Interview: P.J. O’Rourke
There are plenty of commentators who rail against the excesses of big government, but no one does it with more humor and wit than political satirist P.J. O’Rourke.
Governor considers opening a second Methadone clinic
Governor Jim Douglas says he wants to facilitate the opening of a second Methadone clinic in the state, and is open to the possibility that the clinic could be operated by a non-hospital organization.
Wind energy developers moving quickly with VT projects
A Montpelier company today formally filed for state approval for a project on East Mountain in the Northeast Kingdom, and an organization that represents the state’s municipal utilities says it’s looking at six potential sites to develop wind-driven power plants.
Testimony in federal capital trial of Gary Sampson
A North Clarendon man says Gary Sampson told him he had killed other people and wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.
New director appointed to VT ACLU chapter
Allen Gilbert of Worcester has been appointed executive director of the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Reviving the art of carving marble
A unique school tucked in the hills of West Rutland is trying to revive the art of marble stone carving . VPR’s Nina Keck has more.
Vermonters among healthiest in nation
A new study says Vermonters are among the healthiest people in the country. The non-profit United Health Foundation ranks Vermont fourth in the nation on its annual list of the healthiest states. Its report says Vermont has a low violent crime rate and a low rate of motor vehicle deaths. (AP)
Gibson sentenced in heroin death
A South Burlington man has been sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for his role in a heroin death two years ago. Twenty-eight-year-old Shawn Gibson pleaded guilty to selling the heroin that killed 22-year-old Jill McCarthy in 2001. He also pleaded guilty to charges of dealing heroin. (AP)
Dean says he’ll move Democrats away from right-wing policies
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean says he’ll reach out first to his party’s core constituents of Latinos, blacks, women and organized labor. Dean celebrated his 55th birthday with a fund-raiser and rally in the city of Baltimore yesterday. He says Democrats have — quote — “lost election after election” by moving too far to the political right. (AP)
Mourning 5th Vermonter killed in Iraq
A Vermont couple is mourning a son killed Saturday when two Black Hawk helicopters collided. Twenty-eight-year-old Pierre Piche attended schools in Colchester and South Hero. He served as a page in the Vermont Legislature. Piche was one of 17 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky who died when the helicopters collided Saturday in Iraq. (AP)
Seat Belt Use down in VT
A federal report says seat belt use fell in Vermont last year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released national figures for seat belt use yesterday. It says seat belt use rose in at least 40 states between 2002 and 2003. But it fell in five states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, New Mexico and Vermont. (AP)
VT Supreme Court hears Manufactured Home dispute
Vermont Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in a dispute concerning a manufactured home. Francis and Debra Clogston put the home in their neighborhood in Rutland. Seven of their neighbors sued them, saying the house violated a deed that barred mobile homes, campers or trailers. The Clogstons say their house isn’t a mobile home; the neighbors say it is. (AP)
Deer Season on Track
Vermont’s chief deer biologist says preliminary data indicate that the first couple of days of this year’s main deer season have lived up to expectations. John Buck of the Department of Fish and Wildlife had projected that the deer kill would be up in northern Vermont and down in the south. (AP)