WNTK Local News

According to a new study, Vermont’s tick population has decreased since last year, reports NBC 5.

Patti Casey, the Environmental Surveillance Program Manager, stated that this year’s tick population is down 30% compared to 2019’s.

Casey also says that we are in the middle of Nymph season, also known as the deer tick, so Vermonters need to continue checking themselves, their families, and pets for ticks after being outside. Nymphs can be as small as a poppy seed, with adult ticks growing to the size of a sesame seed.

According to Casey, if you find a tick, you should send it to the Passive Tick Surveillance Program. This is a good form of citizen science that can help scientists know what kinds and how many ticks are out in the wild. 

Police are searching for a Vermont teen who went missing Saturday night in Marshfield Village, reports WCAX.

Elizabeth Mucherino, 17, reportedly ran away from her home just before 9 PM.

She is described as standing 5’6″, weighing approximately 90 pounds, and she has long brown hair and hazel eyes.

According to the report, she was wearing a black rain jacket with pink stripes, dark-colored shorts, and black basketball shoes when she fled from her home.

If you have information pertaining to her whereabouts, please contact the VT State Police Middlesex Barracks at 802-229-9191. 

Woodstock, Vermont recently mandated citizens to wear masks when on public property, reports WCAX.

At a recent meeting, Woodstock Village trustees voted unanimously to require people wear masks in public spaces, which includes sidewalks and the town green.

Exceptions to this rule include those dining at restaurants, bike riders, walkers, those with health conditions that prohibit mask wearing, and children under two years old.

Police and meter attendants are being encouraged to approach those without masks and hand them out.

The village is hoping for voluntary compliance, and there is not yet a penalty for those who refuse to wear masks. 

Vermont Health Officials have released the latest COVID-19 statistics for Thursday, July 9, 2020, via WCAX.

As of today, there have been a total of 1,272 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state, which have been linked to 56 deaths.

So far, nearly 73,000 tests have been conducted. There are currently 1,731 travelers being monitored for symptoms, while 2,604 have completed the monitoring process.

To date, 1,054 people have recovered from the virus.

Chittenden County has seen the most cases so far with 632, while Essex County has had the fewest with four.

The VT emergency order is set to expire on July 15th. 

The Vermont State Police are investigating the defacing of three Black Lives Matter murals in Chittenden County, reports NBC 5.

According to police, the murals read “Black Lives Matter” and “Black Trans Lives Matter” and were on roadways in Jericho and Underhill. The two murals were found with tire burnout tracks on them.

A third mural on Browns Trace Road was found with brown and white paint splashed on it.

While there are currently no suspects, the incidents are being investigated as potentially bias-based. 

The Vermont principal who was placed on paid leave due to a controversial social media post has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit, reports WCAX.

Tiffany Riley’s lawsuit states that the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union and Mount Ascutney School Board damaged her reputation when they told her she could no longer lead the school. The district states that she was never fired, therefore they have not violated her rights.

Last month, Riley made a social media post stating that while she supports the Black Lives Matter movement, people should not feel they need to choose the black race over the human race. This has been seen as offensive by some, which led to her being placed on paid leave.

According to her attorney, Bill Meub, “Tiffany strongly supports the Black Lives Matter issues and principles. She has been a leader in equity education and trying to provide that leadership in the school district. She had a point of view that was not heard. She has been wronged and we need to be able to correct the wrong that has occurred and to be able to create some dialog and discussion about what I consider one of the most important issues we have, our freedom of speech.”

Riley and the school board met Monday during an executive session, while the district’s lawyer states that they are deciding how to proceed. 

Two more deaths linked to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic were announced Tuesday in New Hampshire, reports WMUR.

According to health officials, the two deaths were of citizens in long-term care facilities. This brings the pandemic’s death toll in NH to 384.

Officials also reported 19 new COVID-19 cases, which brings the state’s total to 5,932.

Three more hospitalizations were also announced, bringing the number of people who have been hospitalized due to the virus to 577.

As of now, the number of active cases and hospitalizations for Tuesday have not been released.

According to Governor Chris Sununu, the low cases amounts show that NH’s efforts and precautions designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 are working. 

Members of the New Hampshire State Police are investigating the circumstances that lead to a deadly crash Monday in Wentworth, New Hampshire, reports NBC 5.

Investigators state that John Hope Jr., 65, was killed Monday on Route 25 when the truck he was driving rolled onto its roof during a sharp turn. The preliminary investigation has shown that he was hauling lumber on a flatbed trailer when he drove across the fog line before he swerved to remain on the road, which initiated the roll over.

At this time cell phone use is not believed to have been a factor as there is no service on that part of Route 25.

The investigation is ongoing, and if you have any information pertaining to the fatal crash please contact Trooper Sean Smarz at 603-223-8707. 

An investment group led by the family of New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu allegedly benefited from the state’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), reports WCAX.

The program was created to assist in preserving jobs at small businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Waterville Valley Holdings (WVH) received between $350,000 and $1 million from the PPP. WVH is the principal investor in the ski area where Sununu served as CEO until taking office in 2017, Waterville Valley Resort. According to the report, at least five other ski areas or resort properties that received loans through the PPP are associated with this company.

The current administration only released details on approximately 20% of the beneficiaries that received at least $150,000. 

Vermont Health Officials have announced the latest COVID-19 statistics for Monday, July 5, 2020, via WCAX.

As of today, there have been 1,251 confirmed cases of the virus in the state, which have resulted in 56 deaths. Over 70,300 tests have been conducted. Right now there are 1,727 being monitored for symptoms, while 2,375 have completed the monitoring process. To date, 1,022 citizens have recovered from the virus.

Chittenden County has seen the most cases with 629 in total, while Essex County has had the fewest with only three.

VT’s emergency order is set to expire on July 15th.