Vermont
Former Vermont basketball star lands spot in NBA
T.J. Sorrentine is headed to the National Basketball Association.
The former Vermont basketball star famously known for that shot from the parking lot in the 2005 NCAA Tournament has accepted a gig on the Washington Wizards bench, the Providence Journal reported on Wednesday.
Sorrentine, who spent 16 seasons at Brown, the last 13 as the program’s associate head coach, told the Providence Journal that the Wizards’ offer was too good to pass up. Sorrentine, who graduated from UVM in 2005, is a Pawtucket, Rhode Island, native.
“I was happy,” Sorrentine told the Providence Journal. “I was comfortable. When I came down here to visit, I came with the mindset that it was a great opportunity. But if it didn’t happen or come through, I had a great job.
“This was a unique opportunity. That’s when I knew it was time to go. I was ready. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity.”
According to the Journal’s story, Sorrentine has a strong connection with new Wizards coach Brian Keefe, who had the interim tag removed from his title in late May. Sorrentine and Keefe’s relationship traces back over two decades.
“That obviously put it over the top,” Sorrentine said. “That was first and foremost. I always say small circle — have a lot of friends and know a lot of people, but a really small circle of people I trust.”
At Vermont, Sorrentine was an America East player of the year who was a crucial catalyst during the program’s golden era that saw the Catamounts climb into relevancy and reach three straight NCAA tourneys between 2003-05. Sorrentine’s long-distance 3-pointer in the 2005 tournament — “hit that one from the parking lot!” — sealed Vermont’s stunning, overtime upset of Syracuse.
Sorrentine, who had his Vermont No. 11 jersey retired along with teammate Taylor Coppenrath’s 22 in 2019, scored 2,013 points over his Catamount career, which ranks third in program history behind Eddie Benton and Coppenrath.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.
Vermont
Feds approve Vt. bid to improve Medicare affordability, quality
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont is partnering with the federal government and a few other states in a new effort to contain Medicare costs and improve care.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services earlier this week announced it has accepted Vermont’s application to participate in the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) program.
State officials say the aim is to help bring in more federal Medicare dollars to invest in primary care and preventative medicine to keep people healthy instead of resorting to expensive emergency procedures. They say the program won’t be a silver bullet in bringing down the cost of health care but it’s still a valuable opportunity.
“We’ve learned a lot, we’ve been successful in a lot of ways. This is an opportunity for us to continue to test and evolve and change based on the needs of our communities. It won’t be everything, but I think it will be a really meaningful piece, especially for hospitals and primary care,” said Monica Ogelby with the Vermont Agency of Human Services.
The program is similar to the years-long all-payer model reform efforts the state has been involved in — paying hospitals and providers flat fees instead of charging for each procedure, which many say drives up the cost of care.
Critics say those efforts have not paid off and haven’t kept up with hospital and commercial insurance rates, which are increasing by double digits
The AHEAD model would last for nine years and is slated to begin in 2026.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Missing NH woman found
ROYALTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Police say a missing New Hampshire woman has been found and is safe.
Vermont State Police were working with the Hillsboro Police Department in New Hampshire to locate 74-year-old Cathy Reny, who was last seen in Royalton.
Police Friday morning said Reny has been located in central Vermont and is safe.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi receives tobacco education funding
SWANTON, Vt. (WCAX) – New efforts by Vermont’s Abenaki Nation aim to tackle tobacco addiction.
The Department of Health just awarded nearly $800,000 in grants to curb tobacco use.
An Indigenous group in Swanton is using their funds to teach their youngest members cultural uses of the plant.
“Tobacco is sacred to our people,” said Chief Brenda Gagne of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi.
The smell of tobacco wafts through Chief Brenda Gagne’s earliest memories. Like generations of Abenaki, her tribe uses the leaves for peace offerings, as medicine, and as gifts.
“It wasn’t meant to be smoked, like European tradition does. It was more of ceremonial purposes and traditions,” said Gagne.
But over the years, Gagne has watched tribal members fall into tobacco addiction with the rest of the world. It’s touched members of all ages.
“I hear the younger kids are doing it sooner and younger also,” she said.
Tobacco addiction is a statewide issue. According to the Department of Health, almost a quarter of adults use tobacco products, and vaping rates doubled since 2016.
Gagne is eager to be part of the solution. She and her daughter run tobacco education programs for Swanton youth through the education organization Abenaki Circle of Courage.
“The amazing part is kids if you get them before the third grade, they have memories like a sponge. They just absorb it like there’s no tomorrow,” she said.
Gagne leads a summer program, while her daughter uses art therapy to teach middle and high schoolers about addiction and other issues.
“It’s a universal language. So kids will be able to explore things without even realizing at first, the things that we’re discussing, how important they are because it’s through a creative process,” said Felicia Cota of Circle of Courage.
Gagne says the programming helps kids connect with Abenaki heritage while understanding the dangers of smoking.
Some have even convinced their parents to quit.
“It actually worked into adults also, it’s not just for the youth. So I think bringing that to life a little bit more is going to be crucial,” said Gagne.
A new grant from the Vermont Department of Health will strengthen their work.
Abenaki Circle of Courage just received $60,500 per year over the next two years to keep the education going.
“When I got the grant I was actually beside myself because I didn’t think there was a chance that Indigenous groups would get monies, you know, to be able to do what we do on a normal basis,” said Gagne.
It’s the largest grant they’ve ever received from the state.
Gagne views the support as a step in the right direction, given Vermont’s history of eugenics and displacement of Indigenous people.
“Getting funding from the state of Vermont means they’re still with us and they’re still backing us which is really important for us,” said Gagne.
Other grant recipients are using funds for everything from tobacco prevention to treatment services for pregnant smokers.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.
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