According to the indictment, Hollins applied for eight EIDL loans in mid-2020 in his own name, in the names of two businesses he founded, in the names of two relatives and in the names of three persons whose identities Jones allegedly stole.
Colchester man charged with dealing coke and pandemic loan fraud
McGuinness: Correction on VTDigger’s journalistic integrity
Correction: It is incorrect for us to state that VT Digger failed to publish VFA’s commentaries: VFA failed to send them to VT Digger.
Two state troopers to face criminal charges
The Vermont Attorney’s Office is planning to file criminal charges against two veteran state troopers for the use of a bean bag round in an effort to deescalate an out-of-control suspect.
NEA, abortion rights groups, Krowinski win big this year in Vermont Legislature
With another session of the Vermont Legislature over, Ledbetter, Calvin Cutler and Katharine Huntley of WCAX, and I will focus on what happened and what’s next – and maybe play the Winners and Losers game.
Sense of urgency moves restorative justice, abortion/transgender shield bills to head of the line
An attitude of ‘We need this NOW’ motivated lawmakers to pass legislation regarding abortion provider protections, criminal case referrals, and the easing of public meeting restrictions – and then make sure it became law quickly.
Franklin County man arrested for ‘burning with intent to intimidate’ in Charlottesville, VA
An Enosburg Falls man has been charged with carrying a lit tiki torch with intent to intimidate – a crime in Virginia.
VT Headlines: Vermont fire departments look to hire volunteers, career firefighters
State reps detail constituent input on legislative bills; Route 7 in Ferrisburgh shut down after crash; Legal battle continues over what landowner can do with blighted Burlington property
As summer travel approaches, VT, NY and Canada police gather at border to promote seat belt use
As the Memorial Day weekend looms, law enforcement agencies urge everyone to buckle up hitting the road.
Police seek smoke bomber at Williston movie theater
The smoke bombing resulted in an evacuation of the building and nearby businesses.
Restoring Our Faith Summit II set for Oct. 10
The Restoring Our Faith Summit is born from the idea that the global pandemic throttled our country into a state of fear, resulting in cultural breakdown.
Breaking News: Substitute teacher arrested for sexual assault on teenage girl
A 13 year-old-girl was sexually assaulted by a teacher at Lowell Graded School, police say.
Jeffrey Epstein’s New Hampshire connections
Across the Connecticut River, Jeffrey Epstein’s connections run deep in the Granite State, GraniteGrok reports.
‘April Stools Day’ has debut scooping in South Burlington
Animal waste is a major culprit in the development of blue-green algae, a type of cyanobacteria that plagues Lake Champlain and other Vermont waterways, largely due to soil runoff into rivers, streams.
Legislature adds $1200/household spending this year, Scott warns
“We share the same goals. We both support making historic investments in shared priorities. But we must do it in a way Vermonters can afford,” Gov. Phil Scott said.
Rep. Peterson: why I voted against $130 mil childcare bill
Mostly the childcare bill just costs too much. But it also intrudes Big Government into a sphere of life best handled by small business and families.
Lawmaker on ‘unbiased’ impeachment probe urged sheriff to drop out of race
One of the lawmakers charged with making an unbiased investigation of Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore’s alleged offenses had previously urged him to drop out of the race.
VT Headlines: Longtime Vermont This Week moderator Stewart Ledbetter to step down
Fire forces evacuations at Williston movie theater; UVM faculty, staff seek apology for administration’s handling of federal antisemitism investigation
School board to hold forums on principal fired for BLM comments
The embattled Mount Ascutney School Board is considering holding public forums to address lingering public dissatisfaction over the BLM-related firing of Principal Tiffany Riley and the subsequent $650,000 settlement the school district paid her.
Constitutional amendment would enshrine gender identity rights
Gender identity would be a protected constitutional right under an amendment proposed on the last day of the 2023 legislative session.
Rutland drug ringleader “P-Nut” sentenced to 140 months
A juvenile was used as a courier in “P-Nut” Ruiz’s drug operation.
Burlington shoplifter who threatened employees with knife sentenced
After gathering $1200 of merchandise, Kingsbury threatened employees with a knife.
Trudell: Who elected you to drive our fuel prices up so high?
You did not explicitly say you would do these things when you ran your political campaigns. We Vermonters were not marching in the streets demanding that you do these things to us.
State: towns unwilling to host youth detention facility
“When they start hitting staff with frying plans, they’re violent, and that’s the problem,” Sears said. “Right now we don’t have anything at the top of the system to hold those violent youths.”
‘Childcare affordability’ bill will increase costs for some families
In the 11th hour, the House agreed to the Senate’s funding structure, with a payroll tax of 0.44%, with at least 75% of the tax required to be paid by employers.
Historian/columnist George Will invokes Vermont presidential election history
“My idea is as the Ethan Allen Institute goes, so goes Vermont. And then as Vermont goes, so goes the nation,” Will said.
Vermont’s soaring solar spree is trickier than you think
As the state pushes toward its solar goals, what environmental questions must be examined?
State bans TikTok on state-owned devices
Digital services secretary Shawn Nailor cited U.S. intelligence agencies assessments “about the potential for Chinese intelligence and security services to use Chinese information technology firms as routine and systemic espionage platforms against the United States and allies.”
VT Headlines: Communities begin preparing for a drastic influx of homeless Vermonters
Shelburne garbage truck catches fire; Housing crunch magnified by older Vermonters looking to downsize; UVM faculty union alleges unfair labor practice over switch to new educational software
Vermonters in UVM freshman class up 8% – but still less than one in five
About 40% of UVM students will pay no tuition this fall, and Vermont resident enrollment is up.
CLG: DOJ just Biden their time
Migrant influx further taxes broken housing systems; Terrorist watchlist members caught in migrant influx; Dominion Voting Systems pressed on role in Tucker Carlson firing
State judge wavers on jailing ‘youthful offender,’ so feds charge him with armed robbery
Vermont’s ongoing lack of a secure holding facility for youthful offenders almost meant freedom for an 18-year-old alleged arm robber and drug criminal from Brooklyn – until the feds stepped in.
New trapping, coyote hunting regs get public hearings
The coyote-hunting regs would limit to 100 the number of coyote hunters using dogs. They also would limit each hunter to four dogs or fewer, and require the dogs to wear tracking/control collars.
House panel picked for Franklin County impeachment probe
A House panel to investigate possible impeachment proceedings on a Franklin County’s state’s attorney and sheriff has been selected.
Vermont desperately needs a Taxpayer Bill of Rights
To cover all this drunken sailor activity by the supermajority, the Democrats and Progressives are just asking you to, as always, “pay just a little bit more.”
Bill meant to help unions organize might ban DEI training mandates
A bill intended to be union-friendly “exemplifies how trying to regulate speech is a double-edged sword that creates unintended consequences,” an advocacy group says.
VT Headlines: Who pulled trigger on Sierra, Fuentes?
One man is dead, another in critical condition from gunshot wounds suffered Friday night in Brookfield. Whodunit?
Prisoner who died in local jail OD’d on drugs he concealed
The cause of Jones’s death was acute mixed drug intoxication including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, and the manner of death was an accident.
Warner: Biden laptop revelations leave big questions unanswered
Having double-minded men and women administering two-standards of justices is nothing new in American politics.
Corrections disbands inmate work crews, prison industries
Department officials attribute the decline in work crew sentences to the success of criminal justice reforms, including Justice Reinvestment I and II initiatives.
Overseas vote-by-email bill clears VT House, Senate
A bill approved by both the Vermont House and the Senate would allow registered voters living outside the United States to cast absentee ballots via email to a secure portal established by the Vermont Secretary of State.
Wilson: I apologize for the acts of many legislators
Ensuring a sustainable, realistic budget wisely appropriated for the good of all must be a primary goal. This did not happen this session.
Unexplained ‘excess deaths’ rise in VT during pandemic
A Burlington scientist asks the Vermont Dept. of Health to bring more clarity to the high rate of age 15-54 heart disease deaths by correlating with their vaccination status.
Former CNN producer and VT man may be nearing civil settlement in child sex abuse case
A former senior producer for CNN television admitted luring a Nevada woman and her adopted pre-teen daughter to Windsor County to have sadomasochistic sex with the girl.
Evslin: Why artificial intelligence will lead to job growth
And why job loss from AI is still a problem.
Teens die in motorcycle, side-by-side crashes
On opposite sides of the state, teenagers lost control of their vehicles, resulting in crashes and death.
Brookfield shooting victims had fentanyl arrest records
In August 2019, both Sierra and Fuentes were arrested along with a third Springfield MA resident, Luis Martinez, on charges of trafficking fentanyl into the state.
VT Headlines: Wildlife officials work to combat rabies outbreak in Chittenden County
New mental health treatment facility opens, and others are in early stages; Missing Bennington man found dead
Bossange: Need for 40,000 new homes a myth
The real danger here is that the “24,000 job vacancy” myth feeds the “40,000 new homes needed” myth, creating a false sense of urgency.
Roper: Unrepresentative, under-qualified legislature gives itself a massive pay raise
The Vermont House and Senate often disagree on what priorities should be or the best way to pay for a program, but on this point they heartily agree: they themselves deserve a lot more money.
Hango: Failure to exempt veterans’ pensions drives skilled workers out of state
The Legislature just budgeted tens of millions of dollars to create new state jobs. Too bad it couldn’t have kept more retired military instate by exempting their pensions from taxes.
McGuinness: VTDigger falls short on investigative journalism integrity
VTDigger has presented a biased perspective on gender-affirming industry ‘shield laws,’ H.89 and S.37, into law on May 10th by Governor Scott.
Adjourned! Guv, House & Senate leaders praise accomplishments of 2023 Legislature
Gov. Scott, Speaker Krowinski, and President Pro Tem Baruth weigh in with a trio of public statements.
Legislature to vote today on $8.53 billion budget
Before the hoped for adjournment today, lawmakers must vote on a proposed $8.53 billion budget.
Proposed labor law would make Vermont one of few states to ban captive-audience meetings
Vermont lawmakers are seeking to give workers increased protections when it comes to collective bargaining and union organizing through a bill that has passed in the Senate with a number of changes since it was introduced.
Video: Tourists, don’t do this when you visit Vermont
Vermonters will help visitors if they’re in distress. Just don’t expect them to be all warm and fuzzy. Oh, and creemees.
Fleeing state police cruiser, drunk driver hits, kills motorcylist: police
An Enosburg man was charged with his fourth DUI after he allegedly fled police pursuit in his pickup truck, which crossed the center line and struck an oncoming motorcylist, killing the driver.
Warner: In New Hampshire, Donald Trump breaks CNN…again
I decided to watch the Louder With (Steven) Crowder coverage and play along to the drinking game with a nice Temperanillo and cigar.
VT Headlines: Colchester teenager arrested for stabbing 19-year-old
Burlington fire crews knock out flames at homeless encampment; Vt. agencies to drop rabies vaccine amid Chittenden County outbreak; Vt. holds state auction
Biden Laptop, Part Two: Corruption timelines, and details of Biden family crime
Marco Polo describes the Biden “mob” family as essentially four packs. Throughout the years they have had multiple brushes with the law, engaged in obvious nepotism, and shown disdain for law enforcement.
House overrides Scott veto of S.5
The House overrode Gov. Scott’s veto of S.5, despite warnings of unfairly penalizing rural Vermonters and supporting the natural gas industry.
Biden corruption, bribery, foreign influence
The White House and FBI oppose investigation and transparency involving corruption allegations against Biden family.
House joins Senate in giving Legislature a big raise, benefits hike
Six Democrats and every Republican voted against S.39. Roll call provided.
VT Headlines: What changes will people see as COVID public health emergency ends?
Vt. regulators to crack down on synthetic cannabis; Corrections commissioner denies records appeal, keeps ID of out-of-state prison bidder secret
Letters: End of emergency housing means hundreds will die / Fed court could impact S.5 / Dem hypocrisy on fossil fuel
10% to 30% of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness will die as a result.
Teen arrested for Murder 1 attempt in Burlington
Drugs, gunfire and breaking through an apartment wall led to a Burlington arrest for an April 29 shooting.
Vermont – founded by a militia – just banned militias
Vermont wouldn’t be Vermont without Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys militia.
Funding door closes on homeless hotels
The State’s pandemic-era ‘homeless hotel’ program will end July 1, barring any last-minute deal if the governor vetoes the budget.
Drag devotional at Vermont State House
Justin Marsh, a/k/a Emoji Nightmare, reads “Just Add Glitter” to the Vermont House of Representatives this morning.
Dog shooting in Fairfield
A dog on the loose was shot May 9. Game wardens are investigating.
Roper: “Only cost pennies” Clean Heat Standard talking point is observably false
Vermont already has a two-cent excise tax on heating oil, kerosene and dyed diesel. It raises about $5 million per year. So, a per gallon surcharge on home heating fuels would have to raise about sixty times that amount to pay for the Clean Heat Standard mandates, or $1.20 per gallon. That’s just math, folks!
With House veto override set for Thursday, S.5 poll shows Vermonters opposed
A poll conducted last week shows Vermonters oppose S.5 – especially if it increases home heating fuel prices.
Outnumbered but unrestrained, GOP lawmakers bash legislative pay hike
“The senator that presented the sheriff’s bill initially stated there’s no other group in the state of Vermont that can give themselves raises the way that the Caledonia Sheriff did. And lo and behold, we’re doing it to ourselves,” Rep. Mark Higley said.
Keelan: Is it a good deal or a bad deal?
“Let us hope that the ghost of no SVHC Trustee will ever come back and say if only I had done my job.”
New report on Hunter Biden Laptop exposes government, Biden family corruption in detail
A new report shows the info on the Hunter Biden laptop is legit and damning to the Biden family and the government officials who covered for them.
VT Headlines: Officials concerned about those unhoused after hotel program ends
State declines to prosecute former Vt. teacher in lewd conduct case; Brattleboro Union High School to rebrand with new mascot; Coyotes on the prowl
Vax requirement at border ends Friday
Vaccination requirements to cross land ports of entry and ferry terminals into the U.S. will end on Friday.
In Senate hearing about abuse litigation, a Vermont mom’s story cuts through
A bill in the State House would limit the ability of abusive ex-spouses from continuing abuse-by-lawsuit.
California mayor says he has the solution for homelessness
Maybe this California mayor’s “accept help or get cited” approach would work in Vermont. Maybe it wouldn’t. The question is: what local or state government strategy WOULD work?
Bear sighting in suburban Shelburne – police issue advice
Bear sightings are increasingly common in Vermont. Now they’re even visiting a suburban Shelburne neighborhood.
Governor Phil Scott announces BIPOC business and workforce development program
The new partnership provides technical assistance and development services to Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) business owners and professionals statewide.
McGuinness: Passage of H.89 and S.37 ‘Shield Bills’ based on emotions, not evidence
While listening to Committee testimony and Floor readings on H.89 and S.37, I heard witnesses and legislators toss the words “evidence-based” like pizza dough, except there was no crust.
High school has cause to keep ‘Rebel’ nickname
The ‘rebels’ to whom the mascot name refers are the Revolutionary War-era Green Mountain Boys, rebelling against British colonial authority.
Homeless hotel funding to end, barring last-minute decision in Legislature
A State of Vermont letter went out to ‘homeless hotel’ residents on May 2, warning most of them to be out by the end of the month. The rest will have until the end of June.
Klar: The Utility of Pollution
Allocating harm where it does the most good.
Thieves steal rare coins, then spend them in local stores: police
An alleged cocaine user is among the three NEK men arrested in connection with the burglary of a Derby home, in which about $30,000 of rare coins were taken.
Senate overrides Scott veto of S.5
S.5 clears its highest hurdle – the veto override vote in the Vermont Senate.
VT Headlines: Wind spreads Lyndonville house fire to day care
37 child care center leaders: Over 100 programs could close in the next year; Government contractor blows whistle on radical ESG policy appearing in schools, businesses
Alleged murderer of Fern Feather used grappling hook, bedsheets in prison break attempt
In a battle between razor wire and bed sheets, the razor wire won and Seth Brunell was unable to escape.
McClaughry: The Climate-Conscious Transportation Game
The red hot policy issue in the state right now is S.5, the (un)Affordable Heat bill passed by the Democratic supermajority in the House and Senate. Gov. Scott vetoed it last Thursday.
Smith: Understanding S.5 – it’s all about gas
Founder of anti-natural gas plant group says S.5 is all about establishing market share for fracked gas.
Man admits pointing loaded gun at feds
A Springfield, MA man who pointed a loaded gun at a Border Patrol officer has pleaded guilty.
S.5 veto override vote set for this week
The S.5 veto override will come before the House later this week.
Senate OKs 16-year-old voting, local office holding in Brattleboro
No more “oligarchy of older Vermonters,” one senator announced as the Senate voted 16-8 to allow teens to vote in local elections and hold local office in Brattleboro.
Roper: Talking point that Clean Heat bill will help the poor is a cruel lie
This program is extremely expensive and extremely regressive. It will cause a lot of pain for Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens, and will achieve exactly NOTHING in regard to solving Global Warming.
VT Headlines: Schools changing routes, school times due to bus driver shortage
Fuel returns to Morrisville-Stowe Airport, operations remain; Vermonters across the state participate in ‘Green Up’ day out of reach
Phone scammers use AI to imitate your friend’s voice
Scammers are making use of voice cloning and artificial intelligence software to grab quick voice recordings that are used to create messages impersonating family members, friends, and coworkers.
Church hit by gunfire / Rutland drug bust / Career crook jailed without bail
Gunfire that struck the First Baptist Church in Groton may have been the result of practice shooting at a nearby stump dump.
Ireland raises eyebrows with new proposed hate-speech law
Barring amendment or rejection, a pernicious new bill restricting free speech is set to become enshrined in Irish law. Under it, mere possession of material deemed “hateful” by the state could result in prison time for those accused, if the state suspects the material is intended for dissemination.
In Vermont visit, ‘Planet of the Humans’ filmmaker exposes corporate capture of environmental justice
Gibbs exposes dangers and deceptions within the “green” energy-related movement hijacked by corporations and investors out to make a profit.
Your letters: Control adrenaline is flowing steadily / ‘Woke’ decline / Cannabis control board overwhelmed
The control adrenaline is flowing steadily, and will until their goal is reached. They cannot stand the freedoms guaranteed by the Vermont Constitution and the U.S. 2nd Amendment.
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