Around the NEK

Ultra-Low Sulfur Heating Oil Mandate

Details: Created on Thursday, 06 December 2018 14:41; Written by Tom Lanza

LYNDONVILLE – In July, Vermont made a switch to which heating oil could be used to heat homes and buildings. It is now mandatory that all heating oil companies carry and deliver ultra-low sulfur heating oil.

A state-wide mandate in 2011 created a two-part step down to producing the cleanest-burning heating oil possible. The step down was made to reduce the presence of sulfur to be refined by 2018.

"In 2014, the sulfur content in the fuel was five-hundred parts per million. Four years later in 2018, the cleanest burning oil to date contains only fifteen parts per million of sulfur" according to Vermont Fuel Dealers Association Executive Director Matt Cota.

With this ultra-low sulfur heating oil, all particulate matter is removed from the combustion of the fuel. This is significant because a clear majority of Vermonters burn heating oil in their homes and businesses.

Cota, states "In Vermont, we burn one hundred million gallons of heating oil per year to keep about half the homes and businesses warm." This ultra-low sulfur fuel is better for the air and environment by emitting less particulate matter.

This is not the only upside Cota stresses; the new type of oil is also a lot better and cleaner for furnaces and boilers. Proper protocol for furnace maintenance is a cleaning every two years. With the ultra-low sulfur oil, studies have found that there is much less soot and build up.

A Look at Vermont's Legalization of Recreational Cannabis

Details: Created on Thursday, 06 December 2018 14:25; Written by Tom Lanza

LYNDONVILLE - On July first of this year, marijuana was made legal across the state of Vermont. For some this is very exciting and for others, it may be a bit of a headache. Just because the plant is legal now does not mean there are no restrictions.

With marijuana being legal, there are some limitations as to how much a person over the age of 21 can possess. Co-owner of Green Mountain Grow Ray Daphinais in Lyndonville says "People are allowed up to one ounce at a time to carry and smoke, and by law the storage of it must be behind closed doors with a lock. The same goes for growing the plant, it must be behind closed doors or contained in a lockable area."

A person is not allowed to go crazy and grow as much as they want. They are limited to having five in vegetative state and two in flower state. What this means is a person can have up to five that are just leaves and stalks.

In terms of the two in flowering state, that refers to the actual bud of the plant. Depending on the grow, a plant can produce anywhere from a half ounce to a full pound. Keeping the plants in vegetative state will stop them from budding, instead the plant will just grow big.

The presence of grow shops is going up, and they are there for more than just supplying a grower's needs. Many times, customers who are growing will come in to ask for advice with their plants. In return, those who work at a grow shop will advise growers to help them get the best yield out of their plant as possible.

However, just because someone is 21 years old does not always mean they can grow. It all depends where they reside, and if they are tenant they may have a no-grow clause in their contract.

Lyndon landlord Scott DesJardins who has a no-grow clause in his apartment contracts mentioned that it is usually an agreement between a landlord and their insurance agency. Much of the concern is the liability of high powered grow lights being a fire hazard.

Co-owner of Green Mountain Grow states "The people who we have seen interest in growing is mostly middle to older aged adults."

With cannabis being legalized for three months now in Vermont, the popularity of growing the finicky plant has definitely been on the rise.

Deputy of The Year

Details: Created on Tuesday, 04 December 2018 20:33; Written by Matt Tritto

NEK- The Caledonia County Sheriff’s Department has named their new Deputy of The Year and its Deputy Joseph Rossi. Rossi has been part-time with the department since 2014 and has done tremendous work.

Rossi had no intentions in winning any award he just did his job.

“I just work thats it, and work to serve them and the public and I got deputy of the year it surprised me it wasn’t a goal.” Said Joseph Rossi Caledonia County Deputy.

Before joining the law enforcement Rossi served 20 years in the Marine Core.

“This is my retirement gig, it allows me to serve the community and stay active and that’s what I do.”

He stayed humble as he accepted the award, but did have some appreciation for what he has done.

“I respect my leaders and I liked the fact that they did recognize me. I don’t demand it I just work.” Rossi continued.

If there’s one thing he loves most about his job, it’s the fact that he just gets to be out and about everyday.

“Just being out on the road just being out and interacting with the public constantly on the move I couldn’t sit behind a desk.”

Non-Profits Seek Donations in Winter Months

Details: Created on Tuesday, 04 December 2018 19:30; Written by Emma Quinn

NORTHEAST KINGDOM- Non-profits in the Northeast Kingdom are always looking for donations to keep their organizations running. But with this winter season coming earlier than usual, the need for donations has become even more necessary.

Powers Pleads not Guilty for Attempted Murder of Nephew

Details: Created on Tuesday, 04 December 2018 03:43; Written by Jake Fortin

ST. JOHNSBURY- Ricky Powers, 57, of Waterford, pleaded not guilty to his charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, and reckless endangerment in Caledonia County Court on Monday.

NPT Partners with NVRH

Details: Created on Thursday, 29 November 2018 22:53; Written by Emma Quinn

LYNDONVILLE- Today Northern Physical Therapy and Northern Vermont Regional Hospital have officially merged together. Both organizations are looking forward to the partnership because it is a way to develop more meaningful and effective plans of care for their patients.

Danville School celebrates Veteran's Day

Details: Created on Tuesday, 13 November 2018 01:09; Written by Chelsi Byrnes

DANVILLE-The Danville School held a Veteran's Day celebration this morning for students and community members to enjoy. Guest speaker Joshua Mitchell came to speak about his experiences while in the military.

Saint Johnsbury & Danville Poll Coverage

Details: Created on Wednesday, 07 November 2018 16:42; Written by Tom Lanza

ST JOHNSBURY & DANVILLE – November 6th, otherwise known as nation-wide election day, may have been a dark and dismal day weather-wise in the Northeast Kingdom. However, it was an important day for voters who hoped to see the change they would like to see at a local and federal level.

Know Before you Vote

Details: Created on Monday, 05 November 2018 02:58; Written by Jake Fortin

With the polls opening Tuesday morning, know more about some of the candidates running for US Sentate.

For more information about the candidates that were not able to be interviewed, click here for more information.

Northeast Kingdom Celebrates 10th Annual Northeast Kingdom Challenge

Details: Created on Tuesday, 30 October 2018 01:25; Written by Chelsi Byrnes

NORTHEAST KINGDOM- Saturday was National Make A Difference Day, and two towns in the Northeast Kingdom celebrated by having annual races. The towns of St. Johnsbury and Lyndonville hosted their 10th annual Kingdom Challenge.

Saturday morning started off with the half marathon race in Lyndonville. Runners started at Park Avenue and looped down McGoff Hill road to end in St. Johnsbury.

Veterans Carve Pumpkins To Help Their Communtiy

Details: Created on Thursday, 25 October 2018 21:31; Written by Kayla Hebert

Screen Shot 2018-10-25 at 5.08.16 PM

Lyndon- The students Veterans association helped to carve over 30 pumpkins to help contribute to an annual pumpkin walk. The walk is sponsored by the Summerville Neighbors association in St. Johnsbury. The group ordered 500 pumpkins that will be on display on a path leading up to their very own haunted house.

First Responders Respond to Opiate Epidemic

Details: Created on Wednesday, 24 October 2018 20:27; Written by Emma Quinn

NORTHEAST KINGDOM- An epidemic that is seen around the country... hitting home here in the Northeast Kingdom.Sgt. Lester Cleary from the St. Johnsbury Police Department says, "Our officers are called to a variety of calls everyday and seldom there is a day that goes by that we don't have a crime, at least one crime that is related to someone's drug addition."

1.6 Billion Dollar Mega Million Jackpot Breaks Records

Details: Created on Tuesday, 23 October 2018 02:47; Written by Jake Fortin

LYNDONVILLE- Sales for lottery tickets are through the roof across the country, at Nick Gas N' Go are up 1,7000 in the last week due to a historic Mega Million Jackpot of 1.6 billion dollars.

Heating Homes With Wood In The NEK

Details: Created on Wednesday, 17 October 2018 20:42; Written by Tom Lanza

EAST BURKE - As the winter months approach, people around the NEK are preparing for how they are going to heat their homes. While many heat their homes with oil, gas, or electric heat, there are still plenty people who heat with wood.

Vermont Electric Coop. Phone Scam

Details: Created on Tuesday, 16 October 2018 01:31; Written by Jake Fortin

Phone scam LYNDONVILLE- Many Vermonters started their Monday with a scam call from someone pretending to be with the Vermont Electric Coop.

Fall Festivities In Peacham

Details: Created on Thursday, 04 October 2018 19:54; Written by Matt Tritto

peachem PEACHAM- Fall is finally here, and that means that it is time for fall festival season. Peacham has their festival going on this week and with lots of events going on, people from all around the Northeast Kingdom and even other parts of the country have made this event one of their stops. Some of the events happening on Thursday were favorites of a lot of people, the bus tour and the crafts fair were just some of the few.

Farm to School Grant Highest Ever

Details: Created on Wednesday, 03 October 2018 14:54; Written by Kiernan Brisson

AROUND THE NEK - The Farm to School Grant which has been helping locally grown foods find thier way to students lunch trays will be going into its 13th year of operation with it's highest grant amount ever. The grand total of the grant will be $256,000 and will be applied to schools that apply and qualify for its benefits.

Time for Barnet School Behavioral Climate Change

Details: Created on Wednesday, 03 October 2018 02:32; Written by Jake Fortin

BARNET- After a mandatory 7th and 8th grade parent meeting last Thursday night at the Barnet School, the principal and administration worked together to create a new behavioral plan.

Picking for Your Neighbor

Details: Created on Tuesday, 02 October 2018 20:13; Written by Jake Fortin

Cabot- Local Apple Orchards and the Food Bank of Vermont are teaming up to turn a favorite fall activity into something a little more meaningful.

Barnet Teacher Resigns Calls for New Behavior Policy

Details: Created on Friday, 28 September 2018 23:04; Written by Jake Fortin

BARNET -After one week of classes, The Barnet School's newest teacher. Mr. Brewster resigned due the amount of behavioral issues he witnessed as a new teacher at the school.

Mr. Brewster, the newly hired STEM teacher stated in his resignation letter, "the number of distractions interrupting my lessons and the amount of time wasted worries me moving forward, and I don't want my first experience to be affected in such a derogatory way."

"In my first five minutes at the school, I witnessed a 7th grade student use the 'F' word repeatedly towards the homeroom teacher and other staff members as he was asked to leave and as he tried to re-enter the classroom," wrote Brewster in a statement on the town's community Facebook page. "Many of the children inside the classroom laughed at this behavior and outburst, and I was left feeling completely appalled," he wrote.

Brewster's resignation and the reasons for it caused Principle Shawn Gonyaw to call a mandatory 7th and 8th grade parent meeting Thursday night. During the meeting, parents, students, and teachers shared their personal stories of their behavioral experiences. From bullying, to disruptions of class, many feel that the administration is lacking a effective disciplinary plan.

Principle Gonyaw said that he is willing to take the blame for this, but it's up to everyone to make an effort in improving the learning environment.

"The families at Barnet care deeply about their school, and were willing to come in and spend their evening talking about a problem that we have, and talking about how to solve that problem," Gonyaw said.

He says that the community has come up with solutions that they all agree on and the administration will be working on implementing them in the weeks to come.

Fall Foilage Brings In The Business

Details: Created on Wednesday, 19 September 2018 14:28; Written by Matt Tritto

NEK- Fall is finally upon us here in the Northeast Kingdom. More than just the leaves and climate changing, businesses tend to change as well.The Village Sport Shop is a perfect example of a business that is affected by the fall season.

Maintaining Enrollment in a Competitive Market

Details: Created on Wednesday, 12 September 2018 20:38; Written by Rachel Johnson

N.E.K.- St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute continuously work to meet their budgets when it comes to enrollment numbers.

At the beginning of the 2018 school year, both institutions reported slightly lower numbers for their boarding programs than the year prior. So what does that mean exactly? According to Sara O'Connor, L.I.'s Interim Director of Admissions, it really hasn't made much of a difference.

School Safety Grant

Details: Created on Thursday, 06 September 2018 14:18; Written by Matt Tritto

School Safety Thumbnail 1 NEK- Two-hundred and thirty-nine of Vermont schools have received 4 million dollars in grants from the Homeland Security Grant Program. This money directly takes care of the facilities and personnel which provide safety for these schools, however there is also an additional one million dollars available for training and planning.

Montpelier Increases Minimum Wage

Details: Created on Wednesday, 16 May 2018 13:55; Written by Rob Lemnah

MinWage THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM - The Vermont Legislature passed the minimum wage bill, S.40, from $10.50 an hour to $15 an hour by 2024 for tens of thousands of Vermonters. Proponents of the bill hope that by increasing wages it will allow Vermont workers to spend more money in the state and therefor boost the state's economy. However, employers could pay students three dollars less than the mandated $15 an hour.

Northeast Kingdom Enters Darkness

Details: Created on Sunday, 13 May 2018 23:21; Written by Victoria Carlson

NORTHEAST KINGDOM- May the fourth be with you, may the power not be with you because of the storm. Friday, May 4th, Vermonters got hit with a thunderstorm. Many people were without power due to trees on power lines and more.

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