Latest news with #Vermonters
Montreal Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
‘Rue Canada': Vermont town hopes to lure Canadians by temporarily renaming major shopping street
By Burlington, Vt. is temporarily naming a major shopping street after Canada in hopes of attracting Canadian tourists who have eschewed U.S. travel since President Donald Trump took office. The town rechristened Church St., a popular shopping street for visitors, as Canada St. in a ceremony Wednesday. Signs reading 'Rue Canada St.' are set to remain in place until Sept. 1. The move was a 'symbolic gesture' designed to show that 'Trump's policies are not in line with our values,' said Burlington city councillor Becca Brown McKnight. Those policies, which include aggressive tariffs alongside threats to annex Canada as a '51st state,' have caused a sharp deterioration in cross-border relations. Canadians, including Quebecers, are travelling to the U.S. in smaller numbers than before. In June, 164,000 Quebecers travelled to the U.S., a 43-per-cent drop from the 286,000 who made the trip in June 2024. Canadian tourism offers a significant boost to the Burlington and Vermont economies, McKnight said. 'More Canadians come to Vermont each year than people who live here.' Around 581,000 Canadians visited Vermont between January and May 2025, a 23-per-cent drop from 2024, according to the state's Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Fewer tourists have made for less spending, with the agency reporting a 41-per-cent drop in Canadian credit card spending in the first five months of 2025 compared with the year-earlier period. Reduced tourism is bad news for Burlington, McKnight said, where around 15 per cent of the town's downtown spending typically originates from Canadians. Locals have noticed the decline and 'are hearing French spoken less often,' she said. McKnight said she has already heard positive feedback from Canadians, who she said have told her they plan to visit Burlington this year. But she also acknowledged that some Canadians don't feel comfortable making the trip to the U.S. 'I completely understand that.' Vermonters in Burlington enjoy travel to Quebec, McKnight said, adding that she spent her honeymoon in Montreal.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Not Again': For Third Year In A Row, Flash Floods Slam Vermont On Same Date
For Vermonters, July 10 is starting to feel cursed. For the third straight year, flash floods ripped through parts of Vermont on that exact date — this time, damaging homes and stranding residents in the small town of Sutton after up to 5 inches of rain fell in just a few hours Thursday. The downpour overwhelmed local waterways, causing a nearby brook to burst its banks and cut off access to more than a dozen residences. Swift-water rescue teams were called in from nearby communities to assist evacuations, including two homes where people needed to be pulled to safety. And while this year's storm wasn't as widespread or deadly as previous years, the emotional toll was heavy. (MORE: Flowing Water Can Do As Much Damage As A Tornado) "It wasn't like last time, it was worse," Sutton resident Michelle Tanner told the Associated Press. "Oh my god it was like 'not again'...We don't know if the house will make it again." Her daughter, Tanika Allard, said she felt helpless. "I wanted to cry. It's like the third year they've almost lost everything." (MORE: Texas River Rises 30 Feet In One Hour, Again) Just days earlier, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott had warned residents of the mounting toll these storms are taking: 'In the last two years, more than 150 cities, towns, and villages across Vermont felt the impacts of flooding, which caused over a billion dollars in damage.' He noted that storms in July 2023 and 2024 also struck on the same dates, adding an eerie twist to an already devastating pattern. Last year, flash flooding linked to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl killed two people and swept away an apartment building in central Vermont. The year before, Vermont experienced rainfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour, also with deadly consequences. (MORE: What To Do Before, During And After A Flood) Why does it keep happening this time of year? July is the second-rainiest month for Burlington, just after June, according to meteorologist Sara Tonks. "July is when warm, humid air is most abundant in northern parts of the U.S., and the jet stream slowing down during this time of year helps allow storms to stall over one location," adds senior meteorologist Chris Dolce. Meteorologist and climate expert Jennifer Gray also points out that Vermont's mountainous terrain makes the region more vulnerable to flash flooding when heavy rain hits. As towns like Sutton begin yet another round of cleanup and rebuilding, one thing is clear: this is no longer a once-in-a-century event. It's starting to become a heartbreaking new normal. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
SENATOR PETER WELCH: I'm a Democrat and we need to fix FEMA with local control
The threat of natural disasters has again gripped the nation. In Texas, more than 120 people are dead after horrific flooding, and at least 170 are still missing. Tragically, young children and counselors from a camp are among those lost. In New Mexico, houses have been washed down a river. And in North Carolina, more than 10 inches of rain flooded entire communities. The scenes from these disasters are horrific and all too familiar. My state of Vermont faced catastrophic flooding two years ago, on July 10-11. Homes, farms and businesses were destroyed. Roads and bridges were washed away. The damage was shocking, and the recovery was painful. Then, exactly one year later, another flood devastated our state. Communities were left reeling — two once-in-a-generation floods, back-to-back. After two consecutive floods, Vermonters know firsthand how essential local volunteer responders and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were to our state's immediate recovery. Without question, the victims of flooding in Texas, North Carolina and New Mexico are experiencing this too. When disaster strikes, it is an all-hands-on-deck moment. The federal government has the unique ability to surge resources and personnel, and it's critical they show up. As long as there is destructive weather, there must be a fully functioning FEMA. Communities from Vermont, to Texas, to North Carolina, to New Mexico know this reality. But, the agency is far from perfect. FEMA must be reformed. FEMA is too slow, too bureaucratic and too bloated. Administrative costs outweigh direct disaster assistance. Recovery is hindered by red tape. Thats why I introduced new legislation July 10 to fix FEMA's broken long-term recovery process. The "Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act" has a simple premise: local leaders know their local community best. They should be empowered to make decisions. Local leaders know what size culvert they need, what size stones to use in grading a road, and what bridge to replace first. Local leaders have the best understanding of the needs of their local communities and their neighbors. Too many communities across Vermont have wasted invaluable weeks debating with FEMA over inconsequential details or submitting and re-submitting paperwork every time they're assigned a new recovery officer. Final decisions on recovery projects weren't even made in Vermont. The FEMA employee overseeing Vermont's disaster recovery was located in Puerto Rico. Time and time again, I heard these frustrations from flooded communities in Vermont. And time and time again, we got excuses from FEMA. In early July, I visited five communities still recovering from the Vermont floods — Killington, Ludlow, Weston, Barre and Montpelier — and in the coming weeks, I'll visit the state's Northeast Kingdom. I spoke with leaders and recovery workers in every town who were exhausted and frustrated. Their recovery has been set back by constant staff turnover, endless paperwork and waiting, and now the threat of funding freezes and other uncertainty. Local leaders need the system to change. Disaster-stricken towns and cities need to be empowered and need more authority to make decisions in the recovery process. Bureaucracy needs to take a backseat. The AID Act helps local communities tailor recovery solutions to their unique needs by cutting through red tape in FEMA's public assistance program and easing burdensome requirements that slow recovery. It will get federal funding out faster once a disaster hits, so our communities don't waste time or overextend their budgets on repairs. It will provide more training and technical assistance to towns and cities. Many rural towns have only one or two full-time employees. They have little-to-no capacity after a storm hits to begin the complicated recovery process. It allows FEMA to cover the cost of relocating a government facility that has been damaged, such as a wastewater treatment plant. It allows counties and regional planning commissions to work with local towns in submitting FEMA applications and paperwork. The "Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act" has a simple premise: local leaders know their local community best. They should be empowered to make decisions. Frequent staff turnover at FEMA only sets recovery back. The Disaster AID Act would make it easier to bring back experienced current and former FEMA employees and help limit this staff turnover, rather than force them out by compromising their pensions. The Disaster AID Act protects FEMA's pre-disaster hazard mitigation funds, so communities can better prepare for disasters. These funds are currently frozen, and many communities in Vermont and across the United States have been forced to pause or stop these projects as a result. Like any reform effort, details matter. Accountability will be crucial, and this bill includes safeguards to avoid waste and fraud. But accountability cannot come at the expense of efficiency. I know we can find a workable solution that protects taxpayer dollars while fixing these broken processes. Washington tends to think that more federal control is better. But I believe that we need to trust and empower the people working every day to improve their communities. This is a policy I can find common ground on with my colleagues across the aisle, and I look forward to working with them to help disaster victims from Vermont to Texas. We all want to improve FEMA, and we'll need to work together to make it happen.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why Vermont schools face a $26 million loss as US funding for English learners and adult education disappears
Why Vermont schools face major losses as US funding for English learners and adult education disappears. (AI Image) The sudden halt of more than $6 billion in federal education funding nationwide is sending shockwaves through school districts and adult learning centres, with Vermont among the hardest hit. The funding freeze by the Trump administration, which affects crucial grants supporting after-school programmes, summer activities, and English language instruction, has left schools scrambling to adjust budgets and cut vital services. More than $26 million in federal funds earmarked for Vermont was abruptly withheld by the US Department of Education just hours before the money was due to be dispersed. This unexpected pause has left school officials and adult education providers uncertain about the future, with many warning that the cuts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable students and adult learners across the state, as reported by VTDigger. Funding freeze hits essential programs Six federal grant programmes have been put on hold nationwide, including Title IIA and Title IIIA grants that support teacher professional development and English learner services. In Vermont, these grants have long sustained nearly 100 after-school and summer programmes benefiting more than 10,000 students, alongside adult learning services offering high school diplomas, GEDs, and English language classes, according to Senator Bernie Sanders' office, as reported by VTDigger. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The funding freeze has created a significant budget gap for many districts. For example, Winooski School District, a high-poverty district, faces a $700,000 shortfall. Sarah Haven, the district's director of finance and operations, told VTDigger that the district had already signed contracts for staff salaries through the 2025-26 school year, primarily relying on these federal grants for funding. "The hardest thing about what's happened here is that this decision came after we had done a lot of financial planning, and we're caught really off guard," Michael Eppolito, Winooski's director of curriculum and learning, said, as quoted by VTDigger. Impact on vulnerable students and adult learners Eppolito warned that the cuts will affect the most vulnerable students immediately, forcing districts to trim programmes considered non-essential. He cited the potential reduction of digital tools supporting math and English language arts instruction, as reported by VTDigger. Other districts, such as Essex Westford and Hardwood Unified Union, have also reported major budget hits and the need to pause professional development programmes. Adult education centres, which serve nearly 1,500 Vermonters annually, are also deeply affected. Tara Brooks, head of VT Adult Learning, estimated a $500,000 loss that could lead to staff cuts and increased wait lists for English classes and workforce development programmes. "There's no way around it," she told VTDigger. "We already have wait lists for a lot of our bigger locations... it's only going to increase if we have to reduce staff. " Uncertainty and political fallout The Vermont Agency of Education has yet to receive any communication from federal officials regarding the status of the funding. The agency is coordinating with state leaders and Congress to explore next steps, a spokesperson told VTDigger. Senator Sanders condemned the funding pause in a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and OMB Director Russell Vought, calling it an "illegal and unconstitutional decision" and warning of widespread negative impacts on students and educators nationwide, as reported by VTDigger. Despite these demands, no response has been received. While some organisations remain hopeful the funds will be restored, others warn that continuing without them is unsustainable. Catherine Kalkstein of Central VT Adult Education said they are currently using reserve funds but cannot maintain that approach long term, as quoted by VTDigger. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Boston Globe
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Boston Globe
On the anniversary of Vermont's summer floods, one village seeks to rebuild on higher ground
'It's like looking at a dollhouse, you know?' said neighbor Lauren Geiger as she gestured toward the wreckage. 'It's so traumatizing for the people who've lived there to have to walk by this place all the time. It's just heartbreaking, really.' Much of Vermont continues to reckon with the damage from the Advertisement 'The joke is we're gonna just not have July 10 this year,' said Patricia Moulton, the state's flood recovery officer for central Vermont. A chair sat on the edge of collapsed river bank in Plainfield, Vt., which was badly hit by a flash flood the night before, July 11, 2024. Dmitry Belyakov/Associated Press As that grim anniversary approached, many Vermonters felt 'this sort of creeping anxiety,' according to Plainfield's volunteer emergency management director, Michael Billingsley. They're aware that human-caused climate change is likely to deliver more frequent and intense deluges to the state's mountainous terrain, prompting rising rivers and flash floods. Advertisement At the same time, Vermont officials are eyeing with alarm President Trump's The administration In recent days, following far deadlier flooding in Texas, critics of the Trump administration have begun questioning whether federal cuts left emergency responders less prepared in that state. 'We're in a place where we don't have definitive answers about what's going on,' said Eric Forand, director of Vermont Emergency Management. 'We don't know where we're going to have to step in and we don't know how much we're going to have to step in.' Community groups from around Vermont have stepped into that void in search of local solutions to a planetary problem. Residents of Plainfield — a town of about 1,200 people best known for Goddard College, the recently shuttered hippie enclave — have come up with perhaps the most audacious plan: to relocate their village center to higher ground. They're working to buy 24 acres of nearby land to subdivide into lots for those whose homes were destroyed or remain imperiled. Advertisement Like many New England towns, Plainfield was built around a series of mills — in its case, at the confluence of Great Brook and the Winooski River. Now a bedroom community about 10 miles from the state capital, Montpelier, it features just a handful of businesses and public facilities in the village, surrounded by farms and forests. The plan to relocate the village, locals say, is a recognition the waterways that once fueled Plainfield's growth now threaten its future. The $5 million project, which organizers hope to pay for with federal disaster recovery funds, would connect town water, sewer, and waste water systems to the new village. Individuals would then buy the parcels and build on them — some with assistance from affordable housing agencies. Already, organizers say, 50 people have expressed interest in buying and building on the 30 to 60 potential lots. 'This felt like something we could actually do to be more in control of our own destiny, rather than be a flood victim with no agency,' said Arion Thiboumery, who owns the Heartbreak Hotel and is helping to lead the East Village Expansion Project. A man in waders navigated the flooded streets in downtown Montpelier on July 11, 2023. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Patrick Lafaso tossed couch cushions out of the window as he helped Jessica Anthony clean up from the historic flooding in Johnson, Vt., on July 12, 2023. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Thiboumery, an entrepreneur in the renewable energy business, recalls feeling that the effects of climate change had reached Vermont after that first storm in July 2023, when 3 to 9 inches of rain soaked Vermont — devastating towns along the spine of the Green Mountains and flooding Montpelier and Barre. That year, the swollen Winooski cut off much of the village in Plainfield and irreparably damaged several houses, but the Heartbreak Hotel suffered only a flooded basement. A year later, it was not so lucky. Advertisement The remnants of Hurricane Beryl dropped up to 7 inches of rain in July 2024, sweeping sediment, tree trunks, and even cars down steep slopes into Great Brook. The debris formed a logjam at the bridge just upstream of the Heartbreak. When one side of the bridge broke free, the wall of water tore two-thirds of the building downstream. An overwhelmed resident surveyed the damage following flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, July 11, 2024, in Plainfield, Vt. Dmitry Belyakov/Associated Press 'It was really a cinematic event,' said Billingsley, the emergency management director. Hope Metcalf, a resident of the Heartbreak, was there that night with two of her children. By the time they heard the 'big crack' of the building breaking apart, they had fled to their car. Her kids, 11 and 8, remain traumatized, according to Metcalf. 'Every time there's a thunderstorm or heavy rain, they get worried,' she said. The family is now renting a home just upstream, but that too was damaged last July and is on a list of properties the state hopes to buy with federal funding and demolish to reduce the risk of flooding. On a recent summer day, Metcalf and her children played outside their rented house on the banks of Great Brook. They set up a tent and dug a fire pit. Metcalf, a kindergarten teacher, said she didn't have the energy to take the kids camping. 'This time of year — it's just bringing up a lot of emotions for me,' she said. 'What does life look like now? What do we do to be happy and move forward?' Debris was strewn about a damaged bridge over the Winooski River following flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl July 11, 2024, in Plainfield, Vt. Dmitry Belyakov/Associated Press The same house in Plainfield remained covered in dirt and silt as their owners await word on government buyout programs on June 27. Paul Heintz for The Boston Globe All told, 42 Plainfield residents lost housing in the 2024 floods, according to Billingsley. Twenty-eight homes damaged in the 2023 and 2024 floods are on the state's buyout list. Advertisement That's prompted locals to reconsider the viability of the village in its current location. 'For anyone who wasn't convinced this was a problem, they're convinced now,' said Karl Bissex, who chairs the Plainfield Selectboard. 'We've got to move our downtown.' Unlike most of Vermont's flood-battered municipalities, Plainfield has a place to go. Two landowners are willing to sell a combined 24 acres that sit on a plateau about 85 feet above the current village. It is well outside the floodplain, but close enough to connect to town infrastructure. Geiger, the Heartbreak Hotel neighbor, is among the volunteers behind the vision. 'People who love Plainfield want to see it thrive,' she said as she walked toward the relocation site, which features panoramic views. 'Having this rise up out of the flood and from local residents is just a beautiful thing.' Community organizers in Vermont point to Plainfield as an example of how informal networks of neighbors can fill gaps left by more traditional entities, particularly in times of crisis. Throughout the state, 'long-term recovery groups' have been established — often serving multiple towns in a watershed. Lauren Geiger gestured toward an undeveloped property where some residents hope to relocate the village of Plainfield. Paul Heintz for The Boston Globe 'These community-based organizations are nimble and responsive and allow people to step into roles in less formal ways to serve their neighbors in a way that's really powerful,' said Jon Copans, executive director of the Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience. Moulton, the state recovery officer, lauds the Plainfield project but questions whether it's reasonable to expect residents to take the lead on such endeavors. 'I think it's exciting what they're doing,' she said. 'Is it sustainable in the long term to have volunteers do all this work? I'm not sure.' Advertisement Many Vermont towns have only a couple of part-time employees, Moulton noted, while the rest of the municipal load is handled by residents 'wearing two and three hats.' Case in point: Billingsley, Plainfield's emergency management director, has been volunteering full time for the past year — helping to clean up the last storm while preparing for the next. At 79, he said he's burning out. 'It's past the point of being reasonable,' he said of his workload. 'It's just how much can I put up with.' Critics of the East Village Expansion Project wonder whether its leaders are biting off more than they can chew. Already, the estimated cost has more than doubled and the timeline has slipped from selling the lots this year to next. The swollen Great Brook rushed by the remains of the Heartbreak Hotel last year in Plainfield, Vt., on July 12, 2024, after flood waters and debris caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Ted Shaffrey/Associated Press 'My real concern is that they haven't shown that they understand the complexity and pitfalls that come with it,' said Riley Carson, a former selectboard chair. 'There's just so much rush and so much pressure to get this done.' But for displaced residents such as Metcalf, there's little time to waste. If her rental is bought out, she doesn't know where she'll go next. Quite possibly, it won't be in Plainfield. 'I'm not gonna wait around for that,' she said of the new village. 'I need to find a place to live now. Right now.'
