Vermont

Vermonters seek relief as lawmakers press for more federal aid

Published

1 year ago

August 20, 2023

Vermonters seek relief as lawmakers press for more federal aid

(The Center Square) — More than 4,700 Vermonters have applied for federal disaster aid in the wake of this summer’s catastrophic flooding as members of the state’s congressional delegation push for more federal assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has distributed about $12.7 million in aid to 2,300 Vermonters through its Individuals and Households Program since the state was hammered by storms and flooding in July, according to newly released data.

The aid, authorized under a federal disaster declaration, includes money for home repairs, financial assistance for displaced homeowners, renters and other needs.

But the figures show more than half of those who’ve applied for FEMA assistance were either denied or are still waiting for a final determination from the federal agency.

Meanwhile, at least $8.9 million in Small Business Administration loans have been distributed in Vermont since the flooding, including loans to individuals, businesses and nonprofits.

FEMA has also paid out $6.2 million in claims to National Flood Insurance Program policyholders, accounting for about 10% of homeowners and 2% of renters who applied for assistance had flood insurance.

The newly released data comes as members of the state’s congressional delegation call on the Biden administration to provide more financial assistance to Vermonters impacted by the flooding.

In a letter to Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, and Peter Welch, D-VT, request “ample funding” from Congress for a disaster supplemental appropriations bill “that meets the needs of our state, with a significant focus on funding for long-term disaster response and mitigation work.”

“We ask you to work closely with Congress to move this funding bill expeditiously, so important federal resources for disaster response and recovery become available to states like Vermont as quickly as possible,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers said thousands of homes and hundreds of businesses have reported significant damage from the floods “that they will not be able to recover or rebuild without federal support.”

“Furthermore, many homeowners, including manufactured housing residents, whose homes were destroyed during the storm are receiving only a fraction of the funding needed to acquire new and sufficient housing,” they wrote.

Vermont’s Republican Gov. Phil Scott, is also seeking congressional aid to help the state recover from the devastating floods, which prompted more than 200 water rescues, nearly 90 road closures along major routes, and damage to over 200 miles of rail in the state-owned rail system.

Last week, the Biden administration asked Congress to provide more than $12 billion to replenish federal disaster funds as part of a special appropriations bill in response to a summer of heat and devastating storms.

It’s unclear how much Vermont will be getting, if anything, from the supplemental funding bill.

Vermonters can continue to request FEMA assistance under the relief program through Jan. 14, 2025, according to the agency. The funds will be distributed on a rolling basis.

Source link

Click to comment

Vermont

Teen drug use varies by state. Here’s how Vermont compares.

Published

1 hour ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Teen drug use varies by state. Here’s how Vermont compares.

While teen drug use has largely declined, the latest data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health shows moderate differences by state. In Vermont, an estimated 9.4% of teens had used an illicit drug in the past month, making it the #8 state for teen drug use.

Read the national analysis to see which states had the highest rates of teen drug use.

Drug use is generally higher in some Western states, including New Mexico, where 13.7% of teens had used drugs in the past month. This is in line with larger trends, as New Mexico has had some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug-related deaths in the country for decades. A 2023 report from the state’s legislature found fewer teens are using drugs than they were a decade ago, but overdoses are on the rise.

Northeastern states including Rhode Island and Massachusetts also have some of the highest rates of teen drug use. Again, this is in line with larger regional trends, as New England has felt the outsized impact of the opioid crisis.

States with the lowest rates of teen drug use were Alabama and Utah, with both at around 5%. However, both states have experienced a rise in opioid deaths in recent years. In 2023, Alabama launched the Odds Are Alabama campaign to raise awareness and prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths.

Story editing by Cynthia Rebolledo. Additional editing by Kelly Glass and Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.

This story originally appeared on Substance Use Treatment Facilities and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Source link

Vermont

Vermont disaster recovery centers to close temporarily on election day

Published

9 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Vermont disaster recovery centers to close temporarily on election day

All Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Centers in Vermont will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the day of the general election.

The Green Mountain State’s three disaster recovery centers − set up to assist Vermonters impacted by the storms and floods on July 11-13 and July 29-31 − are located in the Hinesburg Town Hall, Lyndon Public Safety Facility and the Newport Municipal Building.

The Hinesburg site, which is used as a polling station, will also be closed on Nov. 4 to prepare for the election.

The Newport and Lyndon sites are slated to reopen on Nov. 6, while the Hinesburg location will reopen the following day to give employees time to transition the site back to a disaster recovery center.

Regular hours of operation for all three recovery centers are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

Source link

Vermont

Connecticut wins against Vermont Catamounts in overtime – The Rink Live

Published

17 hours ago

November 3, 2024

Press Room

The teams were tied after 60 minutes but overtime saw Connecticut come away with the close win over Vermont Catamounts at home on Sunday, November 02, 2024.

The final score was 6-5.

UConn’s

Tristan Fraser

scored the game-winning goal.

The Huskies scored three goals in first period an held the lead 3-2 going in to the first break.

One goal were scored in the second period, the score being tied at 3-3 going in to the third period.

The Huskies took the lead within the first minute of the third period when

Ethan Whitcomb

found the back of the net, assisted by

Kai Janviriya

and

Kaden Shahan

Massimo Lombardi

tied it up 4-4 with a goal five minutes later, assisted by

Joel Maatta

Tabor Heaslip

took the lead with a goal seven minutes later.

The Catamounts tied the score 5-5 with 60 seconds remaining of the third after a goal from

Colin Kessler

In overtime, it took 4:14 before Tristan Fraser scored the game-winner for the home team, assisted by

Trey Scott

and

Ryan Tattle

Coming up:

Both teams will be back in action on Friday, November 08, 2024 when the Huskies hosts Merrimack at 6 p.m. CST and the Catamounts welcomes Massachusetts at 6 p.m. CST.