First a 32-hour workweek, now Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is trying
to ensure workers can take some time off without losing a paycheck.
Sanders introduced legislation that would guarantee workers the right
to earn paid vacation. He said the U.S. is the only major country in the
world that doesn’t provide this to workers, even though American
workers put in longer hours for less pay. The bill would guarantee at
least one hour of paid vacation for every 25 hours worked and ensure
full-time employees two weeks of paid vacation in addition to paid
sick or family leave.
A Hinsdale, New Hampshire fugitive is in custody in Brattleboro after
a car crash that caused a fire. The car of Eric Wojcik, 35, experienced a
mechanical problem on Canal Street on Sunday. The Brattleboro
Police Department says he crashed into a pump at a gas station and
set it on fire. No one was hurt, and fire crews quickly doused the
flames. It happened just after 1:30 p.m. The responding officers
learned Wojcik had an active warrant in the Granite State and
arrested him on that warrant. Investigators did not give any indication
of the charge, or charges, on Wojcik’s warrant. However, they noted
that additional Vermont charges are pending against him.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles is urging drivers of
commercial trucks to make plans to avoid eclipse traffic delays in the
state on April 8. The northern half of the state will fall in the path of
totality and a large influx of visitors is expected, meaning there will be
a large influx of traffic. The DMV is encouraging commercial drivers
planning to travel to or through Vermont that day to consider
alternative delivery dates and routes. There will also be restrictions
for overweight and oversized commercial vehicles surrounding the
eclipse to help ease traffic flow. The DMV is instituting the Saturday,
Sunday, and Holiday restrictions for over-dimension/overweight
commercial motor vehicles for Monday, April 8.
According to a hardware industry newsletter, Rick Bibens
has agreed to sell Bibens Ace Hardware, with seven locations in
Vermont, to the Aubuchon Company. The stores will continue to
operate as Bibens Ace Hardware, Brown & Roberts in Brattleboro and
Woodstock Home & Hardware in Woodstock. After closing in April,
the Aubuchon Company will operate 119 stores in nine states.
A new bill would give Vermonters the right to delete data. The
Vermont Data Privacy Act would let people access, correct and even
delete information that businesses have about them. It also lets
people opt out of their data being used for targeted advertising and
data sales and increases consent requirements about collecting
sensitive data such as health information. The bill passed the House
unanimously, putting Vermont on track to be the 15th state to pass
consumer data protection laws of this kind.
Local leaders are celebrating increased access to cancer screenings
even if the first test is inconclusive. Vermont law and the Affordable
Care Act ensure Vermonters have access to preventive screenings for
breast cancer. Historically, when mammogram results come back
inconclusive, patients could expect to write a check for any follow-
ups. But a new bill that just passed the Vermont House would include
more follow-up screening coverage, even if the first test is
inconclusive. Another bill in the House would lower the age for free
colorectal cancer screenings from 50 to 45.
A Connecticut man has been charged in connection with a Vermont
drug conspiracy. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Vermont says Marvin
Byrd, 29, of Hartford, Connecticut, has been indicted for conspiring to
distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, in the Northeast
Kingdom. According to the criminal complaint, Byrd– who went by
the name “T.J.” in Vermont– conspired with Britny Parris, 34, of
Barton, and others to distribute drugs in and around Orleans County.
Parris is awaiting sentencing. Officials say Byrd was arraigned earlier
this month and is being held pending further proceedings. If
convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1
million.
WTSA SPORTS FOR TUESDAY MARCH 26th 2024
ATLANTA BEAT THE CELTICS LAST NIGHT 120 – 118 SNAPPING THE CELTICS 9 GAME WINNING STREAK. THE CELTICS HAVE A COUPLE DAYS OFF AND ARE BACK ON THE COURT THURSDAY AGAINST THE HAWKS TIP OFF AT 7:30PM. THE CELTICS CLINCH THE #1 SEED WITH 11 GAMES LEFT.
THE BRUINS ARE BACK ON THE ICE ON TONIGHT IN FLORIDA AGAINST THE PANTHERS, THE BS ARE LOOKING FOR A WIN AFTER 2 STRAIGHT LOSSES, THEY DROP THE PUCK AT 730PM TONIGHT