Tuesday, January 15, 2019
The nonprofit organization provides support for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. It's in the process of purchasing the building, at the intersection of King Street and South Winooski Avenue, from the Champlain Housing Trust for $850,000, according to the center's executive director, Gary De Carolis.
It's about 60 percent larger than the former location above Phoenix Books on Bank Street, De Carolis said. The center has already completed $350,000 worth of renovations, building an art studio, spaces for yoga and meetings, offices, and a kitchen. Turning Point's 14 staff and roughly 30 volunteers moved into the space last month.
Tags: Senator , Miro Weinberger , Bernie Sanders , Mark Levine , Gary De Carolis , Peter Welch , Madelyn Linsenmeir , Turning Point Center , Web Only , Image
Monday, January 14, 2019
The New North End Democrat said he made the decision last week due to a series of family obligations, which he refused to specify. The announcement comes as a surprise: The eight-year incumbent had already submitted his petition for reelection and earned the Democratic endorsement at the party caucus last month.
The native Burlingtonian said he notified Mayor Miro Weinberger and Democratic Party leadership on Friday. "I could run and win, but it was about whether I could serve with 110 percent," Hartnett said.
Tags: Dave Hartnett , Kienan Christianson , Burlington , City Council , Image , Web Only
Friday, January 11, 2019
The organization, which announced the decision in a press release, said the board had hired four interim employees who will stay on for 90 days.
In mid-December, the organization's eight staff members issued a 39-page list of grievances and ultimately went on a three-week strike before resigning en masse on January 4. One of their demands was the removal of Barkley.
Tags: HOPE Works , Cathleen Barkley , Image , Web Only
Monday, January 7, 2019
Justin Worthley, the company’s senior vice president of human resources, envisions food and beer options that would complement the band space and turn the South End campus into a destination for visitors.
The project is contingent on the Burlington Planning Commission altering a zoning rule that limits performing arts venues in the area to 5,000 square feet and requires they be on Pine Street. The commission will discuss the change Wednesday. If it gives the green light, the proposed change will move on to the council for approval.
“We’re really invested in making this work, and we think it will,” said Worthley, who also serves as the company’s de facto community relations rep. “We think it’s an amazing thing that people in Burlington are gonna think is awesome. Everybody we’ve talked to about it has been very positive.”
Tags: Burton , Burlington , Higher Ground , Justin Worthley , development , music venue , Image , Web Only
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Freeman earned 85 votes to Knodell's 55 during the Progressive Party caucus at the Sustainability Academy in Burlington's Old North End. The result could mark the end of an era; Knodell, a former council president, has served 19 nonconsecutive years on the council. On Sunday, she said she didn't yet know whether she'd run as an independent.
More than 220 Progressive voters turned out to endorse candidates for the Town Meeting Day election. Members of some organizations, including the Democratic Socialists of America and Rights & Democracy, helped mobilize residents to support Freeman.
Tags: Jane Knodell , Perri Freeman , Mohamed Jafar , Burlington Progressives , Dave Hartnett , Kienan Christianson , Jack Hanson , Town Meeting Day , Burlington City Council , Image , Web Only
Friday, January 4, 2019
Eight employees at HOPE Works said they would not return to work after a three-week strike, contending that its board did not address their concerns in good faith. They had lodged complaints against executive director Cathleen Barkley alleging racism and homophobia, ineffectual leadership, and threats against employee organizing.
Barkley and the organization's board of directors "have shown us time and again that they do not in fact share the vision we have for building a better organization," the employees wrote in a statement. "They have prioritized the optics of their public relations efforts over the basic humanity requested by staff to engage in a collaborative process."
Tags: HOPE Works , Cathleen Barkley , Jas Wheeler , Nicole Ravlin , Image , Web Only
Officials say it's unusual for the University of Vermont Medical Center to see more than one or two such cases on a busy night.
The spate of overdoses, likely opioid related, prompted an afternoon press conference attended by Health Commissioner Mark Levine and UVM Medical Center president Eileen Whalen.
"It's only January 4, and we've already seen multiple overdoses in a short period of time," Levine said.
Tags: Burlington , drugs , Eileen Whalen , Mark Levine , opiates , Opioid Crisis , opioids , overdose , University of Vermont Medical Center , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
But unlike Santa Claus, Jackie Walters wasn't making deliveries. The 33-year-old Burlington resident was allegedly stealing packages from homes in the city's Old North End and Hill Sections. The 11-year-old child Walters brought along was an "unwitting accomplice," according to police.
“The man had been seen roaming the city overnight, allegedly removing whatever packages he could find,” Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo wrote in a press release after Walters was arrested Tuesday morning.
Tags: Jackie Walters , Brandon del Pozo , Burlington , package , theft , steal , bicycle , bike , Christmas , holiday , presents , gifts , Image , Web Only
Monday, December 17, 2018
Owner Kathleen Donahue said that her 70-hour work weeks during the slow colder months had become unsustainable.
"I kind of just made a decision for myself that I didn't want to make that sacrifice of my time any longer," she said. The decreased traffic during a "dark and stormy" October and "wintery" November sealed the deal, Donahue said. Friday will be King's last day open.
Tags: King's Corner Deli , Kathleen Donahue , food , sandwiches , Image , Web Only
Friday, December 14, 2018
He testified that he never behaved improperly with a student teacher at the school and that he texted her after a faculty party at ArtsRiot in Burlington only to make sure she arrived safely home. There was no sexual intent, he said.
“I love my wife. We have three kids, we have been married for 14 great years and I was offended by the accusations,” Macias said, looking over at his spouse, his father and other family members who attended the hearing.
Macias gave testimony for several hours as he defended himself against allegations of misconduct during a third day of hearings at the Vermont Agency of Education offices in Barre.
Tags: Mario Macias , guidance director , Burlington High School , BHS , licensing , Agency of Education , Image , Web Only