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Burlington voters kill $40 million capital bond, approve electric department spending

With an eye on higher property taxes and upcoming high school construction, voters shot down the city government’s bid to finance infrastructure repairs.

Dec 7 2021, 10:45 PMDecember 7, 2021

Vermont Coronavirus report

Tuesday, December 7, 2021
300 new cases reported today, with 90 hospitalized (31 in ICU)
4.8% seven-day test positivity rate
Most recent death reported December 6, totaling 419 deaths statewide
94.2% of Vermonters aged 12+ are partially or fully vaccinated
46% of Vermont children aged 5-11 have received at least one dose

Data retrieved from Vermont Department of Health, which is updated daily representing the previous day's report. Vaccination percentage is based on the number of Vermonters aged 12 and above, per Vermont Department of Health Population numbers (2019).

See more: Breakthrough infections • Cases by county • School cases • All Covid-19 stories

Latest Headlines

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Obituaries

Mary “Lisa” Kelley, grandmother, social worker and lover of all things purple,
Anyone who knew Lisa can attest to her irrepressible energy, her remarkable, infectious laugh, and her unapologetic zest for life. Read more
Gloria Mary Goss, mother, artist, gardener, Granville
Gloria loved walking her dogs, the ocean, and gardening. She enjoyed music and was also a talented artist. Read more
Richard Squires, hunter, woodworker and husband, Burlington
Most of all, Dick was a wonderful husband, great friend and neighbor and the guy you wanted to hunt, fish, and log with anywhere and anytime. Read more

More Recent Coverage

Health Care

Vermont reports 25 Covid patients in ICU and a record-setting 641 cases
The state also released the latest town-by-town counts. Check out the chart.
By Erin Petenko
Dec 6 2021December 6, 2021
Politics

Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray launches campaign for US House
“As Vermont’s lieutenant governor, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to every corner of the state, meeting with Vermonters directly,” Gray said. “And what I know is that we will need a champion in Washington who’s going to fight like hell for every corner of our state.”
By Sarah Mearhoff
Dec 6 2021December 6, 2021
Politics

Panel narrowly recommends single-member House and Senate districts
The General Assembly must redraw its boundaries every 10 years, after the new U.S. census is published, to ensure compliance with the one-person, one-vote principle.
By Lola Duffort
Dec 6 2021December 5, 2021

Editor's Picks

Politics

Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray launches campaign for US House

“As Vermont’s lieutenant governor, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to every corner of the state, meeting with Vermonters directly,” Gray said. “And what I know is that we will need a champion in Washington who’s going to fight like hell for every corner of our state.”

By Sarah Mearhoff
Dec 6 2021December 6, 2021
Education

Barre schools look for hope amid crippling Covid-19 surge

Elementary and middle schools in the Granite City have had more total Covid-19 cases than in any other community. Parents and administrators are concerned about the long-term impacts.

By Mike Dougherty
Dec 5 2021December 5, 2021
Politics

Scott says mask mandates will make things worse. Where’s the evidence for…

“The people who want to wear masks are wearing them now. Providing more controversy with a mandate hardens both sides,” the governor told the press during a briefing Tuesday.

By Lola Duffort
Dec 5 2021December 4, 2021
Energy & Environment

Vermont is getting millions for water infrastructure. Where will the money be…

Vermont will receive $63 million for water infrastructure in fiscal year 2022 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday.

By Emma Cotton
Dec 5 2021December 4, 2021

Press Releases

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Business & Economy

Kingman Street rebuild nearly finished in downtown St. Albans

Private developers create affordable housing units at historic Bennington property

Vermont Conversation: Can farmers survive?

State expects an ‘unprecedented’ $90 million surplus in the education fund. Where should that money go?

Vermont Conversation: How to spend money and not wreck the world

Vermont Medical Society urges banning sale of cannabis with more than 15% THC

Crime and Justice

Ex-cop challenges court decision that he is healthy enough to stand trial in 1987 child sexual assault case

Prosecutors shift kidnapping case to Connecticut for suspect nabbed in Vermont at border

Bill Schubart: Does the First Amendment allow racist and personal threats?

After Orleans County judge tosses cases over delays, Vermont judiciary pledges fixes to allow trials

Kidnapping suspect’s bid to flee into Canada thwarted by lack of Covid-19 test

Judge denies Sears Lane campers a 2nd hearing in lawsuit against Burlington

Education

Castleton University’s interim president announces retirement

Barre schools look for hope amid crippling Covid-19 surge

3 Burlington school administrators on paid leave amid state, district investigations

Maple Run school board wants more transparency with new policing program

‘A low simmer’: Vermont’s critical race theory backlash isn’t over

UVM union says contact tracing for faculty is insufficient, files grievance

Energy & Environment

Volunteers find PFAS in 2nd location near Air National Guard base

Elizabeth Mine cleanup cost $103M, more than 4 times initial estimate

Vermont is getting millions for water infrastructure. Where will the money be spent?

Emerald ash borer reaches White River Junction

Council authorizes state’s 1st Climate Action Plan

Electrification, weatherization likely to be prioritized in the Climate Action Plan

Health Care

Vermont rolls out reimbursements for at-home Covid-19 antigen test kits

Calling for help: Rural hospitals struggle with overwhelmed ICUs, finding beds

Vermont reports 25 Covid patients in ICU and a record-setting 641 cases

Vermont ends November with record-breaking streak of severe Covid-19 outcomes

State, local data show discrepancies in Covid-19 cases in Vermont schools

What we know about the Omicron variant so far

People & Places

Vermont faces a shortage of suitable foster homes

Then Again: How George Aiken found ways to bring electricity to the whole state

PHOTOS: Waterbury’s River of Light parade dazzles once more

One of Vermont’s oldest country stores is for sale

After 30 years of delivering smiles and mail, a beloved Montpelier postal worker retires

YWP: Hope Between the Lines

Politics

Burlington voters kill $40 million capital bond, approve electric department spending

Vermont plans to use infrastructure money for roads, electric vehicles, trains

Chittenden County towns to decide whether to establish mask mandates

Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith to retire at the end of this month

As Burlington heads to the polls Tuesday, many voters have already cast their ballots

Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray launches campaign for US House

Commentary

Peter Berger: General’s words emphatically wrong, profoundly dangerous

Fred Baser: Lower the temperature with new generation of nuclear power

Howard Fairman: A decisive, powerful woman should be Vermont’s next senator

John Bossange: The dangers of using the phrase ‘people of color’

Joe Patrissi: In South Burlington schools, a case of the right thing to do

Rick Weinstein: Climate crisis is about saving human race, not ‘the planet’

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