A fatal collision between an on-duty Shelburne police officer’s SUV and a bicyclist occurred early Monday, November 11 on a rain-slicked U.S. Route 7. At about 2:45 a.m. near Fayette Drive, Sgt. Kyle Kapitanski, 41, of the Shelburne Police Department, was driving a 2021 Ford Explorer police SUV when the crash with bicyclist Sean P. Hayes, 38, of Burlington, took place.

Hayes suffered fatal injuries due to the incident. Emergency services declared Hayes dead at the scene, and no hospitalization was required.

The front passenger side of the police vehicle sustained damage. Kapitanski’s seat belt use is currently unknown, and he was unharmed in the collision.

The Vermont State Police (VSP) are leading the ongoing investigation into the crash. Witnesses or those with information relevant to the investigation are urged to contact the VSP in Williston at 802-878-7111. – Newport Daily Express

State’s fire map shows high danger threat for most of state

The Vermont Dept. of Forest, Parks and Recreation says most of Vermont is under a high risk of fire danger. A ban on burning debris is in effect in the southernmost counties of Windham, Windsor, Rutland and Bennington counties.

According to today’s Vermont Fire Danger Forecast map, all but the northernmost regions of Vermont are listed as ‘high’ for fire danger. A dry fall has accounted for a number of fires in Vermont and across New England. 

Vermont’s ‘Operation Game Thief’ helps catch poachers

Vermont State Game Wardens are asking Vermonters with information about fish and wildlife crimes to submit them through the Operation Game Thief program. 

Operation Game Thief (OGT) is a joint nonprofit program sponsored by the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and administered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The program provides a way for people to help protect the state’s fish and wildlife by reporting law violators at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378). The toll-free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to report violations. Rewards are paid for information leading to arrests. 

“Vermont is lucky to have dedicated wardens patrolling our fields, forests and waterways, but their numbers are limited,” said Col. Justin Stedman. “Operation Game Thief is a great way for Vermonters to assist in reducing fish and wildlife violations by providing tips and information.  We’re asking people to call with details such as names and descriptions of perpetrators, and descriptions and plate numbers of vehicles whenever possible.” 

“Poachers steal the opportunity for others to legally hunt and fish and may create an unfairly negative impression of hunting and fishing with the general public,” said Col. Stedman.  “They may also target threatened, endangered or nongame species.  We appreciate this partnership with the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs to help us catch and prosecute poachers through Operation Game Thief.”

November campaign finance reports released

Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas has released the first November Vermont 2024 Candidates and Campaign Finance. This report continues the Secretary of State’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency for campaign finance reporting during the 2024 campaign season. This report reflects candidate filings as of the most recent filing deadline on November 1. 

The report consists of three lists:

• 2024 candidates who filed a November 1 period disclosure statement with funds raised and/or spent during the current period (since the October 15 deadline),
• Candidates who filed a November 1 “No Activity Report,”
• Candidates who did not file a November 1 period report.