Ken Schatz to Retire as DCF Chief

by Paul Heintz on June 3, 2020 at 8:05PM

With more than 950 employees, DCF is one of the largest departments in state government. It's responsible for child protective services, foster care and adoption programs, childcare regulation, and such economic support programs as Reach Up, 3SquaresVT and fuel assistance.

Scott Expected to Announce on Friday the Return of Indoor Dining

by Colin Flanders on June 3, 2020 at 3:46PM

"But with contact tracing, coordination with the community, careful isolation and quarantine, this outbreak can and will be managed," Levine said.  Scott said he plans to announce his latest turns of the "spigot" on Friday, as long as the outbreak remains contained to the Winooski area. He said the return of indoor dining at restaurants will be "very controlled," with an emphasis on physical distancing; bars will not be allowed to reopen at this time.

New Burlington Police Commission Chair Warns of 'Uncomfortable Conversations' Ahead

by Derek Brouwer on June 2, 2020 at 10:01PM

The special committee's February report called for more leeway for police commissioners to publicly discuss the disciplinary cases they review. The Bellavance case, for instance, resulted in a three-week suspension, but the incident was not publicized until Meli filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court many months later.

Bill to Remove Scott's Power to Decide How Vermonters Vote Advances

by Kevin McCallum on June 2, 2020 at 9:52PM

Condos argues the best way to ensure a safe general election in November is to mail ballots to all registered voters in the state, perhaps 500,000 people. Groundwork needs to begin now, he says.

Vermont Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Act Quickly to Save COVID-Crippled Businesses

by Ken Picard on June 2, 2020 at 6:24PM

“We cannot emphasize the urgency of this need enough,” said Sue Bette, owner of Bluebird Barbecue in Burlington, whose industry, she noted, was among the first to close and last to reopen. “The future of our vibrant and creative restaurant industry depends on it.”

In Vermont, the Ventilators Never Arrived

by Paul Heintz on June 2, 2020 at 6:08PM

At present, the state still has 95 critical care ventilators on order from four companies, according to a document provided by the Department of Public Safety. Those units, plus the 10 already delivered, are expected to cost the state more than $2.4 million.

Burlington Councilors Disagree Over Thanking Cops in Resolution

by Courtney Lamdin on June 2, 2020 at 2:06AM

UVM, St. Mike's Close On-Campus Childcare Programs

by Sasha Goldstein on June 1, 2020 at 6:27PM

State Suspends Investigation of Alleged Abuses at Women's Prison

by Paul Heintz on June 1, 2020 at 4:11PM

Citing Seven Days' reporting that a supervisor at Chittenden Regional appeared to regularly run the facility while intoxicated, Smith also recommended that all corrections officers undergo regular drug testing. Such a change would require a change in statute or a new agreement with the Vermont State Employees Association, the union that represents DOC staffers.

Burlington Superintendent Urges White Students to 'Stand Beside' People of Color

by Derek Brouwer on June 1, 2020 at 3:42PM

The district's most recent annual equity report detailed wide racial and economic disparities in student test scores and advanced class enrollment. White students make up 60 percent of high schoolers, but made up 80 percent of students in honors classes during the 2018-2019 academic year.