The vehicle left the east side of the roadway and struck a tree head-on.
Teen, 16, dies when car hits tree
Guy Page
Guy Page is the editor and publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle.
Last minute amendment on truancy bill stirs concerns among homeschoolers
“We did take testimony on the entire notion that we have 5,000 kids in home study who we have zero knowledge of,” said Sen Kesha Ram-Hinsdale (D-Chittenden Southeast).
Lawyer: Sarah George failed to deputize, child abuse case should be dropped
Attorney Frank Twarog has filed a motion in Vermont Superior Court seeking dismissal of felony charges for child luring and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child against Kane Smart, husband to Sally Adams, the chief deputy state’s attorney under Sarah George.
House Republicans win two big floor battles enroute to Act 181 reform success
“It’s certainly a new feeling. In all of my 18 years, I can’t remember that happening,” Rep. Mark Higley (R-Lowell) told VDC this morning.
Jaw of Vermonter last seen fishing near White River Junction found in southern CT
Brinegar’s body was found April 24, 2001, at the Bellows Falls Dam, but Cranfield’s remains could not be located.
Steals and smashes cellphone from stranger at bus stop
Investigators said security camera footage showed Laku taking the phone from the victim and smashing it on the ground.
House, Senate tax committees to confer on property tax increase
The House bill calls for a seven percent property tax increase.
Woman charged with abusing 6-week-old child
The charges follow a months-long investigation into alleged abuse of an infant.
Young transient busted for truck theft, night of vehicle break-ins
The same 20-year-old transient is under arrest for stealing a truck and vandalizing and breaking into vehicles.
Correction: Turn VT Red location
Turn Vermont Red event today at Terra’s
Stannard: The Interview
Being interviewed by my grandson about my life was a first.
Car fire on highway
The affected road/wooded area was been temporarily closed for safety reasons.
Wealth tax fails. 181 repeal passes committee. Property tax showdown looms. $9.4 bil budget clears committee.
The Senate advanced H.9 voted down a floor amendment to H.933 that would have attached a high-income earner and investments tax proposal.
Breaking: Son of daycare operator charged with child cruelty
Pasquale willfully assaulted, unlawfully restrained, and ill-treated at least seven children — ages 12 to 24 months, CUSI said.
LC Chamber: 2026 Legislature, seen from 10,000 feet
As the era of abundant pandemic-era federal funding ends, the state is grappling with a $9.3 billion budget and shrinking revenues, as federal cuts and an aging tax base create immense mounting pressure.
Brother of deputy sheriff attempted murder case faces serious road rage charges
Brother of a Fletcher man facing an attempted murder charge this week for critically injuring a Franklin County deputy sheriff is now facing his own criminal charges including aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an accident for an unrelated incident.
Casinos, Tobacco $$, low birth rate among topics on Feedback Friday
We’ll discuss news in today’s Vermont Daily Chronicle – plus the Seven Days story by Colin Flanders asking why Vermont has such a low birth rate.
Rodgers, Wright guests at May 3 GOP dinner
Also scheduled to speak are Senate candidates Bruce Roy and Javen Sears.
Breaking: Former House member to challenge three incumbent Washington County senators
LaClair served as a Barre Town representative in the Vermont House from 2014-2022.
Coester seeks to oust Balint, again
In a telephone interview with VDC Monday, Coester said he hopes to improve on his first run, when he earned the most second-place votes since 2006.
Car fire damages McDonald’s restaurant
A vehicle waiting in the drive-through caught fire, but the operator was able to get out before the car became fully engulfed in flames.
Woman rescues children strapped into burning car – thanks God
Authorities said that at the time the fire started, two children — ages 4 and 7 — were strapped into child safety seats inside the vehicle.
Vermont is New England’s dairy powerhouse
Nearly half of New England’s dairy farms are in Vermont.
BREAKING: Patient helps disarm out-of-control woman with gun at St. Albans hospital
She was overpowered by a male patient in the waiting room.
Breaking: Distraught mom slashed throat, charged with killing her two children ages 6 & 7
The two children were found dead inside the residence, police said.
Deputy sheriff dragged by pickup truck critically injured
The deputy approached the vehicle and ordered Seagroves to shut off the engine and exit, but Seagroves instead drove south on Route 104 while the deputy was holding onto the truck’s door, police said.
State-mandated candidate finance disclosure form in limbo
This seems to reveal the heart of the issue: a fundamental disagreement between the Ethics Commission and the Secretary of State’s office over who should post the disclosure for candidates, with both offices either unwilling or understaffed to answer questions about the form for prospective candidates.
Opt-out for Smart Meters, new opt-in for school tax credit considered
Opt-in to the federal school contribution tax credit, opt-out of smart meters talk of the Legislature today.
White supremacist bites U.S. Marshal, bail $100,000: police, media reports
Palermo’s record includes child sex assault and cocaine trafficking.
House draft bill creates new tax on investment income
This new 4% VIP surtax would target investment income, such as capital gains and dividends, for individuals with total income over specific thresholds,
You set the agenda for Feedback Friday at 11:05 AM….
….but we have a few conversation starters culled from the headlines and a startling suggestion by a HOTP caller.
Suspected pickpocket of 80-year-old man arrested
Police say he went into Market 32 in Rutland and pickpocketed an 80 year old victim and stole their wallet while they were shopping.
Sarah George gives pass to six anti-ICE protesters police arrested last month
Several state troopers were seriously injured as they attempted to keep peace between the protestors and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Rav-4 driver dies in head-on crash
A westbound driver attempted to avoid the crash by swerving, but Vautrain also tried to return to his lane at the last moment, resulting in a head-on collision.
Public Safety Commissioner, VSP Director deplore Sarah George failure to charge anti-ICE protest arrestees
Individuals at the Dorset Street incident repeatedly stated that State’s Attorney George would not prosecute them for their behavior that day.
Segregation, not talent, prevents women from playing big league baseball, state-paid women’s advocate tells Legislature
Brown declined to answer a legislator’s question: ‘What is a woman?’
Teen charged after video shows he threw Bullet the Puppy
A video circulating online showed the suspect holding a puppy, identified as “Bullet,” and throwing it a distance out of view of the camera.
Cops seek man who threw a fit in store
The man became upset when an employee did not immediately comply with his request to dispose of trash.
Panhandling & prostitution/ Fatal DUI side-by-side crash/ Wrong-way freeway driver/Alpha male DUI bust
Cops hearing complaints about prostitution among transients. Early AM wrongway driver. Alpha male arrested for drunk driving.
Hanson: Trump just crushed Iran in 5 weeks
I know a lot of you have been exasperated by the reaction to the Iran war, from the Democratic grandees in the House and Senate, the liberal media.
Dismas House leader named Mother of the Year
After a stint in Bolivia with the Sisters of the Presentation, Black found motherhood to be a happier calling.
Twister hits town
90 MPH winds destroyed an old sugarhouse and sheared the tops off trees.
House passes education overhaul bill
Lawmakers emphasized that the bill does not mandate school district consolidation. Any mergers would remain voluntary and subject to local voter approval.
Sheriff faces new sex crime charges
The allegations claim Palmer, 39, of Windsor, paid a woman on multiple occasions to engage in sex acts and sent unsolicited sexual material to another woman.
Suspected fake cop pulling over drivers on I-89
A black Ford Explorer police interceptor with flashing amber and white lights was intimidating drivers and pulling vehicles over.
Pandemic school closures, new disease policies subject of online documentary tonight
A free online screening of the documentary 15 Days: The Real Story of America’s Pandemic School Closures on Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Baruth takes final shot at gun control legislation
S.329, “criminal procedures involving firearms,” was introduced today, Wednesday April 15.
UPDATE: Grand Isle County prosecutor ordered into court for suspected DUI
DiSabito is now the second elected state’s attorney among the 14 serving in Vermont to face a charge of DUI in just over two years.
Election Integrity Town Halls in Chester, at State House
Attend at the Fullerton Inn in Chester 6 PM Thursday, or at the Vermont State House noon Friday.
Main Street fentanyl den busted
A search of 296 South Main St. yielded evidence of drug use, drug distribution, and a firearms offense.
BREAKING: Grand Isle County prosecutor suspected of DUI
St. Albans City Police reportedly received a call around mid-day about DiSabito had arrived at Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans and may have been under the influence.
BREAKING: House chair supports Act 181 road rule repeal
“I’m looking at repealing the Road Rule and Tier Three,” Rep. Amy Sheldon, Chair of House Environment, said this afternoon.
Former Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie pens protest song targeting Act 181
Referencing a sharp increase in property taxes, the song opens: “Property taxes jumped forty-one percent in five years flat / While we’re bustin’ our backs just to keep the lights on, that’s a fact.”
Coordinated, brazen retail theft hits Kohl’s
Three individuals entered the store, filled shopping carts with merchandise, and then exited without attempting to pay.
Trump Jesus? Truth Social publishes controversial pic
The Truth Social posts are deeply troubling to Christians who have supported Trump for his pro-life stance and Supreme Court selections and his opposition to LGBTQ advocacy.
Supreme Court votes to suspend Vekos law license
Suspension follows her conviction for a driving while intoxicated arrest more than two years ago.
HOTP Feedback Friday: Who REALLY writes the big, controversial bills?
We’re seeing a pattern. Bills show up already polished, already supported, already moving. And it raises a bigger question: who helped write them?
FedEx driver killed in crash with beemer-driving teen – DUI suspected
Preliminary investigation indicates Vestal was at fault in the crash. Troopers reported observing signs of impairment and determined that Vestal had been operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Floor challenge looms as GOP, Guv, and rural Dems back Act 181 Road Rule, Tier 3 repeal
“Repeal the road rule and repeal Tier 3 this session. Trust has been broken,” Neil Ryan says.
School board passes communicable disease policy – VSU pushes back
According to the policy language, measures may include vaccination requirements for staff, mask wearing, social distancing, screening testing, quarantine and isolation protocols.
Elderly man solicits sex from women soliciting money, cops say
The man, driving a maroon vehicle, approached women who were soliciting money and allegedly offered payment in exchange for sexual acts.
Manfacturers’ concerns, fresh face in Senate race topix on Hot Off The Press this week
Listen on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and wdevradio.com. Listeners are invited to call in anytime at 802-244-1777.
Trump order would end universal mailed ballots
The executive order requires the United States Postal Service to deliver absentee and mail-in ballots only to voters included on those lists.
Scott laughs off Dem criticism that he’s to blame for high taxes, low affordability
In an exchange with Vermont Public reporter Peter Hirchfeld at last Wednesday’s press conference in the Vermont State House, Scott responded with laughter and testy answers to accusations that he, and not the Democrat majority, are responsible for the state’s increasing financial, housing, and affordability problems.
At Easter, Vermont Catholic Church welcomes many new converts
In a state with a declining birth rate and an aged population, data from the Diocese of Burlington indicates that conversions among adults are increasing at a rapid rate, and enrollment at Vermont Catholic schools is up.
Roper: House votes to spend another $83,000,000 on homeless
Time for new thinking — and maybe some new lawmakers — not just new money.
Murder victim’s mom lists suspected mentally ill killers, urges secure forensic facility
Elijah Compagna was found not competent and deemed dangerous, yet was placed in a community-based group home in 2025. While there, he was able to lure a young woman into the home and stab her to death — in a setting not designed or staffed to manage that level of risk – just one example of a pattern of inadequate state care for the dangerously mentally ill, Carroll said.
Watch Artemis/Orion flight LIVE
This stream started as Artemis II began its ascent into space and will conclude shortly before Orion splashes down into the Pacific Ocean.
Poll: Majority of VTers non-religious, want church/state separation
Currently, 67% of Vermonters report they never attend religious services, with only 9% attending weekly or more.
You can work from home, labor board tells state employees
“The State has refused to bargain in good faith and interfered with employees’ exercise of rights…., through unilaterally implementing changes to telework protocols,” The VRLB said.
BREAKING: Convicted drug dealer loses race for Alburgh Selectboard
The two men, both running as write-in candidates on Vermont Town Meeting Day, had tied 144-144 forcing the run-off election.
Motorcyle gang Easter egg hunt a misfit for selectboard
The Select Board cited several concerns, including public safety, police relations, and, perhaps most memorably, wardrobe choices.
Orleans County Senate candidate steps away
“It all came down to fundraising. It was disheartening,” Bathalon told VDC on Sunday.
Have you moved out of VT? Thinking about it? Tell us why on HOTP today
We talk with people who have left Vermont, or are thinking about it, on Hot Off The Press on WDEV at 11:05 AM today. Call us at 802-244-1777.
Smokies nab homeless woman suspected of hitting cop with car/ Man threatens to ‘take out’ first responders
Police say Tardif made threats about using firearms against responding troopers before their arrival. When officers reached the scene, they secured a victim inside the home and encountered Tardif outside, where he allegedly refused commands and resisted arrest.
Homeless rumble behind church
The back lot of a church with a history of housing Montpelier’s homeless was the site of a violent fracas Saturday evening.
3 children, adult struck by suspected impaired driver
Police said Stanley’s vehicle struck a parked car and then hit four pedestrians.
BREAKING: Chittenden Sheriff seeks re-election
The 45-year law enforcement veteran leads one of the busiest and most diverse agencies in the state.
Two men busted for Jolley-Stewart’s armed robberies
Clapper and Marrier were jailed without bail.
Vermont only state without secure treatment facility for violent offenders who can’t stand trial
The victim’s mother wrote that S.193 “missed crossover after valuable committee time was spent on the Burlington ICE hearing instead of advancing time-sensitive public safety legislation.”
Citing ICE ‘brutal agenda,’ Welch votes no on Mullin
“We can’t have a repeat of what happened in Minneapolis, where ICE terrorized a city and killed two people,” Welch said, referring to the incidents. He added that he could not support a nominee who would “continue to carry out this brutal agenda.”
Feedback Friday at 11:05 AM – Call in 802-244-1777
House Majority says no to tax credit, yes to Wealth Tax vote, and takes $1.7 million in local revenue for property tax reappraisal.
Feds arrest Migrant Justice leader on 9 felony counts
Feds say he Migrant Justice leader they call Nacho smuggled people across international borders and fraudulently obtained Vermont identification documents for people living outside Vermont.
Dems praise House bills passed, GOP slams 7% property tax increase
Pay attention to THIS, House Dems say. No, pay attention to THAT, GOP says.
School transportation costs rising, bus drivers scarce
Within a new governance structure of fewer, larger districts, the state might contemplate statewide requirement for districts to provide transportation to all students who live one mile from the school (elementary) and two miles from the school (secondary).
Craftsbury library awarded $25k in honor of 1975 Boston Red Sox
These days, he and his wife Diana can be found at the white clapboard building off Craftsbury Common at least several times a week.
Before big Act 181 reform rally, key Democrat senator supports road rule repeal
Some senators want to repeal the road rule. Others seek to delay implementation until 2030.
Supreme Court rules for state trooper over State House protestor
After warning her, Zorn used a “rear wristlock” technique—placing her arm behind her back and applying pressure—to lift her to her feet.
Masked man threatens clerk, demands cash
The incident occurred shortly after midnight when a masked man entered the store, displayed a weapon, threatened the clerk and demanded money.
Hartford CT fugitive from justice busted in prison
Ayala, 34, of Hartford had an extraditable arrest warrant out of the state of Connecticut for a parole violation.
New wetlands mapping covers 45% of VT – how about your town?
The wetlands updates are required by the Flood Safety Act, Act 121, passed in 2024.
Ram Hinsdale: Where 100% of Vermonters agree
This isn’t about urban versus rural. Every part of Vermont depends on working lands, housing, open space, and economic opportunity.
Repeal Act 181 protest noon Tuesday
Act 181 opponents home to fill the State House lawn Tuesday at noon.
Elderly driver dies in collision during spring blizzard
The impact caused catastrophic damage to Pellerin’s vehicle, with the cab separating from the frame.
Pay Act boosts state salaries – guv to earn $243,520
Salary increases for Vermont’s statewide elected officials are moving forward as part of a broader biennial bill that adjusts state employee wages based on collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
Roper: VT Democrats have a rural voter problem. Clinging to Act 181 won’t help
The ‘Cave Dwellers’ are catching on.
Pass Save America Act – call senators NOW!
Call your senators and Sens. Thune and Fetterman – phone numbers provided.
Drag Queen Story Hour canceled due to security concerns
Beeman Elementary has canceled the entire DEI unit due to alleged communications that threaten the safety of students and staff.
Vergennes man pleads innocent to human trafficking
Memoli has a sex crime record going back as far as 2008.
Cops take down barricaded assault suspect with non-lethal munitions
Belmore threw a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder at police then advanced on them with a blunt metal object.
