An early morning fire in Bellows Falls, Vermont is now under investigation, reports WCAX.
At approximately 1 AM on Sunday, fire officials received report of flames being spotted coming out of a second story home at 9 Baker Street. The blaze was quickly under control, in around half an hour, thanks to the assistance of firefighters from multiple area departments.
The fire has been deemed suspicious in nature, and is being investigated as arson.
If you have any information please call the Bellows Falls Police Department at 802-463-1234.
An investigation is being launched into decades old child abuse allegations at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, reports WCAX.
Stephen Harrison, the Executive Director of the Westminster, Vermont facility, claims that he was unaware of the allegations until being contacted by the Brattleboro Reformer. He says that, regardless if the allegations are 30 to 60 years old, they are “both horrific and heartbreaking.” Harrison says that an independent investigation will be used to uncover the truth.
Men and women who are claiming to have been physically and sexually abused at Kurn Hattin are being represented by a law firm that represented abuse survivors in their cases against Larry Nassar, a former US Gymnastics national team trainer.
A bill co-sponsored by United States Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire aims to boost the US Department of Veteran Affairs’ caregiver program, reports the Associated Press.
The VA currently provides stipends and support to caregivers of wounded veterans who sustained or aggravated an injury on or before September 11, 2001. Caregivers could include family members or other members of the veteran’s support group. According to Hassan, caregivers and veterans have been reported being dropped from the program with little to no explanation or time to appeal.
The Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for Veteran Caregivers Act (a.k.a TEAM) would; ensure caregivers are included in veterans’ medical records, require the VA provide more context leading to downgrade or termination decisions, and extend benefits for at least 90 days after a termination measure is sent for cases in which a veteran is deemed “no longer clinically eligible” for the program.
Hassan, a Democrat, is co-sponsoring the bill along with Democrat Gary Peters from Michigan and Republican Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
A case of the Jamestown Canyon Virus has been confirmed in New Hampshire, reports nhpr.
A Loudon resident tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness, marking the state’s first of its kind in 2020.
Due to this, Loudon has been put on high alert by state officials for potential transmission from infected mosquitoes, while surrounding towns are considered at a moderate risk.
JCV cases are typically mild, however, the disease has been known to cause neurological symptoms that can be severe or fatal.
JCV has resulted in 10 NH cases since its first discovery in 2013.
Four people were arrested following a 911 hang-up call last week, reports WCAX.
Police responded to the location of the call, a home in Townshend, Vermont, and found what they called a “large amount of illegal drug activity.”
Four people were arrested inside and outside the home during the drug bust. According to police their names are; Allyson Bagley, Michael Buckland, Nathan Hall, and Desiree Wood.
Bagley, Buckland, and Wood allegedly traveled to Massachusetts to purchase 500 bags of fentanyl before transporting the contraband back to VT on Wednesday. Wood reportedly sold 350 bags of fentanyl around Townshend last week.
The four have been charged with drug trafficking and will appear in court later next month.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a woman linked to infamous billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested Thursday in Bradford, New Hampshire, reports WMUR.
Maxwell, 58, was taken into custody without incident at approximately 8:30 AM, according to ABC News.
She was a longtime companion of Epstein, who was arrested last summer on sex trafficking charges. In August 2019, he was found dead in his jail cell, in what was ruled a suicide. However, his lawyers and many others have disputed this ruling.
BBC News states that Maxwell is being charged with; conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
She is also being charged with two counts of perjury for allegedly lying in a deposition pertaining to her knowledge of Epstein’s activities and denying any interaction with underage girls.
According to court paperwork, the victims were as young as 14-years-old.
New Hampshire Health Officials announced 21 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, reports NBC 5.
According to State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan, the rate of new infections in NH shows that the virus is not spreading in the state as much as it is elsewhere, but he insists the public maintain vigilance in following social distancing guidelines.
There were also two deaths announced, both connected to long-term care facilities.
Two hospitalizations were also announced, the first in four days.
On Thursday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced that the quarantine requirement for visitors from other New England states has been dropped, reports NBC 5.
While other states around the country are experiencing their highest COVID-19 infection rates since the beginning of the pandemic, NH’s percentage of positive tests has remained under 5%. Hospitalizations for the virus have also remained low.
Visitors from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont are now exempt from the 14-day quarantine, and NH residents will not be asked to quarantine after visiting these states.
Visitors from states not listed are still asked to quarantine.
Tips have helped police ID a woman found in the Winooski River last week, reports WCAX.
Last Friday, two people found human remains in the river, in the town of Middlesex, Vermont. After receiving multiple tips, they have identified the woman as 51-year-old Anna Shackett Wagner of Barre.
According to police, Wagner had not previously been reported missing.
Vermont’s ban on plastic bags and throwing out food scraps began on Wednesday, reports WCAX.
Starting on Wednesday, VT food and service establishments are not allowed to give customers plastic carryout bags. Customers will either need to bring their own reusable bags, or pay 10 cents for paper bags. Exceptions to the rule include loose in-store items like coffee, flowers, meat, or nuts.
Citizens will now need to compost their food scraps rather than throwing them in the trash. VT lawmakers hope this will save landfill space and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are a few composting options; composting at home, using a drop-off site, or a curbside hauler. Lawmakers state that nobody will be going through citizens trash bags, but that they are hoping for voluntary compliance.
Both laws are aiming to cut down on the amount of waste in VT landfills.
WNTK Local News 