Vermont

Hurricane Irene left a small town in Vermont cut off from the outside world. Instead of whining about their newfound struggles, they decided to pull together and throw a citywide barbecue.

Cities across the Eastern Seaboard are left struggling with rising floodwaters, fallen trees, and debris since the widespread forces of Hurricane Irene passed over northern New England. Multiple bridges have been washed away in several areas in Vermont, leaving one group of townsfolk temporarily isolated.

Residents of Pittsfield, Vt., population 427, found themselves landlocked since the area bridges flooded over with rising waters. more >>

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that faith-based lettering on vehicle license plates is allowed under the First Amendment, but emphasized that its ruling is limited to Vermont’s ban on religious messages.

In ruling in favor of Shawn Byrne of West Rutland, Vt., the three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals in New York reversed the decision of a federal judge in Burlington, Vt., who rejected Byrne’s 2005 claim that the state discriminated against him when it rejected his application for a license plate that would read "JN36TN" – a reference to the popular Bible verse John 3:16.

The appeals court noted how Vermont allows its residents to request "vanity" plates that convey messages on a variety of topics, including statements of personal philosophy and taste, inspirational messages, and statements of affiliation with or affirmation of entities, causes, and people. The state does not, however, permit any “combination[] of letters or numbers that refer, in any language, to a ... religion” or “deity.” more >>

First Baptist Church in Brattleboro, Vt., is selling its Tiffany stained-glass window to continue helping the homeless.

The more than 100-year-old window, which depicts St. John the Divine, is being sold to help make necessary repairs in the building so that the church would be able to keep its homeless shelter open.

Cutting the pastor's hours and letting the custodian go didn't prove to be enough especially as the congregation was experiencing decreased membership and giving. more >>

Same-sex couples in Vermont began to marry on Tuesday after a law legalizing gay and lesbian marriage took effect.

As couples tied the knot at the stroke of midnight, the South Burlington, Vt.-based Ben & Jerry's ice cream company renamed their popular "Chubby Hubby" flavor to "Hubby Hubby."

"The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction, and something worth celebrating with peace, love – and plenty of ice cream," said Ben & Jerry’s CEO Walt Freese, according to the Boston Herald. more >>

The Vermont legislature overturned the governor's veto and legalized same-sex marriage on Tuesday.

The state Senate voted 23-5 to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto and the House voted 100-49 to override.

Douglas had vetoed the bill on Monday, saying the state's civil union law is sufficient in extending the same rights and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples and that he believes marriage should remain between a man and woman. more >>

Before Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas announced that he will veto a same-sex marriage bill, the majority of his letters and e-mails showed opposition to the measure.

Days after his announcement, most of his mail is now coming from same-sex marriage supporters who are critical of Douglas' pledge.

" ... your choice to veto is a slap in the face and a firm reminder that in your opinion, my partner and I are worth less than others simply because we are of the same gender," wrote a South Burlington man, according to The Associated Press which obtained the letters. more >>