By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org Driver privilege cards, the form of identification intended to extend driving rights to migrant workers, have been issued to more than 40,000 Vermonters—considerably more than the state’s estimated 1,500 migrant population the cards were designed to serve. About one in five Vermonters who have gotten or renewed driver’s licenses since January…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org Vermont lawmakers are facing down a budget gap of at least $112 million in the current fiscal year. But even after they find a way to mend the 2016 budget, there’s more bad news ahead. The state will have to find at least $48.8 million to resolve funding gaps in FY…

Submitted Vermont Writers’ Prize winner Mike Minchin with his daughter Bryn. Mike Minchin is the winner of the 2015 Vermont Writers’ Prize. His short story, “Neighbors,” tells of two neighbors of very different backgrounds and how they connect during a power outage. The Vermont Writers’ prize is awarded by Green Mountain Power and Vermont Magazine.…

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org As new mandates to ban recyclables from landfills take effect July 1, the solid waste industry says the law will be costly for rural areas of the state, prompting some solid waste districts to seek exemptions from the law. The state’s universal recycling law, known as Act 148, aims to ban…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Friday, March 13, to pass legislation intended to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted felons and people with a court-identified mental illness. The bill would prohibit people with convictions for certain violent crimes from owning firearms. It would also require that people with…

By Robin Alberti Over the weekend, Pico hosted the 12th annual Antique Ski Race to benefit the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. The mission of VSSM, located in Stowe, is to collect, preserve and celebrate Vermont’s skiing and snowboarding history. Currently, the museum has over 7,750 items catalogued. VSSM displays equipment includes boots, skis, poles,…

Submitted Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman had the crown singing along at Okemo’s Sugardaze festival, March 14. By Juliette Kapitan LUDLOW—Okemo Mountain hosted a free music event Saturday, March 14, featuring local band CK3, Brad Corrigan of Dispatch and headliner Switchfoot. With beer and maple syrup flowing, the Sugardaze Festival provided a memorable experience for both skiers…

POULTNEY – Mindy S. Lubber, one of the world’s most influential leaders in harnessing capitalism for positive environmental outcomes, will be Green Mountain College’s 2015 commencement speaker on Saturday, May 16. Lubber is the president of Ceres, the leading U.S. coalition of investors and environmental leaders working to improve corporate environmental, social and governance practices.…

By Cristina Kumka A Small Claims Court judge in Rutland has ruled in favor of the Killington Chamber of Commerce (KCC) following a website contracat dispute that called the Chamber’s credibility into question. On Feb. 19 of this year, Judge Jean Coloutti denied $5,000 in damages to Green Mountain Marketing & Advertising, Inc. (GMM,) owned…

By Lani Duke Police station nixed again; recount confirmed outcome CASTLETON—A vote recount confirmed that Castleton residents are about equally divided on the proposal to to appropriate $300,420 to build a new police station next to the new Castleton Fire Department on Elm Street. A first count showed the proposal defeated by 12, but a…

RUTLAND—The College of St. Joseph has named student T’Mia Ross as the Mother Teresa Student Service Award recipient and CSJ trustee Tom Dowling as this year’s recipient of the Pour Le Merite award. At the college’s 21st annual Founders’ Day on March 19, Dowling and Ross will be recognized for their outstanding care, support and…

Thirty Vermont schools currently enrolled; up to 45 more eligible Six months after the launch of a new program to allow qualifying schools to offer free, nutritious meals to all students, Gov. Peter Shumlin, Hunger Free Vermont, school administrators, and others gathered to celebrate the progress of the program and encourage other eligible schools to…

KILLINGTON—On March 8, at about 9 p.m., troopers from the Vermont State Police Rutland Barracks responded to a single vehicle rollover crash with injuries on US Route 4 in Killington. Investigation determined that the operator, Matthew D. Greenfield age 29 of New Haven, Conn., was exceeding the posted speed limit while traveling eastbound just east…

By Stephen Seitz RUTLAND—Castleton College is in the second quarter of its 10-year plan to expand both its student body and its course offerings. Former Stafford Tech director Lyle Jepson recently joined Castleton as the dean of entrepreneurial programs. He outlined what that means and some of the college’s plans on the PEG-TV program “Insight,”…

Submitted SAM GNOZA The Stratton Mountain School freeski team finished up its regular season at Okemo and Nashoba Valley, Feb. 21 and 22, with Mendon’s Gnoza brothers coming out ahead in freeski events. At Okemo in the Slope Style competition, sophomore Sam Gnoza of Mendon was first in the Open Class division. Sophomore Henry Robbins,…