Schedule for February 2010

Library trustees plead ignorance

Written By Michelle Monroe

Monday, January 11, 2010

Swanton board, staff to enter mediation

SWANTON — Friday night’s meeting of the embattled Swanton Public Library Board of Trustees began with a call for the trustees’ resignation from Swanton resident Clifford Smith.

Swanton officials in library standoff

Written By Michelle Monroe

Friday, January 08, 2010

Trustees no-shows at selectboard session

SWANTON — On the advice of their attorney, members of the Swanton Public Library Board of Trustees declined to attend an emergency selectboard meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss the Swanton Public Library, which remains closed.

Trustees close Swanton library

Written By Michelle Monroe

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Librarian fired; emergency session today

SWANTON — The Swanton Public Library Board of Trustees has closed the library with no advance notice to the community. The move came following the dismissal of town librarian Marilyn Barney on Monday.

Charter change waters get choppy

Written By Leon Thompson

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Will mayor have council vote? Will clerk no longer be elected?

ST. ALBANS CITY –– City officials are starting to hear public opposition about proposed changes in the city charter that would make the city clerk and treasurer appointed instead of elected, and another clause that would give the mayor voting power.

Abenaki legislation likely again during upcoming session

Written By Michelle Monroe

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

SWANTON — Recognition for Abenaki tribes and rules for the handling of unmarked burial sites will be on the legislative agenda again this session, according to Rep. Michel Consejo, D-Sheldon.

Local dairy farms to get $1.5 million

Written By Michelle Monroe

Monday, January 04, 2010

Sanders announces federal payments

ST. ALBANS — Of the $290 million in payments to dairy farmers secured by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. more than $1.5 million is coming to farmers in Franklin County.

Ag. sec’y hopes to chart successful path for farms

Written By Michelle Monroe

Friday, January 01, 2010

    ST. ALBANS — With the state on the doorstep of a new decade, the future of Vermont agriculture lies with value-added products, according to Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee. The state’s top farm official on Wednesday also discussed the current state of dairying.

Future fragile for anti-drug effort

Written By Michelle Monroe

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Community Forum needs funds, director

ST. ALBANS — The Franklin-Grand Isle Chronic Pain/Narcotics Community Forum needs roughly $75,000 to continue its work, according to co-founder Dr. Ed Haak, head of the Emergency Department at Northwestern Medical Center.

Fund to help migrant worker who lost his life in Fairfield

Written By Michelle Monroe

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Accidental death sheds light on life conditions Mexicans leave behind

ST. ALBANS — The newly founded Vermont Migrant Worker Solidarity Project has started a fund to raise money to return the body of José Obeth Santiz Cruz, 20, to his family in Mexico.

Funding gap threatens homeless

Written By Michelle Monroe

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Shelters request $250,000 from state

ST. ALBANS — A state cost-saving measure may leave some Vermonters out in the cold this winter.

Lowe’s not coming here

Written By Michelle Monroe

Thursday, December 24, 2009

ST. ALBANS TOWN — Lowe’s Home Center has withdrawn its application to build a store in St. Albans Town.

Education transformation

Written By Michelle Monroe

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

An end to grouping students by grade

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a two-part report. Part 2 will appear in tomorrow’s edition.

ST. ALBANS — Individualized learning plans in which students follow their own paths to mastering an established set of skills and knowledge are at the heart of a proposal to transform education in Vermont.

Area access TV pioneer Legassey dies at age 52

Written By Leon Thompson

Monday, December 21, 2009

ST. ALBANS CITY –– Paul Legassey, the first and only executive director of Franklin County’s popular Channel 15 and 16 public-access television, died of a massive heart attack Sunday morning, according to his friends and co-workers. He was 52.

Rep. Ira Trombley, 57, dies of natural causes

Written By Michelle Monroe

Monday, December 21, 2009

GRAND ISLE — Grand Isle Representative Ira Trombley, 57, died Sunday of natural causes.

Leahy gets $500,000 for BFA

Written By Leon Thompson

Friday, December 18, 2009

Collins-Perley eyes juvenile justice options

ST. ALBANS TOWN –– The Collins-Perley Sports & Fitness Center will likely benefit from a $500,000 federal earmark that was part of a $25 million budget package approved for Vermont last weekend.

$290 million in farm aid

Written By Michelle Monroe

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Dairy payments begin Christmas Eve

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDA announced late this morning that $290 million in aid to farmers would be distributed next week, with payments beginning to arrive on Christmas Eve.

Lake pollution deadline sinks?

Written By Michelle Monroe

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Ten ‘next steps’ require $3.8 million more

ST. ALBANS — There are serious doubts about whether Vermont can meet a deadline for pollution limits for Lake Champlain.

AG seeks anti-trust evidence

Written By Michelle Monroe

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Farmers to submit their experiences

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Attorney General’s office is seeking comments from farmers and others connected to the dairy industry that may have knowledge of anti-competitive practices or conduct within the dairy industry.

Cow Power gets boost from PSB

Written By Leon Thompson

Monday, December 14, 2009

Three farms to receive temporary payments

MONTPELIER –– Three Vermont dairy farms, including two from Franklin County, are getting help from the Public Service Board (PSB) because low power prices have caused them to nearly quit a popular alternative energy program.

‘I know you will do your duty’

Written By Leon Thompson

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Soldiers report for action in Afghanistan

BURLINGTON –– Nathan Barbieri did not think he would be here again.