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No Injuries Reported in South Burlington Car Fire on Dorset Street

No Injuries Reported in South Burlington Car Fire on Dorset Street

A car fire occurred on Dorset Street in South Burlington, Vermont, on Thursday, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident led to the closure of the northbound lane near the University Mall around 3:30 p.m. First responders advised the public to avoid the area of Market and Dorset streets while emergency crews were on scene. The South Burlington Fire Department confirmed that the driver of the vehicle had already exited the car by the time firefighters arrived. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, and the road was reopened to traffic approximately 20 minutes later. Although there were no injuries, hazardous materials cleanup was required at the scene.

Vermont Law Enforcement's Collaboration with Federal Border Patrol Under Scrutiny After Deportation Incident

Vermont Law Enforcement's Collaboration with Federal Border Patrol Under Scrutiny After Deportation Incident

A recent incident in Vermont has brought renewed attention to the collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities under Operation Stonegarden. A Chittenden County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. Scott Costella, pulled over a car for a traffic violation and subsequently summoned U.S. Border Patrol agents, leading to the deportation of Alex Genri Jimenez, a 22-year-old dairy farmworker. This event has sparked an investigation into whether Costella violated Vermont's Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, which limits local law enforcement's involvement in civil immigration enforcement. In response, Chittenden County Sheriff Dan Gamelin has suspended his agency's participation in Operation Stonegarden. However, five other northern Vermont police agencies continue to participate in the federal program, which provides grants for border security collaboration. The incident has reignited a long-standing debate about the compatibility of Operation Stonegarden with state policies design...

Vermont Officials Seek Solutions for Forest Industry After New York Mill Closure Impacts Pulpwood Market

Vermont Officials Seek Solutions for Forest Industry After New York Mill Closure Impacts Pulpwood Market

Vermont officials are actively seeking solutions for the state's forest industry following the announcement that Finch Paper, a major wood plant in Glens Falls, New York, will no longer accept woodpulp from Vermont. This closure has created a significant void in the market for local loggers, leaving approximately 2,000 weekly tons of low-grade pulpwood without a destination. The lack of a market for this material is causing severe financial distress for loggers, with many forced to sell equipment or lay off workers. The forest industry is foundational to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom economy, supporting timber harvesting and recreational trails. The situation threatens the viability of the state's Current Use program, which offers tax breaks to landowners who manage their land for timber or agricultural purposes, as foresters may find it unsustainable to continue operations.

Man Arrested After Knife Pulled on Store Manager During Burlington Retail Theft Attempt

Man Arrested After Knife Pulled on Store Manager During Burlington Retail Theft Attempt

Burlington, Vermont police have arrested Nicholas Hulbert, 38, following an attempted retail theft at a downtown City Market. Police reported that Hulbert allegedly pulled a knife on a store manager during the incident on Wednesday evening. After the confrontation, Hulbert fled the scene on foot. However, officers were able to quickly locate and apprehend him less than a block away from the City Market. Hulbert, identified as experiencing homelessness, was taken into custody and is currently being held on $10,000 bail. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about retail theft and the safety of store employees in urban areas.

Vermont Education Officials Targeted by Sophisticated Phishing Scheme This Summer

Vermont Education Officials Targeted by Sophisticated Phishing Scheme This Summer

Vermont school districts have been targeted by a sophisticated phishing scheme this summer, following a pattern of cybercriminals attacking critical institutions in rural communities. Denise Reilly-Hughes, secretary of the Agency of Digital Services, noted the advanced nature of these attacks, which can appear very real and trick even skilled individuals into clicking malicious links. The scheme involved emails with an "excel secure portal" link, which, when clicked, ran a script to read and delete emails and generate more phishing emails to contact lists. While no student or staff data was reported stolen in these specific incidents, the attacks highlight a significant threat. Randy Rose, vice president of security operations and intelligence for the Center for Internet Security, confirmed these were credential-phishing attempts, often a precursor to more severe cyberattacks like ransomware or data theft. Cybercriminals frequently target public sector infrastructure in rural areas due to their large budge...

Senator Sanders Accuses Dairy Farmers of America of Illegal Union Busting in St. Albans Creamery Closure

Senator Sanders Accuses Dairy Farmers of America of Illegal Union Busting in St. Albans Creamery Closure

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has publicly accused Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), the nation's largest dairy cooperative, of engaging in illegal union busting by closing the St. Albans Creamery. Sanders alleges that the closure is a retaliatory measure against nearly 80 unionized workers who went on strike last year to demand better pay and working conditions. Standing with workers outside the facility, Sanders called for DFA to reverse its decision, emphasizing the creamery's importance to local dairy farmers and the community. DFA, which acquired the facility in 2019, announced in June its intention to 'idle' the creamery. The company has vehemently denied Sanders' claims, labeling them as 'ridiculous and inaccurate.' A federal judge in Burlington issued a five-day restraining order blocking DFA from closing the plant, and Teamsters Local No. 597 members attempted to return to work, though they were not permitted entry. Another hearing in federal court is scheduled for Thursday. The union claims to p...

Vermont Officials Deploy Bird Noise Devices to Deter Loitering at Capitol Complex

Vermont Officials Deploy Bird Noise Devices to Deter Loitering at Capitol Complex

The Scott administration in Vermont is implementing a new strategy to address homelessness and quality-of-life concerns in Montpelier. Following earlier efforts that included deploying state Troopers to Burlington, officials are now using bird-noise devices at the historic Pavilion building within the Capitol complex. These devices are intended to deter individuals from gathering on the porch, where incidents such as fights, discarded syringes, human waste, and a fire have been reported. The bird squawking devices will operate between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. This measure comes after previous attempts, including portable toilets and signs requesting people not to gather, proved ineffective. Governor Phil Scott stated that the alternative would be arrests, which the administration aims to avoid. This initiative is part of a broader approach by the Scott administration to manage public spaces and address issues related to the unhoused population.

Vermont Administration Installs Bird Noise Devices at Montpelier Building Amid Homelessness Concerns

Vermont Administration Installs Bird Noise Devices at Montpelier Building Amid Homelessness Concerns

The Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services, under the Scott administration, has installed bird noise deterrent devices at the Pavilion Building in downtown Montpelier. This action follows numerous incidents of individuals sleeping on the building's porches and the discovery of human waste and debris on the property. The Pavilion Building houses the offices of Governor Phil Scott, the treasurer, attorney general, and the Vermont Supreme Court. Earlier this year, a port-a-let was installed near the building to address the issue of human waste, but the problem persisted. Deputy Commissioner Emily Kisicki stated that the noise devices, which emit loud bird calls, were installed to reduce the "nighttime occupancy of these spaces" and mitigate associated activities, rather than directly addressing people sleeping there. The devices are now set to operate from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. via a timer.

Vermont Primary Election Results Confirm Governor Phil Scott to Face Democrat Amanda Janoo in November

Vermont Primary Election Results Confirm Governor Phil Scott to Face Democrat Amanda Janoo in November

Vermont's primary election, held on August 11, has set the stage for the November 3 general election. Incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott will face Democrat Amanda Janoo, an economist, who secured her party's nomination for governor. Janoo won the Democratic primary by sweeping the Northeast Kingdom region, garnering just over 2,000 votes more than her closest contender, Aly Richards. Governor Scott, a five-term incumbent, is seeking re-election. In other key races, one-term incumbent Rep. Becca Balint advanced in the Democratic primary for Vermont's sole U.S. House seat and will compete against Republican Gerald Malloy. For lieutenant governor, Democrat Molly Gray secured the nomination and will challenge incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers. The primary results largely reflected little competition and no major surprises, with many incumbents and favored candidates advancing.

Vermont Healthcare Worker Receives Community Support Amidst ICE Check-in

Vermont Healthcare Worker Receives Community Support Amidst ICE Check-in

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan asylum seeker and licensed nursing assistant at UVM Medical Center, attended a routine Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-in in St. Albans, Vermont. Tendo, who has been living in Vermont since 2021 under a stay of removal, was accompanied by a crowd of supporters. Despite initial concerns that he might be detained, Tendo emerged from the facility after 15 minutes to a cheering crowd. He was given a 90-day reprieve before his next scheduled ICE check-in. Tendo is currently barred from working while he navigates the legal process of his asylum claim. He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support he has received, noting that Vermonters have provided him with food, housing, and educational opportunities.

Noah Kahan Criticizes Vail Resorts and Rejects Use of Song by Trump Administration

Noah Kahan Criticizes Vail Resorts and Rejects Use of Song by Trump Administration

Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan has publicly voiced strong opinions against Vail Resorts and the Trump Administration. During a recent concert in Denver, Kahan criticized Vail Resorts for acquiring independent, family-owned ski resorts, including some in his home state of Vermont, telling the company to 'go f***' themselves. This statement highlights his disapproval of corporate consolidation within the ski industry. Separately, Kahan explicitly stated he 'would never approve' of his song 'American Cars' being used to support the Trump Administration after the White House featured it in a social media video. This indicates a clear stance against the political use of his music by the administration. Kahan is currently on a significant tour, performing sold-out shows at major venues like Fenway Park and T-Mobile Park, and is scheduled for Oracle Park in San Francisco as part of The Great Divide Tour. His public comments reflect a growing trend of artists using their platforms to address social and political iss...

U.S. Senators Urge Dairy Farmers of America to Keep St. Albans Plant Open Amid Union Dispute

U.S. Senators Urge Dairy Farmers of America to Keep St. Albans Plant Open Amid Union Dispute

U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch of Vermont have written a letter to Dennis Rodenbaugh, President and CEO of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), urging the cooperative to keep its St. Albans dairy processing plant open and to reach a fair agreement with the union. This intervention comes after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to halt the plant's planned closure, which was set for Monday. The Teamsters Local No. 597 union filed a complaint alleging that DFA's decision to idle the plant was an illegal act of retaliation following a strike last year. The union claims supervisors indicated the closure was linked to the strike and cited an internal memo labeling 'union decertification' as the primary reason. DFA has denied these allegations, stating that the closure is due to broader operational and network changes, not union activities. The temporary order will last for five days, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon where the union will seek a longer stay.