What are the future plans for addressing homelessness in Vermont? The recent Point in Time count revealed nearly 3,500 individuals experiencing homelessness statewide. As the hotel-motel housing program concludes, Governor Phil Scott critiques the $70 million annual expenditure, stating, “I think the hotel-motel program was a failure. It cost too much and merely provided housing without long-term solutions.” Families displaced from the program are being accommodated in new temporary shelters in Williston and Waterbury, which aim to provide more than just housing. State employees are expected to assist these individuals in securing housing, employment, and addiction services if necessary, at a cost of nearly $3 million for a few months of operation.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott emphasizes the urgency of applying for disaster relief due to the impending deadline following this summer’s flooding. On Wednesday, he was joined by FEMA representatives at the Pavilion in Montpelier to review their efforts over the past year. The federal funding for municipalities affected by the July 2023 storm has increased, with FEMA now covering 90% of repair costs, up from 75%. This adjustment occurs when FEMA’s obligations surpass a per-capita impact threshold, which has been set at just over $111 million and was recently amended by President Joe Biden.
Attorney generals from across the country have joined forces to call on the Federal Communications Commission to take steps to block robocalls. New Hampshire’s John Formella is one of 46 attorney Generals who are calling on the FCC to improve robocall mitigation. They want the FCC to close what is basically a loophole allowing robocalls to exploit access to the U.S. telephone network. Last year, more than 144 million robocalls were made to the 603-area code. While not all robocalls are illegal, many are scams.
A judge has determined that Jason Eaton, charged with shooting three Palestinian college students in Vermont last year, is fit to stand trial. The psychological evaluation findings were presented during a hearing on Tuesday, where the judge also granted defense attorneys additional time to gather depositions. Eaton allegedly shot Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad in Burlington on November 25, 2023, while they were walking near the University of Vermont. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder and has been held without bail since his arrest. The families of the victims assert that the incident should be classified as a hate crime, but prosecutors claim insufficient evidence to support this assertion.
The new bridge for New Hampshire/Vermont Route 119 is scheduled to be open to motor vehicle traffic by December 5th, 2024. The bridge will be open for motor vehicle traffic, however, work will continue on the bridge, under the bridge, on VT 142, and in New Hampshire on the old NH 119, Mountain Road, and the Marina access until everything is fully complete. Shoulder and lane closures are projected to continue into the Spring of 2025. The new bridge sidewalk will not be open to pedestrians until next year and pedestrians and recreational users of the old bridges should still be aware of active construction in both New Hampshire and Vermont.
WTSA SPORTS FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15th 2024
THE CELTICS ARE BACK HOME ON SATURDAY TO HOST THE TORONTO RAPTORS, TIP OFF AT 8PM.
THE ST LOUIS BLUES VISIT THE BRUINS SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THEY DROP THE PUCK AT 1PM.
THE PATRIOTS ARE IN GILLETTE THIS SUNDAY TO TAKE ON THE L.A RAMS. THE PATS ARE 3 – 7 WHILE THE RAMS ARE 4 – 5. KICK OFF SUNDAY AT 1PM
MIKE TYSON AND JAKE PAUL MATCH UP TONIGHT FOR THEIR HISTORIC BOXING MATCH STREAMING ONLY ON A PAID SUBSCRIPTION OF NETFLIX FROM AT&T STADIUM. 3 OTHER MATCHES WILL BE ON THE CARD, STREAMING STARTS AT 8PM TONIGHT.