A burn ban is now in effect in Brattleboro until further notice. Fire officials say
it’s because of current weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires.
Under the ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited to protect the community and
its natural resources.
West Nile virus has been detected in Vermont for the first time this year. Health
officials say mosquitoes in St. Albans tested positive for West Nile, and in
Rutland for Jamestown Canyon virus, which can make people sick like other
mosquito-borne viruses. No illnesses have been reported in Vermont so far this
season. But experts say you should take extra care to protect yourself and your
family from bug bites.
Sen. Bernie Sanders stood with more than 100 teachers on Capitol Hill to say
low salaries are leading to teacher shortages and negatively impacting
education. He thinks salary guarantees could help fix the issue. In a new bill, he
wants to have a $60,000 minimum salary for public educators. The Pay Teachers
Act would also ensure a $30-per-hour minimum wage for paraprofessionals and
provide $1,000 in classroom supplies for teachers every year.
A Vermont man has pleaded not guilty to a stabbing in Rutland. It happened on
Wednesday at the downtown transit center. In court on Thursday, Ryan Clayton,
26, of Hyde Park, pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly
weapon. Court paperwork shows Clayton attacked the victim, Michael Tripp, 54,
with a pocketknife. Authorities say Clayton admitted to attacking Tripp and said
Tripp pulled his own knife. Police say both men had minor injuries and that the
pair knew each other. They also say the location is a common problem spot.
A well-known Vermont business was in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to tout
the benefits of employee ownership. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders invited the
King Arthur Baking Company, headquartered in Norwich, Vermont, to testify
before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Sanders, an independent, has proposed legislation called the Employee
Ownership Financing Act that would help workers buy the companies they work
for. King Arthur Baking Company CFO Brock Barton says being employee-owned
increases the investment workers have in the company’s success.