As the wanted car fled, it collided with a vehicle traveling south.
ICE raids South Burlington home
Pit bull kills elderly man
Family members were inside the home at the time of the attack, including the dog’s owner, who was able to stop the attack and secure the animal, police said.
Parents seek accountability after son’s fatal motorcycle crash
The Messenger states that according to a crash report from the State of Vermont, Paradee was traveling north on Duffy Hill Road when a vehicle entering the intersection from Taylor Branch Road allegedly failed to stop and struck the motorcycle.
VT Headlines: Sarah George announces re-election bid
Man killed by dog in Essex, Vermont; State liaison working to lower health care costs at UVM Medical Center; Legal concerns slow effort to limit Vermont National Guard’s role in foreign wars
A satirical website is promoting phony bus tours of VT ICE facilities. But is it funny?
An anonymous group is spending real money to advertise fictional guided tours of Chittenden County’s very real DHS infrastructure. Seven Days says the tours are coming. The creators aren’t talking.
Vax bill passes House, Burtt amendment rejected by roll call
The Vermont House Tuesday morning gave preliminary approval to H.545, the vaccine bill rejecting the federal vaccine guidelines proposed by AHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. It also voted against the bill’s proposed [Rep. Greg of Cabot] Burtt amendment, requiring more parental information about child vaccination.
Lawmakers target AI in health care and mental health services
Lawmakers are weighing two bills – H.814 and H.816 – that would create a new set of protections from neurotechnology in Vermont and regulate usage of artificial intelligence in mental health services, respectively.
VT Senate examines new Investment Income Tax
The discussion centered on S.282, legislation that would introduce several tax changes affecting upper-income taxpayers. The bill’s centerpiece is a 4% “wealth proceeds tax” on investment income, modeled on the federal 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.
Drag Queen Story Hour scheduled at elementary school
The DQSH is part of an “identity unit” DEI week at Beeman Elementary School in New Haven.
War Department continues support for Scouting America after policy changes
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the decision followed discussions between Pentagon officials and the organization’s leadership regarding compliance with Executive Order 14173, signed Jan. 21, 2025. The order, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” directs federal agencies to ensure that programs connected to federal funding or support do not include race- or sex-based preferences or policies the administration considers discriminatory.
Kranichfeld won’t run in Franklin County
May run for Chittenden County State’s Attorney
State trooper hurt in crash
4:34 p.m. on Vermont Route 279.
Walker was operating with his lights and siren activated near the intersection with Kocher Drive when his cruiser was involved in a collision with a second vehicle.
VT Headlines: Mad River ice jam still stuck in Moretown
First Democrat announces run for Vermont governor; Beta Technologies selected for federal pilot program, set to fly in Vermont this year; Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games kick off in Wilmington; Zach Weight announces run for Franklin County State’s Attorney
Vax parental consent rejected; trapping bill watered down; purple paint posting a priority
Vermont’s lawmakers are all back from their Town Meeting break and bracing for Crossover Week, when bills (with a few exceptions) must be voted out of committee in order to proceed to passage this year. Here are just a handful of developments as of this morning.
Roper: Nothing’s funnier than politicians discussing ethics legislation
When “shining a light” is a blinding distraction.
Swenson: Vermont’s fiscal reckoning is already here
Vermont keeps buying time. The structural problems keep compounding.
Environment committee members cry foul after chair shuts down vote on land conservation bill
According to members of the committee and available footage, a motion was seemingly made and the committee adjourned without addressing it. However, the Chair of the committee denies breaking any rules.
Page: Burlington’s new Sanctuary District?
Echoes of dystopia: Sanctuary Districts in DS9 and Burlington’s permanent homeless pods
Flood plain properties uninsured
Only about 12 percent of structures carry flood insurance compared to approximately 60 percent of eligible properties nationwide with National Flood Insurance Program policies.
Share your Covid story at State House public hearing
Six years after our state was locked down and government officials imposed mitigation measures to “slow the spread” and “flatten the curve” of the Covid-19 virus, Vermonters are finally being invited inside the statehouse to share how the restrictions imposed by our local government officials impacted their lives.
State House comic book unveiled for Civic Learning Week
This week (March 9 – 13) is Civic Learning Week, an annual nationwide nonpartisan event that brings together students, educators, policymakers, and leaders in the public and private sectors to highlight and promote the movement for civic education.
Woman dies weeks after crash on icy road
The driver lost traction on black ice on a curve.
VT Headlines: New recovery shelter opening in Burlington
Vermont child care inspectors undercount ‘serious’ violations, audit finds; Ice jam builds in Mad River Valley near Moretown and Waitsfield; Leadership change at Vermont National Guard as some members remain deployed overseas; Vermont Senator Alison Clarkson retiring at end of session
School tuition choice lawsuit, Medicaid fraud, crossover on Hot Off The Press Today
Lots of news to talk about today, Monday March 9, on Hot Off The Press on AM 550, FM 96.1, Wdevradio.com at 11:05 AM. Call us at 802-244-1777.
Congress demands Medicaid fraud info from Scott, Human Services secretary
The move comes as federal lawmakers raise concerns that Vermont’s $2.3 billion program may be vulnerable to the same “industrial-scale” fraud recently uncovered in states like Minnesota.
Contractor registry, ratepayer disconnection, free ID for pre-trial inmates face Crossover scrutiny
This week is the last opportunity for new bills to pass between chambers, so this means that time is limited and committees often work long hours with few breaks. However, this excludes “must-pass” bills, like the budgets, which are given extra time.
Letter: Lynn on Voter ID law
Vermont is one of only fourteen states that don’t have any requirement for voter ID when voting.
CLG: UK has just TWO DAYS’ worth of natural gas stored
Wall Street braces for huge sell-off as oil hits highest level in four years and gas prices hit $8-a-gallon; Kansas City International Airport is evacuated as passengers flee on to tarmac and flights are grounded; Trump says ending Iran war will be ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu; Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba is confirmed as Iran’s next Supreme Leader
Lawsuit claims Act 73 narrows tuition school choice
The lawsuit, filed in Vermont Superior Court, argues the new law significantly narrows that option and violates the Vermont Constitution by arbitrarily limiting which schools families can choose.
Vermont braces for prolonged energy pain as Iran conflict halts global oil flows
Vermont produces six times less energy than it consumes and depends on trucked-in petroleum for both transportation and home heating.
Keelan: Why I would not build residential rental housing
The Vermont political leadership, at the federal, state, and local levels (except for Governor Phil Scott’s administration), has made numerous announcements about how they wish to control residential rental housing in Vermont. They have made it their mission to stigmatize those who are residential rental landlords with comments such as, “they are gouging their tenants, making huge profits while providing minimum services.”
Chamber: Vermont’s economic moment is now
From planning to policy
Hospital nurse pleads innocent to fentanyl fraud
Brittney Roberts, also known as Brittney Metivier, 36, of Barre, was arraigned March 5 in Vermont Superior Court on one felony count of fraud or deceit involving a regulated drug.
Springfield and state police raid 78 Valley Street again
State fire safety officials revoked occupancy in residence.
VTDigger editor leaves – 4th editor in 16 months starts work in June
Anand succeeded interim editor Neal Goswami. His predecessor, Paul Heintz, departed in February, 2025. When Susan Allen starts work in June, she will be the fourth editor-in-chief in 16 months at VTDigger.
Detransition conference invites VT participation
Organizers say the conference is particularly relevant for Vermonters because debates over gender identity policies in schools, health care and government in the Green Mountain State have intensified in recent years.
‘Burtt Amendment’ to vax bill urged
The amendment is expected to be considered when H.545 returns to the House floor, potentially on Tuesday.
VT Headlines: Barre nurse charged with drug offenses
Audit finds widespread inconsistency and delays in oversight of Vermont’s child care facilities; Dorset community fundraiser for Grand Kyiv Ballet of the Ukraine; Annual Spice on Snow music festival returns to Montpelier
Noem ousted as secretary of Homeland Security
Sen. Pete Welch said Noem’s leaving office is overdue.
Mail carrier cited for discarding mail in dumpster
A mail carrier has been cited on multiple theft and unlawful mischief charges after allegedly discarding mail in a dumpster on a regular basis dating back to October 2025.
Call in at 802-244-1777 at 11:05 to Feedback Friday
The crooks know our seniors are susceptible to fraud.
Blotter: DUI, domestic assaults
State and local police busy with DUI, domestic abuse cases this month.
Police seek senior fraud, burglary suspect
Police say the suspect is believed to have entered apartments in a 55-and-older residential community and taken property belonging to residents.
Grand Isle driver pleads innocent to attempted murder of deputy sheriff
Deputy sheriff continues to recover from injuries
AI data center construction could be prohibited until 2030
S.205 would ban centers over 100 megawatts while their energy use and water consumption is studied
In an age of online learning, could driving follow suit?
Students and experts offer testimony on a bill that would allow for online driver education
Staying connected when the grid fails
Mesh networks like Meshtastic offer Vermont a potential practical backup for communication during storms and outages
Rally for veteran charged with domestic terrorism
Millet was charged following comments authorities allege he made during a phone call to the Veterans Crisis Line, the national suicide prevention hotline for military veterans.
Valley: We’re subsidizing Ghost Town schools
Colchester taxpayers are absorbing double-digit tax hikes to heat, plow, and staff half-empty buildings in rural counties that have lost 40% of their students but flat-out refuse to consolidate.
Two towns close schools/ ICE feared at non-citizen voting polls/ Woodstock votes new school
In Burlington, poll workers and an education non-profit kept watch for federal immigration agents during Town Meeting Day voting.
VT Headlines: Jasper Hill, others take home top awards at World Championship Cheese Contest
Winooski police look for driver involved in hit-and-run with pedestrian; Barre school budget fails; why board member says he’s not surprised; Vermont governor kicks off maple season in Canaan; Delegation asks FEMA to explain why it denied aid for Vermont’s 2025 flooding damage
Corrections medical contractor legally under fire for inmate death
Lawsuit claims Wellpath negligence killed Vermont inmate with untreated diabetes
Deputy sheriff hit, dragged by vehicle in South Hero
Driver flees, but caught in Grand Isle
Diagnosing an intriguing historical mystery
This spring, VHS collections staff are focusing intensely on the items we’ve selected for the “50 for 250” project. One of these objects is a cane that was present at the famous St. Alban’s Raid, the northernmost Confederate action in the Civil War.
Two men jailed on drug, eluding charges after police chase
Officers reported finding a large amount of cash, a small quantity of crack cocaine and a jar of petroleum jelly inside the vehicle.
Rutland voters rise above write-in chaos, pick Donahue as mayor
Donahue, following a long career in public life in Rutland, notably gained an endorsement from Governor Phil Scott.
Roper: What’s the cost of VT joining NY’s (still non-existent) Cap & Invest carbon tax scheme?
A newly leaked memo says over $4000 per household, $2.23/gal “tax” on gasoline.
Cohen: Bernie socialists accused of spreading lies about maple syrup to win a political contest
Politics in Vermont’s largest city not so sweet
VT Headlines: Winooski elects Thomas Renner as “Vermont’s first black Mayor”
Towns take the temperature on support for universal health care; Vermont voters say they can barely take another property tax hike
Town Meeting: School budget votes mixed, first VT black mayor elected
Meanwhile, residents in Waterbury overwhelmingly approved spending more than $4.3 million on a flood mitigation project aimed at protecting homes, businesses and infrastructure from future disasters.
Readers: I need YOUR help with Town Meeting issue this morning
If you know if your local school budget passed or failed, email results and (if you have them) totals RIGHT NOW to news@vermontdailychronicle.com.
Why a new juvenile safety bill doesn’t address the cost of empty beds
Vermont spends 72% of its child welfare budget on out-of-home placements, the third-highest in the US. It’s spending is fourth-lowest on preventive services at 2% and second-lowest on child protection
Letters: Fernandez on Behind Operation Epic Fury
Also, Mazur on Arab cooperation against Iran. McCormick on needing 3 more Republican Senators.
Vermont’s restoration of wild turkeys to be celebrated April 18 in Pawlet
The restoration of wild turkeys in Vermont is one of the Fish and Wildlife Department’s most notable wildlife restoration efforts. It began on February 28, 1969, when wild turkeys were live-trapped by the department’s former turkey biologist William Drake in southwestern New York and stocked in Pawlet, Vermont.
Woman run over by dump truck dies of abdominal trauma
The woman had been brought to Copley Hospital by a friend after suffering significant abdominal trauma.
Warner: Mid-Vermont Girls Basketball falls to #1 Richford but still wins big
The Barre Auditorium was heating up despite punishingly cold winter conditions outside. The number four seed Mid-Vermont Christian School (MVCS) Eagles took on the number one Richford Falcons in a battle of high soaring offenses and tight clawing defenses.
Maine Senate candidate and veteran Graham Platner holds momentum with Bernie backing
The contest to pick a challenger to five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins has become a proxy war for the future of the Democratic Party, and Vermont’s own Bernie Sanders is at the center of it.
VT Headlines: Judge considers competency for accused shooter of three Palestinian students
Wrongful death lawsuit filed by family of man who died following injury in Vermont prison; One person taken to helicopter after rescue from Saxtons River; Vermont fighter pilots deployed to Iran, officials confirm
Town with closed school seeks no-confidence vote in state’s school funding system
Windham Elementary School has been closed since 2023, when financial, staffing and legal troubles led the Town to shutter the school and tuition children to nearby Townsend. Town Meeting voters in 2024 opted to sell the asbestos-ridden building to the Town for $1 for possible use as a community center. According to the Commons, the community newspaper for Windham County, school voters will be asked to approve a two percent funding increase.
Winooski ballot item proposes a $950,000 renovation for Police Department and City Hall
The bulk of the $950,000 would be spent on the police department to address the lingering asbestos and black mold issue
Towns across Vermont will hold town meetings today, but Vershire is not among them.
Vershire officials postponed town meeting to Saturday, April 11 after the town failed to comply with state law that requires town reports to be distributed to the voters of the town at least 10 days before town meeting.
U.S. Supreme Court delivers victory for parental rights
Supreme Court rules that California cannot hide children’s gender transitions from parents; landmark decision protects parental rights nationwide
Galfetti property tax freeze gets cold shoulder in tax committee
With an estimated 12 percent increase to property tax rates looming and school budget votes knocking on our doors, a Vermont House committee briefly discussed a bill to freeze property taxes.
CLG: More money to fund war with Iran? Speaker Mike Johnson hints at vote
Trump promises swift retaliation for drone attack on U.S. embassy and deaths of service members as Americans told to flee 15 countries amid ‘major uptick’ in strikes; Israel strikes Lebanon following Hezbollah attacks, widening Iran conflict; Oil tanker attacked off coast of U.S. ally; Moscow condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran
UVM Home Health & Hospice volunteers help redefine end of life care
Among the longest‑serving hospice volunteers in the nation, Charlotte Kenney, Jan Watt and Lil Venner have each devoted more than 45 years to UVM Health – Home Health & Hospice because, they say, helping patients and their families make the most of the time they have left of this earth is a privilege, rooted in grace and connection.
Chief Swanson demotion hearing shrouded in secrecy
Ground rules are out for hearing; Trustees plan to keep decision a secret
Vermont group says no to fed fluoride changes
The Vermont Environmental Justice Network is among more than 140 organizations supporting comments filed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry opposing a proposed fluoride assessment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Letters: Mazur on Iran attack, Thayer on Rutland mayor race
Petraeus had one caution: leadership succession. Unless one emerges that is counter to current leadership, Iran will remain a threat.
Mid-Vermont Christian girls Reach hoop semis
Shut out of tourney play because they wouldn’t play against a team with a male player, Mid-Vermont Christian was reinstated after a court settlement and is now vying for the state championship.
Fatal crashes down nationwide, up in Vermont
Eight states bucked the national trend. Vermont recorded a 5% increase in traffic fatalities, joining Hawaii (+25%), Wyoming (+12%), Kansas (+10%), New Mexico (+8%), Idaho (+7%), Louisiana (+5%) and Colorado (+3%).
BREAKING: Gen. ‘Raisin’ Cain praises Green Mountain Boys role in attack on Iran
In the case of the Vermont Air National Guard and the 15th fighter wing, they were mobilized for Operation Absolute Resolve, and then were tasked to take their F-35As across the Atlantic, instead of going home, in order to be prepared for this operation,” Cain said.
VT Headlines: Woodstock Village Trustees to hold second hearing on police chief’s demotion
Protest in BTV over Iran strike/ Faith leaders rally in South Burlington for immigrant support/ Vermonters rally outside ICE facility in Williston as part of nationwide protest
Why drug dealers keep coming back to Vermont — and why nobody’s solution is working
Vermont’s drug trafficking problem is getting worse. The two-sided debate over what to do about it shows that both parties are right — and both ignoring the pieces that don’t fit their argument.
Sales tax on services would net $497 million, state report says
If the Legislature seizes on the JFO report to enact a broadbased sales tax on services, the state’s next budget could hit $10,000,000,000 – its first-ever 11 figure budget.
Immigrant students could get more protections under new bill
Increased ICE presence has caused a ripple effect across the entire state, according to Winooski Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria.
Post-pandemic, more Vermonters are voting by Australian ballot for Town Meeting
Paper ballots make voting easier but take away the ability to “change each other’s minds,” expert says.
$18,000 to translate a 12-page Vermont policing policy
During a recent budget hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Vermont officials cited a specific example of what multilingual access can cost: approximately $18,000 to translate one statewide policy into 13 languages and produce an American Sign Language (ASL) video version.
BREAKING: Drescher and Nolan hear first Vermont Supreme Court cases
Vermont’s two newest Supreme Court justices hit the ground running Wednesday — their first day for hearing appeals since they were confirmed by the Vermont Senate this month.
Campus group founded by activist Mahdawi urges “Death to America” following attack on Iran
CUAD wrote on X: ‘Marg bar Amrika.’ In Persian, the statement means ‘Death to America.’
Vote to close school in Windham County
Small town faces small school closure at Town Meeting.
Delinquent taxes spike town tax rate despite budget cuts
The Town of Cambridge cut municipal spending, but paying taxpayers are still looking at a big tax hike.
Rutland Mayor Election Focus: Tom Donahue, Robert Reynolds talk growth, taxes
Donahue: longtime alderman, endorsed by Gov. Phil Scott. Reynolds: electrician and entrepreneur. Just two of the candidates in the all-write-in election for Rutland mayor.
Gov. Scott will vote no on Town Meeting school budget
“At this point I will be voting no,” Scott said, citing a projected increase of $250/$100,000 of home values.
Suspected drug trafficker, child abuser sought in theft of 20 firearms
Emerson is already wanted on a $25,000 warrant for failure to appear in court on outstanding fentanyl trafficking and child abuse charges.
Mid Vermont Christian girls back in VPA hoop tournament
Three years after being banned from all extracurricular activities, including sports by the Vermont Principals’ Association, the Mid Vermont Christian School is headed back to the post season girls basketball tournament.
Mother: Addict son needs treatment, not prison
When you have self-worth and purpose, you build self-respect. You learn respect for others. You become a productive member of society. That is what most people struggling with substance use disorder truly want.
Wrong-way driver charged with murder
Wooster had been traveling north in the southbound lanes for about 1.5 miles before colliding head-on with a southbound vehicle.
VT Headlines: Sarah George refuses to press charges against protesters arrested in Williston
Dredging project along Burlington’s waterfront continues to keep marinas safe and functional; CVU families to vote on $13 million improvement project; Montpelier mayor’s race uncontested, but questions about infrastructure, housing loom
Douglass: Seven Days? How about Seven Hours?
I am seeking corrections or the removal of the story and I have filed an ethics complaint with the management of Seven Days. Errors are common and mistakes happen, but not in these amounts. But I’ll leave you with one last thought, would Alison have reported about me if I had gotten a job at McDonalds or a gas station or really anywhere else than at her competition?
Bill offers pre-k mental health
During recent House Health Care Committee discussion on H.817, a bill that proposes to provide optional mental health literacy and peer-to-peer mental health clubs in public schools.
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