axiom that Republican governors have short coattails proved wrong this year. Republican Phil Scott’s ponytailed Democratic/Progressive competitor won fewer […]
Below are just a handful of the key successes Vermont Republicans realized this election, according to a statement released today by the Vermont Republican Party President Deb Billado: The re-election of Governor […]
by Guy Page November 4, 2020 – After narrow Election Day wins, the Vermont Republican House Caucus now stands at 46, with two independents considered likely to vote with them on many […]
By Guy Page As of 12:20 AM, Nov. 4, with 252 of 275 districts reporting, several House districts appear to have “flipped” to a different party, according to the Vermont Secretary of […]
By Guy Page 10:30 pm, Nov. 3 – It’s early yet, but there are signs that the GOP may pick up some seats in the Vermont House. Gov. Phil Scott’s 68%-27% lead […]
By Guy Page Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts yesterday announced an executive order limiting indoor and outdoor crowd sizes and authorizing police to levy $500 fines for each person in attendance above […]
By Guy Page November 3, 2020 – Republicans in the Vermont House of Representatives need eight more seats to reach the 51 necessary to sustain a governor’s veto. The Legislature’s 103-vote override […]
by Guy Page – Below are 10 takeaways the press statement and other information available today at 2:30 pm by the University of Vermont Medical Center about last week’s “cyberattack event.” The […]
As snow falls, some ask – do schools still need ‘snow days’? BYGUY PAGEON NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) The first major fall snowstorm blanketed Vermont this morning. Some Vermonters asked: do schools […]
By Guy Page November 2, 2020 – The first major fall snowstorm blanketed Vermont this morning. Some Vermonters asked: do schools with institutionalized, widespread remote learning still need ‘snow days’? For example, […]
COMMENTARY By Guy Page Last Wednesday, Marxist and two-party system opponent Angela Davis was an honored featured speaker at Middlebury College. Hundreds attended via zoom. In February, another large, peaceful, approving crowd […]
