Cavendish Update 12/20/19: Explosion/Education/News/Events
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PLEASE NOTE THAT TRANSFER STATION WILL BE CLOSED ON DEC. 25 (WED) BUT WILL BE OPEN FROM 8-5 ON THURS. DEC. 26. Check out the following link to see what seasonal items are recyclable at the Transfer station.
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12/20/19 Cavendish Update
1. Sunday’s Tannerite Explosion
2. Education News
3. Cavendish Related news
4. Events
1.SUNDAY TANNERITE EXPLOSION: On Sunday afternoon, around 12:30, many people in Cavendish reported a loud explosion, which shook homes and was unnerving to say the least. Earthquake was one possible explanation suggested on the Cavendish VT Facebook page. One resident was outside and thought they were being shot at. Another reported having various items in their home break from falling off the wall and shelves and now wonders about foundation damage.
The cause was the detonation of approximately 50 lbs. of Tannerite by a resident on Old County Rd. The blast was heard in a 15 mile radius, including Springfield, Claremont, and Chester.
Tannerite is a brand of binary explosive targets used for firearms practice and sold in kit form. Because it is sold as two separate components, it can be transported and sold in many places without the legal restrictions that would otherwise apply to explosives. No charges were filed.
2. EDUCATION NEWS: There are a variety of reports on the Two Rivers Supervisory Union (TRSU) as well as the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD).
• Auditor: School districts, including TRSU, service providers failed to check child abuse registry: Eleven supervisory districts or unions failed to screen job applicants in 2018 using Vermont’s child abuse registry. The Two Rivers Supervisory Union (TRSU) is listed in the state report as not having checked the Child Protective Registry (CPR) at all in 2018. VT Digger
• 2 approaches: Green Mountain, Ludlow-Mt. Holly school boards tackle spending: The two districts that make up the Two Rivers Supervisory Union are wrestling with controlling the spending in their FY 2021 budgets this year as one looks to increase its educational offerings and accommodate more students, while the other tries to manage the Act 46 downsizing that was supposed to result in savings but has not. And both are working with an SU that has been moving to expand its staff and its financial control over several areas. Chester Telegraph
• GM school board, Cavendish library trustees seek solution over safety concerns: Coverage of the 12/12 GMUSD board meeting where the Cavendish Public Library was discussed. Chester Telegraph
• GMUSD Board and Superintendent Meg Powden Wrestle with Trust Issues: Green Mountain Unified School District board members began their Dec. 12 meeting responding to criticism leveled by Superintendent Meg Powden at the recent TRSU board meeting, during which she said that based on several recent GMUSD Finance Committee meetings, “It’s clear to me that the spirit of collaboration is no longer there.” VT Journal
• What’s your experience? Telegraph seeks perspective of special ed. families, teachers: Are you the parent of a current or former special education student within the Two Rivers Supervisory Union? Would you share your perspective on the education your child received or is receiving? Are you a teacher or a former special ed student who would like to share your unique point of view? In an effort to report on the special education portion of the Supervisory Union budget, The Telegraph is inviting anyone – parents, former students, staff members – to bring their experiences to us to help us get a clear picture of how services are provided. Email scunningham@chestertelegraph.org to get the conversation going Chester Telegraph
3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Violent Ludlow Robbery and Threats Land Cavendish Man in Jail: A Cavendish man was ordered held without bail this week after he allegedly participated in a violent robbery in Ludlow where the victim’s finger was nearly severed and, in a separate incident, where he allegedly brandished a firearm near his ex-girlfriend and her children in Springfield. Stephan Cota, 31, of Cavendish pleaded innocent on Monday to three separate felony domestic assault charges and to felony counts of assault & robbery and aiding in the commission of a felony. He also pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor charge of petty larceny. HereCast
Cavendish Fire Dept. donates funds for CTES emergency kits: Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department has come to the rescue of Cavendish Town Elementary School by donating funds to supply 13 emergency kits to be placed throughout the school. VT Journal
Windsor man charged with poaching, fleeing from game wardens: It happened in Cavendish Saturday. Authorities say Robert Hagar, 48, fired a gun from the cab of his truck at a deer decoy after legal shooting hours and then led game wardens on a pursuit. Officials say he caused at least one vehicle to go off the road during the chase. They eventually tracked Hagar to a home in Weathersfield where they arrested him and seized his truck. Hagar was charged with attempting to elude, being a felon in possession of a firearm, taking big game in a closed season and shooting from a public highway. He pleaded not guilty on Monday and is due back in court on January 21. WCAX
Outer Limits Brewing lures après-ski crowd to outer limits of southern Vermont: Opened in July in a striking, brick 1850s woolen mill located on the similarly fetching village green in Proctorsville, a hamlet in the Windsor County town of Cavendish. Ski towns and breweries seem like a perfect match for the après crowd, and Outer Limits is less than a 10-minute drive from Ludlow's Okemo Mountain Resort. Burlington Free Press
Despite Bogus Claims From Carriers, Feds Won't Help Boost Cell Coverage In Vermont: The Federal Communications Commission has scrapped a grant program aimed at boosting cell coverage in underserved areas. The news is disappointing for Vermont officials, who spent months last year proving that the carriers' claims of coverage were false. VPR
Okemo upgrades focus on base areas, uphill capacity: Okemo to set receive upgrades as part of Vail Resorts, Inc.’s $215 million investment for 2020 across its resorts. This investment builds on the approximately $190-$195 million that Vail Resorts had planned to spend on capital improvement projects in calendar year 2019. The majority of the new investment at Okemo will be in lift, lodge and dining updates. Changes will increase uphill capacity, improve circulation across the resort, enhance dining options, and make it easier for guests and families to access services, further enhancing the resort’s emphasis on providing superior customer service. Mountain Times
Airbnb announces new policies, party house ban: Airbnb has announced three forward steps in protecting hosts, guests and communities, including a new party house ban, guest standards and dedicated line of communication for town officials to reach Airbnb in 2020. Mountain Times
4. EVENTS
DECEMBER 21 (SATURDAY): Winter Solstice
DECEMBER 22-DECEMBER 30 (SUNDAY-MONDAY): HANUKKAH
DECEMBER 24 (TUESDAY); Christmas Eve
DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS (Town Office & Transfer Station Closed.)
DECEMBER 26 (THURSDAY): HAPPY KWANZAA
• Cavendish Transfer Station open from 8-5
JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR (Town Office Closed)
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.