WTSA News For Your Thursday, February 27th:
Brattleboro’s polling place for next Tuesday’s Town wide election and Presidential Primary will be the American Legion, 32 Linden Street, from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. Town Meeting members are still needed in each of the town’s three districts. Anyone interested in running for a position as a write-in candidate must file a Declaration of Candidacy with the town clerk by the close of the polls on election day in order for their votes to be counted.
Vermont lawmakers have given the initial green light for a legal market for marijuana. The House voted 90-54 to pass a taxed and regulated market following hours of debate. Sales would be charged a 20% tax and some of that revenue would be used for after school and summer learning programs. The bill also bans flavored cannabis vapes and sets a cap on the potency of the cannabis to 30% THC. It also creates a cannabis control board to oversee and regulate the sales of marijuana. Its members would be appointed by Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont. Lawmakers also nixed the local options tax for communities that host cannabis retailers. Lawmakers will make a few amendments on Thursday and then vote on the bill again. It will be several weeks before the measure makes it to the governor’s desk.
A new report claims Vermont is responsible for more than 60 percent of the milk produced in New England. The state’s dairy sector brings in over $2.2 billion in economic activity every year, accounting for about 70 percent of the state’s total agricultural sales. Dairy farmers in Vermont are facing unprecedented pressures. Five consecutive years of low milk prices have especially challenged milk producers. The report was delivered to Vermont Lawmakers on Wednesday.
Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan says opioid manufacturer, Mallinckrodt has devised a global settlement framework that would settle all opioid- related claims against it. The agreement in principle is supported by Vermont and 46 states and U.S. territories, as well as municipalities and other litigants in the federal litigation. MNK agrees to pay a total of $1.6 billion to a trust earmarked for the costs of opioid addiction treatment and related efforts. The company also agrees that its future generics opioid business will prevent marketing and ensure systems are in place to prevent diversion.
New Hampshire State Treasurer Bill Dwyer said Tuesday he’s planning to step down at the end of next month, calling his service to New Hampshire’s government and citizens “the most fitting culmination of over 35 years in the financial services industry. Dwyer, who became treasurer in 2014, said he would resign on March 26. Governor Chris Sununu said he will appoint Deputy State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelle to lead the department to fill out the rest of Dwyer’s term.
A discussion about destroying guns provoked strong emotions Tuesday at a public hearing where both sides stumbled over the facts. The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on a bill that would allow state agencies to destroy weapons voluntarily surrendered by the public. Current law prohibits state police and other state agencies from operating such programs and instead requires them to sell such firearms at auction or keep them for their own use.
LOTTERY NUMBERS:
TRI STATE PICK 3 4-5-9
TRI STATE PICK 4 2-7-9-5
TRI STATE GIMME 5 12-13-24-27-33
TRI STATE MEGABUCKS 19-27-38-39-41 MEGA BALL 15
POWERBALL 8-27-29-36-47 POWERBALL 24
MASS CASH 9-21-23-26-35
WTSA SPORTS:
Locally, as heard on 99 5 The Beast last night, in Boys High School Basketball Play Off Action, Brattleboro loses to Essex 74-63. Tyler Millerick had 20 points to lead the Colonels. Also in High School Basketball last night, Bellows Falls Varsity Boys beat Oxbow 57-45. Hinsdale Girls Basketball hosts Farmington tonight in tournament action, tip-off is at 7 at the Stable.