Eight health centers receive federal funds
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TIMES ARGUS STAFF
TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: June 30, 2009
PLAINFIELD – Eight community health centers in Vermont will receive almost $4.9 million in economic stimulus funds to address immediate and pressing facility and equipment needs.
That announcement came Monday from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sander said in a release that the Vermont funding is the state's latest allotment from $2 billion that was set aside for federally qualified health centers in the economic recovery bill that Congress passed Feb. 13.
The Vermont grants include $877,690 for Community Health Centers of The Rutland Region in Bomoseen; $485,900 for Little Rivers Health Care of Bradford; $699,995 for Community Health Center of Burlington; $717,500 for Community Health Services of the Lamoille Valley in Morrisville; $462,310 for The Health Center of Plainfield; $519,220 for the Richford Health Center in Richford; $881,820 for Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury, and $250,000 for Springfield Medical Care Systems in Springfield.
The centers provide affordable primary care, dental care, mental health services and low-cost prescription drugs.
At UVM, it's 100 years since first summer school
BURLINGTON (AP) — The University of Vermont's summer school program marks its 100th anniversary this year, and it's come a long way since 1909.
The Burlington university now offers 500 courses, charging $4,692 for a full 12-credit load. When it started, the summer program charged $10 tuition and served mainly teachers, although it was open to college students looking to obtain credits.
Cynthia Belliveau, dean of continuing education, says teachers and other professionals and students making up courses they'd flunked once made up the bulk of the summer school students. Today, she tells the Burlington Free Press, the summer program serves to help people manage course loads and finish college in less than four years.
In this year's program, 46 percent of the students are undergraduates and 16 percent are UVM undergraduates.
Archaeologists oppose Vt. development law change
MONTPELIER (AP) — Proposed changes to Vermont's rules regarding development and historical sites are causing confusion among archaeologists and state officials.
At issue is a section of Vermont's development control law that seeks to protect historic sites from harmful development.
Archaeologists say the proposal would mean that new archaeological digs would occur almost exclusively on sites already listed on a state roster of historic sites, while undiscovered sites would remain so.
But officials with the Vermont Division of Historical Preservation told the Burlington Free Press the intent of the changes is to make the rules clear for developers and historians.
Citizens group wants superintendent out
ARLINGTON (AP) — A citizens group in Arlington is calling for the resignation of the schools superintendent, citing decreased enrollment at Arlington Memorial High School.
The Arlington Quality Education Coalition says Charles Sweetman, superintendent of the Battenkill Valley Supervisory Union, should be more open to accepting students from other towns or those who've previously been home-schooled. Jay Cavallaro, a founder of the group, says boosting enrollment is the key to improving the school.
But K. John Smith, chairman of the Arlington School Board, says board members are 100 percent behind Sweetman and his administration, the Rutland Herald reports.
Otten forms gubernatorial exploratory committee
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Former ski mogul Les Otten says he has formed an exploratory committee to consider a bid for governor as a Republican in 2010.
Otten plans to spend the next two to four months on the road, listening to Mainers' concerns while gauging support and raising money.
He told supporters Monday in South Portland that "times change but Maine hasn't changed with them." He says he wants to lead "Maine's comeback." Serving as chairman of his exploratory committee is William Ryan, chairman of TD Banknorth Group.
Otten built Sunday River from a small ski area to the headquarters for American Skiing Co. Later, he went on to own a share of the Boston Red Sox. His latest venture is a company in Bethel that sells wood-burning furnaces.
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