IBM cuts down on jobs
JULY: Following some serious separations made by the company, 419 people lost their jobs at the IBM plant in Essex Junction in June. The cut of workers is believed to be around 419.
Asian sex “spas” raided
JUNE: Local police and FBI agents raided two “spas” for suspected prostitution operated by Asian Americans in Bennington, following a two-year investigation. No arrests were made but the evidence is being processed.
Mayor could face jail, quits
JUNE: After facing 14 criminal charges including breach of trust, conspiracy, fraud and corruption, Montreal interim mayor of seven months Michael Applebaum resigned from his post.
Gov. Shumlin buys property
MAY: Governor Peter Shumlin bought his neighbor Jeremy Dodge’s home on 60 acres for $58,000 this summer under the agreement that Dodge could live in the home temporarily and Shumlin would pay his child support payments and back taxes. After Dodge complained publicly the deal was renegotiated and the house is currently in Dodge’s name. The amount he will pay back is estimated around $30,000.
Chief charged for DUI ticket
JULY: Burlington Deputy Police Chief Andi Higbee was charged with a DUI after being pulled over by state troopers during an anti-drunken driving effort.
Deportation case resolved
JULY: Former Vermont farm worker Danilo Lopez was fighting deportation when he won the right to stay in the U.S. until July 2014 after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement approved his stay. Lopez has lived in the U.S. for six years and was turned in to immigration authorities after being pulled over for speeding on Interstate 89 in 2011.
Rutland solar power on rise
AUGUST: Green Mountain Power hired Positive Energy to build a rooftop solar farm at the College of St. Joseph and applied for a Vermont Public Service Board permit to build the Stafford Hill Solar Farm on top of a closed landfill in Rutland in order to make Rutland County the solar energy capital of Vermont.
VT journalist passes away
JUNE: Journalist and Vermont native Michael Hastings was killed when his car crashed into a tree June 18 in Los Angeles. Hastings was most well known for his investigative pieces in matters of national defense and security.
