In the face of a recent spate of heroin overdoses and growing fears that, in addition to fentanyl-laced heroin, a more dangerous version of the drug called carfentanyl is poised to move into the state, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Health Commissioner Harry Chen, M.D., announced Aug. 25 that the Department of Health has issued a…

For the second year in a row, the University of Vermont welcomes an incoming class with record-breaking academic credentials. Topping the Class of 2019’s high scores, the incoming Class of 2020 earned an average 3.64 GPA and SAT scores in critical reading and mathematics of 1206. Additionally, a record 39 Vermont students who earned Green…

PLYMOUTH—Recently 10 ladies of the W2W cancer support group gathered for their 10th annual day of kayaking, picnicking and swimming on the beautiful grounds of Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort in Plymouth, Vt. W2W (Woman to Woman) is an open support group for women of all ages who have been diagnosed, at any time in their…

At 12 p.m. on Aug. 25, Vermont State Police received a request for assistance from fire/rescue personnel who were responding to the area of Hamilton Falls on Hamilton Falls Road in Jamaica, Vt., for a 17-year-old male who had gone over the upper falls to the middle pool (there are three pools in the falls).…

WAITSFIELD—On Friday morning, Aug. 19 at 9:40 a.m., Vermont State Police in Middlesex received a call from a male who was swimming at the Lareau Swimming Hole, located just off Route 100 in Waitsfield. The  caller advised dispatch he had located a body at the bottom of the swimming hole. Troopers and detectives responded to the…

Not buckling up, driving impaired and speeding are lead causes Highway fatalities to date on Vermont roads have nearly doubled compared to this time last year, according to an Aug. 26 news release from the state. The majority of the fatal crashes have involved non-use or improper seatbelt usage, speeding, and/or driving under the influence…

KILLINGTON—On Aug. 27, 2016, at approximately 2:59 a.m. troopers from the Vermont State Police-Rutland Barracks, the Killington Police Department, Killington Fire Department and Regional Ambulance Service responded to a two-vehicle crash with injuries on US Route 4 near the intersection of Mission Farm Road in Killington. Preliminary investigation revealed Amin J. James, age 36 of…

WEATHERSFIELD—On Aug. 24, 2016, at approximately 9:29 p.m., the Vermont State Police responded to a single motorcycle crash on Weathersfield Center Road, in the town of Weathersfield, Vt. Upon investigation police reported that a Weathersfield police officer had attempted to stop, Nathaniel Watkins, who was driving a 2005 Honda Shadow Motorcycle, for a speeding violation.…

Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.—POULTNEY—Rockey R. Robbins, associate professor at the University of Oklahoma, will be the keynote speaker for Green Mountain College’s 2016 convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. in Ackley Hall. Robbins’ address is titled “Education for the Well Being of the Land and the People.” “Education should derive first…

By Julia Purdy PITTSFORD—Chittenden Road will be closed to through traffic from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 and possibly over the Labor Day weekend, according to Town Manager John Haverstock, although he hopes that will not be the case. The work is being done near the Newton Farm on Chittenden Road, north of the intersection…

CLARENDON—On Aug. 28, 2016, Troopers from the Rutland Barracks responded to a home burglary at a residence on Quarterline Road in Clarendon, Vt. owned by John and Kristine Lee. Investigation found that someone had entered the home through a window that housed an air conditioning unit, sometime on Aug. 27 or Aug. 28. Eight firearms,…

In 2015, our nation lost over 35,000 lives on our roadways; 57 of those were in Vermont. Impairment by alcohol, drugs or both were a contributing factor in almost half of last year’s fatal crashes in Vermont. Vermont law enforcement is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Governor’s Highway Safety…

On Aug. 28 at 9:33 a.m. Vermont State Police responded to a report of a car that had crashed in the median and was on fire on I-91, at mile marker 49N, in Weathersfield, Vt. After the initial investigation, police reported that Alexander Romanow, age 79 from Brick, N.J., had been traveling north in a…

RUTLAND—Over the past four months, the College of St. Joseph “found” an additional academic building by transforming the 200-year-old wood-framed carriage house for academic use. Green Mountain Power worked with the school’s maintenance director Tom Beland to gut the building, install LED lighting and central air conditioning and heat pumps. Interim college president Larry Jensen…

Mad Hatter Cafe has new owner POULTNEY—Emily Sumner is buying the Mad Hatter Cafe on Main Street in Poultney, from Serena Gallagher. A year-and-a-half old, the Mad Hatter began life as a clothing store under the name Button before changing its name and business structure to that of a cafe and gift emporium for handmade…