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Volunteers with expertise carry out town business
In every Vermont town, a handful of elected officials are in charge of getting the town’s business done. But, those officials couldn’t do their work without the help of a far larger number of volunteers: the people who serve on the town’s boards and commissions, and do the community’s odd jobs. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Food stamp program
According to a new study, the number of people in Vermont who don’t have a sufficient amount of food is increasing. A campaign has been launched to increase participation rates in the federal food stamp program, because less than half of all Vermonters who are eligible for the program actually use it. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Meat processing plant
Vermont now has a new commercial slaughterhouse in operation. “Over the Hill Farm” in Benson officially opened its doors on Saturday. (VPR)
Vermont Yankee shut down for leak
The Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power plant is out of service. Vermont’s only nuclear power plant was shut-down Saturday after a leak was detected in a pipe carrying steam from the reactor. Officials say the leak posed no threat to the public health. (AP)
Vermont Yankee uprate
The owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant is looking for ways to make its plan to increase power more palatable to the state’s utilities. Entergy Nuclear has reached deals with two Vermont utilities to protect them in the event of an outage. (AP)
Dean campaign notes
Presidential candidate Howard Dean is calling for tax breaks for long-term care insurance. Dean is also calling for a registry for workers in long-term care facilities to help identify those who have abused the elderly. Dean made the proposals in Iowa. Also over the weekend, Dean questioned Wesley Clark’s credentials as a Democrat. Dean said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that Clark was a Republican until 25 days ago. Dean says the retired general is going to find many Democrats will find that difficult to accept. (AP)
Clavelle campaign
Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle says he’s not going to let his run for governor next year get in the way of his service to Vermont’s largest city. Clavelle says being mayor will be his priority. But he says he’ll be spending his free time campaigning. (AP)
Warehouse fire
Vermont State Police fire investigators are due back in Wolcott on Monday to try to learn what caused the fire that destroyed a Buck’s Furniture warehouse. The fire is considered suspicious because there is no obvious reason it started on Friday night (AP)
Tire burning proposal
Some Vermonters are concerned by a plan to burn tires as fuel at the International Paper Company mill on the western shores of Lake Champlain. Some fear the burning will expose downwind Vermonters to dangerous chemicals. Company officials say it’s safe. (AP)
Synagogue fees
A Reform Jewish congregation in South Burlington has started charging nonmembers to attend the synagogue on the high holy days. Temple Sinai says it is attempting to encourage people to commit to being part of a Jewish community. Ohavi Zedek, a conservative congregation in Burlington, also charges. (AP)
Catholic Diocese lawsuit
Vermont’s Roman Catholic Church is working to settle a lawsuit filed by a man who says he was abused as a teenager by a priest. Thirty-four-year-old Paul Babeu says he was 15 when the Reverend George Paulin abused him on an overnight visit to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. (AP)