The man who police say kidnapped a woman and threatened to pour gas on her and light her on fire is on the loose, whereabouts unknown.
UPDATED: Accused kidnapper makes bail, disappears – then turns himself in
Guy Page
Guy Page is the editor and publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle.
Miro exploring run for governor
If he runs for governor again, Phil Scott could face a Democrat mirror-image of himself: businessman, homebuilder, fiscally responsible, political-moderate-for-a-Vermont Democrat Miro Weinberger.
Motorcycle group speeds, crowds, tailgates cars, with no cops to stop them
A reckless ‘gang’ of 15-20 motorcyclists terrified motorists in rural Morgan Saturday. With one exception, there were no police nearby to stop them.
Students learn building skills, old farmhouse renovated – ‘win-win’ says Scott
“We’ll train the next generation of plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, and renovating this home will benefit Newport and its future homeowner,” said Scott.
Alleged stalker injures second cop in two weeks, then released by judge / Retail theft suspect pulls knife on cops
After approaching officers with a brick, a suspected stalker with 17 recent police interactions injured a Burlington cop, was arrested – and then released by a judge.
Lawyer who won Randolph locker room lawsuit to speak at Faith Summit
The Alliance Defending Freedom lawyer who earned a big settlement for a Randolph family targeted by transgender activist educators has joined the growing list of distinguished speakers at the second annual Restoring Our Faith Summit.
Fired Woodstock coach gets day in court
A Woodstock snowboarding coach fired for discussing transgenderism with a student is suing the school for infringing on his First Amendment rights.
Burlington Mayor Miro won’t run again
Weinberger blamed the city’s growing crime and drug problem in part on the city council’s ill-considered decision to reduce Burlington Police Department funding.
Burlington Police Chief: Overdoses this year at “unconscionable levels”
Drug verdoses in Burlington have more than doubled this year. The figure could top 500 by year’s end, by far the most in a single year.
Kayaker charged as coke dealer
Charged in federal court, an alleged kayaking cocaine dealer would get a minimum five-year sentence if found guilty.
Fixing Burlington
“The emperor is not only naked, he just took a dump in front of the old YMCA,” Seven Days Publisher Paula Routly wrote this week. We make 10 suggestions to clean up the mess.
Public not welcome, but lawmakers are Vermont energy summit
So what if Vermont GHG emissions down and our state is three-quarters carbon dioxide-sucking forest. Lawmakers and unelected influencers meeting behind closed doors this week still favor the stick over the carrot.
Home electrical panel will need upgrade for heat pumps, etc.
The State of Vermont is offering $20 million to upgrade home electrical panels so that they can withstand the increased electrification of home appliances, heating, cars, and more.
New England ‘ratepayer advocates’ mum on solar power impact to consumers
Ratepayer advocates aren’t saying much about the connection between high solar power usage and high monthly power bills.
Car just misses kids getting off school bus
A fatal motorcycle accident, and a reckless driver who almost struck kids getting off a school bus.
Armed robbery/ ammo mag bust/ another child sex assault
Busts armed robbery, child sex assault, and possession of large capacity ammunition magazine.
Evslin: What’s more dangerous, AI or Elon Musk?
I don’t think we should attempt to put either the genius or the genie back in the bottle. We will have to watch them both.
Kinsley: Climate Accords put America in the Prisoner’s Dilemma
We are in a global Prisoner’s Dilemma. Will other countries sell us out and leave us holding the Climate Change bag?
Bezos ex-wife gives $20 mil to Vermont housing non-profit
A Vermont housing non-profit will receive millions from the philanthropist ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Child sex assault suspect released, approaches victim – and gets released again
Police say a North Pownal man sexually assaulted a child, was released on bail, violated conditions by approaching the child’s home, and was released again by a judge in Bennington County.
Bananas Exclusive: Russell Brand Raped Me – My Story by Anonymous
Brand first exposed himself to me when I was watching one of his diatribes on Bill Maher’s show where he assaulted me and the entire audience that night with facts and logic.
Moving trucks trash covered bridge – twice in one day
See what happens – too often – when tall trucks try to cross Vermont covered bridges.
Welch calls for Menendez resignation, praises IRS expansion
Sen. Peter Welch wants a Democratic corruption-ridden Senate colleague to resign. He’s also thrilled that the IRS now has more money and staff to collect revenue from taxpayers.
Federal judge overturns ammo magazine ban
A recent federal court decision overturning California’s ammunition magazine ban doesn’t overturn a similar Vermont law – at least not yet.
Mom who lost daughter after flu vax shares story at CHD bus visit
“The purpose [of the bus] is to collect stories of vaccine injuries, deaths, and disabilities, as well as healthy unvaccinated stories. … We’ve had doctors, nurses, moms, daughters tell stories. They are all being featured on CHD.TV live and they’ll be cataloged there,” Stella said.
DiSabito: Make fentanyl dealers pay for fence around courthouse
While the feds sentence fentanyl dealers to years in prison, some Vermont judges no fines and no new time. Meanwhile fences are built around courthouses to stop incessant drug activity.
Good Samaritans rescue kayakers
Good Samaritans and police together rescued a pair of Lake Willoughby kayakers in distress.
Trucker drives off with $700 of diesel fuel / Crash downs powerlines / Not fast and furious enough for cops
Neither crime nor the police took the weekend off.
Headlines: BB gun displayed at football game, police respond
A BB gun was ‘threateningly displayed” at a CVU football game. Police and mental health counselors were were summoned.
Snowboarding team members support coach fired for transgender comments
The longtime Woodstock Union High School snowboard coach should be reinstated to his post, according to one of the two students involved in a private discussion about transgender athletes that led to his firing.
Parent of Down Syndrome girl: CVU plan allowing males in locker room ‘erasing females’
“I have a daughter with special needs, she has Down Syndrome, she can’t tell us when somebody does something to her or makes her feel uncomfortable,” Gagne said. “She doesn’t have the words to do that.”
Barre Planned Parenthood no longer performs abortions
Whatever the reason – worker shortage, the Dobbs decision, and/or a highly visible prayer vigil – the Barre Planned Parenthood clinic no longer performs abortions.
Balint wants ‘climate emergency’ mental health, addiction treatment $$
‘Climate emergencies like VT flooding and Hawaiian wildfires are devastating Americans’ mental health. Let’s put FEMA on the job, Becca Balint says.
St. J man shot in lower extremity/ Williston home burglary/ parking in handicapped spot leads to DUI
Troopers are investigating all possibilities in this incident, including Pepper’s claim it was an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Hartford CT man extradited on drug-related murder charges
Dennis is charged with the second-degree murder of a Springfield, MA man in what police say was a drug-related shooting.
Black women who left VT DEI jobs after pushback now DEI consultants
Several women who left high-profile DEI positions are still in Vermont and still earning a living as DEI consultants.
Rhode Island man with shotgun charged with unlawful restraint
The altercation ended with an arrest.
Future Generations Commissioner pushes no-car society, universal basic income
Investing in EV infrastructure is not the answer at all, Howe said. “We’re all still stuck in traffic, not talking to each other, in EVs rather than our diesel vehicles.”
Suspected car thief tased, pulled from burning car
As the stolen Subaru caught fire, Tatro resisted efforts to be removed. Then Officer Emily Fitzpatrick deployed her Taser, Colchester police say.
More swastika, anti-semitic graffiti / tree giveaway in Brattleboro / Septic failure grants
Nazi anti-semitic graffiti has happened again – this time in Laconia, New Hampshire.
Vets 3x, inmates 6x more likely to commit suicide: report
Veterans are three times more likely, and released inmates six times more likely, to commit suicide, a recent state report shows.
Vermont preppers featured in Kunstler film documentary
The Long Emergency documentary film addresses what producers believe is a looming energy crisis featuring author and social critic James Howard Kunstler.
State police honor, promote troopers
Honors and promotions for Vermont State Police
Impeachment committee to meet/ Flood debris tires collected/ VSC boss steps down
As many as 700 flood debris tires were collected for recycling last Saturday….Impeachment inquiry continues tomorrow….State colleges are looking for a new chancellor.
Letters: Save Pitawbagw/ Proven right about Act 250/ GOP leaders support immorality
Pitawbagw long ago exceeded her carrying capacity.
Felony shoplifting suspect jailed / ‘ghost gun’ ammo sentence
Jailed for felony shoplifting. Sentenced for possession ‘ghost gun’ ammo. Sentenced for meth dealing.
Woman slain by juvenile with her own gun, police say
The situation unfolded when Kilbreth got into a physical altercation with another woman who also lived in the neighborhood.
U.S. Constitution ‘experiment’ could fail, speakers warn
“Holding government officials accountable through regularly scheduled elections is so ordinary and we’ve come to expect it, but this was not the practice in most countries in the world or any other country in the world at the time,” Teachout said.
Police warn citizens to not take law into their own hands after Berlin retail theft incident
“While it can be frustrating to witness injustice or experience wrongdoing, it is important to remember that there are legal systems and authorities in place to handle these situations,” the Berlin Police Department says.
Wealthy Orange County town ponders hiring social worker
Residents of Thetford will hold a public forum tomorrow night to discuss hiring a town social worker.
‘Outside raid’ threatened state employee union
A big outside union was threatening to take over representing Corrections staff. The VSEA moved quickly.
Vermont law for ‘future generations commissioner’ subject of UVM talk Tuesday
A new advocacy group backed by UVM wants to explore a potential new law creating a ‘future generations commissioner’ in Vermont state government.
Powerful speakers lined up for Restoring Our Faith summit
The event will feature an esteemed list of speakers that includes renowned scholars, religious leaders, authors, and social scientists who will discuss the importance of faith, family, and a return to the covenantal principles at America’s founding.
Another alleged fentanyl dealer cited and released
An alleged fentanyl dealer and an alleged ski resort burglar were both released on citation to appear in court. A man who shot at another man was jailed pending his (prompt) court appearance.
Vermont’s GOP National Committee member: “Nothing in the 14th Amendment that stops President Trump from being on the ballot”
“It’s all Obama 3.0 which is taking this country and throwing it in the gutter,” Shepard said.
CORRECTION BELOW: State invests another $55 mil, new home construction slow and expensive
Despite another infusion of taxpayer-funded capital, Vermont’s housing industry is struggling to meet demand due to workforce, materials, supply chain, and regulatory challenges.
In solidarity with fallen heroes, firefighters climb 110 stories in full gear
Wearing full gear wearing 45-50 pounds, two firefighters stair-climbed the equivalent of 110 stories.
Burlington investment firm ranks among fastest-growing in U.S. / Mayor wants more city $$ for anti-prison group
One Day in July, founded in Burlington in 2016, is among the 30 fastest growing registered investment advisory firms in the U.S..
CHS bus collects Vermonters’ COVID stories / Scott: No mask, vax mandates / ‘Shots! Shots! Shots!’ decried
The Children’s Health Defense Bus will be collecting Vermonters’ COVID hospital protocol and vax injury and death stories during two visits to Vermont this month.
VPA ban on transgender protest harms all students, Christian school principal says
“The VPA banning Mid Vermont Christian School from competing in Vermont athletics harms not only its own students but students at other schools who desire to play sports at Mid Vermont through the member-to-member program,” Fogg said.
Vermont suffragette who picketed White House in 1917 honored in painting
When America dragged its heels giving women the right to Vermont, a Grafton activist picketed the White House and got arrested in 1917. Three years later, Vermont state government decided against taking action to support the 19th Amendment.
Marilyn “Bunty” Allaire Judd
A wonderful mom, missed and loved by her children.
VT Headlines: Flood restoration of Capitol Complex $100 mil +
Burlington airport expansion projects continue; After May freeze, several orchards in Vermont are without U Pick apples; Jay Peak unveils $1M electric boiler project
After months-long investigation, suspected fentanyl dealer arrested, cited, released
Police say DeThomas sold fentanyl and/or cocaine on multiple occasions in and around Springfield, Vermont, during the spring and summer of 2023.
VT delegation asks Congress for VT flood recovery, mitigation $$
Vermont’s Congressional delegation doesn’t ask their colleagues for a specific dollar amount for flood recovery and mitigation. But the wish list is long and expensive. Where’s Pat Leahy when you really need him?
Celebrate U.S. Constitution’s 236th birthday Saturday at State House
“Our Constitution is the law of the land here in America, it is a sacred document that has repeatedly met the challenges over it’s 236th year life, creating Freedom, Liberty, Independence, and innovation to protect all people living here and who come to America” said Gregory Thayer, Principal at Vermonters for Vermont.
Prog lawmakers, Zuckerman say stacked Supreme Court will ‘restore balance’
“The Republican-appointed supermajority that controls the Supreme Court is an existential threat to our rights and our democracy,” a group of progressive Vermont elected officials claim.
Demolition Derby winner third racer in family
“My dad started out doing it about 35 years ago,” demolition derby winner Kevin Bacon (not THAT Kevin Bacon) said. “I got my number from him. He started as 160. My brother was 161. I ended up taking 162.”
Public school prevents Mid-Vermont Christian student from playing soccer over transgender controversy
For years she’s been allowed to play on the local Hartford team because her school doesn’t have a soccer program.
Now she is being told by the public school that she is not welcome to join.
Accused domestic assailant dies in prison, tox scan ordered
Police say Nichols became unresponsive in the booking area at the facility at about 6:32 a.m. Sunday.
Drone exec, Vermonter picked to lead FAA / Seaman permanent Orange County state’s attorney / 911 remembered
Orange County gets a permanent state’s attorney (until the next election), and a Vermont lawyer and drone expert is picked to lead the Federal Aviation Agency.
Montpelier couple busted for public sex / Homeowner charged with arson / Goddard College burglarized
Two Montpelier police officers were on regular patrol when they saw the couple engaged in a sex act in plain view of passing vehicles and foot traffic in a public space.
Swastikas spray painted at pro-BLM Alexander Twilight museum
This offense – termed “ Vandalism/Hate Motivated Crimes” by state police – is believed to have occurred between 7 PM Saturday night and 9:45 AM Sunday.
Burlington mic censorship ‘unprecedented,’ city councilor says
“I will say that in my 20 years on the City Council I don’t ever recall seeing someone do such a thing, despite hundreds of heated meetings and offensive statements,” Shannon said. “When something so unexpected happens it is hard to respond in the moment.”
Smokies, game wardens nab armed robbery suspect
Burlington armed robbery suspect Eric Edson fled police by bicycle, sailboat, kayak, dump truck, and tractor – to no avail.
Man charged with murdering cellmate had suffered from schizophrenia, heavy cannabis use
Robbie Mafuta’s hospital psychiatrist thought his paranoid schizophrenia might have been caused by heavy use of high-potency marijuana.
RNC committeeman Shepard starts Throw-up Thursday
Each week, Shepard discusses what makes him sick in politics that particular week.
Smith: Social Security insolvency should be #1 at next GOP prez debate
Yes, someone needs to ask hard questions of those who wish to run the country.
Braver Angels take on our ‘inner polarizer’
Much of today’s polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side, Braver Angels organizers say.
Man removing roadkill struck by car/ Pickup truck fire, thefts
Trying to clear the highway, a Vergennes man sustained life-threatening injuries.
Contrary Canaan bans homeless loitering
You are very welcome to visit Canaan – but not to loiter on public property.
Media misses brazen Burlington censorship story
When a former Burlington city councilor seized the mic from a Burlington resident making a public comment, the media yawned.
State: Casella must remove flood control berm
Vermont’s biggest solid waste handler lacked proper permitting to build its post-flood berm in Montpelier.
Phone call that shocked Teddy Roosevelt came 122 years ago today in Isle LaMotte
122 years ago today, a telephone rang in Isle LaMotte. Little did he know that Theodore Roosevelt was about to step into his role as the Father of the American Century.
State employee union joins AFL-CIO/ Feds declare 2nd farm emergency / UVM research $$ surges/ No LNG by rail / Mobile home water $$ unleashed
Vermont’s state employee union hopes to increase its legislative influence by joining the nation’s largest labor organization. Critics of mandated workplace diversity ‘education’ are watching.
Roper: Another example of climate hysteria leading to a dumb, misguided policy
Three hours a day riding a school bus is the price some students pay for the school district’s failure to hire enough drivers.
We’re growing! Welcome aboard, Michael
This week, look for Michael Bielawski’s investigation into media coverage – and lack of it – into a former Burlington City Councilor silencing a citizen by seizing his microphone at a government meeting.
Rise and fall of Vermont eugenics
Vermont was one of many American states to adopt eugenics as the basis for public policies such as family separation, institutionalization, and sterilization that targeted the most vulnerable Vermonters.
Elderly pedestrian dies after hit by car driven by teen
The Subaru, driven by a 16-year-old, veered into the breakdown lane and struck the 89-year-old man.
Habitual offender charged with murdering mother and son, stealing son’s truck
Christopher Ellis had been staying with the Garvins since April. Then he shot them both and fled in the son’s truck, police charge.
Illegal migrants from Mexico assault Swanton Sector border agent
There were 521 assault incidents against Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in fiscal year 2022 and 386 in the first ten months of 2023.
Man charged with burying father in back yard
State police received a call reporting that Shawn Bair, 32, of Richford, had informed the caller that a family member recently died of natural causes, and Bair had buried the relative in the back yard of his home on Intervale Avenue.
FEMA sets Oct. 12 flood help deadline
The sooner you apply, the sooner FEMA can process your claim.
School van driver who molested children gets three-year sentence in plea deal
Judge Alison Arms rejected a plea agreement for two years in prison after reading what one victim said about Normandin: “He destroyed my life.”
Homeless man with six shoplifting busts arrested for attempted bank robbery
Morristown has been hit with a crime wave this summer, and police say Steven Royce is right in the middle of it.
‘Come Visit Vermont’ reminds this hospital patient how beautiful his home state is
You and I are blessed to live every day amid four-season (okay, three) scenes of splendor.
Eden man dies 16 days after crash, driver gets added charges
With injured people in his car, the driver tried to flee – unsuccessfully.
Nathaniel Boone, 95
The recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal distributed food weekly for the Community Food Cupboard and counseled prisoners in a Rutland jail.
Carjackings in Williston
A man with a violent crime arrest record attempted two carjackings in Willliston yesterday, one just down the street from the local police department.
Buying alpaca farm with Covid ‘Paycheck Protection’ $$ gets Grafton man two-year stretch
A pizzeria owner spent $660,000 in federal ‘paycheck protection’ money to buy an alpaca farm. But (to quote JO editor Alex de Nuti-Biasi), “The alPPPacas did nothing wrong.”
