Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Thursday defended his administration’s move
to share the personal data of Vermonters who receive food assistance with the
federal government. It’s one of several recent actions that raise questions about
how closely the state is working with the Trump administration in areas where
there are major policy differences. Late last month, Vermont faced a deadline to
share information about people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, or SNAP. State officials say they were complying with
federal law and that the government already has access to the data under the
2018 Farm Bill.
Vermont officials are working on a plan to bring more state employees back to
the office. Thousands of workers have had some kind of remote or hybrid work
schedule since the pandemic. Some state employees have praised the flexibility
of remote work when it comes to child or elder care. Others, including the
Montpelier business community, have been dismayed by the reduced foot
traffic downtown.
Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place in Brattleboro next week on
Monday night through Saturday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Work will
continue on Vermont Route 9 (Western Avenue and High Street), U.S. Route 5
(Canal Street and Main Street), and Vermont Route 30 (Linden Street). Flaggers
will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through multiple work
zones. Motorcyclists should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces, and all
motorists should be aware of raised utility structures in the travel lanes and
shoulders.
Nearly nine months after a fatal crash on Ashuelot Main Street claimed the life
of a 20-year-old Keene woman, three people have been arrested in connection
to the case following a multi-agency investigation, Winchester Police announced
Thursday. At 4:30 p.m., officers from the Winchester Police Department,
assisted by the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office and Northfield, MA Police,
executed six arrest warrants at 38 Richmond Road in Winchester. The arrests
stem from an investigation into the Nov. 17, 2024 single-vehicle rollover that
resulted in the death of Lydia Massiah and serious injuries to a 16-year-old
female passenger. Arrested on Thursday were Anthony Doleszny, of Keene, on
charges of prohibited sales and two counts of criminal threatening; Heather
Masucci, of Winchester, on charges of intentional contribution to the
delinquency of a minor and endangering the welfare of a child; and Derek
Baldwin, of Winchester, on two counts of criminal threatening, two counts of
reckless conduct, two counts of criminal restraint and two counts of simple
assault.
The School for International Training (SIT) has announced that Dr. Sophia
Howlett has decided to step down from her role as SIT president effective
December 31, 2025. This will mark the end of her second term and nine
years of service with SIT. The announcement was shared with the World
Learning Board of Trustees earlier this summer. World Learning CEO Carol
Jenkins will assume the role of acting SIT president while continuing to lead
World Learning, an international nongovernmental organization. Jenkins
has served as CEO since 2017, a role that oversees both World Learning and
SIT.
Average gasoline prices in Vermont is $3.11 per gallon, up 2 cents per
gallon from last week, down 1 cent from last month and down 31 cents
from last year. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.89 while the
highest was $3.39. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2 cents
per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.16 today. The national average is
up 2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 29 cents per gallon
lower than a year ago.