A recent multi-agency drug raid in Springfield Vermont has yielded arrests of a Springfield MA man and several others.
Springfield MA man, others busted in Springfield VT drug raid
Hartford, CT man gets 27 months for selling fentanyl
Caught with 1500 bags of fentanyl, some cocaine, and a loaded 9 MM, Torres will serve up to 27 months.
Agency of Education creates ‘Family Engagement Council’
“There is not a strong state-level mechanism for parent involvement in the development of Vermont education policy,” Secretary of Education Dan French said.
Burlington McNeil plant expansion runs afoul of Vermont Climate Council biomass group
The City of Burlington’s plans to expand the McNeil power plant could hit a brick wall in the form of a negative recommendation to the Vermont Climate Council.
Pandemic lockdown, alcohol blamed for unprecedented destruction in UVM residence halls
“Students’ access to some social development opportunities in high school were truncated by pandemic realities,” Caloiero said.
Watercooler: old Burlington High School to face the wrecking ball in January
A high school campus that has served Burlington high school students since the early 1960’s will be demolished early next year.
Balint names top aides
A former top aide for a Trump impeachment manager will serve as Rep. Becca Balint’s Chief of Staff.
Gift idea: Hunting or fishing license
For some, the perfect gift.
Insurance company hired to create voluntary paid leave for all Vermonters
Scott’s plan would give all working Vermonters access to affordable paid family and medical leave insurance by 2025. But will the Legislature make it mandatory?
Selecting the PERFECT Christmas Tree, by An Anonymous Husband
He will lug them one by one to the window, wishing for her early approval, but it will take many trips back and forth and frozen fingers before she relents and reluctantly settles for a Fraser fir.
County in England plans neighborhood lockdown to ‘save the planet’ from global warming
Former Eco-Health Alliance top official says Covid-19 created in Wuhan lab.
70% of Vermont 64 or older: the impact
As Vermonters age and the working population stagnates, the proportion of active wealth producers declines.
Watercooler: Burlington votes on ward redistricting
The Air National Guard will be performing nighttime drills, and Burlington’s Roman Catholic Bishop will speak on the US Senate floor. These headlines and others from Vermont media.
Burlington biomass power plant thrives, while Ryegate plant struggles
Generous ratepayers and government funding are a big reason why one Vermont wood-burning power plant is thriving.
Day of Infamy
The boy kneels on the thick wool carpet before the 1941 Zenith console radio, with its wood veneer cabinet impersonating fine furniture.
“Hold The Light”
Seemingly overshadowed by the imposing State House Christmas tree, many small candles burned bright in the darkness.
Punching above our weight, we need you in our corner
We like to think we punch above our weight, hitting tough subjects with questions and perspectives other Vermont media won’t touch.
Arrested for trying to sell Civil War-era grave markers
34 bronze markers from Civil War-era graves were stolen and attempted to be sold at a Williston recycling center.
Vermont classroom aide openings outnumber population of North Hero, 87 other towns
Vermont schools have been in session for three months and there are still job openings for teachers (200), food service (280), afterschool staff (400), and classroom aides (1000+).
Watercooler: food servers to get a raise?
The Vermont Legislature may give waiters and waitresses a raise this year.
126 MPH on I-89, 3 other 100+ MPH speeding busts since Thursday
Speed traps on I-89 caught three men traveling at over 100 MPH on I-89, while a county sheriff stopped a man driving 100 MPH on a 45 MPH rural road, police say.
Stabbing death in Burlington bar
A Burlington man was knifed to death early Sunday morning in what police called “a bar closing fight.”
Covid-19 injury candlelight vigil, Christmas Tree lighting at same time at State House
As Gov. Phil Scott reads ‘Twas A Night Before Christmas’ to children Monday evening, vaccine freedom advocates will hold a nearby candlelight vigil.
Despathy: Climate change & cobalt blood money
Vermont is aiding and abetting an industry with unethical, destructive and cruel practices beyond our comprehension.
Letter: China blackmailing Biden?
Top National Security officials say China is a serious threat, but Joe Biden’s doing little about it.
Targeted shooting victim identified
David Peatman, 66, died of a gunshot to the chest at his Eden home last Thursday night.
CLG: FBI met weekly with Big Tech ahead of 2020 election, FBI agent says
Is it election interference when the FBI meets with Big Tech before an election to discuss censoring ‘disinformation’?
Vermont religious schools no longer excluded from Town Tuition program
It took three years, a U.S. Supreme Court decision and some good local lawyering, but the Vermont Agency of Education finally admitted Thursday that parents from tuition-paying towns may send their children to religious schools.
Klar: Trans Randolph student admits staring at disrobing girls was “retaliation”
“The first thing I hear is “Rabbit, get out! What are you doing in here? Shut up!” and like “I don’t want you to see,” or whatever and so I retaliated at this point because this is the second time that they had been indescribably rude to me and my gender identity.”
21 GOP governors – but not Scott – call for end to military vax mandate
The pandemic may be over, but government mandates for military vaccination are in full force.
Recent bankruptcies highlight danger of cryptocurrency investment, DFR warns
With two big cryptocurrency exchange businesses abruptly filing for bankruptcy, Vermonters need to be wary, State of Vermont financial regulators say.
Watercooler: Divers found Dale Messier’s truck – but was Messier in it?
Despite finding Dale Messier’s truck 10 feet under Winooski River, investigators have not identified any human remains to determine that Messier, missing since 2006, was in the vehicle, Lisa Scagliotti reports in her Waterbury Roundabout/Valley Reporter news story.
Springfield, MA man arrested for assault on I-89
Someone claiming to be under assault while in a car on I-89 called the cops. Minutes later, state police had assault suspect Walter Jones under arrest.
Milton parents petition against school equity policy
The Milton school equity policy now under review discourages ‘misinformation,’ including ‘Election-related Conspiracy Theories.’
Targeted killing in Eden
A 66-year-old man is dead by gunfire following a late-night shooting.
G20 signs declaration for international vaccine passport
President Biden signed the declaration despite the promises made by his White House COVID-19 Response Team leader, Jeff Zients, who in April 2021 stated, “Let me be clear that the government is not now, nor will we be supporting a system that requires Americans to carry a [vaccination] credential.”
Vaccinated people represent most Covid-19 deaths now
CDC data show that about 6 in 10 adults dying of COVID-19 between April – August 2022 were vaccinated or boosted.
Baal distances self from Balenciaga
“I can’t be associated with this stuff,” the Mesopotamian deity said.
Scott: Springfield raids “will weaken a network of criminal activity”
Gov. Phil Scott praised the multi-agency efforts resulting in raids on three homes on drug-riddled Valley Street in Springfield.
Police raid three homes in Springfield
A multi-agency law enforcement effort resulted in anti-drug raids on three homes on Valley Street, a notorious location for drug dealers in Springfield.
Rail carries just 15% of Vermont freight, but more expected by 2045
The truck is still King of the Road for freight hauling in Vermont, but rail is likely to take a higher share in the next two decades.
Water Cooler: improving low BIPOC homeownership / 21 dead geese found
Been wondering why there’s a bar code on your vehicle inspection sticker? WCAX explains
State House Christmas tree lighting Monday
Gov. Phil Scott will read ‘Twas A Night Before Christmas’ for children attending the traditional lighting of the State House Christmas Tree on Monday.
Homeland Security re-ups ‘Faith-Based Security Advisory Council’
“Perceptions of government overreach continue to drive individuals to attempt to commit violence targeting government officials and law enforcement officers.” – Alejandro Mayorkas, November 30
Pastors respond to Leahy-Sanders support of gay marriage bill, no vote on religious liberty
“If a majority wishes to demonize or inflict prejudicial retaliation against people of faith, or ban public readings of scripture from the Koran, Torah, or Bible, that would be a violation of basic First Amendment principles,” John Klar says.
Gun bought in South Burlington found at MA site of double fatal shootout
The feds are cracking down on legal gun purchases used in a crime in another state.
Former Senate candidate Mermel joins EAI board
A former Senate candidate, a professor, and a conservative grassroots organizer have joined the Ethan Allen Institute board of directors.
Block heater causes oil delivery truck fire
A fully engulfed fire threatened to spread to nearby trucks.
Hall: Rutland GOP swept Senate seats by “leaving no stones unturned”
The Republican National Committee chose to bombard people like me with 5 or 6 emails per day asking for money. This happened every day of the week to the end. But the worst of it was, no one answered any of MY messages. Not one.
Man convicted of child sex assault dies in prison
A man serving a 40 years-to-life sentence for repeated sexual assault on a child under age 10 died in the state prison in Springfield this morning.
Sportsmen’s group conserves Rutland County wetlands
Four acres on Lily Pond in Poultney has been acquired by an arm of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.
Siegel: ‘Brave enough to lose’ race for governor, now focused on issues
To lose is hard. To walk into the fire with your eyes wide open is hard.
Watercooler: Attempted child abduction
Burlington police are investigating an attempted abduction of a child walking home from school.
NEK mom: ‘breaking through one-sided propaganda’
I contribute to try to be optimistic that freedom will win in the end. I don’t believe most human beings want to live under constant lockdowns and surveillance.
Drug raids on Valley Street today
A street infamous for drug addiction, crime and shootings is being raided by several police agencies today.
Bananas: As suicides increase, help is on the way from Clinton Foundation
With each passing year the hashtag “#ClintonBodyCount” has been trending upward.
Leahy, Sanders vote for gay marriage bill, oppose comprehensive religious protections
All three Vermont members of Congress voted for a bill making gay marriage the law of the land and leaving religious groups and individuals open to legal and government action.
Sex offender pleads innocent to registry failure
By federal law, sex offenders must register when they move to another state. A Calais man has pleaded innocent to failing to do so.
‘Tom’ from Brooklyn gets 3 years for Rutland fentanyl dealing
A 23-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced for dealing fentanyl.
Planetarium rehab kicks off statewide $40 million ‘revitalization’ program
The federal funds keep flowing from the “once in a lifetime opportunity” of unprecedented pandemic-era spending.
How did YOUR town vote on anti-slavery amendment?
The Town of Norwich voted 26-1 in favor of Proposal 2.
Vermont consumers get poor value for their internet dollar
Vermont gets a pretty poor bang for its buck, especially when compared to every other northeastern U.S. state.
Water Cooler: Meat processor gets $1.1 mil grant / All-payer health ‘reform’ contract extended / SoBu sees crime spike
From the “It’s News But It’s No Surprise” Dept. – crime is also up in Burlington’s nearest neighbor, South Burlington.
Vermonter Shiffrin finishes fifth in World Cup slalom in Killington
Five-time Killington Cup winner Mikaela Shiffrin of Vermont wasn’t able to make it an even dozen this year.
Drag Queen Story Hour comes to the Upper Valley
If it is a religion, then drag queens are the Pentecostals of the order, full of spirit and willing to push the boundaries.
CLG: Dutch ‘Nitrogen Minister’ to close 3000 farms
The Netherlands, one of the world’s leading food producers, will shut down up to 3000 farms because of climate change regulations.
Hall: ‘Thank you for being there for Vermont’
“Your positioning and willingness to let the people be heard is somewhat of an abnormality when compared to other media.” – James Hall
Keelan: from crypto to EVs, tech-driven changes need second look
The Big Brains running Big Tech are making Big Mistakes.
McClaughry: Johnstown Flood of bills will sweep through Vermont State House
The Democrat-led House and Senate now have the power to drive through any measure decided upon by its leaders, spurred on by their clamoring interest groups.
25 Vermonters killed in post 9/11 wars
Vermont’s overall deaths in post 9/11 wars are the fifth lowest in the nation, but the ratio of losses to civilian residents who are veterans is the highest.
Evslin: Legislators must First Do No Harm
Advocates of climate change legislation believe the price of fossil fuel is too low to give Vermonters an economic incentive to switch.
Water Cooler: Lawmakers look at housing crisis
Whole Foods won’t carry Maine lobster anymore.
Smith: Living off the grid not so simple
Grid customers and utilities have a long way to go to understand how this new system would actually work.
Bananas: Pfizer releases Climate Vaccine
“We believe we can lower the global temperature at least one to two degrees by lowering the global population ten to fifteen percent,” Bill Gates said.
Every Vermont town and city voted for ‘reproductive liberty’ Article 22
Norwich, a wealthy Windsor County bedroom town for Dartmouth College and the nearby hospital, voted about 12-1 in favor.
State unveils draft trapping regulations
The day before a public discuss-and-comment informational meeting, the State of Vermont has published the draft trapping regulations.
Higley: December 1 deadline for rule on 2035 ban on new gas-powered vehicles
Dec. 1 is the deadline for Agency of Natural Resources adoption of a rule banning gasoline-powered new vehicle sales and registration in just over 12 years.
The cream rises to the top
A teen from tiny Lunenberg in the Northeast Kingdom is making her mark in international dairy showmanship.
‘Scribblings’: VT House Dem leaders heavy-handed on rank-and-file
Vermont House Democrats are like the dog that finally caught the car.
Water Cooler: It’s official: no gasoline-powered new cars by 2035
It’s official: the State of Vermont will ban the sale of gasoline-powered new cars by 2035.
Man found dead in home explosion identified
The body of a 56-year-old man was found dead after a home explosion in Newfane.
No harvest for Burlington community gardeners refusing diversity/inclusion/equity pledge
As part of its ‘deep organizational work to address racism as a public health crisis,’ the City of Burlington won’t allow people who refuse to sign a diversity pledge to grow food in a taxpayer-funded community garden.
Eight-year-old shamed in Vermont school over pronouns
The problem for the eight-year-old boy is that his brain does not warp like the warped dimensions of gender pronouns.
Winooski teen arrested as accessory in Mubarak murder
A 19-year-old Winooski man has been charged as an accessory of a 21-year-old New American in Burlington.
Tebbetts: Giving Thanks This Season
Vermont would not be the state we love without our farmers.
Evslin: Trump was the middle finger of the proletariat
There are important reasons why almost half the voters supported Trump in 2016 and 2020 and why so many remain loyal to him today.
McClaughry: Election Aftershocks
The Republican membership of the House sank from 43 to 38, with no bright new faces among them.
Subject of Wall St. Journal drug recovery story arrested for criminal threatening
A former basketball star and longtime drug addict was arrested for criminal threatening in West Rutland.
Libertoff: Maple syrup, Thanksgiving, and Small World connections
While my culinary standards are low, I refuse to eat pancakes without Vermont maple syrup.After making derogatory remarks about the fake stuff, I produced my cherished Morse Farm container.
Archery, muzzleloading season continues after regular deer season ends on Saturday
Archery deer hunting continues November 28 through December 15, and muzzleloader deer hunting will occur December 3 to 11.
State-funded IDEAL makes equity inroads with municipalities
56% of Vermont residents live in towns and cities (listed) that have signed a Declaration of Inclusion.
Pandemic-era Medicaid benefit extension likely, officials say
The pandemic may be (almost) over, but federal Public Health Emergency Medicaid benefits appear likely to continue, at least into 2023.
Trump, or not? More readers weigh in
Donald Trump will make you sick, but he is the only thing powerful enough to rid us of this cancer.
Child who died in I-89 crash identified
11-year-old Silas Baustert of Essex died when the SUV he was riding in struck a rocky ledge on I-89.
Watercooler: Labor shortage delays Burlington homeless pod opening
The community buildings for the Burlington Homeless Pod project haven’t been delivered due to labor shortages and supply chain problems.
The Bell in the Town Hall
The 151-year-old bell in the Cambridge Town Hall had been hidden for decades, until local third-graders brought it back to life and rang it on Veterans Day.
Despathy: Thankful for free speech, free thought, free press
A friend sent me a link to Vermont Daily Chronicle. I stayed up all night reading. Finally, real news. Free press, Free speech, Free thoughts.
Randolph high school backs down over transgender incident after ADF files lawsuit
Randolph Union High School dropped disciplinary proceedings against 14-year-old Blake Allen after the Alliance for Defending Freedom filed a lawusuit on her behalf.
Talking Turkey: A Thanksgiving Quiz
She came from Mississippi.
Avoid bears – don’t put up bird feeders until Dec. 1
If a bear visits your feeder, take it down for a week.
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