By Alan Keays, VTDigger Vermont Republicans chose a new party chair this weekend, and it wasn’t the candidate backed by the sitting governor. Deborah Billado of Essex Junction was elected to a two-year term as the party’s chair over Michael Donohue of Shelburne. Billado takes the place of David Sunderland, who did not seek re-election after four…

David “Devo” DeVarney, a 61-year-old graduate of Winooski High School, Class of 1973, and Vermont 251 Club member, will be completing his goal of running through Vermont’s 251’s towns and cities when he arrives at Winooski’s Eugene Richards Memorial Park, Sunday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. DeVarney is a retired U.S. Navy senior chief petty…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday he would run for the U.S Senate next year as an independent, not as a Democrat. On Monday, the senator sought to downplay his weekend remarks and claimed he had not decided yet whether to run. However, Sanders told reporters in New Hampshire on Sunday that…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger The state’s top health care regulator says insurance prices on Vermont Health Connect will remain steady for calendar year 2018, despite recent actions at the federal level. Kevin Mullin, chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, said Monday that the board would not allow insurance companies to raise premiums for plans…

By Gaen Murphree MIDDLEBURY—While lawmakers in Montpelier argue over marijuana legalization, Middlebury dairy farmers Joel Pomainville and Sam Berthiaume are readying a harvest of a cousin of marijuana — hemp — that promoters hope could be a new cash crop for Vermont farmers. “The potential is so huge on this stuff,” said Berthiaume. Secretary of…

By Stephen Seitz The Southern Windsor/Windham County Solid Waste Management District has decided to refund more than $379,000 in tipping fees it has held since the dissolution of the Vermont/New Hampshire Solid Waste Project in 2008. The district’s board of supervisors voted to release the money at its regular meeting on July 27, 2017. Since…

By Alan Keays, VTDigger The Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter has changed its name as it moves to the next chapter in its history of supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, Avaloy Lanning, the organization’s executive director, said Thursday night. “We recognize that for too many people and for too long a…

By Alan Keays, VTDigger A lawyer for an organization that represents municipalities in Vermont told officials at the local level Thursday that when it comes to the state’s open meeting law it’s best to err on the side of openness. “The main goal here is accountability and transparency,” Carl Andeer, a staff attorney with the Vermont…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger The woman who is suing Norwich University said the university tried to keep her from talking about the assault while university officials were investigating her case. She also said that her academic adviser and the university’s Title IX coordinator neither responded to nor accommodated her requests to complete schoolwork remotely from…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger After weeks of closed-door wrangling, the White House and Republican congressional leaders unveiled a framework for reforming the federal tax code Wednesday. The proposal, they say, will simplify the federal tax system and stimulate the economy. However, the changes at the federal level may have implications for state budgets. If some…

This September the Vermont Foodbank, together with the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, will mobilize across all 50 states in an effort to bring an end to hunger. Hunger Action Month is designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of the fact that 42 million Americans, including 13 million children,…

By Cyrus Ready-Campbell, VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott signed a proclamation Friday, Sept. 1, declaring September to be School Safety Month in Vermont. Scott and state education and safety officials gathered at the Statehouse to praise the work done behind the scenes to keep schools and children safe and to commit to a safe year ahead. Rob…

By Morgan True, VTDigger The Tax Department is sending close to 20,000 letters to Vermonters telling folks they may owe sales tax for online and other purchases. The letters say residents have until Oct. 31 to pay without interest or penalties. When a seller doesn’t charge Vermont’s 6 percent sales tax, buyers are responsible for paying…

Keith Stern By Stephen Seitz SPRINGFIELD—Springfield resident Keith Stern has set his sights on the governor’s office. Stern, a Republican, said he plans to challenge Gov. Phil Scott in next year’s primary. “I’m challenging Phil Scott because I don’t like the job he’s doing,” Stern said. “I think he needs to look more at cutting…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A lawsuit over a traffic stop in Wallingford and subsequent vehicle search that police justified based on a whiff of marijuana is heading to the Vermont Supreme Court. The Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the state in 2014 on behalf of Gregory Zullo of Rutland,…