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Possible Partial Government Shutdown January 19th Deadline

The federal government budget runs out of money January 19th for some programs but the Speaker has not scheduled another meeting of the U.S. House of Representatives until Jan. 16th. https://live.house.gov/ The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 16, 2024. The first deadline at midnight on January 19, 2024 includes the following four appropriations areas: Agriculture, Rural Development, etc., … There are rumblings about removing the Republican Speaker if he caves to Democrats.


Johnny Gandelsman: This Is America: Part II

Putney, VT – Renowned violinist and former member of Silkroad Ensemble, Johnny Gandelsman, invites audiences to a unique musical experience, “This Is America: Part II,” on Wednesday, February 7th, 7:00pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT 05346, USA.

In response to the tumultuous times of the early pandemic and the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020, Johnny Gandelsman initiated a profound musical project. Collaborating with a diverse group of American and US-based composers, Gandelsman sought to reflect on the current state of society in a personal and intimate way.


If Palestinians Quoted Martin Luther King “US is Greatest Purveyor of Violence in World?” 

On Rev. Martin Luther King’s Birthday Holiday, a Palestinian  spokesperson might well want to draw world public attention to King’s 1967 New York sermon ‘Beyond Vietnam – a Time to Break Silence’ [1] when Martin Luther King, today the only American celebrity with the distinction of a national weekend holiday to honour his birthday, made bold print headlines in newspapers across the world of King loudly denouncing his very own U.S. government..


If Maduro Quoted Martin Luther King Deploring “Suppression by U.S. Military “Advisors”in Venezuela”

If, On Martin Luther King’s Birthday and U.S. National Holiday, President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela would quote from King’s mainstream media’ long covered up 1967 New York sermon ‘Beyond Vietnam – a Time to Break Silence,’[1] which condemned his government’s atrocity wars to protect predatory investments, – he might start by quoting what King said about his own Venezuela:


Regional Water Quality Public Meeting

The public is invited to provide input on regional water quality and river habitat concerns. Watershed Planner, Marie Caduto, will present an overview of the current conditions in the watershed and provide an update on the progress made since the 2020 Plan was implemented. Input can be submitted during the meeting or via email to Marie.Caduto@vermont.gov or mailed to Marie Caduto, Basin 10 Comments, VT DEC, 100 Mineral Street, Suite 303, Springfield, VT 05156. 


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – January 16, 2024

At their next regular meeting , the Brattleboro Selectboard will approve budgets for FY25 to send along to Representative Town Meeting, including their plans to use what remains of ARPA funds.

The board will also hear from the Downtown Alliance and Chamber of Commerce  (two of several organizations that foster economic growth, attract new business, and enhance the overall economic well-being of the community) for new funding to pay for someone to “foster economic growth, attract new business, and enhance the overall economic well-being of the community.”

You can bring up other items not on the agenda, if the Chair allows, during Public Participation.


Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge – January 11, 2024

The recent weather has stalled steel delivery to the site, and the advance of structural steel across Pier 2 to the temporary shoring towers has been placed on hold until deliveries resume.

De-watering at the Pier 1 cofferdam continues to face ongoing challenges. The amount of water coming into the cofferdam is still too high a volume for the water treatment systems and the environmental permits. The contractor and engineering teams are analyzing the current systems in place to receive the site discharge as well as the configuration of the cofferdam to see what can be done to remedy this situation and continue with the work.

De-watering operation on hold pending further analysis.


Open Seats on the WSESD and Vernon School Boards, Petitions Due by 1/29/24

The Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) has 5 open seats and the Vernon School District (VSD) has 2 open seats up for election on 3/5/24 — petitions are due by 1/29/24! Please consider running for the WSESD or VSD Board. Here’s a press release from the district central office.

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Empower Your Community: Run for School Board Seats in Windham Southeast and Vernon School Districts

Brattleboro, January 10, 2024 — As the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) and the Vernon School District (VSD) seek dedicated individuals to serve on their school boards, community members are encouraged to consider running for open seats to make a meaningful impact on local education. The WSESD Board is comprised of ten (10) members from Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney, with each board member governing the schools in all four towns. The VSD Board is comprised of five (5) members and governs the Vernon School. There are open seats on the WSESD and VSD Boards, which require residents of each town as follows:


Clark Street Fire Details

Crews from both stations were dispatched at 16:51 to 75 Clark Street for a report of smoke on the third floor and attic area. While crews were responding, dispatch received a second call advising there was a subject on the 3rd floor. Assistant Chief Charles Keir, along with Engine 2, arrived on the scene. AC Keir reported a 2 1/2-story multi-family wood frame building with light smoke showing from the front. Engine 2’s crew made their way to the third floor to report they had located a victim and were on their way out with the victim.

Crews reported there was still an active fire in the apartment. Golden Cross/BFD ambulance personnel transported the patient with significant burns to the arms, hands, and airway to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. A second and third alarm was requested for additional personnel as well as taking into consideration the longer response time due to weather conditions.


Brattleboro Covid Vaccination Clinic at Senior Center

The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Senior Center would like to announce that they will be partnering with the VT Department of Health to offer a free Covid Vaccination clinic on Tuesday, January 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Brattleboro Senior  Center.  Appointments can be made by calling Sarah at 802-257-7570.  Walk-ins are also welcome. 


Brattleboro Martin Luther King Jr. Day Closings

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Monday, January 15. All other violations will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15.


Absolute Immunity

For a person to propose they are above the law is presumption on a scale that is an affront to all life.  The very notion that any and all acts are beyond recrimination, and perforce exemptible, is a form of hubris that even Greek myths condemn.

Icarus, Narcissus, Sisyphus, the message is the same, think too highly of yourself, pay the price.  But now we’re confronted by a modern configuration so corrupt and decadent that such arrogance might be permitted.

Ours is a culture accustomed to getting away with things.. And not just little slights and nominally exacted tributes; enslavement, forced relocation, ecological devastation, extinctions-there’s barely the nod towards reparation.


802 Credit Union Vice President Ethan Grimes Joins Youth Services Board

Ethan Grimes, the Vice President of mortgage lending at 802 Credit Union, recently joined 12 other community members in serving on Youth Services’ board of directors. With twenty programs ranging from court diversion, to trauma-informed after-school groups, counseling, mediation and case management to name but a few, Youth Services has built community throughout Windham County for over 50 years.

Since 2009, Grimes has worked in mortgages at River Valley Credit Union, now 802 Credit Union. Starting as a mortgage processor, he eventually became a mortgage originator and finally Vice President of the credit union’s mortgage department in 2016.

Grimes has deep roots in Windham County, having grown up and attended public school in Newfane, VT and graduating fourth in his class from Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend.  Grimes attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, where he majored in Economics, with a minor in both Business Administration and Communications. He came home each summer to work with his father Marty Grimes with Southern Vermont Telephone and recalls even doing some wiring on occasion at Youth Services during those visits. After graduation, Grimes moved to Orlando, FL where he obtained his mortgage broker license and worked as a mortgage broker there for four years during which time he married his college sweetheart.


BCTV Schedules – Week of January 8, 2024

Monday, January 8, 2024

5:30 am Sing Nowell – Songs & Carols for Midwinter and Christmastide 2023

7:55 am At BMAC – 16th Annual Domino Toppling Extravaganza

8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – This Week’s Energy News