Home-State Record: John Kerry
In a special series Vermont Public Radio reports on the “home-state records” of the Democratic presidential candidates. Susan Kaplan from public radio station WFCR in Amherst, Massachusetts, reports that Bay Staters do not hear a central theme in Senator John Kerry’s campaign. Part one of a nine-part series. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Colleges apply ‘green building’ practices
Two Vermont colleges say they’re looking for new ways to reduce their impact on the environment. They believe their efforts could have benefits for all Vermonters. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Snowstorm recap
The weekend snow storm that dumped more than two feet of snow on parts of Vermont is one for the record books. The National Weather Service in Burlington says the storm was the largest early season storm since 1900, and one of the top ten storms of all time. he storm has been blamed for at least two car-accident deaths in Vermont. And some business owners say it kept shoppers out of the stores. The storm blanketed all six New England states. (AP)
Crash kills BFA student
Officials at Bellows Free Academy were planning to meet early on Monday to help students cope with the death of a tenth-grader at that school. Fifteen-year-old Emily Aja was killed in a car accident on Saturday in the town of Georgia. Her mother Diane Aja was also killed, and a passenger in the car was critically injured. (AP)
Dean’s sealed records
Howard Dean says he’ll let a judge determine which of his sealed gubernatorial records should be opened to the public. Dean says he’s decided to use a Judicial Watch lawsuit over the issue of his sealed records determine which records should be released and which should be kept sealed. (AP)
NYC Dean endorsements
Howard Dean’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is to pick up the endorsement on Monday of New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and at least 20 other council Democrats. Dean has won a number of high profile endorsements in New York (AP)
Jackson endorses Dean
Presidential candidate Howard Dean picked up the endorsement of Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. on Sunday. That could help broaden his appeal to black voters. Dean was in South Carolina with Jackson on Sunday at a rally. Jackson told supporters Dean will fight for jobs, education and health care for all Americans, not just the wealthy. (AP)
School district representation
The Saint Albans City Council is expected to support a measure that would drop the ward system in the election of school board members. The new system would have voters elect school directors at-large from the community, instead of within wards. The measure would also change the number of school directors from six to seven. (AP)
Stowe affordable housing
An affordable housing complex that was rejected by the Stowe Zoning Board has received a state Act 250 land use permit. Supporters of the 42-unit apartment project are now hoping Environmental Court Judge Meredith Wright will overrule the zoning board and allow the complex to be built. (AP)
Stowe dog-owners jailed for infractions
Dog-owners in Stowe had better pay any fines they owe to the town or they could be arrested. The Stowe Select Board has asked a District Court judge in Hyde Park to issue arrest warrants for residents who owe money for infractions of Stowe’s dog ordinance. One such resident was arrested the day before Thanksgiving. (AP)
Rutland tax holiday denied
The city of Rutland is saying no thanks to a proposal for a three-day holiday from the local one percent rooms, meals and entertainment tax. Mary Anne Goulette of the Downtown Rutland Partnership says free downtown parking would be a better idea. (AP)
Guilford school reopens
Students are back in their classrooms at the Guilford Center School after almost two months in other locations. More than 200 students in grades kindergarten through eight returned to the school last week. They had to leave after air quality tests in early October showed unacceptable levels of an airborne toxin. (AP)
Winooski history project
A woman is hoping art can tell the story of how Winooski is changing. Cynthia Tokos hopes to document the changes made by hundreds of immigrants from all over the world who have moved the city as well as the effects of a giant development project. (AP)