Derby Line teen awarded adventure scholarship for snowboarding

by Daniel Duric

DERBY LINE — The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation has awarded an Adventure Scholarship to Francisco Damato, 14, to support his competitive snowboarding goals.

Damato, who trains with Jay Peak Free Ski and Ride Team, will use the funds for entry fees and expenses in his first year of International Free Skiers Association competitions.

Starting snowboarding in 2020 during the pandemic, Damato progressed rapidly with frequent mountain access.

He developed 11 core values as part of his scholarship application, including “Push myself outside my comfort zone” and “Don’t be afraid to fall.”

The foundation, established in 2011 following Ryan Hawks’ death during a freeride world ski competition, has awarded over 170 scholarships. Hawks’ 14 Principles for Living inspire the foundation’s focus on core values.

“The Flyin Ryan Adventure Scholarship Program exists to provide monetary awards to assist adventurers of all kinds,” said Christine Golden, operations manager.

Slow Down and Move Over

The Windham County Sheriff’s Office along with the State Highway Safety Office would like to remind all drivers, when you see flashing red lights, blue lights or amber lights on the side of the highway, you MUST slow down and safely change lanes or move as far to the side away from the lights as possible.

Why it matters:
Emergency and other roadside personnel can only do so much to keep themselves safe when they pull over on the side of the road. The rest of the responsibility falls on you and those motorists around you.

Remember, next time you see flashing lights on the side of the road, no matter the color, Slow Down and Move Over. They’re out there working hard to keep you safe… and they want to stay safe, too.

23 V.S.A. § 1050
§ 1050. Operation on approach of law enforcement and emergency vehicles or when approaching stationary law enforcement and emergency vehicles or work zone

(b) Approaching law enforcement, emergency, and towing and repair vehicles. The operator of a vehicle approaching a stationary law enforcement vehicle displaying a blue or blue and white signal lamp; a stationary ambulance, fire apparatus, vehicle operated by a volunteer firefighter, or motor vehicle used in rescue operations as set forth in section 1252 of this title displaying a red or red and white signal lamp; or a stationary towing and repair vehicle displaying an amber signal lamp shall proceed with caution and, if traveling on a multilane highway and safety conditions permit, make a lane change into a lane farther away from the stationary vehicle. If the operator of the approaching vehicle must remain in the lane adjacent to the stationary vehicle, then the operator shall slow down to a reasonable, safe, and prudent speed given the safety conditions and posted speed limit.

(c) Approaching work zone. The operator of a vehicle approaching a properly designated work zone shall proceed with caution and slow down to a reasonable, safe, and prudent speed given the safety conditions and posted speed limit. If workers are only present on one side of a multilane highway and safety conditions permit, the operator shall remain in or make a lane change into a lane farther away from the workers.

Brownington man arrested after burglaries, stolen vehicle crash in Coventry

by Daniel Duric, in the Newport Dispatch

COVENTRY — A Brownington man was arrested Sunday after allegedly stealing a vehicle, crashing it, and committing multiple burglaries in Coventry.

State police responded to a report of a burglary and stolen vehicle from a residence on Main Street around 2:23 p.m. The vehicle was later found crashed in a field on Lane Road after hitting a fence. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Justin Kirby, fled the scene.

During the investigation, troopers discovered Kirby had unlawfully trespassed into a barn and burglarized a residential home on Hancock Hill. Kirby was located on foot and taken into custody.

Authorities also learned Kirby was in violation of active court-ordered conditions of release, which prohibited him from engaging in violent, threatening, or tumultuous behavior.

Kirby was transported to the Derby Barracks for processing and later lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail.

The victims included Ashley Before, 37, a 16-year-old juvenile, and David Ofsuryk, 61, all of Coventry.