By Guy Page

A 17-year-old juvenile was cited for simple assault following an incident at Missisquoi Valley Union High School on Friday, Dec. 20.

Vermont State Police responded to a report of a possible assault at the school at 8:35 p.m., shortly after the conclusion of a basketball game, the Newport Dispatch reported on a Vermont State Police press release. 

Investigators determined that the juvenile, whose name was not released due to age, had assaulted Hayden Richardson, an 18-year-old from Swanton.

The juvenile, also from Swanton, was issued a citation to appear in Franklin County Family Court to face the assault charge.

No further details about the nature of the assault or any injuries, nor the outcome of the game, were immediately available. The MVU boys basketball team (0-1 before the outcome of Friday’s game) hosted Lyndon Institute (1-0). 

Mischievous movement of mailbox – on November 3, the Berlin State Police received a report of a dispute over a mailbox in Calais. They found that Craig Line, 69, had unlawfully removed his neighbor Samuel Potter (34)’s mailbox, causing damage to the mailbox post. The mailbox was located on Craig’s property, but it was within the Town’s right of way.  

Line was cited for unlawful mischief and is scheduled to appear in court next month. 

Transient man with three active warrants cited, released – December 19 at 3:30 PM, officers of the Berlin Police Department were advised of an incident at the Kinney Drugs in Berlin.

While investigating the incident, officers were advised that one of the involved parties, Arnold Kidla III, 46, with no fixed address, had three active arrest warrants.

Kidla was taken into custody, transported to the Washington County Court, Criminal Division to answer for the arrest warrants. Kidla was then released by the court.

In its press release, Berlin PD offered the following “point of Clarification: The Berlin Police Department have no control over bail or incarceration. Those matters are handled by the Judicial System, including the Judges, Court Clerks, and the State Attorney’s Office.

DUI #5 – State troopers at 4 PM Dec. 20 responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Route 14 in Calais. Police found the operator, Allen Benjamin, 59, of Barre had been operating while under the influence of alcohol. He was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI (5th offense) and transported to the Berlin Barracks for processing. Benjamin also had an active arrest warrant and was lodged at the Northeast Correctional Facility for lack of $500 bail for the warrant.