By John Herrick, VTDigger.org The “2015 Vermont Forest Fragmentation Report to the Vermont Legislature April 2015” was released last week, which highlighted Vermont’s shrinking woodlands. The report was prepared by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, pursuant to Act. 118 of 2014. Forests cover 75 percent of the state, a broad area compared…

Senator Sanders ‘I’m Running’ Promising to fight "obscene levels" of income disparity and a campaign finance system that is a "real disgrace," independent Sen. Bernie Sanders said Wednesday he will run for president as a Democrat, The Associated Press reported. Sanders on Thursday announced he would seek the 2016 nomination “in a bid likely to…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org The Senate approved legislation Wednesday, April 22, that would repeal Vermont’s philosophical exemption from immunization requirements to enter kindergarten. The bill does not remove the religious or medical exemptions from those immunizations. On an 18-11 vote, the Senate tacked on an amendment repealing the exemption to a House bill, H.98, which…

H.187 passes 76-66 on second reading By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org The Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to the bill that would require employers to offer three days of paid time off to permanent employees starting in 2016. Workers would accrue paid time off at a rate of one hour per 40 hours worked,…

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Police Department and Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit announce the capture of Gregory Allen Smith in Londonderry, Vt. Thursday, April 23.  Smith, wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Wesley Wing on April 18 in Springfield, was taken into custody without incident this morning along with Wendy Morris, age…

Distracted driving remains top priority As part of the National Distracted Driving Month awareness campaign, and in conjunction with the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance (VHSA), the Vermont State Police is making public the results of a survey performed last month. Vermonters were asked for their opinions on traffic safety in their communities, and were invited to…

BETHEL — On April 26, at approximately 9:32 p.m., troopers from the Royalton barracks responded to 686 Vermont Route 14 in the town of Bethel for a reported shooting. Troopers arrived at the residence and discovered Donald Giovanella, age 47, lying outside the residence with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. Troopers pulled Giovanella…

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org The Shumlin administration has proposed legislation that officials say will create a more predictable process for developers to obtain permits for projects that have environmental impacts. The changes aim to simplify the notification and comment process for project applications as part of an effort to increase efficiency within the department, according…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org The Senate Education Committee unanimously passed H.361, the education reform bill, after taking testimony Wednesday evening, April 22, from dozens of Vermont parents, teachers, school board members, administrators and citizens. The Senate version of H.361 contains generous incentives to spur more school district mergers. The goal of the legislation is…

By John Hall, VTF&W Vermont is one of eight eastern states opening a spring snowgoose hunt this year to help control damage by the birds to agricultural crops and marsh vegetation from Quebec to North Carolina. “The breeding population of greater snow geese has grown from approximately 50,000 birds in the mid-1960s to 900,000 birds today,”…

On April 3, the Agency of Human Services announced the selection of the first seven Vermont communities that will participate in the new Promise Communities initiative. This initiative supports collaboration across the education, health care, human service, public, and private sectors to create an all-of-the-above, comprehensive approach to transforming communities to better support children with…

On April 2, the Vermont House of Representatives passed a comprehensive education reform package that proposes to address growing disparity in learning opportunities for Vermont’s students, and places firm restrictions on local education spending growth. “Vermonters want property tax relief and greater equity in education across our delivery system,” said Speaker Shap Smith. “Balancing what’s…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org As a bill that requires larger school systems works its way through the Legislature, a group of House lawmakers has formed a Small and Rural Schools Caucus to focus on issues that could affect their districts. The group has met three times in recent weeks, said Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-West…

By VTDigger staff Vermonters oppose taxes on carbon and sugary drinks and show less support for Governor Peter Shumlin, according to the annual Town Meeting Day poll conducted by Sen. Bill Doyle, R-Washington. The 11,000 returned surveys also show a drop in support for the legalization of marijuana, compared to last year’s Doyle poll. This…

HARTFORD — A project to replace the I-91 bridges over US Route 5 in White River Junction is underway, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) announced April 3. Thanks to the deployment of an innovative slide-in construction technique, the highway will remain open during construction except for two weekends, likely in late August depending on…