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Driver hospitalized following Burlington crash
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A single-car crash in Burlington Wednesday afternoon sent one person to the hospital and shut down parts of Plattsburgh Avenue. It happened on Plattsburgh Avenue near the Beltline. The driver lost control, hit a utility pole, and crashed into a tree. The driver was taken to the hospital.
Suspect in fire outside of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' Vermont office to remain detained, judge says
The man accused of starting a fire outside independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office earlier this month will remain detained pending further legal proceedings, a federal judge ordered Thursday. Shant Michael Soghomonian was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of maliciously damaging or attempting to damage and destroy by fire a building used in interstate commerce, according to the indictment filed with the court. Soghomonian, 35, has not yet been arraigned.Surveillance video shows the man throwing a liquid April 5 at the bottom of a door opening into Sanders’ third-floor office in Burlington and setting it...
Burlington officials credit CRT team with reduction in overdoses
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Burlington city officials are encouraged by what appears to be a reduction in overdose deaths, and they’re crediting the fire department’s Community Response Team for helping to reduce those numbers. City data shows a decrease in overdose deaths compared to the same period last...
Lake Champlain salmon stocking underway
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) - Upwards of 26,000 thousand landlocked Atlantic salmon will soon be let loose in Lake Champlain. It’s part of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s net pen-rearing project. The fish are held in water pens at the Plattsburgh Boat Basin and then released after three weeks. Thousands more fish that weren’t in pens will also be released into the Saranac River. The goal is for the salmon to become familiar with the water in the pens to improve the odds of returning later on to spawn.
Planet Fitness locations across VT and in Northern New York added to string of nationwide hoax bomb threats
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — Planet Fitness gyms across our region are now among the latest of the chain’s locations receiving hoax bomb threats in just the past several weeks. Dozens of Planet Fitness gyms have been targeted nationwide, and many advocacy groups say they know why. "All of...
Burlington mayor, HUD officials call for investment in affordable housing
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Members of the Biden administration were in Burlington Wednesday looking at the city’s progress on affordable housing. Officials with the Department of Housing and Urban Development joined the Burlington mayor and other officials at the new Cambrian Rise development on the waterfront. They say that mixed-income developments like Cambrian are the gold standard of what should be happening around the region.
Changes coming to Winooski rotary
WINOOSKI, Vt. — Changes are coming to a park in the Winooski rotary, which is said to be the city's most underutilized public space. A crowdfunding project is now underway to improve Rotary Park. Community leaders are planning better lighting, an art installation, and want to fill in a long-broken fountain and turn it into a garden. The plans also call for the purchase of a mobile tent and projection screen for performances, art displays, and movie nights in the park.
Longtime Dismas of Vermont leader announces retirement
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A local organization that helps people get out of jail to build a life for themselves is celebrating the retirement of their longtime director. After nearly 40 years, Dismas of Vermont is saying farewell to Richard Gagne, one of its founding leaders. “The thing that really...
Aubuchon Company acquiring Bibens Ace Hardware
Bibens Ace Hardware in Essex, VT. Courtesy photos. Vermont Business Magazine Rick Bibens has agreed to sell Bibens Ace Hardware, with seven locations in Vermont in Springfield, Colchester, South Burlington, Burlington, Essex, Brattleboro, and Woodstock, to the Aubuchon Company, the oldest and largest group of family-owned hardware stores in America. The stores will continue to operate as “Bibens Ace Hardware,” “Brown & Roberts” in Brattleboro, and “Woodstock Home & Hardware” in Woodstock.
Baseball Game Preview: Beekmantown Eagles vs. Plattsburgh Hornets
Beekmantown and Plattsburgh are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2019, but likely not for long. The Beekmantown Eagles will head out on the road to challenge the Plattsburgh Hornets at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Beekmantown is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
Warmer, some breaks of sun Friday
Friday will be mostly cloudy, but a window of sun is likely mid-morning into the early afternoon. A few additional rain showers arrive during the afternoon and evening. Highs reach the low 60s with 20-30 mph wind out of the south. This weekend is looking mostly dry and seasonable, with...
Peru Middle School set to donate eclipse glasses
PERU, N.Y. — If you're wondering what to do with your eclipse glasses after witnessing last week's total solar eclipse, look no further than Peru Middle School, where Connie Markowicz, a CTE teacher, is leading an inspiring initiative. Markowicz, who teaches sixth and seventh grade CTE courses at Peru...
WATCH: Peru high school girls flag football quarterback Nyla Capen tallies four touchdowns
CLINTON COUNTY, N.Y. — The Peru High School Nighthawks, as their name suggests, found success keeping the ball in the air in a girls' flag football contest against the Saranac Lake High School Red Storm. Peru's quarterback Nyla Capen tallied four touchdowns, three passing and one rushing, in a...
Vermont H.S. scores for Thursday, April 18: See how your favorite team fared
The 2024 Vermont high school spring season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from baseball, softball, lacrosse, track and field, tennis and Ultimate. To report scores: Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number. ...
It’s Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s: How to get your free scoop
(WPHL) – I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream — especially when it’s free. Ben & Jerry’s is celebrating its annual “Free Cone Day” on April 16, with hopes to give out over 1 million scoops at shops across the globe.
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