by VDC staff

Mid-Vermont Christian School will hold its annual silent auction with dinner fundraising event this Saturday at the Firestone Inn in West Lebanon, NH.  

Dinner typically includes your choice of beef, chicken, seafood or vegetarian entrée.  The large banquet room at the Firestone Inn will be set up with large auction tables covered in a wide variety of items for silent bidding.  Past years have seen everything from local hand crafted products to works of art to golf foursome packages and timeshare vacations to Myrtle Beach.  Bidders fill out cards for the items they are interested in which each card having a minimum starting bid.  

During the dinner guests will hear from school administration, students and alumni in regard to their desires for the direction of the school as well as personal experiences encouraging attendees to support the school either with donations, scholarships or sending students there.  

The tiny private school located in Quechee, Vermont has been in the national news cycle for over a year following their courageous stand to keep their girls varsity players from having to play against a biological teenage boy presenting as trans.  Their principled stance has received high praise from around the world with the likes of Dr. Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan mentioning support for their bravery on social media.  They are currently embroiled in a legal battle with the Vermont Principals Association over the controversial matter. 

The event starts at 5:30pm and is scheduled to end at 9pm.  Tickets for the event can be obtained via Eventbrite online by going to this link. 

Roots of New Anti-Semitism – In the face of increased radicalized activity on college campuses and in the streets by Americans who support the horrific terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th, Restoring Our Faith Vermont is publicizing an upcoming lecture titled “The Roots of the New Antisemitism,” featuring past ROF Summit speaker Rabbi Asher Crispe. 

The event will take place on 4 PM Sunday, April 7 at 57 South Williams Street in Burlington. This new lecture series will address the politics of contemporary education and the recent rise in antisemitism in our schools and communities, where this ideology comes from and how we can confront it.

Refreshments will be served. Event space is limited, so please RSVP at ChabadVT.org/Lecture.

Medium/high risk sex offender to be released today – Kerry Schunk, a medium/high risk sex offender, will be released Friday, March 15 from Northwest State Correctional Facility and will be supervised by Burlington Probation & Parole. 

Schunk was convicted in a 2019 aggravated sexual assault of an 18-year-old female. He was already a convicted sex offender stemming from a 2003 conviction of sexual assault when he engaged in a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old female when he was 18 years old. He plans to live in a South Burlington hotel. VT DOC says that compared to other incarcerated offenders, his risk of sexual recidivism is Moderate/High. Based on his sexual interests and offending history, if he were to sexually re-offend, his victim(s) would likely be adult females that are known to him.

Rural school district to vote April 15 – Blue Mountain Union voters in Groton, Ryegate, and Wells River will go to the polls on Monday, April 15 to vote on the budget. Polls will be open at the Groton Community Building, Ryegate Town Hall, and Wells River Village Garage from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

The ballot vote will be held after the deliberative session on Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m. at the school.

BMU’s budget vote is typically held on town meeting day, but was delayed this year under the provisions of H.850, a state law enacted in February to allow districts to postpone their votes through April 15. – Journal-Opinion

Morin named top cop in Newport – the Newport Police Department has recognized Officer Jonathan Morin as its 2023 Officer of the Year. This annual award is given to a well-rounded officer who has exceeded the duty requirements of their position and demonstrated excellence and professionalism.

Morin graduated from the full-time police academy in June 2023, where he received the Director’s Award for his leadership, professionalism, and motivation to his classmates. He also earned the “Top Shooter” award for demonstrating excellence in firearms training and proficiency.

After graduation, Morin continued to excel as a patrol officer, becoming a top performer in motor vehicle and criminal enforcement, Newport PD said.

Newport PD leaders say Morin is well-respected by everyone at the police department for his courage, proactive approach, and willingness to help with everything. Officer Morin is also a member of the Newport Police Department’s Special Response Team.