Author Archives

Timothy Page

Old First Church in Bennington awarded $500,000 save America’s treasures grant

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In 1935, the Vermont legislature designated Old First Church as Vermont’s Colonial Shrine. The church stands at the heart of Bennington’s historic district and occupies land central to the founding of Vermont. Constructed in 1805, the church has long served as a place of worship, civic gathering, and remembrance, and is a central institution in the Revolutionary-era history and early leadership of the state. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Today, it continues to welcome visitors from across the nation and around the world who come to engage with Vermont’s rich cultural and civic heritage.

VT Headlines: Pro-Fatherhood Burlington nonprofit burglarized; $3K in electronics stolen

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How Jesse Jackson influenced Bernie Sanders’ progressive prominence; Water main break leaves many across St. Johnsbury without running water; Thousands of Vermonters could lose food assistance as new work requirements take effect next month; VTSU Johnson campus to house seniors and families in dorm conversion; Hotel in Lincoln damaged in early-morning fire

Vermont EV buses prove unreliable for transportation this winter

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Electric buses are proving unreliable this winter for Vermont’s Green Mountain Transit, as it needs to be over 41 degrees for the buses to charge, but due to a battery recall the buses are a fire hazard and can’t be charged in a garage. Spokesman for energy workers advocacy group Power the Future Larry Behrens told the Center Square: “Taxpayers were sold an $8 million ‘solution’ that can’t operate in cold weather when the home for these buses is in New England.”

Votes to keep small schools open based on emotion, not math, Scott says

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Reflecting at his Wednesday press conference on recent votes in towns like Calais and Worcester, where voters this week decided by about 2-1 to keep the small local schools open, Scott noted that the results were “not surprising,” despite the “unfortunate” reality of the schools’ situations. He specifically pointed to Calais, which is not anticipating having a kindergarten class next year due to low enrollment, calling it “indicative of the future” for many small Vermont towns.

Green Mountain Conservation Camp registration is open

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The one-week camp programs are held at Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury.  Campers participate in hands-on learning about fish and wildlife conservation, ecology, forestry, orienteering, safe firearm and archery techniques, swimming, canoeing, fishing and more.  Natural resource professionals come to the camp to share information on their programs and take campers out for field activities.

Two men indicted in transnational human smuggling and money laundering scheme

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According to court documents, Francisco Antonio Luna Rosado, 27, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, and Jesus Hernandez Ortiz, 37, of Puerto Rico, are charged with one count of conspiracy to illegally bring aliens to the United States and 12 counts of illegally bringing aliens to the United States for the purpose of private financial gain related to a Sept. 17, 2023, smuggling event. Luna Rosado is also charged with two counts of transactional money laundering for engaging in monetary transactions involving property derived from smuggling activities. 

Fireovid: Support the SAVE Act for election integrity

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The SAVE Act passed by the narrowest of margins in the House of Representatives, where only one Democrat (Rep. Henry Cuellar – TX), voted in favor of the bill. But it also needs to be passed by the Senate, where the vote will again be very close. Sen. John Fetterman (PA) is the only Democrat who said that he will vote for it. However, the two TDS-infested Republican Senators – Murkowski (AL) and Collins (ME) say that they will vote against it. 

Recovery Day at the State House

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Advocates for substance abuse recovery, and Vermonters in recovery themselves, traveled to Montpelier and met with legislators to promote pro-recovery legislation and funding for Vermont’s recovery residences. “Recovery Residences” are a step above regulated rehabilitation treatment facilities which stabilize individuals, usually for around two weeks. On the other hand, stays at recovery residences last six to eighteen months, and they boast a high success rate. 

Mott: Making rights real, one virtue at a time

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Rights are surprisingly fragile things. Declared “unalienable” in the Declaration and billed as constitutional in state and the federal constitutions, their power is largely dependent on the character of the people. When the people are virtuous, our rights are secure. But if we are bull-headed, then we tend to smash them in some fit of pique.

How can we cut Vermont government spending? Let’s talk – today

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Today on Hot Off The Press at 11:05 AM on WDEV, we’ll be talking about cutting spending in Vermont State Government. Not just me talking – I want a conversation with you. I know you care about this. About your tax bills. About out of control spending. I will be attending the governor’s press conference at noon today and I want your questions. Your ideas. Please call in at 802-244-1777.

Senate ponders volunteer protection bill

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How often do you volunteer, and should you be sued for it? The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Tuesday for S.151, a bill introduced in 2025 by Senator Allison Clarkson (D-Windsor) that aims to protect volunteers from frivolous lawsuits and increase volunteerism. 

CLG: Disturbing redacted emails in Epstein Files as fury grows over why names are hidden

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FIFA president added to Ukraine’s state-linked ‘kill list’; Zelensky hints at staying in power; Iran floats nuclear enrichment compromise; Former FBI assistant director questions whether Nancy Guthrie case is ‘kidnapping’; Verizon must face FCC probe for turning over GOP lawmaker phone records; Daughter of GOP Minnesota governor candidate found stabbed to death in her apartment – his focus was on fraud in state

Former Trump Chief of Staff to speak at Norwich 

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Kelly is a retired four-star Marine general who later served as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and White House chief of staff. Since leaving government service in 2019, he has worked as an advisor, mentor, and educator with organizations including the Department of Defense, Marine Corps War College, National Defense University, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Keelan: Lincoln retreat Hildene bought from Christian Scientist Church

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The Town of Manchester, Vermont, Municipal leaders were bewildered by what they read on the front page of the Wall Street Journal’s July 29, 1976, edition. It was unwelcome news. They were still contemplating the fate of the 412-acre, 24-room Georgian Revival ancestral home of Robert Todd Lincoln (1843-1926).   A year had passed since Abraham Lincoln’s great-granddaughter, Mary (Peg) Lincoln Beckwith’s Hildene home became vacant after an illness took her life at a Rutland hospital.

Despathy: Shields up, rights down: VT vaccine overhaul

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person getting vaccinated

These are several of the currently unanswered questions related to H.545, which have raised constitutionality concerns as well as consumer protection issues for Vermonters. A lawsuit has been filed against a key supporter for H.545, the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lawsuit alleges “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), against the American Academy of Pediatrics for its central role in an enterprise that has defrauded American families about the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule for several decades.” 

Thurston: Cold snap reveals need for natural gas pipeline 

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Gas was prioritized for home heating, forcing power plants to burn expensive oil instead and to import Liquified Natural Gas from foreign countries in container ships at 3-5 times the normal, unconstrained cost of Marcellus Shale gas. Wholesale electricity prices (called LMPs) spiked dramatically, with peaks over $660/MWh on January 27 and averages far higher than normal during the event. For comparison, the most recently reported average annual wholesale cost of ISO-NE electricity was $40/MWh for 2024. 

LG candidate Gray wants state-paid universal food benefits

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Should all Vermonters receive food assistance benefits? This idea was voiced Thursday in the House Committee on Human Services by Molly Gray, the executive director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, former Vermont Lieutenant Governor, and 2026 Democratic candidate for Vermont Lieutenant Governor. Gray was joined by Drukhshan Farhad, the Program Officer of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, for testimony on updates to noncitizen eligibility of 3SquaresVT, which is Vermont’s version of SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). 

Tax dollars for ICE protestors

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Should Vermont tax dollars be used to quell civil unrest in Burlington? During discussion of the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday, Senate Pro Tempore, Philip Baruth (D/P-Chittenden Central) proposed policy language to expand H.790 to allow the allocation of up to around $39 million of taxpayer funds to reimburse anticipated public safety costs in some of Vermont’s most populous municipalities in the event of increased federal immigration enforcement operations. 

Herron: Recognizing ALL of the Declaration

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As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, the Declaration of Independence will take center stage with celebrations all over the country. Many Americans still recognize parts of the document, such as All men are Created Equal, and Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. However, what about the first paragraph? Can the same be said about the terms “one People” and “the Laws of Nature and of Natures God?”

VT Headlines: Vermont Treasurer announces $30M for second round of housing investments

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Murder suspect gets 10 years for Vermont drug operation; Calais, Worcester residents will vote next week on whether to close their small elementary schools; Vermont woman appears in court after leading police on high-speed chase; Northeast Kingdom snowmobile club decries trail vandalism; Anonymous $1 million donation will go to financial aid at St. Michael’s; Amid outcry, Montpelier council scraps proposal to gain veto power over citizen petitions

Soulia: H.767: A moratorium on mandates Vermonters can’t afford

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The bill targets the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Clean Heat Standard, the Renewable Energy Standard, Act 59 (the 30×30 and 50×50 conservation goals), and Act 181 (the Land Use Review Board and future land use mapping overhaul). If passed, all five would be frozen in place for eight years while a comprehensive study evaluates their cumulative impacts on housing, energy costs, and property rights.