Vermont

Gov. Scott seeks disaster designation for Jan. storm; 4th request in a year

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2024

Gov. Scott seeks disaster designation for Jan. storm; 4th request in a year

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Gov. Phil Scott Thursday made a formal request to President Biden to help communities and utilities from damage caused by damaging storms in January, the fourth such request in less than a year.

Federal authorities identified more than $2.3 million in Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, and Orleans Counties, nearly double the minimum program-eligible costs of $1.2 million.

The request comes just days after the feds approved a federal disaster declaration for severe rainfall and flooding in December that caused nearly $2 million in damage in Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties.

Other storms granted disaster declarations included flooding in August and disastrous floods from July.

“There’s no doubt Vermonters have faced a lot this year due to heavy rain starting last summer, and we’ve appreciated the federal government’s much-needed support in our recovery efforts,” Governor Scott said in a statement. “We’ll continue working with our local, state and federal partners to respond to, and recover from these events, and make our communities more resilient in the future.”

If granted, the declaration unlocks FEMA funding to reimburse municipalities and public utilities for 75% of eligible costs.

Vermont

Former Vermont teacher charged with sexually assaulting student

Published

12 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Press Room

Former Vermont teacher charged with sexually assaulting student

ENOSBURGH, Vt. (WCAX) – A former Vermont schoolteacher faces charges of sexually assaulting a student.

Vermont state police say they started investigating Ashley Goodwin, 43, of Enosburg, in November after a report of sex offenses that took place from 2007 to 2009, when Goodwin was a teacher at Enosburg Middle School.

Troopers say the investigation revealed that Goodwin repeatedly sexually assaulted a student, starting when the child was 14.

Police cited Goodwin on Friday for aggravated sexual assault. She’s due in court on Monday.

Goodwin is no longer a teacher.

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Vermont

See the honorees at Vermont Recovery Day next week

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2026

Press Room

See the honorees at Vermont Recovery Day next week

Beth McDermott
| Reporter assisted by AI

Policymakers and advocates will talk about efforts to promote addiction recovery in Montpelier next week, according to a community announcement from the Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery.

The Recovery Day event is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Supreme Court auditorium in Montpelier, 111 State St. The event aims to highlight the importance of building recovery systems around individuals rather than isolated sectors, according to the announcement.

Patty McCarthy, CEO of Faces & Voices of Recovery and a nationally recognized recovery leader, will be the keynote speaker. Her experience includes advocating for recovery-oriented systems of care and federal policy changes, as well as efforts to reduce stigma surrounding addiction.

Several individuals will be recognized for their contributions to recovery efforts in Vermont:

Kimberly Blake will receive a lifetime achievement award for her work in harm reduction and compassionate care.
Nels Kloster will also receive a lifetime achievement award for his efforts to expand access to treatment and promote coordinated, person-centered care.
Sara Byers will receive the Tammy Bushell Recovery-Friendly Workplace Award for fostering recovery-friendly workplace cultures and values.
Isaac Dayno will receive the Peter Mallary Legislative Champion Award for his leadership in advancing recovery supports within the state’s correctional system.
Katy Leffel will receive the Dr. Mark Depman Trailblazer Award for her leadership in perinatal health, overdose prevention and cross-sector collaboration.
Benjamin Lerner will receive the Jack Barry Communications Award for using storytelling and music to reduce stigma and inspire hope.

The event is open to the public and welcomes individuals and families directly affected by substance use and mental health challenges.

American Sign Language interpretation will be provided throughout the event, and organizers encourage inquiries about additional access needs to ensure full participation.

The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery, in collaboration with Recovery Partners of Vermont, is organizing the event. Registration details and more information are available at https://vamhar.org/rd2026.

Sponsors include the Vermont Department of Health Division of Substance Use, Central Vermont Prevention Coalition & Central Vermont Medical Center and the 802 Scoops Podcast.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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Vermont

House lawmaker’s proposed school consolidation map would combine 119 districts into 27

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

House lawmaker’s proposed school consolidation map would combine 119 districts into 27

Rep. Peter Conlon, D-Cornwall, said the proposal was “faulty,” and his “first attempt” to create conversation and debate. But it signals a ramped up attempt by lawmakers to garner consensus on efforts to consolidate the state’s 119 school districts.

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