Weekly Wrap: The death of an intelligence officer from Vermont; Staffing costs drive $90 million loss for UVM Health Network; Vermonters navigate hous

Vermont's online nonprofit news daily. Please support our reporting. People & Places 'Soldier on': The death of an intelligence officer from Vermont leads his family to support long Covid research by Paul Heintz Charlie Vallee won accolades for his counterterrorism work at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Since his death in May, his family has raised more than a million dollars for a foundation in his name. Read more... Looking for Vermont Covid-19 data? Visit VTDigger's Covid dashboard, updated on weekdays when new data is available. Politics Franklin County legislators weigh impeachment for newly elected sheriff by Shaun Robinson The Franklin County state's attorney also plans to issue a Brady letter against John Grismore, which could complicate things for the county's top law enforcement official. Read more... Health Care Staffing costs drove $90 million loss for UVM Health Network by Kristen Fountain After a brutal fiscal year, the leaders of Vermont's largest health care provider have a strategy for digging out in 2023. Read more... Business & Economy For Vermonters with disabilities, the search for housing is even harder by Kori Skillman "Housing for people with disabilities is a huge crisis," said Peter Johnke, deputy director of the nonprofit Vermont Center for Independent Living. Read more... Business & Economy As demand for home share program grows, more strangers move in together by Juliet Schulman-Hall A nonprofit that pairs Vermonters who have stable housing with those in search of affordable rent has up to four times as many "guests" as "hosts." Read more... Politics Where do historic Election Day losses leave the Vermont GOP? by Sarah Mearhoff Vermont Republicans lost all but one statewide contest, did not pick up any state Senate seats and lost ground in the state House. Read more... People & Places Giving thanks for a postcard that just arrived after a 101-year journey by Kevin O'Connor A Vermont family is grateful a Brattleboro letter carrier figured out how to deliver a 1921 postcard with a mysterious cross-country history. Read more... Business & Economy As GlobalFoundries warns of pending job cuts, employees express frustration by Fred Thys "Can none of those massive profits be used as a bridge to keep knowledgeable employees on the payroll?" one employee asked, calling the proposed layoffs "shortsighted." Read more... Business & Economy Inside one man's quest to bring performing arts back to Burlington's Memorial Auditorium by Patrick Crowley Jim Lockridge, the director of a Vermont music nonprofit, has leveraged his role in the city's arts scene into a vocal campaign to preserve the historic building. Read more... Politics Phil Scott launches new equity initiative focused on Vermont municipalities by Emma Cotton "These are all issues that could, in part, be addressed at the state and federal levels, but that absolutely have to be tackled at the local level as well if we really want to move the needle," said Xusana Davis, executive director of the state's Office of Racial Equity. Read more... Energy & Environment Vermont experts offer guidance for bringing birds, not bears, to the feeder by Juliet Schulman-Hall There have been more mid-winter bear sightings, in part due to warming temperatures. Climate change is also affecting bird populations in Vermont, according to Doug Morin, Vermont Fish & Wildlife's bird project leader. Read more... Education Tapped out: Testing reveals extent of lead problem in Vermont's schools and child care facilities by Logan Solomon One in every five taps tested was at or above the level requiring that it be removed, because it has a higher chance of harming children. Thousands of lead-tainted taps have been replaced or are no longer in use. Read more... Health Care Opioid death count through August is outpacing last year's record numbers by Tiffany Tan During the first eight months of this year, 151 Vermonters died from an opioid overdose. The figure represents 14 more deaths than in the same period in 2021, a year that set a new record for opioid deaths in Vermont. Read more... Health Care Non-Covid respiratory viruses are this year's holiday concern by Kristen Fountain Health experts in Vermont warn that respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, and rhinovirus are surging earlier, and with more cases than usual. Read more... Health Care Covid levels 'low' on eve of holiday gatherings by Erin Petenko Nearby states have reported a rise in new Omicron subvariants. Read more... Crime and Justice Judge tosses charge that off-duty state trooper gave false information to another officer during traffic stop by Alan J. Keays Dylan LaMere reportedly told police he was responding to a fatal accident when his Jeep was pulled over shortly after 3 a.m. A police investigation found there had been no such crash. Read more... Crime and Justice Rutland sheriff places off-duty deputy in New York shootout on unpaid leave by Alan J. Keays Vito Caselnova IV, who has served with the department since 2019, was listed Monday in fair condition at Albany Medical Center in New York. Read more... Crime and Justice Off-duty Rutland County deputy sheriff at center of shootout in upstate New York by Maggie Cassidy The deputy refused police officers' commands to drop his weapon following a gunfight outside a bar in Saratoga Springs early Sunday morning, prompting the officers to open fire, according to an official with the city's police department. Read more... Crime and Justice Northfield police chief's public comments on school locker rooms draw rebuke by Ethan Weinstein In online posts, John Helfant took aim at Vermont's policy allowing any student to use the locker room associated with their gender identity. Such comments undercut his ability to serve the town and put trans kids at risk, according to the leader of a Vermont organization supporting LGBTQ+ people. Read more... Crime and Justice New board to take closer look at citizens' experience with Bennington police by Tiffany Tan Bennington's Community Policing Advisory Review Board has set up an internal committee for community outreach, knowing that some residents have reported unfavorable experiences with town police. Read more... Crime and Justice Police say person killed in Newfane house explosion was the homeowner by Alan J. Keays The cause and manner of 56-year-old Russell A. Buzby's death remain under investigation, according to police. Read more... Crime and Justice Back-to-back fires in Windsor County draw more than a dozen departments; 1 person dead  by Ethan Weinstein A fire in a storage shed on Park Street proved fatal in Springfield on Sunday. Many of the firefighters who responded later battled a blaze on Route 103 in Chester, where a house was destroyed. Read more... Education At the Irasburg Village School, a math teacher's departure has administrators struggling by Peter D'Auria In the Orleans Central Supervisory Union, the departure points to persistent staffing shortages. Read more... Business & Economy The FCC has a new broadband map. Vermont officials say it vastly overstates reality. by Erin Petenko The map is based on service provider-submitted data that appears to contradict state officials' own findings on broadband access in Vermont. Read more... Energy & Environment Vermont officials are ready to ban sale of new gasoline passenger cars by 2035 by Emma Cotton Cars, buses, trucks and other modes of transportation are responsible for 40% of Vermont's climate emissions, making it the state's most polluting sector. Read more... Energy & Environment Neighbors cry foul, but clearcutting and construction approved in Woodstock by Ethan Weinstein After surviving an appeal to the development review board, construction will continue on Rabbit Hill Way. Neighbors argue that construction began without a permit, and the town rubber-stamped the project despite a need for further review. Read more... Politics Burlington to decide legal resident voting, ranked choice on Town Meeting Day by Patrick Crowley The charter change will be the second time that voters take up the question, which seeks to allow all legal residents to vote in city elections. The council also moved forward two other charter changes related to elections that voters will take up on Town Meeting Day. Read more... Business & Economy Opening of emergency housing 'pods' in Burlington delayed until January by Patrick Crowley A representative from the Community and Economic Development Office told the council that she recognized that the delay "leaves a gap" in emergency housing for those experiencing homelessness as winter approaches. Read more... Education Over 70 previously nameless plows awarded creative nicknames by Vermont students by Dominic Minadeo The plows were named just before the winter season as part of the Agency of Transportation's second annual "Name a Plow" Program. Read more... Business & Economy 5 municipalities in Chittenden County form new communications union district by Fred Thys Voters in Essex, Essex Junction, Shelburne, South Burlington and Williston overwhelmingly supported the plan to connect every address to fiber. Read more... Crime and Justice Police say Vermont man injured 2 people in 48-hour 'crime spree' by Shaun Robinson David Oleson, 38, was lodged at Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans and has been charged with aggravated operation of a vehicle without the owner's consent, leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury, and possessing stolen property. Read more... People & Places Vermont Conversation: A new Santa Claus is coming to town and 'he is a uniter' by David Goodman "Santa Camp" is a new documentary from HBO Max about an effort to diversify who represents Santa Claus. Read more... Energy & Environment With heating costs on the rise, energy savings fair draws a crowd in White River Junction by Valley News Direct assistance programs in the Upper Valley "have been telling us since October that they are seeing a level of need that they haven't seen before," one organizer said. "And everyone was really panicking about what the winter will be like. We knew we had to do something." Read more... Energy & Environment Bursts of gunfire collide with other uses on 825-acre property in Windsor by Valley News Vermont Fish & Wildlife prohibits target practice at any location on their properties apart from a designated shooting range. Read more... Education Windsor Central Unified Union School District a step closer to possible name change by Valley News The district, a product of Act 46 supervisory union mergers, is considering a name that's less of a mouthful. Its student population hails from Woodstock, Barnard, Bridgewater, Pomfret, Reading, Killington and Plymouth. Read more... Education Norwich 13-year-old becomes youngest champ ever in Vermont chess tournament by Valley News Alexander Collins won all four of his matches over the course of a two-day tournament held at Burlington City Hall. "I was kind of surprised, but I just felt good about how I played in the games," he said. Read more... Politics Bill Schubart: Tom Sullivan and Leslie Niehoff take a long look at free speech by Bill Schubart A new book addresses the core issues of hate speech, speech in public schools, academic freedom and internet speech in an accessible, readable way and is a must-read for all who care about ensuring the future of our democracy. Read more... People & Places Young Writers Project: Lantern in the night by VTD Editor This week's Young Writers Project entry is "Lantern in the night" by Noah Carmona, 17, of Colchester. Artwork by by Amelia Van Driesche, 16, of Burlington. Read more...   [News Briefs] Rutland Regional Medical Center CEO resigns Claudio Fort, president and CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center, has resigned after more than four years in the role, according to an announcement from the hospital Tuesday. Fort will leave the hospital at the end of December, board chair Mark Foley Jr. said in the press release.  Prior to joining Rutland Regional in April […]   Read more 2nd arrest made in connection to July shooting in Burlington The Burlington Police Department announced a second arrest in connection with the July shooting death of Hussein Mubarak in Burlington's Old North End. Deon Mitchell, 19, of Winooski, was arrested Monday and charged with accessory after the fact for first-degree murder, police said in a Monday press release. Mitchell's residence in Winooski is alleged to […]   Read more   [Obituaries] Janet Betty (Constantine) Pennington, longtime Shelburne resident, master quilter, great-grandmother On April 13, 1957 she married John Robert Pennington and they welcomed 2 daughters Lynne and Kathy. In 1967 they moved to Shelburne, Vermont where she lived most of her life.   Read more Harry Thomas Reed, chocolatier, Navy veteran, Apache Native American Despite his struggles his passion for chocolate making and baking zucchini bread never waned. He could often be seen making his rounds in Randolph selling his amazing sweets.   Read more   [Commentary] Anson Tebbetts: For the holidays, Vermont food will be at the center of the table  On this Thanksgiving, we raise a glass: Cheers to our farmers for what they give us on this day, and every day. Joe Benning: To succeed, Vermont Republican Party must be center/right VTGOP leaders must recognize the largest voting bloc in Vermont is not Republicans or Democrats or Progressives. It is those who consider themselves independents. If VTGOP leaders move to rigid right-wing ideologues for comfort, we lose that bloc. Duane Sherwood: Faith, reason, and the Supreme Court If mind and heart both seek truth, then faith and reason may function best as a complementary pair. By working together and holding each other in balance, each can help the other avoid the excesses of cold logic and blind faith. Alison Despathy: Science and technology — the double-edged swords We must allow science and all of its failed and successful attempts at truth to take its natural course and be subjected to rigorous questioning and demands — we cannot block or interfere with this process. Haviland Smith: Will there be political violence in America's future? Things could go either way, but what Trump has done is establish an environment in which violence of all sorts appears to be increasingly acceptable in the general population. Lisa Jablow: In Fish & Wildlife survey, nearly two-thirds of Vermonters oppose trapping  The department spent $45,000 on this survey, more than twice the revenue generated through trapping licenses each year in Vermont. The results are resoundingly clear that the majority of Vermonters oppose trapping. Jim Andrews: The myth of perpetual growth ignores that our planet is finite To maintain working ecosystems, biodiversity, and our life-support system in Vermont (and around the world), we need to work to dispel the myth that a healthy economy requires population growth and increased consumption. Emerson Wheeler: We are failing the many people struggling with long Covid We need federal commitment to increased, ongoing investment into long Covid. We need legislation that helps these families keep their houses, jobs and lives. We need public health campaigns focused on increasing awareness of this disease and its impacts. Dylan Giambatista: CCV's Life Gap Fund helps students overcome obstacles The hardship is real and can be deeply distressing. I know firsthand from my experience as a struggling learner and CCV alumnus. Katherine Ash: Skilled trade jobs are in high demand. Vermont can seize the moment. States will need to build new coalitions to close skill gaps; better leverage data to align programs with workforce needs; attract new workers; leverage workforce development funding to sustain job creation; and reshape the narrative.  Barbara Felitti: It's time to ban recreational and fur trapping The governor, Fish & Wildlife and legislators need to listen and stop dismissing the legitimate viewpoints of the majority of Vermonters about trapping, and act to ban recreational and fur trapping. Don Keelan: Where uncommon service is a common virtue Todd Wilkins, a state police sergeant, just finished 18 years of coaching the Arlington high school boys soccer team, chairs the school board, and now is on the town selectboard. Neville Berle: Thriving with less, toward a livable climate As we work to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, we often ignore simple, low-cost strategies for climate mitigation. Walt Amses: November blues, as the light changes and the world edges toward gray I wake up to 3 or 4 inches of beautiful new snow, and November is suddenly no longer bleak but luminescent, offering a brightly reflective surface counteracting the graying hillside's tendency to absorb whatever light there is.   [About VTDigger]   Our mission is to produce rigorous journalism that explains complex issues, holds the government accountable to the public, and engages Vermonters in the democratic process.  VTDigger is a project of the Vermont Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mailing address is VTDigger.org | 26 State Street, Suite 8 | Montpelier, VT 05602   Forward this email to a friend Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Copyright © 2022 VTDigger, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? Want to change how you receive our emails? You can manage your newsletter subscriptions or unsubscribe from all our newsletters.