Mountain safety expert and former Lyndon State College Prof. John Kascenska replaces former Rep. Patrick Seymour (R-Sutton) who recently resigned.
Mountain medic appointed to Vermont House
McClaughry: Expanding parental choice in education
The Supreme Court said the state must pay tuition to sectarian schools, if that’s what the parent wants. Because, school choice. But the Vermont Senate Education Committee chair says students and staff must be “protected” from religious schools.
Poached deer search turns up 880 bags of heroin, meth
3000 rounds of ammo and 880 bags of hard drugs were seized by an alphabet soup of state and federal police agencies in the town of Athens. No word about the poached deer, though.
Refugee housing tax break considered
A bill giving a property tax break to homeowners providing housing to refugees has cleared the Vermont House and is now in the Senate.
Barre crack bust / 99 MPH on I-91 / Suicide on I-89
A traffic stop for a car registration violation in Barre led to a bust for possession of crack cocaine and fentanyl.
Water Cooler: Electric snowmobiles, masks off in Essex, Burl/SoBu bike path, Rice & Rutland in state hoop championship
Powerhouse Rice Memorial High School is, once again, seeking the state crown in boy’s basketball. And the masks come off in a big Chittenden County school district.
Russia: Ukraine destroying evidence of U.S. bioweapons program
Trucker convoy in DC area – that’s a fact. US bioweapons program in Ukraine – that’s a Russian claim.
Thayer: As gas prices soar, so does Progressive desire to tax more
Progressives will make our gas crisis worse, not better.
Jesses: Under Proposal 5, do Black Lives Matter?
Where’s the racial equity in black/white abortion statistics?
State $$ for your failed well or septic system
The State of Vermont is providing $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support low- and moderate-income Vermont homeowners in repairing or replacing their failed or inadequate on-site water or wastewater systems.
Granite Grok: Offensive words, take 3 million – ‘Gypsy Moth’
From now on, get used to protecting your trees from the annual infestation of the Spongy Moth.
Evslin: Stop buying Russian oil – and consider no-fly zone, too
Stop buying Russian oil? Heck yes! And, Tom Evslin won’t ‘just say no-fly zone.’
‘Criminal threatening’ bill gives politicians, gov workers more protection than general public
A ‘criminal threatening’ bill doubles the maximum sentence if the victim is a politician or government worker. S265 passed the Senate and is now in House Judiciary.
Strong stand against Homeland Security free speech crackdown
Rep. Vicki Strong is Vermont Strong on standing up to federal government encroachment on the Right to Free Speech. So far – with one cautious exception – she’s standing up alone.
Video: the kids are NOT alright
What have the pandemic restrictions done to our children? And why is talking about it taboo? Meg Hansen interviews expert Anna Runkle.
Water Cooler: Vermont Cannabis vs. tax-free NH / Jay Peak sale / Health insurance dispute
Randolph is supporting a ‘sister community’ in Ukraine.
Holy Cow! History: The President’s Love Child
Holy Cow! historian Mark Powell tells the story of a U.S. president who had a ‘love child’ during the Roaring Twenties.
St J fatal shooting update: Jeep driver struck woman in the head
The driver of a Jeep connected to a fatal shooting in St. Johnsbury is being held by NY cops for hitting a woman at the scene while the homicide investigation continues.
Divorce final on rocky marriage between Burlington, Yaroslavl
Mayor Bernie Sanders’ political marriage of convenience between Burlington and Yaroslavl, Russia thrived during the Cold War, but couldn’t survive the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
$1 to Ukraine for every Vermonter. Russian-state business banned. Goodbye, Karelia
Vermont’s support for Ukraine has gone way beyond removing Russian-made products from Vermont liquor stores.
Statewide school mask mandate lifted
Starting a week from Monday, Vermont school students will no longer be “directed” to wear masks by the State of Vermont.
Governor noncommittal about anti-hunting bills
Like a patient hunter, Gov. Phil Scott is taking his time before deciding whether to take aim at three controversial hunting bills.
Scott doesn’t back legal prostitution
The legalization of prostitution, now being pushed mostly by Progressives, is not “what Vermont needs at this point,” Gov. Phil Scott says.
Ukraine supporters gather at Montpelier post office
The crowd in front of the Montpelier post office is usually protesting some American government policy. Not today…..
‘Existential threat?’ Climate groups stand by NH Dems despite born-again pro-oil politics
Now that vote-hungry NH Democrats are calling for more drilling of domestic oil, Granite State climate groups are feeling left out in the cold.
Ukraine asks ICANN to delete all Russian internet domains
Deleting all Russian internet domains would significantly affect Russia’s ability to communicate online.
Water Cooler: ATV voting at Town Meeting / fed $$ to modernize dairy farms / Sarah George wants alleged killer returned to VT
Across rural Vermont, many towns decided at Town Meeting whether to allow ATVs to be driven on town highways.
Hartford CT drug dealer beat St. J host with .38 revolver, indictment claims
An alleged drug dealer from Hartford Connecticut beat the person he was staying with in St. Johnsbury, court records say.
Deer, moose management public hearing
Public hearings on all deer and moose management by Vermont Fish & Wildlife will be held later this month.
Climate plan all pain, no gain
The legislators fashioning this red-hot poker of a policy know just how painful it will be for their constituents.
Didn’t get your Vermont Daily Chronicle? Check your spam folder
Many faithful readers are distressed when Vermont Daily Chronicle doesn’t show up in their email inbox as promised. Solution: check your spam folder.
Your letters: $16K per student absurd
Letting parents choose how to spend their school taxes makes sense. And spending $16,000 per student doesn’t.
St. J shooting victim had criminal record
State police have identified the victim in Tuesday’s shooting outside of a St. Johnsbury hospital as Vincent Keithan, 44.
Grand Isle courthouse open full-time
A lack of police manpower kept the Grand Isle County Courthouse closed at least one day a week during the pandemic. It’s full-staffed now thanks to help from private contractors and sheriffs from nearby counties.
Water Cooler: Colchester OKs townwide sewer / New BHS would cost $207 million / More Town Meeting results
Town Meeting results, plus – what kind of people would leave their kid in the car while they went skiing? Not that couple in Killington, they told the judge.
Burlington OKs prostitution repeal, Progs keep Council control
Burlington voters approved removal of anti-prostitution language in the city charter, and kept the Progressives in control of the City Council.
32 towns OK retail pot stores, 7 say no
32 Vermont municipalities yesterday approved retail marijuana stores. Seven said no.
McGuinness: Levine admits adverse vax reactions. Education Secretary would ‘push the needle’ anyway
Lawmakers chuckle as Vermont’s senior education official talks about ‘pushing the needle’ to aggressively vaccinate rural Vermonters. Good one!
Nolan on Biden’s speech: “Damage already done”
by Guy Page Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and former U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan said that now that Democrat-led police defunding has ravaged communities in Vermont, it’s a little late for President […]
Meg Hansen succeeds Rob Roper as EAI president
Meg Hansen has been appointed the new president of the Ethan Allen Institute, Vermont’s free-market think-tank.
The Case for the Bible
The most bought, sold, read, distributed, studied, debated, argued, persecuted, and published book in all of human history describes how we got here and why we’re so messed up. And the Author doesn’t just leave us hanging.
ST J shooting: cops find CT vehicle, questioning occupants
Police are questioning the occupants of a silver Jeep with Connecticut license plates linked to yesterday’s shooting outside a St. Johnsbury hospital.
Dame: Dems plan tax relief for wealthy, not for nurses, seniors, and veterans
Plenty of tax relief for wealthy parents, but none for nurses, seniors and veterans – that’s the legislative majority’s plan, Paul Dame says.
Keelan: Burlington’s Hole in the Ground
Lack of an adequate policing, a gaping hole in the city, and vacating retailers have dulled the luster of Vermont’s Queen City.
Statewide prostitution repeal looms after today’s Burlington vote
Legislation pushed by Burlington lawmakers would repeal state prostitution laws, regardless of the outcome of today’s Burlington City Meeting vote.
One dead in St. J hospital parking lot shooting
A person has been found shot dead outside a St. Johnsbury hospital.
Achey: Why I voted no on the Clean Heat Standard
We soon learned we have no authority or ability to force out-of-state fuel dealers to buy Vermont credits. The only alternative was to stick a whole bunch of local mom & pop fuel dealerships with the mandate to buy credits.
Water Cooler: VT has highest % of LGBTQ / Balint changes campaign manager / Rutland rescinds mask ordinance
Masks mandates rescinded. Middlebury College suspends Russia abroad study. Becca Balint swaps campaign manager.
Bananas: Grand Opening of my new restaurant
Chek out the restroom graffiti in Johnny’s new communism-themed restaurant.
Your Letters: Climate crisis & vodka
By withdrawing support from two key pipelines, Biden assures Russia’s war-making treasury will be full to overflowing.
Governor Scott vetoes 16 and 17-year old voting
The Legislature shouldn’t lower the age of voting while raising the age of criminal accountability, Gov. Scott said in his veto of teenage voting in Brattleboro.
Evslin: Ukrainian bravery will unite the US
Welcome to the Freedom Tent, Bernie! The more the merrier.
Montpelier High School students protest lifting of mask mandate
Students in Vermont’s capital are planning to walk out Wednesday to demand that school mask mandates NOT be lifted.
Burlington sex trade set to “explode” if prostitution decriminalized, opponents say
In Germany, Las Vegas, and other legal prostitution locales, the sex trade explodes, vulnerable people are lured into the business, and the number of men buying sex increases.
Big infrastructure spending, social issues go to Town Meeting voters tomorrow
The Vermont League of Cities and Towns provides overview of Town Meeting ballots all across Vermont.
Bucchieri: S265 treats public servants like privileged elites
Advice to elected officials: if you can’t take the heat, don’t take the seat.
The ‘threat’ of American social media…..
Vladimir Putin comes clean on the Fifth Column.
Thayer: S-30 veto was right call
Less firearms restrictions on law-abiding citizens, more prison sentences for criminals.
Bradley: Zoom keeps public out of “public” hearings
The Senate and Natural Resources and Energy Committee Feb 10 online “public hearing” on hunting and trapping bills was anything but public.
Rubber (not Stoli) Vermont’s biggest import from Russia
Rubber and petroleum products are Vermont’s biggest Russian imports.
Preview of tomorrow’s edition….
Sneak peak video of tomorrow’s Vermont Daily Chronicle – 40 seconds well spent!
41 communities set to vote on retail pot at Town Meeting
Do you live in one of the 41 communities voting on retail pot at Town meeting? The State of Vermont will hoover up almost all of the tax revenue from retail marijuana stores – except in communities that already have a ‘local option’ tax.
Samantha Lefebvre shows other legislators how informing constituents is done
Every week, a freshman lawmaker tells her constituents how she voted on every bill that comes up on the House floor. Her report is a treasure trove of up-to-date information.
Mental health worker embedded with state police arrested on warrant for sex assault of child
A mental health worker embedded with the Vermont State Police until Dec. 3 was arrested at his Concord home Friday for the ongoing sex assault of a child in Texas.
One dead in 30-car crash on I-89
A Highgate man died in a 30-car crash on I-89 in Milton Friday afternoon.
Alleged accessory in Holland drug-related shooting surrenders
An Orleans County woman wanted as an accessory to an attempted murder has surrendered to state police.
Mascot nondiscrimination bill gets passing grade from Senate Education committee
School districts will have to eliminate repressive, discriminatory mascots, if a bill approved by Senate Education becomes law.
Act 250 bill might slow housing development, Chamber says
A bill intended to streamline the housing regulatory process might actually make it longer.
Clean Heat Standard clears House energy committee
A bill making fuel dealers pay for the transition to non-fossil fuel heating cleared the House energy committee.
Hillary’s not-so-great reset
In 2009, then-Secretary of State offered a literal ‘reset button’ to her Russian counterpart. Once again, our Democratic leaders have let the Russians push our buttons.
If coyote bill passes, expect encounters with people, livestock and pets, F&W expert tells Senate
Massachusetts restricted coyote hunting and now has more unwanted encounters with people, pets and livestock, the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee heard today.
Water Cooler: finding snow plows and trophy trout / honoring VT’s first black sheriff
Russki wodka? Nyet!
Another Vermont conservative speech venue ‘canceled’ – and a new venue found
Opponents are trying to ‘cancel’ outspoken conservatives in Vermont by pressuring their venue hosts.
Gun purchases down last year, still second-highest ever
Vermont firearms purchases last year dropped about 10% below the all-time high of 2020.
Tebbetts & Kurrle: VT farms need workers, capital, local food outlets
To emerge strong from the pandemic, Vermont farmers needs more workers, capital, and local outlets for their products.
Daughter of refugees from Communist China named to VT Supreme Court
A woman whose parents fled Communist China has been named to the Vermont Supreme Court.
Woman driver drags state trooper 50 yards, now on the lam
Police are seeking a woman who they say dragged a state trooper 50 yards after a traffic stop.
Road salt hurts rivers, lakes: Dartmouth study
Almost half of northeastern lakes have undergone longterm salinization due to road salt.
Evslin: To defeat Putin, we must win the Energy War
This is a war we must win. The only hope for winning without actual fighting – and this may be a vain hope – is to take wartime measures to defang Russia by relieving European dependency on Russia’s gas and oil.
MacDonald: Biden has been funding Putin’s war machine for over a year
With his first stroke of the presidential pen, Joe Biden ensured war-making riches for Vladimir Putin. Thanks, Joe!
Bill creating racial statistics bureaucracy goes to House floor
A bill creating a new Racial Statistics division of state government and a new advisory will soon be voted on by Vermont House of Representatives.
Parolee who cut off tracking bracelet dies in prison
A 73-year-old man imprisoned after fleeing home detention has died at Southern State Correction Center in Springfield.
House approves Burlington eviction restrictions
By a 2-1 margin the Vermont House approved a Burlington charter change limiting eviction of tenants by landlords. Critics say it could worsen Vermont’s rental housing shortage.
Water Cooler: too much ice in rivers, too little on Lake Champlain / Pregnancy deaths up in Year One of pandemic, esp. among blacks
Nationwide, deaths among pregnant mothers rose during the first year of the pandemic.
Congress candidates respond to S30 veto
Democratic candidate for Congress Becca Balint unfairly maligns gun purchasers as criminals or domestic abusers, Republican candidate Ericka Redic says.
Moore: Scott hits bullseye with S.30 veto focus on mental health crisis
Vermont Traditions Coalition applauds Governor Phil Scott for highlighting the need for better mental health crisis management in his veto of S30.
Rectenwald: What is the Great Reset?
The Great Reset is real – Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, writes and talks about it constantly. The question is: what is it?
Russia’s “special military operation” begins in Ukraine
Putin declares a “special military operation” in Ukraine, saying it is intended to protect civilians.
VT troops sent to DC to restrict Freedom Convoy
In separate actions, Vermont troops and police are being sent to Washington, D.C. and the southern border.
Christina Nolan answers The Question
As goes Maine, so could go Vermont, Republican Senate Christina Nolan seemed to say yesterday.
If only it were true….
…Alas, it will never happen.
Hiding behind HIPAA? State mum on vaxxed/unvaxxed Covid deaths
The State of Vermont says releasing data on vaxxed vs. unvaxxed deaths and hospitalizations would violate federal HIPAA patient info protection law. So sorry.
Former sheriff’s deputy waves badge to get free stuff / train-drunk driver collision averted
A former Addison County sheriff wanted some store merchandise for free. He waved his badge and said he’s good buddies with the sheriff. Not anymore.
Water Cooler: court records say driver in fatal had used drugs / Councilors blame Burlington mayor for Diversity chief departure
The young woman who caused a crash killing two teens admitting using drugs, court records show.
Two minors rescued after ATV plunges through ‘Magog ice / airborne snowmobiler injured
Firefighters rescued two minor when their ATV fell through the ice of Lake Memphremagog.
House of Commons OKs Emergencies Act
Biden extends the US National emergency over Covid, while our friends up North approve Canada’s Emergencies Act.
Harvey: Don’t overlook Biden border boondoggle in 2022
Biden is the gift that keeps on giving to Republicans in 2022, especially when it comes to the US border crisis.
Jewish lawmaker weighs in on Tennessee school district banning Holocaust book
A school district in Tennessee banned a Holocaust graphic novel due to age appropriateness, and a Vermont Senator has so much time on her hands, that she must weigh in.
Blittersdorf’s Barre rail study revived
A House bill sponsored by 60 lawmakers would fund a ‘feasibility study’ of commuter rail between Barre and Montpelier, require employers to reduce employee commuter mileage, and create a fuel efficiency fee on vehicle purchases.
Guv, Legislature mum on DHS ‘domestic threat actor’ bulletin
Neither Gov. Phil Scott nor the Legislature have much to say as yet about the Feb. 7 Department of Homeland Security bulletin promising action against online critics of government policies.
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