A man charged in connection with the deaths of two Massachusetts men learns
he could face the death penalty. Court paperwork confirms that in a status
conference today, Vermont federal prosecutors say they will seek the death
penalty for 30-year-old Theodore Bland. Bland is accused of killing the men in
October 2023 and dumping their bodies in the woods in Eden. He currently faces
a slew of federal drug and gun charges, but a new filing is expected next month.
His next status conference is set for late February.
Demand at local food shelves grows amid uncertainty for Vermonters receiving
federal food benefits. Some throughout the state are reporting single-day
records of people trying to put food on the table. This week, Vermont
earmarked $6.3 million in tax dollars to extend food benefits under 3SquaresVT,
a program that roughly 65,000 people here rely on. The Vermont Food Bank
says in the last week, several of their community partners set one-day records
for the number of households served. The Foodbank anticipates that those
receiving 3SquaresVT benefits will see half of what they would typically get by
November 7th.
As cold weather sets in, what is the State of Vermont’s plan for homeless
Vermonters? State lawmakers got a look at what could be changing on
Thursday. The Department for Children and Families says they are working with
numerous community providers—nonprofits and religious organizations—to
bring some 96 shelter beds online. Some of these shelters are seasonal, while
others are new, like the recently opened shelter in downtown Burlington, a
shelter in Montpelier, or a new space in Rutland operated by BROC Community
Action. Like last year, the Scott Administration rolled out several state-funded
family shelters, aiming to connect people with housing, jobs, and more. There
will also be new rules for state-funded hotel rooms on the coldest nights.
People will now be eligible when it is ten below out, not twenty below in
previous years.
Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), Southeastern Vermont’s
community mental health agency, is pleased to welcome 15 new professionals
who joined the agency during the month of September. These new hires will
strengthen HCRS’ services across Windham and Windsor counties as the
organization continues to evolve and respond to growing community needs.
With more than 550 staff working across more than 20 locations, HCRS brings
on new team members each month to ensure continued access to high-quality
care across the region.
Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place as needed Monday night through
Saturday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for work on Vermont Route 9
(Western Avenue and High Street), U.S. Route 5 (Main and Canal Street), and
Vermont Route 30 (Linden Street). Flaggers will be present to direct one-way
alternating traffic through the work zones. Motorists should watch for wet
paint.