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.
Colchester continues to fly BLM flag
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.
Coester: Elected officials uninformed, cowardly
To the editor: For more than a year now, I have studied, watched and paid close attention every day to what has been happening In Vermont, the USA and around the globe. […]
Condos: mailed ballot law lets voters ‘cure’ mistakes
Today we should be proud as Vermonters. Around the country we are witnessing an assault on voting rights, as state legislatures use conspiracy theories and lies as cover to restrict the Constitutionally guaranteed rights of American voters.
Peterson: 69-year-old Newbie’s first year in the Legislature
Seeing the freshmen class of some 30 or so legislators, many younger than my own children, made me feel like the old dog I am. The question was, could I learn new tricks.
Scott signs mailed ballot, equity-in-schools bills
ov. Phil Scott yesterday signed into law S15, universal mailed ballots, and S115, providing more funding and regulation for equity and inclusion programs in Vermont schools and libraries.
Keelan: bill will gut Vermont construction industry
The good news is that the legislation referred to as H.157 did not make it over the finish line last month before the Vermont General Assembly had adjourned. The bill, which passed the House, would have required construction contractors who work on residential projects over $2,500 to register with the State of Vermont’s Office of Professional Regulation by April 2022.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Mon, Jun 07
Don’t miss breaking news! Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state.
School ‘equity and inclusion’ bill awaits guv’s decision
A bill passed by the Vermont Legislature and awaiting the governor’s signature provides more funding and statutory empowerment for equity and diversity in schools and state libraries.
Reporter probes ‘no vaccine deaths’ claim
The Vermont Department of Health’s claim that no Vermonters reported dead by the CDC from receiving the Covid-19 vaccine actually died for that reason is not based on first-hand examination of remains. Instead, it relies on information shared by deceased patients’ physicians shortly after death.
Klar to speak Wednesday in Wardsboro
John Klar, founder of Vermont Liberty and 2020 candidate for governor, will speak 7 pm Wednesday, June 9 at the Wardsboro Town Hall.
Lake Dunmore, 19th century glassmaking center
The state’s first glassworks opened along the shores of Lake Dunmore in 1813. The lakeside workings, variously referred to as either the Vermont Glass Factory or Lake Dunmore Glass Company, consisted of a large factory complex that stood near today’s Sunset Lodge.
Fireovid: Scott veto gives citizens chance to protect voting rights
Think about it. If Democrats can easily force small changes in our Constitution, what’s to stop them from making large changes? It’s extremely important that we-the-people firmly protect the only document that protects our rights.
CRT concern spreads to Rutland
The “Vermonters for Vermont” Initiative will be hosting a Town Hall Informational on the Teaching of Critical Race Theory in our public schools Wednesday, June 16 at 6:30 pm in the Vermont Building at at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland.
Fernandez: Pro-Palestinian propaganda in local newspaper
Israeli benevolence doesn’t get any coverage by the monolithic pro-Palestine media-complex.
Truck stuck in Smugglers Notch (again)
Sunday at 2:30 pm, State Police received a call of a tractor trailer unit stuck at Smuggler’s Notch on route 108 in the town of Cambridge. The operator of vehicle, Kyle Shepherd, ignored and passed several clearly posted signs advising that tractor trailer units are not permitted.
Remembering June 6, 1944
In the next few years, we will have no living witnesses to what has been described by historians as one of the greatest military achievements of all time – the Normandy landing in France, on June 6, 1944.
Biden’s new taxes won’t cover deficit
For over a year, as a candidate and President, Biden has repeatedly said that tax increases needed to pay for what has turned out to be his staggering multi-trillion dollar deficit spending would be only Bernie Sanders-type tax increases, only on the rich and the big corporations. But the New York Times reported ahead of the budget release that it will include a large, direct tax increase on middle class America as well.
Vermont media covers critics of Critical Race Theory
What the Vermont media wrote about last Friday’s gathering of critics of Critical Race Theory tells much about their own views and prejudices.
Jay Peak EB-5 fraudster pleads guilty
William Kelly, 72, of Weston, Florida, pleaded guilty to two felony charges in connection with his involvement in the Jay Peak Biomedical Research Park EB-5 investment project, also called the AnC Vermont project.
McCoy: Home registry bill is government overreach gone TOO FAR
A bill before the Vermont Legislature, S.79, would make Vermont the first state in the nation to have a statewide, government-run, centralized registry of all privately owned homes being rented out.
Alice Flanders: Those who can and those who won’t
I am not a proponent of Critical Race Theory, as I am firmly convinced that this political agenda broadens the societal gap, and honestly, takes us all back to pre-civil rights times, where folk are wrongly judged by race, religion, creed, sex or national origin. I believe it is nonsense to subjectively evaluate people based on the color of their skin, rather than based on character, academic achievement, team playing ability and determination.
Black leaders ‘take charge’ against CRT
We acknowledge that racist people exist in the country, but explicitly reject the notion that the United States of America is a racist country. This is a subtle, but significant difference! We also denounce the idea that the country is guilty of systemic racism, white privilege and abhor the concept of identity politics and the promotion of victimhood in minority communities.
Evslin: Docs who won’t vax shouldn’t practice
I’m NOT saying that Rauch should be barred from practice because he speaks against vaccination; he has a right to free speech even if that speech is unpopular. He and other medical professionals who refuse vaccination should be barred from practice because their refusal to be vaccinated makes them a danger to their patients.
Scam phone calls from ‘police’
State Police May 28 received several reports of phone calls purporting to be from the St. Albans Barracks and asking for personal information.
Employers liable for vax damages? Gov doesn’t know
Will Vermont employers – including the five colleges requiring vaccination for all returning students in the fall – be held legally liable for adverse reactions to “experimental usage” vaccines? Gov. Scott said yesterday he doesn’t know.
Mary’s Restaurant closes
An Addison County landmark inn and restaurant has closed. The Inn at Baldwin Creek & Mary’s Restaurant in Bristol, featured in a restored circa-1797 farmhouse on Route 116 a few miles north of downtown Bristol, closed after serving locals and tourists since 1983.
Letter: Mohawk descendant likes Rutland Red Raider name
As a person with a proud native American heritage with both my paternal grandmother and my maternal grandfather’s families with direct Indian blood in the Mohawk nation removing the Raider name is a slap in their face.
Brock: Legislature swatted flies while house burned down
That, in a nutshell, is the 2021 legislative session. We washed the dishes, disposed of some crumbs and swatted a few flies. But we didn’t deal with the urgent and immediate issues that demanded our real attention.
Legislature boosts state employee pay, pensions
The Vermont State Employees Association – the union for state employees – recently reported good news about members’ paychecks and pensions as a result of the actions of the 2021 Legislature.
McClaughry: when should juveniles become adults?
In the present instance, the House passed S.107 with a 70% majority, and so there’s a good chance the majority party can override Scott’s veto. A better plan would be to let the veto stand and reach a well thought out agreement in 2022, as the governor proposes.
Scott vetoes non-citizen voting; override vote expected
On June 1, Governor Scott vetoed legislation that would give non-citizen voting rights in municipal elections in Winooski and Montpelier.
New video covers Friday’s CRT ‘town hall’ in Essex
Video production company Rebirth The Media has filmed and produced a 48-minute video of Friday night’s Town Hall Meeting in Essex on Critical Race Theory.
Sentencing for 2015 Westford shooting
Friday May 28 the Federal sentencing hearing for Veronica Lewis, who shot Darryl Montague in Westford on June 29, 2015, was held in the Federal District Court in Burlington. Lewis participated remotely during the ZOOM broadcast. The state sentencing hearing is taking place at this moment.
Max Misch busted
As a result of an investigation, State Police detectives learned that Max Misch, 38, of Bennington, allegedly violated conditions of release by approaching and speaking with a witness in a pending court case in which he is accused of traveling out of state and purchasing a firearms magazine in excess of Vermont capacity limits and bringing it back to Vermont.
Warner: Tyranny of the weak
We’ve entered into a new era in America. It is an era where those who identify in any of a multitude of victim classes have banded together to form a monolithic body politic who have managed to use their weaknesses, and perceived weaknesses, as the justification for enacting political and cultural tyranny on those who they perceive as their oppressors.
TV ads highlight devastation caused by closed U.S. – Canada border
Last week, John Adams started buying television ads in the U.S. calling out the impact the closed border has had on families, businesses, and property owners like himself.
Leave fawns alone
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says deer fawns are being born this time of year and asks that people avoid disturbing or picking them up.
Ingalls: They gave their lives
They gave their lives so that this collection of 50 states could carry on with the novel idea that citizens would govern themselves.
Driver dies after car strikes tree
A 48-year-old Jeffersonville woman died after her car struck a tree on Rte. 109 in Cambridge, state police say.
‘Great Parent Revolution’ in Essex hears opponents of Critical Race Theory
More than 100 concerned citizens – a local expression of what conservative commentator Dan Bongino calls “The Great Parent Revolution” – gathered to hear opponents of Critical Race Theory in the Essex School District speak at the Essex Grange Hall Friday night, May 28.
George Fox of Thetford, heroic WWII chaplain
The oldest of the four chaplains on the USS Dorchester —Methodist minister George L. Fox—was from Thetford. When America had entered World War I, he had enlisted in the Marines at 17. Trained as an ambulance driver, he won a Silver Star on the Western Front for rescuing a wounded soldier from a battlefield full of poisonous gas—despite the fact that he had no gas mask. He stood just five feet seven; after Pearl Harbor, Reverend Fox enlisted in the Army the same day his 18-year-old son Wyatt, who survived the war, joined the Marines.
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