Vermont

Central Vermont rejects $149M bond for standalone career center – VTDigger

Published

1 month ago

November 6, 2025

Central Vermont rejects 9M bond for standalone career center – VTDigger

A rendering of the proposed Central Vermont Career Center standalone building, based on designs from TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design and Lavallee Brensinger. Courtesy of Central Vermont Career Center

Central Vermont residents voted overwhelmingly against a $149 million measure to build a new technical education center on Tuesday.

Across the 18 towns in Washington County that form the Central Vermont Career Center District, about 60% voted against the ballot item, while 40% voted in favor of it, according to results collected by the Barre Town Clerk’s office.

The district proposed the bond as a response to the lack of space and inadequate facilities at the career center’s current home at Spaulding High School in Barre. For the current school year, the district received 414 applications for 228 spots, according to district data.

District Superintendent Jody Emerson said last month that the career center also hoped a standalone building would allow it to offer additional programs and expand opportunities to younger grades. Two consulting firms drew up plans for a 167,000-square-foot facility at a currently vacant lot in Graniteville.

But central Vermont residents raised concerns about the cost of the bond at an informational meeting in October. According to district projections, the bond was expected to raise property taxes between $99 and $420 per year on a $300,000 home.

The district had set a target date of September 2029 to open the facility if the bond was approved, according to its website. Emerson has said if the bond failed, the district may be able to come back to voters at a later date with a different plan. But what that plan looks like depends on the future of the education redistricting proposals and school construction aid proposals being discussed in the Legislature this year.

After the results were announced, Emerson said she was grateful for the high turnout because it provided information for the district to determine what its next steps should be.

She blamed the failure of the vote on the state’s cost-of-living issues and the uncertainty around the future of redistricting, rather than opposition to technical education. “I know the voters support our kids,” she said.

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Vermont

Vermont man allegedly touched child in a sexual manner

Published

3 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Vermont man allegedly touched child in a sexual manner

GREENWICH, N.Y. (WNYT) – A Vermont man is accused of forcibly touching a child in a sexual manner.

Michael J. Lohnes, 42, of Rutland, was charged with misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

The alleged incident happened back in the spring, and Lohnes knew the victim, according to investigators.

He was arraigned in Greenwich Town Court earlier this fall and the case is still pending.

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Vermont

Power outages reported in Vermont Friday

Published

15 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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Power outages reported in Vermont Friday

BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Weather conditions this morning have left many without power across Vermont.

Data indicates that over 10,000 customers are impacted by outages as of 11:16 a.m. The most impacted areas include Middlebury, Burke and Cambridge.

To stay up-to-date on local outages, check out the VT Outages page, Green Mountain Power and follow us for more details on myChamplainValley.com.

A significant outage was previously reported about earlier this month. For more coverage on that, check out this video:

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Vermont

Vermont offers criminal record clearing clinic to seal or expunge old cases

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

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Vermont offers criminal record clearing clinic to seal or expunge old cases

VERMONT (WRGB) — Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark will host a free criminal record clearing clinic on Thursday, January 15, 2025 in Brattleboro, the first to be held in the state since new expungement laws changed in July.

Sealing a record allows an individual to wipe from their criminal record specific convictions and dismissed charges after a certain period of time has passed, including records relating to contact with the criminal justice system, like arrest or citation, arraignment, plea or conviction, and sentencing. Under Vermont’s updated law, most misdemeanors, various non-violent felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be sealed. The free clinic will focus on sealing criminal charges and convictions from Windham County, and will be open to the public by appointment only.

“For many years, my office has assisted Vermonters with clearing old criminal records that are holding them back from securing stable housing, getting better jobs, and participating fully in their communities,” said Attorney General Clark. “These clinics are a way for us to help Vermonters who have paid their debt to society and stayed out of trouble get a fresh start and strengthen the community as a whole. I want to thank Windham County State’s Attorney Steve Brown, Interaction, and the Brooks Memorial Library for their assistance in hosting this clinic.”

Attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office will offer free assistance with petitions for Vermont-specific “qualifying” criminal convictions and dismissed charges. Appointments will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vermonters must schedule appointments in advance by calling the Attorney General’s Office at 802-828-3171 or emailing AGO.Info@vermont.gov by Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Eligible participants will be given an in-person appointment at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, Vermont, on the day of the clinic.

More information on sealing and expungements generally is available at Vermont Legal Aid’s website at www.vtlawhelp.org/expungement.

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