A cop convicted of raping a 12 year old girl in 1988 has been charged with obstruction of justice.
NY cop convicted of VT child rape charged with obstruction of justice
Steyn: Our increasingly unrecognizable civilization
America, and the West in general, have become almost unrecognizable from what they were not that long ago.
Krauss: Will Leahy, Sanders call out Senate men’s club hypocrisy?
Vermonters might remind Senator Leahy that the real White House was partially constructed by black slaves. The private clubs that Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) frequents apparently aren’t eager to admit many of those ancestors as club members.
McClaughry: Put ‘Vermont Proposition’ back on shelf
The Vermont Proposition is a sincere liberal’s dream for somehow ending racism, reducing inequality, defeating poverty, countering the menace of climate change, and replacing grassroots democracy with a hugely expanded and unaccountable administrative state. Put it back on the shelf.
CRT Townhalls planned across Vermont
6:30 pm, the Vermont for Vermonters Initiative will host a public Townhall Informational in Brattleboro on “Critical Race Theory/Equity” with four speakers and a Q&A session.
Not Bing Crosby’s Holiday Inn
Police visits to some of the state’s hotels and motels have been commonplace since the State of Vermont converted them into much-needed housing for the homeless.
Update: Independence celebration planned for State House lawn, hours before West African event
A traditional Independence Day celebration will be held on the State House Lawn Saturday at noon.
Flora Scott: Sheriff protector against bad cops
We don’t need to defund the police. Your sheriff is the highest elected local law enforcement officer and authorized to intervene on your behalf if other police step on your constitutional rights.
Montpelier considers allowing homeless camps
The City of Montpelier is considering taking making an official policy of its laissez-faire approach to homeless encampments.
Spray-painted racial slur in Sheldon
The Vermont State Police is investigating an incident in which yellow spray paint was used to write a racial slur on the driveway of a private residence in Sheldon.
Today’s Watercooler: Montpelier proposes camping policy for homeless, State House to reopen next week
Today’s Vermont media headlines: Montpelier proposes camping policy for homeless. State House to reopen next week. Winooski raises Pride flag. New laws take effect July 1.
Chang/Metaxas tickets available
Information and tickets are now available for the September 10-11 visit of two national media powerhouses: China expert Gordon Chang and author/interviewer Eric Metaxas.
Road rage stopped by I-89 rock ledge
Collision with the rock ledges on I-89 ended a June 25 ‘road rage’ incident involving two men, a Jeep Wrangler, and a Toyota Corolla.
Scott pledges to refuse federal unemployment check extension
The Vermont unemployment rate is down to 2.6% and isn’t expected to climb much until more workers re-enter the workforce. Meanwhile – the federal government is paying $300/week to stay home.
Evslin: World reacts to possible UFOs
How Fox News, CNN, Joe Biden and Donald Trump might react to news of aliens of the extraterrestial kind.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Mon, Jun 28
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
In Williston, Charlie Kirk preaches power to the people
Representing his nine year-old organization Turning Point USA, where he speaks at high school and college campuses around the United States over three hundred times a year, Charlie Kirk launched into explaining the difference between making disciples of Christ as opposed to converts to religious Christianity. The former more about character and societal impact for good with the latter tending to be more insular and less generous toward one’s neighbor.
Elle Purrier, the Richford Rocket, going to Olympics
Runner Elle Purrier is going to Tokyo Olympics with the aim of winning – something she’s been in the habit of doing since her days at Richford High School.
Sexton: evil isn’t hiding. It’s right in front of you
Some Vermonters didn’t throw away their freedoms. They went to church, they didn’t wear the rag on their faces, they went to work, they gathered with families and friends, they refused the jab. And they were attacked, they lost people they thought were friends. Family members attacked and fear them, even still.
Across Lake Champlain, drug abuse surges after bail ‘reform’ – Vermont next?
H 296, a bill in the Vermont Legislature, would eliminate cash bail for drug offenses. A similar New York law has led to more drug abuse, the Essex County (NY) prosecutor said last week.
Gunshot victim in critical condition
A Marlboro man is in critical condition after being shot Sunday evening.
VT gets $1 million grant for more electric buses – despite glitches with two on road now
A $1 million federal grant will help the State of Vermont buy for more electric buses for public transportation.
Opinion: Village of Essex Jct. cancels Constitutional rights
You would think the story about a lifeguard fired for expressing free speech would be all over the news, but did any of Vermont’s state-wide main-stream printed news media report it? Seven Days? – no. VTDigger? – no.
UPDATE: Montpelier passes on Independence Day celebration, offers West African festival instead
nal watching of Independence Day fireworks from the State House lawn won’t happen this year. In its place, several organizations will offer West African dance and music.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Fri, Jun 25
Today’s Top News Headlines from around the state.
Race-based bills, initiatives listed
Vermont’s Legislature has embraced a panoply of race-based bills during the 2021-22 session.
CRT info night coming to St. Albans
“Vermonters for Vermont” Initiative will bring an informational presentation on Critical Race Theory to St. Albans City Hall Friday, July 16 at 6:30 pm.
Leahy: don’t defund Capitol Police
The police we (Congress) need to defend us are overworked, stressed out, and lacking equipment, Sen. Patrick Leahy told his fellow senators. Solution: more, not less, funding.
Vermont general pronounced his own ‘Emancipation Proclamation,’ two years before Lincoln
In 1861 Gen. John Wolcott Phelps of Guilford had no authority to actually free slaves, but his tract became known as the Phelps Emancipation Proclamation.
Judge orders Newport store owner to pay $850 for mask violation
A judge yesterday ordered former UPS Store owner Michael Desautels to pay $850 in penalties for violating mask guidelines, as the Attorney General’s Office had requested.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Thu, Jun 24
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
Men don’t have vaginas, gay GOP candidate says
Felker, Republican candidate for an open Burlington City Council seat, has stirred up opposition by denying a man can have a vagina.
Barre vote tonight on school ‘equity’ policy
The Barre Unified School District plans to take action tonight on a proposed district equity policy at a meeting beginning at 5:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend and comment.
Senate OKS rental, contractor registries, overrides veto of non-citizen voting
The Vermont Senate today agreed with the House on bills to create statewide registries of all rental housing and building trades contractors.
ER Doc pleads guilty to child porn
A hospital employee discovered a camera hidden in a unisex employee bathroom in the Emergency Department. Investigators with the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI) recovered the camera and discovered about 1,300 videos on the camera.
Meth user, strangler busted for Burlington bank robbery
A customer conducting business at the bank grabbed McCandless and began pulling McCandless toward the exit of the bank. McCandless was given $10 in cash by a patron, and McCandless left the bank.
Roper: Bad (non) start for pension reform
Politically powerful unions trashed the plan, which would have required them to shoulder some of the financial burden for repairing the system, and threatened any politician who dared indicate support.
Dangerous trespassing on railroad tracks
Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) and Operation Lifesaver of Vermont (OLVT) officials are reporting that trespassing on or near railroad tracks in Vermont has increased since the suspension of Amtrak services in March 2020.
Warner: Komrade Karl and the AfterBern
What a racist scumbag Marx was. Do socialists know this? Does Bernie?
Charlie Kirk speaking this Sunday in Williston
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, will speak at Ignite Church in Williston 10 AM Sunday, June 27.
Colchester continues to fly BLM flag
ted 4-1 Tuesday night to continue to fly the Black Lives Matter flag at town schools. But first it heard Colchester resident and educator Genna Barnaby explain why doing so violates flag protocol and policy. She also recommends a new flag to honor civil rights and the end of slavery.
Man on bus charged with hate crime, jailed
Police found that James Bryant, age 41, of Rutland had engaged in violent, tumultuous behavior, made unreasonable noise, and used obscene language in a public place.
Pollinators in peril
Vermont’s native bees, including over 300 unique species and three that are threatened or endangered, are among our pollinators being impacted the most.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Wed, Jun 23
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
Vaccine passport to enter State House?
Key legislators discuss banning non-vaccinated Vermonters from part or all of the Vermont State House.
House overrides veto of non-citizen voting
The House of Representatives today overrode the vetos of Gov. Phil Scott of two municipal charter changes allowing non-citizen voting.
On eve of veto session, former Winooski lawmaker opposes non-citizen voting
Former Winooski lawmaker George Cross supports Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of non-citizen voting in his city.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Tue, Jun 22
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
Keelan: As climate war escalates, so do mortgage costs
Anyone who’s endured the myriad of issues that come with closing on a home mortgage might want to get ready for the next wave of complexity and cost. And once again, climate change is the driver.
Republican Felker runs for Burlington Council
Christopher-Aaron Felker, the Burlington GOP Ward 3 nominee for the upcoming special election in August, will kick-off his campaign with a unifying message for all Burlingtonians Tuesday, 5:30 pm at the Battery Park Fountain extension.
Hangover-free beer unpopular in VT
Just 50 percent of Vermont drinkers were willing to switch to non-alcoholic beer – below the national average, between #1 Michigan and #50 MIssissippi.
Pipes: Thoughts on Juneteenth
Without the sacrifice made by hundreds of thousands of white men, and that of their families, there would be no Juneteenth.
With $2500 payments & more, Vermont not kicking homeless to the curb
For now, the federal government is reimbursing the state for most of the $79 million cost to house up to 2000 families per night in ‘homeless hotels.’ Projections for state fiscal year 2022 pegged the cost rising to $108 million if the program did not undergo changes.
New laws, shifting population will shake up ’22 election map
Vermont’s legislative districting map could look very different for next year’s election.
Video: on fired lifeguard story, our readers fire back
Our readers weren’t happy to hear the Village of Essex Junction has fired an 18-year-old lifeguard for speaking out against Critical Race Theory. First Amendment, anyone?
Readers comment on “CRT in action, lifeguard fired” story yesterday
by Guy Page Vermont Daily is taking a brief rest. Look for our next post on Tuesday. John Klar’s story yesterday about Alex Katsnelson, Essex teenager fired from lifeguard job for speaking […]
Keep BLM flag flying in Colchester?
The Colchester School District has planned a special meeting this Tuesday, June 22 at 7 pm in the Colchester High School Library -in person! – in order to discuss when to remove or take down the currently-flying flag that represents the organization, “Black Lives Matter.”
Welch bill requires 70% renewable power nationwide
A bill introduced by Rep. Peter Welch would require 70% renewable power from U.S. electricity generators by 2030.
Residential Vermont State Colleges mandate student vax for fall
Two colleges in the Vermont State College system will mandate Covid-19 vaccination for all students this fall.
Sanders bill would raise social security benefit 31%
A bill introduced by Bernie Sanders would increase the minimum SSDI payment by 31%, or $246/month.
Apply now for seat on State Board of Education
Governor Phil Scott is seeking applications for an opening on the State Board of Education.
Musician: Masking is torture for kids
Speaking/singing are integral to developing a strong sense of self. If infringed upon, this will lead to a general thwarting of the human spirit.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Wed, Jun 16
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
State of Emergency over, new Executive Order continues some features
To ensure continuation of federal funding for certain programs, the Governor has signed an Executive Order issued under his general powers.
Essex school board votes 8-1 for ‘equity,’ Rutland CRT meeting tonight
Vermonters for Vermont Initiative (V4V) will host a public Townhall Informational on public school’s teaching of Critical Race Theory, better known as equity, in the the classroom.
Burlington GOP meets Friday to name Ward 3 Council candidate
The Burlington Republican Committee will hold an emergency meeting by Zoom at 7:30 pm to nominate a candidate for the open Ward 3 City Council seat.
Homemade fireworks maker burned in blast
Firefighters located an injured male, Wayne LePage, 40, seated outside. He appeared to have sustained burns to his upper body.
Former Obama communications staffer to lead new statewide media
Project 14, a new statewide media outlet funded by the University of Vermont, will be led by former Obama White House communications staff member, Meg Little Reilly, a Brattleboro native and UVM graduate.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Tue, Jun 15
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
Guv’s lawyer: unvaccinated employees may be fired once vax gets FDA approval
y legally fire employees who refuse to be vaccinated once a vaccine receives final approval by the FDA, the chief legal counsel for the Scott administration said today.
Scott unaware of Texas plea for help with border crisis
Gov. Phil Scott said he hasn’t heard from his fellow governors in Texas and Arizona about their plea for help from other states to stop the inflow of illegal immigrants.
Wallet stolen: have you seen this man?
Through further investigation, troopers were able to review surveillance footage at the store and could see a male leave with the wallet.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Tue, Jun 15
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
Frenier: CRT as religion
Ask yourself: Is Critical Race Theory taught to our children in such a way that they are able to see alternative views? Are these alternative views studied as part of the curriculum and with respect?
Tiny VT county gov’t gets $121 million from feds
Some Vermont counties are set to get more money from the federal government in one year than they have gotten from Vermont taxpayers in the 21st century.
Government must meet in-person, again
Temporary Open Meeting measures enacted by the Vermont Legislature tied to the State of Emergency will no longer be in effect as of midnight tonight, when the SOE expires, the Vermont Secretary of State’s office said.
UVM defends student-only vax mandate
The University of Vermont this fall will require vaccination of all students – but not faculty and staff – because students live in closer quarters and belong to an age group with lower vaccination rates.
Eric Metaxas, Gordon Chang coming to VT to discuss Communist China
China expert Gordon Chang and author/interviewer Eric Metaxas will be the featured speakers at a three-day event about the People’s Republic of China and the United States September 10-12 at Ignite Church on South Brownell Road in Williston.
Mazur: Biden targets suburban single-family homes
If you live in a suburban home that has a yard, scrubs, space between you and your neighbor and you work every day to pay your mortgage, you are the target of the Biden Infrastructure Plan.
Colchester man dies after ATV overturns
Sean Ploof, 57, of Colchester died Sunday, June 13 after he lost control of his ATV while trail-riding.
80% vax reached, SOE lifted – but vaccine passports okay
Because Vermont reached the 80% vaccination threshhold this weekend, the pandemic State of Emergency declared in March 2020 will end at midnight tomorrow night, Governor Phil Scott said at a press conference today.
McClaughry: ‘Vermont Proposition’ same old stuff
Periodically, it seems, concerned citizens of Vermont gather to revive the idea of creating an inspiring Vision for the state’s future. Last month the largely federally-funded Vermont Council on Rural Development released the draft of its “Vermont Proposition
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Fri, Jun 11
Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
Scott supports, signs bill to study legalized sports betting
Gov. Phil Scott on June 8 signed into law a bill to study legalizing sports betting in Vermont – an industry he supports, he said.
After state takes kids from drug-abusing mom, family reunified
After the state took her kids, a drug-abusing mom got cleaned up – and got her kids back.
VT Guard biathletes train for 2022 Olympics in China
Three Vermont National Guard biathletes are training hard in anticipation of attending the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Apologetic burglar flees
After hearing a loud crash, the homeowner made contact with a male standing outside. The male was described as 5’8″-5’10” feet tall, skinny with blond hair in his late mid to late 20’s. After being confronted, he apologized for breaking the window, and left abruptly.
Most new state appointees live in Burlington-Montpelier I-89 corridor
A map of recent appointees to Scott administration boards and commissions shows more than half live along the I-89 corridor in Washington and Chittenden counties.
Annular eclipse this morning
Weather-permitting, residents of Vermont saw the sun in the midst of an eclipse at sunrise on today.
Prog lawmaker refuses Public Records request, claims ‘legislative privilege’
A Burlington legislator is arguing a novel ‘legislative privilege’ defense to withhold two documents sought by a former city employee using the Public Records Act.
Sexual assault bust in Hartford
Aiden Boettcher, 21, of Gulfport Mississippi was arrested in Hartford on June 9 for sexual assault. He was released on citation and is ordered to appear in court today.
Roper: Answer to CRT is school choice – which black Americans support
School choice will benefit everybody. If you really believe in a social justice – the real thing, not just a bumper sticker slogan — school choice for everyone should be an easy cause to embrace.
Sanders, Leahy, Welch demand Biden lift border shutdown
DERBY LINE – Vermont’s congressional delegation is demanding a plan to reopen the U.S. – Canada border, as well as calling on the Biden administration to immediately lift what most see as an unfair border policy.
Alex Farrell named deputy housing commissioner
Alex Farrell as deputy commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development.
UVM to require vax once FDA-approved
The University of Vermont will require students to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus once at least one of the vaccines receives full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, school spokesperson Enrique Corredera said today.
Since Brigham: school funding has doubled, staff up 17%; enrollment down 20%
By John McClaughry In 1996 the Vermont Supreme Court issued the Brigham Decision, which required that there be “substantially equal education tax resources in every district.” (Note: It does not guarantee equal spending […]
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Tue, Jun 08
Today’s headlines from Vermont media.
Flemming: Pearson ‘libertarian’? Not so much
meeting. Libertarianism is a philosophy of voluntary action being morally superior to coercive action. When it comes time to vote on just about any issue, Pearson has chosen coercion over liberty just about every time, as you can see from his Roll Call Profile. His insistence on codes being “not voluntary” is just the latest case in a long-standing trend.
Troy school will use ‘restorative justice’ techniques to reduce truancy
A Northeast Kingdom school will use ‘restorative justice’ – style interventions to reduce truancy.
Right to Life demands Planned Parenthood return $2.7 million in ‘paycheck protection’
New Hampshire Right to Life (NHRTL) yesterday filed a complaint asking the US Small Business Administration (SBA) to demand a return of the $2,717,300 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan unlawfully obtained by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England to subsidize its abortion clinics in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.
