By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org The Department for Children and Families is reaching out to mandated reporters of child abuse across the state to inform them of policy changes related to the implementation of Act 60. The new law took effect July 1, and DCF is raising awareness about how the policy changes affect mandatory reporters…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org A report from the Department for Children and Families shows more Vermonters are relying on emergency housing vouchers. According to the report submitted to the Legislature last week, the department received 15,431 applications for emergency housing between January and June, up from 9,503 during the same period in 2014. The report…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org A legislative study committee held its first meeting Tuesday, July 28, to explore how to write a law to guide where solar farms can be built in Vermont. The Solar Siting Task Force was formed as part of H.40, the renewable energy bill signed into law as Act 56. The 10-person…

By Mary Reczek, World War II Memorial Committee On Aug. 15, 1945 church bells and sirens all over America rang joyously to announce the end of our conflict with Japan–VJ Day. This year, in West Rutland, church bells will again ring to commemorate the 70th anniversary of V-J Day and to mark the dedication of…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org A revised revenue forecast for fiscal year 2016 puts the state back in the black. State economists say the general fund tax receipts will grow by 3 percent in the coming year, or by $40 million. At the beginning of 2015, revenues were down by $18 million. The revised forecast, presented…

GRANVILLE—On July 24 at about 3 p.m. Vermont State Police, White River Valley Ambulance, and Granville Fire Department were dispatched to a vehicle versus motorcycle accident with injury on Route 100 in Granville. Upon arrival it was found that the operator of a 2005 BMW motorcycle, Denver Wilson, age 33, of Swanton, Vt., had sustained…

On July 22 in Washington, D.C, addressing hundreds of low-wage workers who have gone on strike for a living wage, Sen. Bernie Sanders said legislation he introduced that day would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. “It is a national disgrace that millions of full-time workers are living in poverty and millions…

A new law that aims to give kids a jump start on saving for college got a boost last week when Gov. Peter Shumlin accepted the first donation–$25,000 from President and CEO of Subaru of New England Ernie Boch Jr.–to help fund the program and make it a reality. The Universal Children’s Higher Education Savings…

Submitted Seated at the table for the July 9th’s signing ceremony (L-R): Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, and Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin. On July 9, at the Climate Summit of the Americas meeting in Toronto, Canada, Governor Peter Shumlin joined 21 other states and regional governments in signing the first-ever Pan-American action…

SHEFFIELD—On July 8 at about 5 p.m. Vermont state police and rescue personnel responded to a single-vehicle, fatal crash on Interstate 91 in the town of Sheffield, Vt. The driver, later identified as Paul Joseph Belliveau, age 22, of Concord, Vt., was traveling south when he veered into the median, causing his 1998 Toyota SR5…

The nonprofit projects it will reach more than 5,000 children at 81 sites The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is increasing its efforts to prevent “summer slide” among New Hampshire and Vermont children. Its popular Summer Readers program will reach more than 5,000 children at risk of growing up with low literacy skills and donate more…

RUPERT — On July 10 at 2:48 p.m. a call was made in reference to a deceased bicyclist on Vermont Route 315 in the town of Rupert. The cyclist, later identified as Michael Munson age 51 from Peru, Vt., had been riding his bicycle and had stopped to rest at the top of a long, steep…

Option taxes, surplus funds, charter and parking lot all pass, Wyman elected By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON — Despite a very low voter turnout, all five articles on the Brandon ballot passed on Tuesday, many by almost 4-1. Voters approved using surplus paving funds for other public works needs, establishing a charter and a 1…

By Sam Heller, VTDigger.org A new federal grant will arm Vermont with $12.4 million to combat the state’s worsening drug problem, Sen. Patrick Leahy and Gov. Peter Shumlin announced at the Statehouse on Monday. The money, granted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will fund the expansion of Vermont’s Regional Prevention Partnerships…

Submitted Lucas Farrell (left) and Louisa Conrad (right) of Big Picture Farm, with judge Alex Guarnaschelli (center). Raspberry Rhubarb Goat Milk Caramels, from the Townshend, Vt. producers won the Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation award for 2015. Vermont specialty food producers took top honors at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, June 28-30.…