ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS
War and Remembrance pg. 3
PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron
Local veteran Roger Lane saw WW2 action as pilot, POW
VERMONT
November 16, 2019
Published by Denton Publications, Inc.
Serving Addison, Rutland & Chittenden Counties
NEW RULES FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIAL HEMP FARMERS Series: USDA releases interim final ruling
At Abby Pond last week, two men were in the process of unloading and field-dressing a buck deer they had shot illegally an hour earlier in Cornwall. Pictured: A deer poacher posted this photo online in Milton on Nov. 10. Photo courtesy of Vermont Game Wardens
Poachers nabbed near pond From Staff & News Reports THE EAGLE
MIDDLEBURY | Two young men were apprehended for poaching by local police and Vermont State Game Warden officers last week after a caller noticed suspicious activity near the Abbey Pond trailhead in Middlebury, according to an announcement from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The two men, whose names are being withheld at this time, were in the process of unloading and field-dressing a buck deer they had shot illegally an hour earlier in Cornwall. The men’s weapons and a pickup truck were seized and are currently impounded at the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. The two men have been under investigation for a string of fish and wildlife crimes that occurred in the Middlebury and New Haven area over the past five weeks. The investigation is ongoing, but at this time the men are linked to at least five illegally killed deer and a wild turkey. All of these animals were allegedly shot from the road, and some were shot at night. The weapons used were a 30-06 rifle and a .22 caliber rifle. The deer were processed and hung from a tree in the woods near the Abbey Pond trailhead and at a local concrete plant. The men were preparing to process the last deer when a concerned citizen called to report suspicious activity which led to their apprehension by Middlebury Police, the Vermont State Police, and a Vermont State Game Warden. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone who may have information about these incidents is encouraged to contact their local game warden through the New Haven State Police at (802) 388-4919 or anonymously by calling Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378). ■
Stock photo
By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
MIDDLEBURY | The U.S. government’s interim final rule on growing commercial hemp (cannabis), establishing the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, was announced on Oct. 31. Last week’s Halloween announcement came as both a trick and a treat for Vermont’s new commercial hemp farming community. As far as the treat goes, dozens of area farmers are cashing in on the cannabis CBD (cannabidiol) healthfad boom, new federal rules may curb their enthusiasm about committing more dollars into the effort. CBD, claimed as an anxiety reliever and pain killer, is one of hundreds of cannabinoids in cannabis plants, makes up to 40% of hemp’s botanic extracts. The trick comes because Vermont’s hemp crop has THC levels which are higher than the new fed rule proposes. THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. While Vermont continues to
operate under its own hemp-growing pilot program, enabled under the 2014 Farm Bill, the interim 2019 federal rule represents a big step toward the final rule that will establish hemp-content testing and recordkeeping requirements, legal THC levels, disposal of high THC crops, and the authority for states “to obtain primary regulatory authority over hemp production.” And herein lays the rub between Montpelier and Washington over hemp growing guidelines. Although, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the publication of its latest interim fi nal rule will not affect how hemp is regulated in Vermont—at least for the time being. Despite last week’s announcement, Vermont continues to operate under its pilot program; the pilot program will remain in effect until the state receives USDA approval for its state plan or the repeal of the authorization for state pilot programs under the 2014 Farm Bill, which is “one year after the date on which the [USDA] secretary establishes a plan”, according to the USDA’s website.
Reaction to last week’s USDA announcement in Vermont has been negative. The USDA is setting a limit of .3% THC in industrial hemp yields, which is lower than the state of Vermont established in 2014. Vermont has set 1% as the maximum threshold. If higher, the crop must be destroyed. According to published comments made last week by Cary Giguere of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Vermont could lose 70% of its crop for being out of compliance with federal rules. Giguere also said that as many as two years could pass before Uncle Sam fi nalizes the rules. In the interim, Vermont’s hemp industry will operate under state regulations, he said. Speaking on behalf of many of Vermont’s new hemp farmers, Glover farmer and State Sen. John Rogers (D Essex/Orleans) — himself a new hemp farmer and a proponent of liberal hemp legislation in Montpelier — isn’t pleased by the USDA’s .3% rule. He considers the .3% THC rule to be groundless. ■ — This is part 1 of a series.
Turkey with Capt. Kirk
TICONDEROGA, N.Y. | Tired of fighting with the in-laws over politics, eating too much and then passing out on the floor? Star Trek Original Set Tour’s Treksgiving is offering an alternative: Three Trek-y-tiered packages (priced accordingly), all of which will beam you up to a “Close Encounter of the Third Kind” with award-winning actor William Shatner. The top-drawer package includes turkey dinner with Captain K followed by a karaoke evening with Shatner in the audience grooving to your mojo. This Enterprising event takes place on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23. Dinner will be catered by the Hot Biscuit, with desserts provided by Gunnison’s Orchards. Get full package details and pricing at startrektour.com/product-category/2019-11-treksgiving. ■
Trunk or Treat!
Denecker Chevrolet in Middlebury hosted a fun and safe Halloween-themed event for the community at its new U.S. Route 7 dealership. Children enjoyed dressing up in their special costumes with visits to lots of G.M. trunks filled with goodies to help celebrate the season between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Photo courtesy of Allie Forbes
Photo provided
6am-9am, Saturday, November 16th
HUNTER'S WIDOW SALE This Saturday morning from 6am-9am, save 20% storewide at Lenny's. Whether you're a buck hunter or a bargain hunter you gotta get up early to score big! Discountin stores on in-stock, regularpriced items on/Y,can't be applied toprior sales.Someexclusions may apply induding the VTBarnDam ToughSock,Yeti,Sitka. GunSafesand Gift Cards.
Williston I St. Albans I Barre Plattsburgh I Open 7 Days! Sale Hours:Saturday 6am-9am
233042
20% OFF STOREWIDE