I don’t usually see the need to defend Vermont Daily, but seeing a thread loose in Seven Days’ “Fair Game” column April 7 prompts a tugging that unravels writer Dave Gram’s whole garment.
Merrill: Unraveling Gram column, a thread at a time
Vermont saloon queen died a millionaire
The fight against alcohol in the United States didn’t begin with the passage of Prohibition’s Volstead Act in 1919. It started long before with religious reformers mostly leading the way to ban liquor nationwide.
Sierra Club asks Biden EPA to cut dairy farm methane emissions
The Vermont chapter of the Sierra Club is standing with the national Sierra Club petition to the Biden administration to regulate dairy farms of 500 or more cows under the Clean Air Act, due to air pollution and climate concerns. If approved, the regulations would affect about 30 Vermont farms.
Litigation, pandemic sideline Montpelier hotel/parking garage project
The proposed 80-room Hampton Inn and 345-space parking garage located mostly on Capitol Plaza property has been sidelined primarily because of litigation delays as well as COVID-related economic concerns.
Klar: imminent peril of fiscal collapse
Since 2007-2008, ear-tickling arguments that the old rules can be cast away, and money printed freely, have proliferated.
Kidnapper at large
Search efforts for Harley Breer, 51, of Marshfield continued throughout the day Sunday, with members of the Vermont State Police checking numerous locations and conducting interviews. Breer was not located and remains at large. State police will continue the investigation throughout the night.
4-year old struck by ATV on motocross track
On April 11 at 2:41 pm the Vermont State Police (VSP) were notified of an ATV crash involving 2 ATV’s. 911 advised that a 4 year old was involved. VSP arrived on scene after AmCare transported the child.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Fri, Apr 09
Don’t miss breaking news! Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state. Publication Headline Published NBC 5 ‘We’re so excited!’ Vermont’s wedding industry begins to bounce […]
Steelhead leap Willoughby Falls
One of the state’s premier wildlife watching opportunities is taking place in Vermont. The steelhead rainbow trout have started their upstream migration, leaping up waterfalls in a spectacular display of determination on their way to their spawning grounds.
Dems gamble on pension fund – what will it mean for 2022?
The political credibility Progressives bought with labor leaders is not the only factor working in their favor. By delaying the pension issue to next year, Krowinski is not only kicking the can down the road, she’s setting it up for a time closer to the 2022 elections. This issue will be much more ripe in voters minds, and union members in particular will be more likely to recall whatever actions the Legislature takes next session.
Vax registry change unites two Prog, GOP reps
A proposed change in vaccine registry law has two very different legislators expressing the same concern.
Baby kidnapped
On April 8 at about 7 pm, state troopers were notified of multiple 911 calls about a male attempting to take a baby away from a female on the side of the road along VT-109 in Belvidere, police say.
Rob Wagman: the Sheppard in Heather
I have broken my wife’s heart before, so I know the depths of that cry that encapsulates the sound of unbearable pain. When we got the news of Heather Sheppard’s passing, my wife’s cries started with the lip curling, but within minutes, that all too familiar bellow that a hug can only hold down, but not quiet.
Stella: other states ban ‘vaccine passports’
Meanwhile, here in Vermont, discrimination is being encouraged. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has announced that vaccinated persons shall be free to travel in/out of Vermont, without government quarantine restrictions. He has also elaborated on how un-vaccinated persons should be treated differently, and how vaccinated persons do not need to be tested, or quarantine.
Marijuana abuse common thread in mass killings
Steven Bourgoin, found guilty of the largest mass criminal homicide in Vermont – the deaths of five high school students in an October, 2016 car crash – had in his bloodstream high concentrations of THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. His police toxicology report has something in common with the perpetrators of some of the worst mass killings in recent U.S. and world history: he abused marijuana.
CFV: Pension reform NOW
The reality is that reform has to happen this year. Our retirement liability has grown $1,000,000,000 in the last twelve months and it’s only going to grow more. This will require more draconian cuts from beneficiaries and a more burdensome tax increase on Vermonters.
Bishop pans Prop 5 abortion amendment headed for Senate vote Friday
This constitutional amendment is unnecessary and unclear. Currently, Vermont law allows abortions to be performed, regardless of the reason, right up to moment of natural birth. That is clear and tragic.
Guv pledges $200 mil for carbon reduction
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) April 6 proposed more than $200 million in state-federal climate change mitigation spending.
State Trooper busted for assault
The Vermont State Police on Wednesday, April 7 cited Trooper Robert Zink, 39, of Arlington on suspicion of simple assault following a six-week investigation into a use-of-force incident that occurred during an arrest Feb. 23, 2021.
Barre voting machine problems cited in call for recount
A Barre City Council candidate who lost by eight percent at City Meeting March 2 is contesting the election in Vermont Superior Court.
GOP petition opposes service tax
The Vermont Republican Party has already collected 780 signatures in an online petition to stop the proposed expansion of the sales tax to services.
Cops out of Burlington schools
School Resource Officers (police assigned to schools) will no longer be stationed at Burlington city schools, the school board decided last night.
Two Covid-19 vaccines made with human fetal tissue
Several marketed vaccinations, including two Covid-19 vaccinations, are produced using human fetal tissue.
Cop busted for tasing suspect
Following an 11-month investigation, the Vermont State Police has cited Mark Schwartz, a former officer with the St. Albans City Police Department, on suspicion of simple assault arising from an on-duty incident in February 2019, state police said yesterday.
Scott airs billion-dollar infrastructure plan
Governor Phil Scott and his administration today presented a plan to invest $1 billion in one-time federal money to jumpstart economic recovery and support long-term economic growth.
New work, travel guidelines announced
Beginning April 9, vaccinated Vermonters may travel out-of-state without testing or quarantine, Gov. Phil Scott announced at the Covid-19 press conference today. Unvaccinated Vermonters may travel, but must be tested within three days upon return. They will not be required to quarantine.
TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk to speak in Williston June 27
Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA, is scheduled to speak in Williston June 27.
Licata: ‘Utopia’ no place you want to be
This urge for a kind of classless, stateless society goes back not only to Marx, but much further back in time. It is Utopian – meaning ‘no place’ – and extremely dangerous. But this urge lives on… with the exception that today’s Utopians have the immense power of science, technology, organization and knowledge that past Utopians lacked.
Two dead bodies found in car
The Vermont State Police is investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found inside a vehicle this weekend in the driveway of a private residence in Vershire.
Sugarmaker, 75, dies in ATV accident
On April 5, the State Police responded to the area of Gore Road in the town of Holland for a fatal ATV accident.
Scott explains BIPOC vaccination policy
“In addition to the greater risk of hospitalization among BIPOC community members, the pace of vaccination for these individuals is too far behind the white population. With a rate of 20.2% of the BIPOC population having received at least one dose of vaccine as compared with non-Hispanic Whites (33.4%), we need to do more to close this gap – both as a matter of equity and to help decrease the risk of hospitalizations.”
Weinberger justifies racial preference
As Gov. Phil Scott faces pushback in Vermont and nationally for a vaccination program prioritizing BIPOC Vermonters, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger last night rejected the idea that “government should not bias any class or grouping of residents over others.”
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Mon, Apr 05
Don’t miss breaking news! Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state. Publication Headline Published WCAX Analysis: The fight over funding public-sector pensions 4/2/2021 9:11 AM […]
Vermonters deride MLB boycott of Atlanta
Say goodbye to the swag. The next time you see me outside, I won’t be wearing a hat or sweatshirt sporting the logo of a current Major League Baseball team – including my beloved Boston Red Sox.
Historic bank vault recalls gilded age of Bradford
This bank vault is empty, a relic of a history almost invisible to passersby. The one-time bank vault within the Bank Block is a welcome sight for most. Visitors entering Village Eclectics 2 have a hint to its presence in the form of a dollar sign engraved in the granite keystone of the building that once stored the riches of 19th and early 20th century Bradford businesses.
Left eager for another Sedition Act
Today the militant Left is keen to revive a Sedition Act to imprison anyone who gets too far out in front spreading “misinformation” criticizing the Biden Administration, or employing extralegal tactics to suppress free speech as the Sedition Acts did. We’ve done that twice, and both were dark chapters in this land of liberty.
Have lunch with Dana Perino
The Ethan Allen Institute, in partnership with Mass Fiscal Alliance, is sponsoring a virtual (Zoom) event with former press secretary for George W. Bush, current Fox News host, and author of the newly released Everything Will Be Okay: Life Lessons for Young Women (from a Former Young Woman), Dana Perino.
Bills approved by Vermont House listed
As of this week, the Vermont House of Representatives has passed the following bills, according to the Campaign for Vermont.
Senate bills bad for employers, gun owners, homeowners, election integrity
For a legislative session that was supposed to focus on getting through the pandemic, it’s proven to be just the opposite. There are some harmful bills you ought to be aware of. So here we go.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Fri, Apr 02
Don’t miss breaking news! Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state. Publication Headline Published WCAX Beds Available: Vermont’s eldercare homes hope to recover from the […]
Trapping ban discussed in House wildlife committee
A bill that would ban almost all trapping in Vermont (H.172) was reviewed this week by the Vermont House Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Committee.
Warner: The Case for Easter
The celebration of Christmas culminates from the miraculous advent of His being born of a virgin under hostile circumstances. The second a crescendo of God’s ability to take even death itself and turn it into the most victorious moment in human history.
Vermonters turn to independent schools
While Vermont public school officials are carping about returning to the classroom post Covid, calling for higher taxes to pay for their pensions, and are otherwise consumed with controversies over mascot names and what flags get to fly on school grounds, Vermont families have been driving an interesting trend – using Vermont’s 150 year old school choice “tuitioning” program to put their kids into independent schools.
F-35s to practice night flights
The Vermont Air National Guard will begin three weeks of night flying operations starting Tuesday, April 6.
Pension vote spurs political threat from the left for Democrats
The Vermont AFL-CIO is calling state employees and teacher unions to strike over the Vermont House’s March 26 rejection of a wealth tax to bail out the public pension deficit.
ADF: SOGI laws victimize vulnerable women, children
In recent years, government officials and others have used state and local laws to threaten the freedom of millions of Americans. The laws are known as SOGI laws because they elevate “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to protected class status.
Voter fraud alleged on WVMT as House studies permanent Vote-By-Mail bill
“In Middlebury I own an apartment building,” a caller to WVMT’s Morning Drive told Secretary of State Jim Condos. “There were about 25 (unclaimed) ballots by all the mailboxes in the hallway and the college kids scooped them all up, voted them all, and put them in the mailbox,” the caller alleged.
App measures marijuana ‘high’
Saint Michael’s College psychology professor Ari Kirshenbaum has been using a $224,000 National Science Foundation grant he received in September 2020 to develop a mobile app that measures the effects of cannabis on a user’s neurocognitive functions: things such as reaction time, time perception and concentration, which are all affected by THC.
Shelburne leaders question police bias study
The study was co-authored by UVM Professor Stephanie Seguino, Data Analyst Pat Autilio and Nancy Brooks, a Visiting Associate Professor at Cornell University. The data collected from 2014 to 2019 showed racial disparities statewide, including Shelburne, where Black drivers are 4.4 times more likely to be stopped by police, the study found.
New VT Digger editor knocks MA communities “full of white people”
Journalist Auditi Guha bashed communities “full of white people” as “boring” on Twitter on March 15, just two days before VT announced her hiring as a senior editor at VTDigger.
Ross: Electoral College protects democracy
The recurring proposals which endorse eliminating or subverting the Electoral College by some kind of “interstate compact’ is a bad proposal for many reasons. The Electoral College is necessary to help preserve our democracy.
Vax impact on pregnancies “a little premature to answer,” Levine says
While “there has been no known impact at this time” of Covid-19 vaccinations on current or future pregnancies, “it’s a little premature to answer” whether vaccines are positively safe for pregnant women and the children they carry, Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said at a press conference Tuesday.
Senate to vote April 9 on abortion constitutional amendment
Tuesday the Senate Rules committee met to take the next steps on two proposed amendments to the Vermont Constitution, including Proposal 5 which “seeks to ensure the personal reproductive liberty of every Vermonter,” according to a statement from Senate Pro Tem Becca Balint (D-Windham). Opponents like Vermont Right to Life say it would enshrine in the VT Constitution a right to an abortion.
Citizens, activists speak out at Vermont Liberty Network
Last Saturday, Steve Merrill, a Northeast Kingdom journalist banned from Gov. Scott’s press conferences earlier this year, told the assembled crowd about that experience and his research into Covid-19 vaccines. The longtime host of a NEKTV program recalled how the governor’s aides first accused him of being called a racist by others, then referred to his show as a ‘hobby entertainment’ not worthy of participating in a press conference before banning him. His appeals for reinstatement have been denied.
Ice Out contest scores record guesses, cash prize
NEWPORT — Spring finally made its appearance in Newport this past Saturday, at 4:09 a.m. to be exact.
Barre schools serve all students free breakfast, lunch and dinner
The Barre Unified Union School District announced this week that starting April 1, all students can now access a free meal for dinner. These meals will be handed out to students during […]
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Tue, Mar 30
Don’t miss breaking news! Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state. Publication Headline Published VT Digger David Flemming: Global Warming Solutions Act may stop Vermont […]
Huff: State must not break pension promises
The current pension proposals seek to shore up the pension plans and reduce annual plan contributions by reneging on the promises made. There is an alternative.
Elected officials: the savers and the big spenders
Former Lieutenant Governor Zuckerman took the nearly $200,000 budget he inherited from then-Lieutenant Governor Scott and increased it by more than 27 percent in a single year. As a result, current Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray inherited a much more favorable budget than was the case just a handful of years ago.
Teen addiction twice as likely for pot than any other drug
An explosive study published March 29 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics and conducted by prominent researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, found that teenage marijuana users (aged 12-17) have double the prevalence of a use disorder (addiction) than nicotine, alcohol, and, in most categories of users, even prescription drug misusers.
Seven-member board to reapportion legislative districts
The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years, and this up-to-date population count is used to ensure that our elected representatives in the legislature are equitably apportioned across the state.
Fraud hard to detect if mailed ballot bill passes, video says
In a fast-paced 10 minute video released recently, Rob Roper of the Ethan Allen Institute outlines what you need to know about S15, the universal mailed ballot bill approved by the Senate and now in the House.
Scott names Cannabis Control Board
Governor Phil Scott announced yesterday that he has appointed James Pepper of Montpelier, Julie Hulburd of Colchester and Kyle Harris of Montpelier to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB).
The AR-15 and home defense
Of the estimated 500,000 and three million times a year guns are used in self-defense, the popular AR-15 plays a part. Here are 10 examples that did make the news.
‘Surgical strike’ tornado hits Middlebury
A fast-moving EF1 level tornado roared through a suburban Middlebury neighborhood March 26 uprooting trees, knocking down power lines, and damaging several homes.
About 50 attend final 40 Days for Life rally
The 40 Days for Life – Barre event concluded Palm Sunday, March 28 with a final rally in front of the Barre Planned Parenthood office. About 50 people attended on the rainy, blustery day, organizer Tom Kelly of Barre said.
Tom Licata: racism rampant in Burlington City Hall
by Tom Licata Where’s Vermont’s attorney general when you need him? The Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly makes racism illegal. It states: “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds […]
Stimulus checks prompt largest cannabis sales day of the year
DENVER, March 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Business intelligence from Akerna shows that Wednesday, March 17, St Patrick’s Day and the day that most qualifying Americans received their $1,400 stimulus checks was by far the largest cannabis sales day […]
Listen to Donald Trump, Gov. Scott tells Essex County vax skeptics
Essex County, the rural heart of the Northeast Kingdom, was the only county to vote red for Donald Trump in the November, 2020 general election. State officials say many residents also are showing ‘vaccine hesitancy’ – the term for unwillingness to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Is there a connection?
‘Hobby entertainer’ Merrill would ask Levine: HIV part of Moderna vaccine?
If I were still “allowed” to participate in Governor Scott’s news conferences, the question I would ask Dr. Levine: “Are there HIV (AIDs, incurable) and HCV (Hep—C, curable) ‘parts’ in this vaccine?”
Unions hate House pension reform plan
Word began circulating last week that the Speaker had a “secret group” of legislators working on a pension plan, the Campaign for Vermont (CFV) reports. That “secret group” turned out to be the leaders of the House Government Operations Committee, who released their proposal on Wednesday.
Mazur: Destroying our economy
This country is facing a “fiscal crisis” exacerbated by Congress. In the past 18 months our fiscal debt INCREASED 30 percent to $28T. This is 25 percent more than all goods and services produced in a year.
Keelan: Equity, climate change consulting our new ‘growth industries’
If you own or work at a Vermont consulting practice that focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DEI), Climate Change, or Ethnic Affairs, you are in the right place for exponential growth.
Beck: State made the pension mess, State needs to clean it up
The State of Vermont created the $5.7 billion pension shortfall, and it shouldn’t expect employees and retirees to clean up the mess.
Restaurants, law offices are state’s top Paycheck Protection recipients
Which Vermont industries received the most assistance from the SBA Paycheck Protection loan program?
McClaughry: Bernie, Biden go after gun manufacturers
It’s like suing Ford Motor Company for providing the car that Bonnie and Clyde used to get out of town after robbing the bank. Or, to bring it home to Vermont, to sue a ski manufacturer when a skier veers off the slope and crashes into a tree. Or as Bernie Sanders put it when supporting the protection law in 2005, “If somebody has a gun and it falls into the hands of a murderer … do you hold the gun manufacturer responsible? Not any more than you would hold a hammer company responsible if somebody beats somebody over the head with a hammer.”
Does inventor’s steamboat rest at bottom of Lake Morey?
The bottom of Vermont’s 548-acre Lake Morey, originally known as Fairlee Pond, is alleged to be the watery grave of the world’s first steamboat.
Booted newsman Steve Merrill to address Liberty Network
On Saturday March 27, the Vermont Liberty Network will gather at noon on the State House steps to celebrate the Green Mountain Boys of many generations past who served in the cause of Liberty. Public access TV host Steve Merrill will be a guest speaker.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Thu, Mar 25
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Thu, Mar 25
House OKs health care equity, BIPOC biz funding
The Vermont House Wednesday, March 24 gave preliminary approval to spending millions on tourism, workforce development, and BIPOC business development. It also created a health care equity council and toughened laws surrounding sexual violence.
Page: 2,500 pennies for your conservative thoughts
The mainstream media has finally woken up and realized that conservatives no longer care what they think. Now they’re trying to woo us back – in the case of the Burlington Free Press, with $25 gift cards.
Activists to bring refugees, asylum seekers, and illegal immigrants to Rutland
A coalition of Rutland interfaith and activist groups is seeking housing sponsors to bring refugees, asylum seekers, and migrant workers (including those here illegally) to Rutland.
Invest your stimulus check wisely
Surprise! I checked my bank account this morning and found my $1,400 stimulus check from Joe O’Biden. Guess what…I’m going to donate it all to the NRA-ILA, Judicial Watch, Vermont Daily, the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, and buy a year subscription of Epoch Times.
Mendon gun discharge ordinance tabled
The proposed Mendon firearms discharge ordinance has been tabled while town officials gather more information and evaluate citizen comments from a March 15 hearing, Town Administrator Sara Tully told Vermont Daily today.
Tale of two cities, and non-citizen voting
The Montpelier charter change allowing non-citizen voting passed the House with little difficulty, 103-39. One expected Winooski, with this precedent set, to sail through as well. But it didn’t. There’s a catch – one that should also inspire some second thoughts about Montpelier as that bill goes to the Senate.
NH #1 in taxpayer ROI; VT 10th worst
Vermont was ranked low, 41 among 50 states, when it comes to taxpayers’ return on investment (ROI). In other words, taxpayers pay in to Montpelier but don’t see much overall for their investment.
Condos praises Senate passage of universal ballot mailing
S.15 is a monumental step forward for voter access to the ballot box. Here in Vermont, and nationally, vote by mail has been shown to dramatically increase voter participation in the elections process. I am a firm believer that our democracy is stronger when we all participate.
The Readable House Journal: Illegal immigrant healthcare approved, contractor registry referred
The Vermont House yesterday referred a contractor registry bill to the Appropriations Committee and gave preliminary approval to statewide broadband spending and Dr. Dynasaur healthcare for illegal immigrants.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Tue, Mar 23
Don’t miss breaking news! Vermont Daily Water Cooler is a roundup of important headlines from around the state. Publication Headline Published WCAX Vt. Senate looks to fast-track comprehensive stimulus bill 3/18/2021 5:26 […]
TPUSA organizes at UVM, holds events for high schoolers
A week after the well-received visit by Turning Point USA spokesperson Isabel Brown in Montpelier, TPUSA is organizing at the University of Vermont and is offering virtual events for conservative-minded young Vermonters.
Levine urges young people to vax to avoid ‘Long Covid,’ but can’t give stats
By Guy Page The Vermont Department of Health doesn’t know how many young Vermonters suffer from longterm, debilitating “Long Covid” that reportedly afflicts young people nationwide. ‘Long Covid’ was cited today by […]
New farm report is “Ceres in Wonderland”
The report recites some obvious challenges, such as “development pressure on farmland, generational transfer of farm assets, [and] changing consumer preferences and markets”. But in its Vision Statement for 2030 the report wanders off into what might be called “Ceres in Wonderland.” That’s a collection of correct and happy outcomes, an exercise noticeably infused with political correctness.
Entire Bible to be read Easter weekend at Island Pond church
ISLAND POND — There will be little or no sleep on Easter weekend this year for several members of the Green Mountain Bible Church in Island Pond, as an out-loud reading of […]
Conservative network forming – are you in?
by Tom McLinden If you are a fellow conservative, I invite you to join me in forming a new conservative action network in Vermont. Our mission would be to promote conservative ideals, […]
From Publisher Guy Page: Thanks, Karen!
Too few Vermont news organizations believe that sacred cows make good hamburger.
How did YOUR senator(s) vote on universal mailed ballot bill?
S.15 An act relating to correcting defective ballots, passed in the State Senate Thursday, March 18 by a vote of 27-3. Its purpose: To make the election policies and procedures adopted during the Covid pandemic emergency permanent features of Vermont elections.
Page: Sanders signals tax hike, but mum on pandemic debt reduction
No-one in power in Congress is talking about pandemic spending repayment. Like credit card companies at Christmastime, Congress has pressured us to spend now and worry about payments letter. This morning, the first notice of Payment Due came in the mail, hidden in a predictably worded press release from Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders.
Senate hears state college consolidation pitch
United they stand, divided they fall. That’s the gist of the Vermont State College consolidation plan pitched Thursday March 18 by (VSC) Chancellor Sophie Zdatny to the Senate Education Committee.
Vax for ages 16 and up set for April 19
Governor Phil Scott Friday, March 18 laid out the projected timeline for all remaining age bands, which will govern the state’s vaccination distribution process moving forward.
Readable House Journal: Organic farming, public school spending bills pass
Friday, March 19 the Vermont House approved the expanded sale of raw unpasteurized milk after refusing an amendment to require bacteria testing. It also approved three spending bills aimed at improving public school learning and facilities.
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