Vermont’s Criminal Justice System: Restorative Justice
March 14, 2018
Filed under Local
MONTPELIER — In addition to protecting the general population, incarceration is meant to serve as a punishment to criminals in order to discourage the commitment of further crimes. However, recidivism is high for those who enter the prison system. 67.8 percent of the 404,638 state prisoners rele...
The Yellow Iris Strikes Vermont
March 14, 2018
Filed under Local
MIDDLEBURY — Deceptively beautiful, the Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), a vibrant yellow flower that looks like it could belong in a cheerful garden, is actually a dangerous invasive species that is classified by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture as a Class B Noxious Weed. According to the Connecticut In...
Vermont House Says No to Coyote Hunting Tournaments
By QIAN LI
March 7, 2018
Filed under Local
MONTPELIER — On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the ban on holding or participating in coyote-killing tournaments passed the Vermont House on a vote of 79–45. It now sits in the Senate Natural Resources Committee for further action. The ban was included as an amendment in a major bill on fish and wildlife that...
Vermont’s Criminal Justice System: A Series Unveiling Challenges & Practices
March 7, 2018
Filed under Local
MONTPELIER — The state of Vermont has a history of being socially and politically progressive. Vermont was the first state to outlaw slavery in 1777. Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonald’s restaurant. Vermont was the only state without a Wal-mart until 1996. More recently, Vermo...
$15 Minimum Wage Passes Senate
March 7, 2018
Filed under Local
MONTPELIER — On Thursday, Feb. 15, the Vermont Senate passed a bill during a procedural vote to increase the hourly minimum wage from its current level of 10.50 to 15 dollars by 2024. The proposed bill would increase the wage gradually over the next six years with the first increase scheduled to ta...
In Bernie’s Footsteps: Vermont Senate Passes Corporate Cash Ban
March 7, 2018
Filed under Local
MONTPELIER — As questions of campaign controversy continue to dominate the news in Washington, D.C., the Vermont state legislature has decided to take a deeper look at campaign finance closer to home. On Wednesday, Feb. 28, the Vermont Senate approved a ban (S.120) intended to keep corporate cash fr...
Dick’s Sporting Goods Bans Assault Weapons
March 7, 2018
Filed under Local
In the wake of another school shooting, Dick’s Sporting Goods has taken steps to limit their sale of firearms. On Feb. 28, the company committed to no longer sell firearms to customers under the age of 21 and has eliminated their sale of assault style weapons. In 2012, following the Sandy Hook school sho...
Governor’s Budget Slashes Disability Aid
By QUINN BOYLE
February 28, 2018
Filed under Local
MONTPELIER – During his inaugural address, Republican Governor Phil Scott outlined his administration’s key priorities: growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable and, above all, protecting the most vulnerable in the state. Yet, Gov. Phil Scott’s budget proposal for the 2019 fiscal year eliminates ...
Fuentes-George Vies for Selectboard Seat
By KENSHIN CHO
February 28, 2018
Filed under Local
MIDDLEBURY — Lindsey Fuentes-George, a Middlebury human services worker, is entering the race for one of two available spots on the town select-board. She is running against two experienced candidates, incumbent Farhad Khan and former selectboard-member Gary Baker. The Middlebury Selectboard is a governing gr...
UVM Students Protest Racism, Demanding President’s Resignation
By ALLY MURPHY
February 28, 2018
Filed under Local
MIDDLEBURY — For the past week, students at UVM have been engaged in a series of protests regarding racial justice and the administrators’ lack of support and sensitivity towards students of color on campus. The movement was largely spearheaded by a group of students who call themselves NoNames For...
Career Center Hosts Maker’s Faire
February 21, 2018
Filed under Local
MIDDLEBURY – The Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center welcomed The Maker’s Faire for the first time to their annual Open House last Thursday, Feb. 15. Students and community members gathered at the Center at 51 Charles Ave. in Middlebury to learn about future career pathways from the visual arts,...
Local School Shooting Threat Derailed
February 21, 2018
Filed under Local
MIDDLEBURY – Until last week, Vermont had evaded the fear of school shootings that have swept the nation. The state was put to the test last Thursday after two separate tips reached Rutland County authorities regarding a teenager, 18, who was thought to pose a dire threat to the community. A young woma...
