Sounds of Vermont
Today and in the coming weeks, VPR will explore the “Sounds of Vermont” and what they mean to us. The first sound of Vermont is the sound of our voices and what they say about being a Vermonter. VPR’s Steve Zind explores this identity in part one of our series, “Sounds of Vermont.” (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Springfield Prison
Because the state’s prisons are so overcrowded, about 430 Vermonters are doing jail time out of state. A new prison now under construction in Springfield was supposed to address some of the crowding problem. But officials are now worried that the state won’t have enough money to operate the prison once it’s finished next year. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
New Laws Take Effect
Among 80 new laws going into effect today in Vermont, a major change in the regulation of information on physicians’ misconduct and disciplinary action taken against physicians. Among other new laws is one what makes it illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the passenger seat of a car, and another that makes it illegal to sell puppies and kittens from the roadside. (AP)
Stratton Development
Townspeople in Stratton are asking that a major development being planned by a ski resort operator be stopped until a polluted stream on the property is cleaned up. (AP)
Town Checks Missing
Village officials in Bennington are looking for $80,000 that’s missing, along with the 21 cancelled checks that would show where the money went. (AP)
Sentencing in Threat Case
A man from Las Vegas has pled guilty to making threats against Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy and others. He will be sentenced in September to a term in jail of up to five years. (AP)
Grafton Homicide Suspects
Two men from Bellows Falls are to be arraigned in Vermont District Court today. They’re charged in last week’s double homicide in Grafton.
Chittenden County Transportation
Plans to expand bus service in Chittenden are on hold, after some of the county’s towns balked at using property tax money to subsidize the bus system. (AP)
Williston Sales Tax
Shoppers in Williston will now be paying more at the cash register, as a one-cent local sales tax kicks in. It should produce $2 million a year, mostly from the stores near Taft Corner. (AP)
Prison Contracts
The state of Vermont will open bidding for new prisoner housing contracts to private jails as well as those operated by other states and cities. (AP)
Canada Day
Today Canada celebrates the Confederation’s 135th anniversary.