Vermont reporters provide a roundup of top news takeaways about the coronavirus and more for Tuesday, April 20.
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The latest coronavirus data (Editor's note: The Vermont Health Department says it will not update this information on April 20):
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1. Brattleboro hotel housing those without shelter placed under quarantine for COVID-19
A hotel in Brattleboro housing those without shelter during the pandemic has been placed under quarantine after two residents tested positive for COVID-19.
TheBrattleboro Reformer reports the Quality Inn and Conference Center is serving about 90 clients under a state program that provides hotel and motel rooms to those who are housing insecure.
The quarantine is expected to last about two weeks. Clients are discouraged from leaving and a sheriff has been posted outside.
Staff are allowed inside and are delivering food multiple times a day.
- Brittany Patterson
More than 18,000 Vermonters made vaccine appointments over the last three days
Over 18,000 people made vaccination appointments over the last three days, as the state opened COVID-19 vaccines to all residents 16 and older.
16 to 18 year olds were allowed to sign up starting on Saturday, those 19 to 29 could sign up Monday morning.
Over 52% of Vermonters 16 and older have received at least one shot so far.
- Henry Epp
2. COVID-19 relief package becomes law without governor's signature
A sweeping COVID-19 aid package has become law without Gov. Phil Scott's signature.
The $104 million bill contains funding for a wide range of needs in Vermont. That includes millions for affordable housing and other infrastructure, help for struggling businesses and money to expand mental health services.
VTDigger reports Scott refused to sign the bill because it also contains a provision to tax some business loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
But Scott said he did allow it to become law because it "contains urgently needed funds for Vermonters."
The aid package also uses some funding from the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act, something Scott also says he disagrees with.
-Brittany Patterson
3. Second gentleman to travel to Vermont Wednesday
The second gentleman of the United States will travel to Vermont Wednesday, according a press release.
Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice-President Kamala Harris, will be in Burlington. Emhoff’s office did not release any details about why he was visiting or what events he would hold. A spokesperson for his office said additional details would be released closer to his visit.
- Liam Elder-Connors
4. Citizens group submits petition to designate Lake Memphremagog as "lake in crisis"
A citizen's group calling for greater protection of Lake Memphremagog has delivered its petition to the Agency of Natural Resources.
The group, Don't Undermine Memphremagog's Purity, or DUMP, submitted some 3,800 signatures to Secretary Julie Moore on Friday.
The petition calls on the state to designation Memphremagog a "Lake in Crisis."
The group hopes that label will provide for better planning and more resources to address ecosystem and water quality concerns throughout the watershed.
- Matthew Smith
5. Vermont State Police ID two people who died in Charlotte's Lewis Creek
Vermont State Police have identified the two people who died after the boat they were in with their 3-year-old grandson capsized in Lewis Creek near Charlotte.
Police identified the victims as 70-year-old Martha Illick and 71-year-old Terrence Dinnan.
Fishermen reported the bodies to police shortly after noon on Monday, in the creek near Spear Street.
Police said the boy had been wearing a life vest when the boat overturned. He was able to make it to shore and was found in a vehicle outside of the nearby home of his grandparents after a brief search.
Police say neither Illick nor Dinnan were wearing life vests.
- Associated Press
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