At one point during the kidnapping, the informant had a knife held to his throat while he was tied up, cut on his cheek by a razor blade, hit over the head by a bottle, and burned by a heated-up fork.
Springfield, MA man found guilty of drug-related kidnapping, attack in Lowell
State-federal Medicaid deal covers 200K Vermonters
The Global Commitment demonstration increases Vermonters’ access to health care services, strengthens the health care system, and supports health care providers recovering from disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials say.
Muzzleloader antlerless deer permit applications available
Antlerless deer permit applications are available online now.
Sheriff arrested for sexual assault
Addison County’s elected sheriff has been arrested for sexual assault on a 35-year-old woman with whom he was living in March.
State’s attorney Sarah George, challenger Ted Kenney to square off in candidate forum
At a July 6 candidate forum, the Chittenden County state’s attorney supported by George Soros will face questions about the increase of violent crime and shoplifting.
Malcolm “Mac” Teale running for House in Lamoille County
A carpenter and Republican candidate for a Lamoille County House seat wants a Vermont where people can flourish economically with a strong infrastructure and the least amount of government intrusion into people’s lives.
Water Cooler: GOP sues over Winooski non-citizen voting
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has seems to be taking a dim view of non-citizen voting, the City of Winooski wants a judge to throw out a GOP lawsuit against its non-citizen voting charter change.
Editor: Solons’ silence shatters more than glass
Current and former state senators have been silent about the Night of Shattered Glass at the Vermont State House.
Truck stuck in Smugglers Notch – again
Three-and-a-half hours and a $3544 fine later, a Florida tractor-trailer had been cleared from a hairpin turn on Smugglers Notch.
Burlington budget reverses police defunding, outspends State of Vermont on racial equity
The Burlington City Council last night approved a 2022-23 budget that expands the police department by offering incentives and continues spending and programs on climate and racial diversity.
Unplugging the Rage Machine
Biden’s plea for peacefulness was lost on the Big Blue Rage Machine the Democrats have been operating.
Rev. Devon Thomas: God of love gives women a choice
For most people abortions are last choice options, and I would argue that the reason we see most abortions happening among disadvantaged communities is because these are our neighbors with the least amount of choice.
Thayer: Thank you SCOTUS – Now to the People to defeat Prop 5!
Even the late, pro-choice Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Roe V. Wade was not just and should not have been issued.
RNC: coalition defeats NYC’s non-citizen voting
The Republican National Committee is taking credit for the court defeat of non-citizen voting in New York City.
Editor: Roe collapsed under shifting sand of societal change
Court decisions based not on constitutional principle but on the perceived needs and wants of contemporary society deserve to come a ‘tumbling down.
Water Cooler: plant layoff, Covid vax for kids, Pride Prom
80 workers are out of work after a North Springfield manufacturer closed.
Police have surveillance video of State House vandalism during ‘Night of Rage’
Seven Vermont State House windows were broken and porous, original 1859 granite was defaced with graffiti on the same night as the ‘Night of Rage’ promised by opponents of the overturning of Roe V. Wade.
Maine SCOTUS decision points the way toward universal school choice
Last week’s decision moves much closer to a Vermont state requirement that all parents – not just tuition town parents – must be given their choice of approved public schools, non-sectarian independent schools, and sectarian independent schools.
Strong: What Roe decision means to Vermont
The knee-jerk reaction that we need Prop 5/Article 22 in response to the Dobbs decision is based on very misleading information about a radical position.
Barre man jailed after pointing gun at Billtown man / Coke dealing / Flees cops at 100 MPH, cops don’t chase
Guns and drugs in Billtown.
Two dozen states restrict abortions following Roe decision
The nation’s Red and Blue states are both consolidating their positions on abortion following Friday’s SCOTUS overturning of Roe V. Wade.
Benning: anti-Roe Supremes lied, Ethan Allen “hailing a cab out of town”
Ethan Allen fought for Vermont to become the 14th State believing the Union would better protect individual liberty, but that noise you hear is a dog-headed saber rattling in its scabbard.
You think WE have it bad? 48 states hit worse by inflation
Only our neighbor across the Connecticut River is less affected by inflation than Vermont.
Roe V. Wade overturned!
Today’s 6-3 decision overturning a half-century of legalized abortion nationwide won’t affect states like Vermont where state law makes the practice of abortion legal.
20 years ago last week, SCOTUS protected religious speech
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said Americans grateful for SCOTUS protection of freedom of religious speech have those door-knocking Jehovah’s Witnesses to thank.
Letters: Press should cover local political campaigns fairly / endorsement letter
As the 2022 primary balloting begins today, a longtime moderate Vermont Republican asks his local community newspaper to cover the campaign fully and fairly.
Dame: Congrats to our New York neighbors!
This week the Supreme Court set a major and exciting precedent by striking down over 100 years of New York law when they found that New York’s pattern of restricting gun rights to its innocent and law-abiding citizens was unconstitutional.
Alleged Burlington fentanyl dealers from Springfield, MA released, cited to appear in court in September
Two Springfield, MA men arrested for dealing fentanyl and cocaine in Chittenden County were released with a citation to appear in court in September.
Remembering Ethan Allen
The June 25-26 celebration of Ethan Allen Weekend is as good an occasion as any to retell two of the many scandalous, scatalogical stories about the legendary leader of the Green Mountain Boys.
Water Cooler: a tale of two Colchesters
Facebook brings together Colchester, Vermont and its English ancestor.
After alleged stabbing man in abdomen, Bolton man cited and released
A 20-year-old Bolton man allegedly stabbed a man almost twice his age following a road rage incident. He was cited to appear in court, and released.
Coyote attacks human
A healthy coyote has attacked a human being in Panton, Vermont game wardens say.
Four political newcomers throw hats into Lamoille House ring
Vermonters bemoaning the lack of new blood in the Vermont Legislature may be encouraged by the decision of three newcomers from Lamoille County.
Despathy: Enough is enough! No more drug experimentation on children
These experimental injections do not prevent Covid or transmission of Covid, so vaccinating a child will not save an at-risk family member.
Water Cooler: ‘Unwoke Army’ exposes Burlington schools / state employees get raise, retention bonus
Headlines from Vermont news media.
SCOTUS rules this week on gun, religious tuition, voter ID – what they mean for Vermont
The U.S. Supreme Court today struck down New York’s “may issue” firearms carry permit law as too restrictive. What will this decision mean for Vermont?
Suzanne Young named attorney general
A former deputy attorney general and senior aide to Gov. Phil Scott will be Vermont’s first woman attorney general.
VPIRG online poll has Balint, Nolan ahead in primary races
Becca Balint, Christina Nolan, and Ericka Redic came out ‘winners’ in an online poll conducted this month by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
President Eisenhower visited Vermont Dairy Festival 67 years ago this week
A South Burlington cow given to President Dwight Eisenhower during his June 1955 visit to Rutland was sent to his working dairy farm in Gettysburg, PA.
Horse rescue farm owner charged with animal cruelty
Someone who volunteered at the Hoofbeats and Dreams horse rescue barn in Tunbridge made a complaint to the local humane society, who then notified state police.
Johnny Bananas: “I nearly died on Jan. 6 – my story”
Out of nowhere appeared a towering and tattooed figure wearing what looked like a yarmulke fashioned from a water buffalo.
Legislator joins Prop 5 education effort
Rep. Anne Donahue of Northfield is joining the effort to help Vermonters for Good Government educate voters about Prop 5/Article 22 issues across Vermont through various mediums over the coming months.
Protect nesting loons and loon chicks
“Loons were removed from Vermont’s endangered species list in 2005, but they face continued threats from human disturbance during the breeding season and ingestion of fishing gear,” said Doug Morin, wildlife biologist with Vermont Fish and Wildlife.
Water Cooler: Migrant workers demand ICE drop deportation cases
As ICE ratchets up pressure on the American press, Vermont illegal immigrants and their supporters are demanding the federal agency drop their deportation cases.
ICE announces policy to subpoena and arrest news reporters
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued new policy guidelines on how, when and why it will subpoena, execute search warrants, and arrest members of the U.S. news media.
Phil Scott fumer-in-chief over low ratings for Jan. 6 hearing TV coverage
“We have what, 330 million people in the country, and I believe we only had 19 million watching,” Gov. Phil Scott said of live coverage of the House investigation into the events of Jan. 6.
McClaughry: “Stop telling kids that climate change will destroy their world”
Advocates might claim some progress in producing neurotic reactions in teenage Swedish girls and 60-something New York architects.
Vermont solar power industry depends on Chinese panels
Biden on Monday, June 6, issued a two-year pause on tariffs against solar products from Southeast Asia and invoked the federal Defense Production Act, which allows the White House to direct production from manufacturers to jumpstart alternative energy sectors.
UVM training news reporters
With beaucoup bucks from a national journalism not-for-profit, UVM is expanding its training for news reporters of all ages.
Burlington nurses, first responders complain of increased assaults on the job
Assaults of Burlington’s already understaffed, overworked nurses are up, the union claims – a complaint echoed by Burlington first responders.
Thayer: Schools need real protection, not gunsenseless laws
Protecting children is expensive, but worth the cost.
Water Cooler: Burlington first responder assaults / pregnant nurse punched
Headlines from Vermont media today.
Bananas Academy Summer Courses
As we say at Bananas Academy, you don’t have that highly evolved monkey brain for nothing, it’s made for Bananas!
College grads sing National Anthem
Our America – Of Thee I Sing!
Orleans County drug bust nets MA man, two locals
Two Orleans County men and a Springfield, Massachusetts man are in custody following a drug bust last week.
Early primary voting starts Friday
To vote early in the August primaries, voters must request a ballot.
Man dies in Marshfield fire
A man believed to be the homeowner was trapped inside the home as it burned.
Google AI has hired a lawyer / Prepare for WW3, Brit general says / Ballot harvesting guilty plea
Google’s sentient AI is not only talking, it’s hired a lawyer, a former employee says.
Gas taxes to rise July 1
State transportation revenues will get a big shot in the arm, thanks to a tax hike at the gas pump.
Find how YOUR legislator voted on race, guns, climate, etc.
Never mind the campaign promises – how did Vermont’s legislators actually vote?
Balint gets Covid after White House visit
Candidate for Congress Sen. Becca Balint will be politicking from home after testing positive for Covid, just days after her visit to the White House.
Dame: Juneteenth celebrates GOP Promises Kept
June 19th is a day for promises made and promises kept.
New Laws on Coyote Hunting with Dogs, Recovery of Game, and Trapping
Fish & Wildlife explains new laws on coyote hunting, recovering game, and trapping.
Protect Supreme Court justices and their families with existing law, Redic says
Ericka Redic, GOP candidate for Congress, said existing laws must be enforced to protect U.S. Supreme Court justices and their families from potential violence.
Water Cooler: sailboat sinks in Malletts Bay / attempted murder in Newport / Heroin picked up off Barre streets
A Newport woman has been arrested for attempting murder-by-car and other blunt objects.
State troopers on leave after bean-bag shooting
The two state troopers involved in the bean-bag shooting of a Newfane man who wouldn’t come down from a roof early Friday morning are now on paid leave, pending investigation.
Farmers get best price for milk, ever
but costs for the three F’s of fuel, feed, and fertilizer sky high, too Vermont dairy farmers are getting a record-high price for milk, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Farmers […]
AG candidate Clark outspoken about climate change, abortion rights
A former assistant Vermont Attorney General running for the top job said today climate change and reproductive freedom are the main issues facing the office.
Baby born on covered bridge
The youngest member of the Locke family of Waterville was born last month beneath one of the Lamoille County town’s many covered bridges.
75 years ago, Marine hero of Guadalcanal founded Vermont State Police
A Rutland native, UVM grad, and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor at Guadalcanal was the founder of the Vermont State Police in 1947.
Three separate Saturday night shootings send three men to hospital
It was another violent Saturday night across Vermont, and therefore a busy night in hospital emergency rooms.
Tebbetts: Legislature spent big on farms this year
Farming and support for agriculture was well represented under the Golden Dome this year, Vermont’s chief executive for agriculture says.
FDA OKs Covid-19 shots for infants, preschoolers
U.S. regulators on Friday authorized the first COVID-19 shots for infants and preschoolers, paving the way for vaccinations to begin next week.
Burlington bank start-up hits capital goal
Headlines from Vermont media today.
Jayapal no vote on Supreme Court security bill no good, candidates say
The day before she endorsed Becca Balint for Congress, a leading House progressive voted against a Supreme Court security bill – one of only 27 House members to do so.
Publisher: What a week it’s been
In addition to publishing 10 news and commentaries Mon-Fri, on Wednesday your editor found the time to drive to the Waterbury studios of WDEV to guest-host Common Sense Radio. That was a lot of fun!
128 years ago today, first U.S. polio epidemic struck Rutland
The United States’ first known polio epidemic broke out in Rutland, killing 10 people, including children.
How Florida got housing right
Drawn by the state’s anti-lockdown and pro-freedom policies, nearly 1000 people move to Florida every day – and a new state law has new single family home construction in overdrive, Hayden Dublois reports.
Nolan campaign manager has high-profile, national experience
Christina Nolan’s campaign manager has worked for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and for a candidate who was the defense lawyer for Kyle Rittenhouse.
Two highway deaths, one wrong-way trucker
Two people died in separate accidents in eastern Vermont, and trucker from Dallas drove the wrong way on I-91 in Coventry.
Life insurance payouts up 163% in 2021
Life insurance companies claims were way up in 2021, according to national news reported by CLG.
Man bean-bagged by state trooper falls off roof
Soon after being struck by a bean-bag round fired by a state trooper, a crazy-acting man fell from a roof 15 feet to the ground.
Warner: when progressives deny science, people die
Because of his government power, Lysenko had power over both Russia’s agricultural practices and the scientists who might speak out against him. This would prove to be disastrous for both.
China uses Covid ‘health code’ apps to quash bank protests / Tesla catches fire after three weeks in junkyard
Chinese government Covid apps are being to prevent citizens from withdrawing money from banks.
Former school board member, law enforcement pro Gaiotti seeks “balance” in Legislature
A longtime school board member, businessman, and law enforcement professional will seek the House seat for several Bennington and Rutland county communities.
Keelan: make legislative terms 4 years, give them dental
With such a massive change in leadership and members about to occur, maybe it is time to rethink how the Legislature is elected, operates, and is compensated.
School reaches BLM flag compromise
With the Supreme Court discouraging the exclusive flying of the BLM flag, Vermont schools are reaching for compromises. This headline and others from today’s Vermont media.
CORRECTION: Soros-backed Sarah George complains of ‘misinformation’ after challenger calls out car thief catch-and-release
Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George is unhappy about statements made by Ted Kenney, a Williston lawyer running against her on a platform of “criminal justice reform and safe streets.”
Mazur: Biden programs prolong inflation, expand debt
President Biden and Congress have turned a blind eye to fast-emerging trust fund deficits.
VPIRG denies 2020 general election ballot harvesting
“You asked about ballot harvesting, which is not a legal term. I’m guessing you’re asking whether VPIRG collected completed ballots from voters and submitted them for processing in the 2020 election. The answer to that question is no,” Executive Director Paul Burns said.
Two men die in family dispute over $$, property
Jay Wilson fatally shot Dieter Seier during a family dispute involving Wilson and his mother that related to property and money, police say.
Driver dies after accident at hospital
A Bennington man died after a two-car crash outside a hospital.
Fear of drag queen show prompted Canaan school threat: court records
“Within a week after Gobeil was trespassed from Canaan, VT school property, for harrassing/intimidating students, other parents, and staff regarding mask recommendations, Gobeil communicated to people inside Solomon’s Store a threat to kill a lot of people at Canaan school, and he expressed concern about a potential ‘drag queen show,’” court records say.
Water Cooler: making Burlington Boys & Girls Club safer after nearby shooting
Recent headlines from Vermont news media.
Black member booted off St. Albans Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Keith Longmore is – or rather, was – a black member of the St. Albans advisory committee formed to help citizens “understand the experience of historically marginalized groups.”
Woodstock man killed mother’s friend, then himself: police
Jay Wilson, the suspect in a fatal shooting Tuesday afternoon at 13 Slayton Terrace in the town of Woodstock, shot himself to death and was located late Tuesday night inside the house, state police say.
Canaan dad arrested for threat to school
A 36-year-old Canaan man has been arrested in New Hampshire for making threats against the local high school.
Pandemic baby boomlet strong in New Hampshire, not so much in Vermont
New England has seen an unusual uptick in births during the coronavirus pandemic as more highly educated residents, especially those in their 30s, seized working from home as an opportunity to start a family.
Burlington/SoBu rent 43rd highest in nation
Rents rose 11.3% last year nationwide, and in Burlington – South Burlington, the median monthly rent is $1,248.
Lack of action plan hinders Global Warming Solutions Act progress
Two years after the Vermont Legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, the “how” of reaching the stringent carbon emissions goals remains unclear, the Joint Fiscal Office says.
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