Burlington's Mayor Mulls a Citywide Mask Mandate

By Derek Brouwer Posted on August 20, 2021 at 4:55PM

Weinberger also announced on Friday that Burlington's municipal workers would be required to get vaccinated by October 8, or else submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. More than 90 percent of employees have already submitted proof that they are vaccinated, he said — above the countywide rate of 86.6 percent of eligible residents.

Burlington School Board Considers Sites for a New High School

By Alison Novak Posted on August 18, 2021 at 12:25AM

District staff, the school board and the public suggested sites. The 16 are:

Days Before Students Arrive, Schools Are Still Looking to Fill Paraeducator Positions

By Alison Novak Posted on August 17, 2021 at 8:27PM

Essex Westford School District, which serves 4,500 students in 10 school buildings, is trying to fill 25 paraeducator positions, director of equity and inclusion Erin Maguire wrote in an email on Friday. Barre Unified Union School District Superintendent Chris Hennessey said this week that he’s still trying to hire between 10 and 15 paraeducators to serve the district’s 2,500 students.

Progressive Joe Magee Wins Burlington Council Seat in Special Election

By Courtney Lamdin Posted on August 17, 2021 at 7:41PM

In a Facebook post after the council vote, Magee wrote that his vision for public safety includes "increasing access to mental health services, no-barrier housing, and safe-use sites" and funding a program similar to the CAHOOTS model used in Oregon, which dispatches medics and crisis workers to certain calls instead of armed police. He also supports a grassroots effort to revive a community control board in Burlington.

Despite Rising Case Counts, Vermont Officials Stay the Course

By Anne Wallace Allen Posted on August 17, 2021 at 5:06PM

While cases are on the rise nationally and regionally, the rate of increase does seem to be slowing, said Financial Regulation Commissioner Mike Pieciak. He expects the Delta-driven COVID-19 wave to peak in the Northeast in the next couple of weeks.

Business Leaders Press the White House to Let Canadians Cross the Border

By Anne Wallace Allen Posted on August 16, 2021 at 11:59PM

While Canada now allows fully vaccinated U.S. tourists to enter, business groups are frustrated that the White House hasn’t reciprocated for southbound drivers. As the rules stand now, Canadian tourists can fly into the U.S., but they can’t drive.

Vermont Fails to Protect Bats from Pesticides, Suit Claims

By Kevin McCallum Posted on August 16, 2021 at 7:24PM

A Historic Synagogue in Burlington’s Old North End Is For Sale

By Alison Novak Posted on August 16, 2021 at 4:39PM

Salzman noted that the property houses two structures important in the Jewish faith: an outbuilding called a chevra kadisha, which is used to cleanse bodies before burial, and a ritual bath called a mikvah, located in the basement. “If we should lose this building to somebody who is not a Jewish organization, the Jewish community … will lose the place where we have been preparing bodies for burial for a really long time,” Salzman said.

Stenger Admits to Felony Charge in Plea Deal Over EB-5 Scandal

By Derek Brouwer Posted on August 13, 2021 at 4:03PM

"Since this whole issue erupted, I've spent every day that I could trying to help Newport through the trials that it's going through — through community development meetings, through supporting the schools and other economic development initiatives," a visibly emotional Stenger told reporters. "I live there.

Scott Will Require Some State Employees to Get COVID-19 Vaccinations

By Alison Novak Posted on August 10, 2021 at 3:19PM