Support Needed For Bill H 259 - Blue Light Legislation

Mark Huntley State Representative/ Cavendish-Weathersfield

To all Vermont Fire and EMS Chiefs and Officers,


My name is Ken Morton, and I am the Chief of Williston Fire/EMS. Over the past four years, I have been a part of putting forth legislation to allow ONE blue light on the rear of a Fire, EMS, State Hazmat, or other Rescue/USAR/Etc. vehicle. Each time the proposed bills have been met with resistance. The purpose of this requested legislation is not to cause Fire and EMS vehicles to have blue lights facing the front and allowing them to appear to be law enforcement vehicles, but, rather to allow for more colored options to get the attention of vehicles approaching us from the rear – hopefully, to cause them to slow down, and possibly avoid a crash. This legislative change is for Department owned vehicles only – not personal vehicles. 

This session, there is a representative who is dedicated to protecting our safety, and is willing to fight for this bill. His name is Mark Huntley, he is a representative from Cavendish, and he has proposed a bill allowing for that ONE blue light to be located on the rear of a vehicle – facing the rear. The proposed bill is House 259. I spoke with representative Huntley last week regarding Bill “H 259 - Blue Light Legislation”, and he feels the chances for approval of this important safety issue are in jeopardy of failing, due to resistance and influence from members of the DMV.


I have to tell all of you, I am pretty fed up with this road block and cat and mouse game. This bill relates directly to the safety of our Firefighters and EMTs, due to increased visibility for our Fire Apparatus and Ambulances. The arguments I am told the DMV leadership is making against this bill are false and misleading. They are citing such concerns as “the motorist will be confused as to what type of vehicle they are approaching” or “the cost to the taxpayer will be great if we need to change our forms” or “forcing every Fire Department to add blue lights will cost thousands of dollars” or “next, wrecker companies will need to have blue lights”. In the Northeast; Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania all allow blue lights on fire vehicles - there will not be confusion, blue lights are allowed on non-police vehicles throughout the region. Forms get printed regularly – adding new verbage to forms is the cost of doing business. No agency will be forced to add blue lights – it will be elective. Last, wrecker lights have nothing to do with the safety of Vermont’s Firefighters and EMT’s.


Overall, there is a complete reluctance from DMV to afford Fire/EMS vehicles the same level of safety protection, by displaying ONE blue light, as is allowed on law enforcement vehicles when they display red lights (which MANY, MANY law enforcement agencies across Vermont are doing without repercussion). Sadly, there are many Law Enforcement Personnel throughout Vermont who are in support of allowing ONE blue light on our vehicles. I suspect, they would also be willing to support allowing a red lens on Police vehicles.


What is not getting to the legislators, since the bill has not been heard, are the following facts; Of the three predominant types of color blindness, only one color can be seen by all three – that color is blue. Red appears grey in two of the three types. Studies in several states have shown the advantage to displaying different colors of lights (blue and red), based on not just the ability of a motorist to identify an emergency vehicle by seeing several different colored lights in the spectrum, but, also, being able to identify red or blue more quickly, based on the time of day.


Imagine a $600,000 Fire Truck, or the new Vermont Haz-Mat Team truck being hit by a motorist due to not slowing down adequately, and totaling the truck. Worse yet, a preventable accident injuring or killing a responder. All because Fire and EMS vehicles could have been afforded the ability to display one more color of light in the spectrum? Not a good outcome either way.


I have copied this e-mail to Chief Al Barber of the Hinesburg Fire Department, and to the Vermont Ambulance Association, and am asking them to forward it to all members of the Vermont State Firefighters Association, and all members of the Vermont Ambulance Association. I ask all persons who read this to call your State Representatives (both Senators and Representatives) immediately, and ask that they support protecting Firefighters and EMT’s throughout Vermont, by supporting this legislation. Again, the sponsoring Representative is Mark Huntley of Cavendish. His number is 802-236-6722.


Last, please let me know of any Law Enforcement personnel who are willing to step up and support this initiative, or, have them contact me.


Thank you, in advance, for your support!


Kenneth N. Morton, Jr.
Fire Chief

Williston Fire Department
645 Talcott Road
Williston, VT 05495
(802) 878-5622

Walk to Prevent Suicide, Springfield, VT

Out of the Darkness Community Walk
Help Us Create A World Without Suicide
 
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Springfield Walking Path, Springfield, VT

Check In/ Registration Time: 9:30 am
Walk: 10 am to 1 pm

For More Information, please contact:
Heather Jarvis 802- 296-1989 hthrjrvs2008@yahoo.com
Judy Jarvis 802-263-5549 judith_jarvisusa@yahoo.com

Online registration closes at noon (local time) the Friday before the walk.

http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=3504

However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts.

Walk donations are accepted until December 31, 2015.

www.afsp.org/walk

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow AFSP to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

As the leader in the fight against suicide, and thanks to walkers like you from cities across the country, AFSP has been able to set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.

Walk ~ Donate ~ Sponsor

Remove Bird Feeders From April 1 to December 1 In Bear Areas

Let’s Avoid Conflict

Follow these guidelines to decrease the chance of conflicts with bears:

~Dispose of garbage frequently. Store it in clean, secure containers (top‐latched, tied, or chained). Don’t put garbage out at the curb the night before pickup.
~Feed pets indoors.
~Keep barbecue grills clean and stored inside.
~ Don’t feed birds from April 1 to December 1 if you live in an area where there are bears. If you see or suspect a bear near your home, remove your bird feeders for at least four weeks or until the bear is no longer in the area.
~ If you have livestock, dispose of animal carcasses immediately by burying or incinerating.
~ Support protecting and enhancing natural food sources in areas away from human habitation.

For more information about how you can help enhance bear habitat, visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website. Please report any black bear incidents you may have had. To report a
backyard visit or damage caused by a bear, go to the Fish & Wildlife website for Wildlife Programs and fill in the form Black Bear Incident Reporting.

Above all, REMEMBER A FED BEAR IS A DEAD BEAR!

Visit these websites to learn more about black bears:

Be Bear Aware—
http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/BeBearAware/bebearaware.html

Bear Wise—
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Bearwise/index.html

Help is Available
Persons suffering bear damage should contact the nearest Vermont Fish & Wildlife office or local state game warden prior to taking any control action on their own. Fish & Wildlife personnel will recommend appropriate measures or control strategies that can lessen the problem.

Producers of bees/honey, corn, fruit orchards, and livestock interested in learning more about black bear damage, its identification, what to do if damage occurs, and where to go for assistance should contact their local Vermont Fish & Wildlife local game warden:  www.vtfishandwildlife.com/about_staff.cfm

MAPP Community Discussion - Legalize Marijuana?

Mt. Ascutney Prevention Partnership

https://www.facebook.com/mappvt.org/photos/a.423299007680206.104963.124548900888553/959671237376311/?type=1&theater

 

Legalize Marijuana?
MAPP Invites You to a Community Discussion
Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 6pm - 7:30pm
Martin Memorial Hall, 5259 Route 5, Ascutney, VT

Mt. Ascutney Prevention Partnership will present an informational presentation around how marijuana legalization may affect your community and the whole landscape of Vermont.

Dinner and childcare will be provided with RSVP to: Courtney.Hillhouse@mahhc.org or call 802-674-2900 x 25.

Important Message About House Numbers

From the Brattleboro Fire Department, but a great message for everyone, everywhere..

 

Brattleboro Fire Department

 

Important message about house numbers.

In the case of an emergency, such as a fire, a difference in minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

 Fire fighters are equipped with many tools to help improve their arrival time. 

One of these tools is a detailed map of their designated area(s). 

 However, house numbers are imperative for a quick reference. 

The more camouflaged and hard to find the numbers are, the longer it will take emergency personnel to arrive at the scene. 

• The numbers need to be a minimum of four inches high and in a contrasting color to their immediate background. Brass or bronze numbers are difficult to see in the day or nighttime.

• The numbers must be displayed on the front of the dwelling and visible from the street.

• If the dwelling is located more than 45 feet from the front lot line, the number should be displayed on a gate post, fence, mailbox, or other appropriate place that will make it visible from the street from all directions when approaching from the street.

• Numbers cannot be obstructed by shrubs, trees, decorations, etc.

Help first responders find you quickly in an emergency, make sure you have the correct address numbers on the front of your house that can be seen easily.

Select Board Special Meeting, 7 pm, Monday, March 30, 2015

Select Board Agenda
Martin Memorial Hall

5259 Route 5

Monday, March 30^th, 2015

7:00 P.M.

Special Meeting

           

1.      Call to Order

2.      Comments from Select Board and Citizens on topics not on agenda

3.      Conduct a study to review the division of duties in Finance Department?

4.      Review job description for Town Accountant and authorize Town Manager to post the position

5.      Adjourn

Have You Given Money To Holly Jagelski Aldrich? Please Contact Police.

Springfield Police Department, Springfield, VT

 

Anyone who has given money to Holly Jagelski Aldrich in the past, with an understanding that she would give them the money back, but has failed to do so, and wishes to proceed with charges are welcome to file a criminal complaint with our agency. 

The transaction must have taken place within the Town of Springfield/North Springfield.

A complaint will be generated for each report. The complaint will be assigned to an officer at the time the complaint is filed with our agency.

You will be requested to fill out a sworn written statement (available from our web page or in our front lobby) and if available, provide any substantiating documentation, such as an IOU, if you have one.

Due to possible activity, an officer may not be immediately available at the time of your report to speak with you, but will reach out to you as expediently as possible.

You may still fill out and/or present your statement to the Dispatcher for notarization and forwarding to the responsible officer and they can, upon request, provide you with the name of the officer to be assigned and/or a case number for future reference.

Preserve School Choice

Weathersfield Vermont Community added a new photo.

https://www.facebook.com/522635541095720/photos/a.916909671668303.1073741830.522635541095720/1117839284908673/?type=1&theater

  

Limit Your Chances of Being a Victim

Springfield Police Department, Springfield, VT

https://www.facebook.com/133631763326692/photos/a.148411821848686.23134.133631763326692/906607569362437/?type=1&theater

Reports are beginning to filter in that vehicles in the North Springfield area are being entered and rummaged thru.

It's only a matter of time with warmer weather that this will be happening town-wide.

 Please limit your chances of being a victim.

Lock your doors, don't leave things of value in your car especially in plain sight.

Former Church Secretary Faces New Criminal Charges

by ERIC FRANCIS

HERALD CORRESPONDENT | March 20,2015

 

 http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150320/THISJUSTIN/150329997

 

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A former Springfield church secretary faced new criminal charges this week after she allegedly lied about money problems to get money from church parishoners. 

Holly Aldrich, 48, of Springfield, who has also been known as Holly Jagelski in recent years, pleaded innocent this week to three misdemeanor counts of false pretenses before she was released from the courthouse in White River Junction on pre-trial conditions. She is the former secretary at the rectory of St. Mary’s Catholic church in Springfield, who police say used her personal connections to people she knew through the church - some of whom remembered her from nearly three decades ago - in order to get money from them under false pretenses. 

Aldrich had already been facing two felony counts of forgery, charges to which she entered innocent pleas last June, after a local small business owner and a church acquaintance of Aldrich’s reported to police that she’d gotten into their vehicles on unrelated occasions and stolen blank checks. Springfield Police say that Aldrich forged signatures and wrote in hundred dollar amounts on each of the checks before managing to cash one at a convenience store and being turned away from a credit union with the other.

The latest charges allege that at the beginning of this year Aldrich approached a series of churchgoers with the same story, saying that her husband had just left her, taking all of her money except for a $10,000 certificate of deposit which she could only retrieve from her bank by paying a $140 fee upfront. The victims said Aldrich promised to promptly repay them within hours once she’d supposedly withdrawn the larger sum.

Chester Police Detective Matthew Wilson wrote in an affidavit filed with the court that in January he received two complaints from townspeople who said they’d given Aldrich the $140 she said she needed only to have her disappear on them and stop taking their calls.

Wilson said he soon “found surrounding towns were reporting the same type” of fraud scheme was allegedly being perpetrated by Aldrich.

“Weathersfield Police Chief William Daniels stated he’d had numerous reports (about Aldrich) with the same exact scam,” Wilson wrote in the court paperwork but he also noted, “Chief Daniels said a that a lot of his victims were shy about pressing the issue.”

Wilson noted that his counterparts at the Springfield Police Department have also opened their own parallel investigation into complaints about Aldrich allegedly carrying out “numerous scams of the same nature” in their town as well.

Aldrich, who has no prior criminal record, faces a maximum potential penalty of up to 23 years in prison if she were to be convicted of all of the charges now outstanding against her.

 

VT Fish & Wildlife Propose New Rules For Public Shooting Ranges

 VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE
Press Release
 http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Detail.cfm?Agency__ID=3598

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2015
Media Contacts: Daneil Pieterse, Shooting Range Project Technician, 802-272-6923
Chris Saunders, Hunter Education coordinator, 802-343-5487

Public Invited to Comment on Proposed State Shooting Range Rules

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is proposing strengthening rules for its public shooting ranges to address potential noise, safety and usage issues with a goal of developing more ranges for members of the public to safely hone their shooting skills.

The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed rules at a public hearing in the Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street, Montpelier, on Thursday, April 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and at a public informational meeting in the Hartland Recreational Center, Route 12, Hartland on Wednesday, April 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Since the first department-owned shooting range opened in Hartland, Vermont in 2012, there has been an exponential increase in its use.

“The intent of this proposal is to resolve public safety or noise complaints, and to develop range rules that allow for co-existence between range users and neighbors,” said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter. “Creating this balance will ensure future outdoor recreational shooting areas are successful.”
   
Proposed changes to shooting ranges operated by the Fish & Wildlife Department include:
•       Require all users15 years of age and older to have a valid Vermont hunting, fishing or combination license unless attending an event or training sponsored by the department.
•       Prohibit use of any fireworks, pyrotechnics, or any other explosive targets, including tannerite.
•       Prohibit firing more than six rounds per magazine.

“Hunting has a rich cultural heritage, and it plays an indispensable role in wildlife management,” said Porter. “However, the future of hunting is, in part, dependent on the availability of safe, environmentally responsible shooting ranges for hunter skill development.”


 http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_rules.cfm

Page 1
Annotated
10 V.S.A. App. § 15b. Rule Governing Public Use of Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Shooting Ranges
1.0 Authority
1.1 This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. §4146 which authorizes the
Commissioner to adopt rules “as necessary for the proper protection and
management” of public shooting grounds.
1.2 This rule is only applicable to shooting range facilities which are owned by the
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and are open to the general public.
2.0 Purpose
2.1 The purposes of this rule is to regulate public activities and use at Vermont Fish
and Wildlife Department shooting ranges, to provide for the safe and efficient
operation of these facilities and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the
public.
3.0 Requirements and Prohibited Activities at all Department Shooting Ranges
3.1 All range users shall:
a) have a valid Vermont hunting, fishing or combination license as required
for individuals 15 years of age and older, unless attending an event or
training sponsored by the Department;
b) wear hearing and eye protection, this includes both shooters and
spectators;
c) not handle or shoot any firearms while anyone is beyond or in front of the
firing line, shooting benches or otherwise down range;
d) communicate to all shooters to cease shooting, before going down range;
e) point loaded firearms in a safe direction at all times;
f) cap and prime muzzleloaders from the firing line;
g) keep all firearms unloaded, with actions open, until the shooter is ready to
fire at the firing line; and
h) remove and place all discarded objects, trash, targets and spent cartridge
hulls in trash receptacles before leaving the range.

Page 2
3.2 The following activities are strictly prohibited:
a) The use of the shooting range at any other time than the range hours posted at the range by the Commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
b) The use of tracer, armor piercing or steel core ammunition.
c) The shooting of any airborne or thrown objects (e.g. clay pigeons), unless designated for such purpose.
d) Shooting long rifles and shotguns from any pistol bench.
e) Shooting outside the designated shooting areas, in front of the firing line or, anywhere other than from or right next to shooting benches.
f) Shooting any target other than paper targets secured to the target frames and raised above ground level, unless attending an event or training sponsored by the Department. No other targets shall be allowed.
g) Shooting at the vegetation, trash, range equipment or facilities.
h) Shooting from the hip or any other shooting position in which the shooter cannot properly utilize the sights.
i) The use of lighted tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes; and the use of alcohol, or any illegal substances.
j) The presence at the facility or use of the facility by any person who is under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substances.
k) Children (aged 15 years or younger) that are not accompanied by an individual over the age of 18, unless attending an event or training sponsored by the Department.
l) The presence of any domestic animal or pets on the range except bona fide Service and Assistance Animals.
m) The use of any fireworks, pyrotechnics, or any other explosive targets, including tannerite.
4.0 Prohibited Activities Applicable only to Designated Ranges as Determined by the Commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Page 3
4.1 As necessary to address public safety or noise complaints, and provided that the Commissioner posts the provisions at the shooting range where the rule is applicable, the Commissioner may prohibit the following at a Department owned shooting range:
a) Firing more than 6 rounds per magazine.

Windsor Officials Worry About Call to Close Prison

http://www.wcax.com/story/28604950/windsor-officials-worry-about-call-to-close-prison

 

WINDSOR, Vt. - 

 A sprawling landscape surrounds the Southeast State Correctional Facility in Windsor.

"If you haven't seen this, I don't think it is what anyone would picture as a correctional facility," Windsor Town Manager Tom Marsh said. "There is almost 1,000 acres here."

About 70 of those acres are inside the prison walls. But with the facility's pending closure in 2017, the future of the buildings and all the prison's state-owned farm land is uncertain.

"Windsor isn't here to dictate state policy. That decision can be made in Montpelier," Marsh said. "But nobody is going to be more impacted by the decision to close the prison than the town of Windsor and we deserve a right to be at the table."

The House Appropriations Committee included the prison's closure in its 2016 budget plan to save the state just over $800,000. Lawmakers say the 100-bed facility can be shuttered without having to send inmates out of state. But about 60 people would lose their jobs. And how the facility would be decommissioned is something Windsor's town manager says needs to be addressed to prevent it from becoming an abandoned eyesore.

"As far as any outreach from any of the commissions or those making the decisions, I've heard nothing," Marsh said.

Longtime resident Bernie Shaban supports the closure and thinks the facility should be turned into a home for veterans who have no other place to go.

"Not only for the veterans of Vermont but for New England, too. We have six or seven prisons and only one veterans home tucked down in Bennington," Shaban said.

Whatever the future holds, Marsh says the town should have a say.

"How this facility is going to be repurposed, what the use of the land is going to be and how we can turn something that may be a negative into a real social positive," he said.

The public currently has access to a lot of the land, and Marsh says he hopes it will stay that way.

NO Fire Commission Meeting Tuesday Night

There will be NO Fire Commission meeting, March 24, 2015, Tuesday.

Do You Know Where Casey Wing is Located? Away Without Parental Permission (Runaway)

Springfield Police Department, Springfield, VT

 

 https://www.facebook.com/133631763326692/photos/a.148411821848686.23134.133631763326692/905428439480350/?type=1&theater

 

Springfield Police Department is currently looking for Casey Wing who has been reported to this agency as away without parental permission (runaway).

She has most recently been known to be hanging out in the High Street area of Springfield, VT. 

If you see this female, please contact the Springfield Police Department at 885-2113.

VT Deer Hearings This Week

Vermont Fish & Wildlife

https://www.facebook.com/vtfishandwildlife/photos/a.10150173749719725.320536.54736059724/10153157888189725/?type=1&theater

 

Don't forget the deer hearings are this week in locations throughout Vermont.
Can't make it in person? Check out Vermont PBS’s live web stream, available at vermontpbs.org/outdoorjournal of the March 23 hearing.

All hearings run 6:30-9 pm at the following dates and locations:

March 23 Barre – Spaulding High School, 155 Ayers St., Barre, VT 05641
March 23 Bennington – Mt. Anthony Middle School Cafeteria, 747 East Road, Bennington, VT 05201
March 24 Brighton – Brighton Elementary School, 825 Railroad St., Island Pond, VT 05846
March 24 Brattleboro – Brattleboro UHS, 131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, VT 05478
March 26 St. Albans – St. Albans Town Educational Ctr., 169 South Main St., St. Albans, VT 05478
March 26 Castleton – Kehoe Conservation Camp, 636 Point of Pines Road, Castleton, VT 05735

Traffic Safety Survey from VT State Police - Please Take Survey & Share This Message

http://vsp.vermont.gov/trafficsurvey

Our Traffic Safety Team is seeking feedback in an effort to understand the effectiveness of our highway safety efforts.

This survey is intended to give the public an opportunity to share their input on our efforts.


We need the public’s assistance in keeping the roads safe for everyone.

Together we have made great strides towards saving lives through enforcement, education, and engineering of safer roads as well as improvements in our ability to render medical aid immediately following a crash.

2014 saw the lowest number of fatalities since 1944 and the lowest number of alcohol impaired related fatalities (6) in decades.

But even one fatality is an enormous loss to our state. 

Through March 21^st there have been five people killed on Vermont’s roads.

Please take a moment to complete this survey.

Thank You!

 

Good Samaritan Turns Bad

https://wntk.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/good-samaritan-turns-bad/

Vermont State Police are looking to identify a man who assaulted a woman after he fixed her car.

Police say just before 11 pm on Sunday a woman motorist at the Gulf Station in Cavendish Vt. was trying to get help with her broken down car.

An unknown male stopped to assist her and fixed the car.

After starting her car, the man asked her for money.

The woman said she did not have any to give and the man assaulted her through the rolled down driver’s window.

The victim was able to drive away and call the police.  

Police are looking for a white male, approximately 5’10 and slender built with shoulder length dirty blonde hair.

At the time, he was wearing a blaze orange winter hat and a blue/gray coat.

The suspect’s face had acne scars and his voice was raspy.

Lake Ice is Thinning; Don't Be a Victim - Stay Off The Ice

Vermont Emergency Management shared US National Weather Service Burlington VT's post.

 

 https://www.facebook.com/NWSBurlington/photos/pcb.839467729458463/839462986125604/?type=1&theater

 

 

 

 

 

 

US National Weather Service Burlington VT added 2 new photos.

Yes, we know there is still a lot of ice on the lakes, but thanks to our longer days and stronger sun, that ice is starting to decay & weaken from the inside and bottom. 

PLEASE SPREAD the safety message that we and our friends from the US Coast Guard-Burlington and Vermont Emergency Management have put together.

Bottom line, it's increasingly difficult to tell how strong the ice is just by looking at it, and chances are it's much weaker than you might think. Best course of action is to just stay off of it.

Springfield Woman "Holly" Cited for Scamming Neighbors

By SAMANTHA TIGHE | Mar 20, 2015

http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/springfield-woman-cited-for-scamming-neighbors/1319740?cid=2594048#.VQwf1VGvhCw.facebook

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield woman is facing three misdemeanor charges of false pretenses after police say she scammed neighbors into giving her money.

It is alleged that Holly Jagelski Aldrich, 47, has been approaching people in Chester and Springfield for months and asking for monetary handouts of up to $150. According to police, Aldrich had a formula which she stuck to — she would approach acquaintances and invoke familiarity by saying she knew family members or attended church with them.

Then, police say, Aldrich would ask for money.

According to an affidavit written by Detective Matthew Wilson of the Chester Police Department, Aldrich would tell individuals that her husband left her, she was broke and that she needed to borrow money to retrieve a $10,000 certificate of deposit [CD] from the bank. Aldrich would tell loaners that after she retrieved the money from the CD, she would pay them back.

Often, the loaners would never hear from Aldrich again.

"I started looking into this case and found that surrounding towns were reporting the same type of scam," Wilson wrote.

Though these scams were being reported, police said they could not arrest Aldrich because these loan agreements were typically made verbally. In a few instances detailed in the affidavit, loaners would have Aldrich sign statements and have her give copies of identification, such as her passport and license. 

In January, the Springfield Police Department took to their Facebook page to warn residents about the scam, telling people to beware of the stories created by "Holly."

"Please, the choice is ultimately yours, but be ... aware that the stories, no matter the tale spun, are lies. It's nothing more than a scam," the post reads. "And because it is a verbal agreement ... we can do nothing to criminally charge her."

Aldrich was eventually cited on Feb. 25 for the scams. 

"I advised [Aldrich] that at this point she was only cited," Wilson wrote. "However if she continued these frauds after our conversation that she would be arrested again and lodged for a continuation of crimes."

Aldrich appeared at court in White River Junction on Tuesday. She has pled not guilty to all three charges.

Ice Shanties OFF by Sunday, March 29 or Sooner

Vermont Fish & Wildlife

https://www.facebook.com/vtfishandwildlife/photos/a.10150173749719725.320536.54736059724/10153128205734725/?type=1&theater

Remember that ice shanties must be removed from the water by next Sunday, March 29 at the latest, or sooner if the ice begins to weaken.

And don't forget: the problem with ice shanties is often not the ice simply growing weaker, but that the surface ice can thaw and then re-freeze, permanently freezing the shanty to the ice. Don't let this happen to you!

Community Discussion About Marijuana Legalization

Mt. Ascutney Prevention Partnership

https://www.facebook.com/mappvt.org/photos/a.423299007680206.104963.124548900888553/956216427721792/?type=1&theater

 

Don't Be Fooled....Marijuana Legalization is NO JOKE!

A Community Discussion

Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 6pm - 7:30pm
Martin Memorial Hall, 5259 Route 5, Ascutney, VT

Mt. Ascutney Prevention Partnership will present an informational presentation around how marijuana legalization may affect your community and the whole landscape of Vermont.

Dinner and childcare will be provided with RSVP to: Courtney.Hillhouse@mahhc.org or call 802-674-2900 x 25.

Drugs, Guns Found in Weathersfield Home

By SAMANTHA TIGHE | Mar 18, 2015 

  http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/drugs-guns-found-in-weathersfield-home/1319152

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Perkinsville woman is facing possession charges after police, while executing a search warrant, found narcotics in her home.

Tina Stone Cushman, 39, has been charged with heroin possession and narcotic delivery. Cushman pled not guilty during her probable cause hearing on March 12. A third charge, relating to heroin delivery, was dropped due to lack of evidence. Cushman’s arraignment occurred on March 17..

Carol Duncan, 53, of Ascutney, initially approached police to ...

Police Say Woman Kept Drug Records

March 19, 2015
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150319/THISJUSTIN/703199915/0/lib

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Perkinsville woman who allegedly kept meticulous records of her drug-dealing is facing charges.

Tina Cushman, 39, who has several aliases according to court records, pleaded innocent Tuesday in White River Junction criminal court to a felony charge of delivery of narcotics and to a misdemeanor charge of heroin possession.

Vermont State Police also seized a neatly handwritten seven-page document from a shelf in Cushman’s bedroom that they said appeared to be a business plan for her alleged drug dealing enterprise.

Police said Cushman spelled out drug prices for different levels of customers, a list of people not to deal with and “House Rules” for her partners in the alleged business.

Court records lay out some of the rules: “Hours of operation 10 a.m. to midnight, Do not go behind a partner’s back to undercut deals or sell to someone on the No Deal list, Receipts need to be gotten for all purchases of business supplies like baggies. .. Don’t carry around large amounts of cash, All deposits need to be reported to Tina as they occur to allow for bookkeeping accuracy. ... No children present during business transactions.”

A raid at the same home in August also resulted in Chad Cushman, 43, pleading innocent to a felony count of marijuana cultivation and misdemeanor possession of bath salts.

1st VT 911 Dispatch Center To Close Within 45 Days

WCAX-TV shared a link.

 http://www.wcax.com/story/28555850/1st-vt-911-dispatch-center-to-close-within-45-days

1st Vt. 911 dispatch center to close within 45 days

www.wcax.com|By Logan Crawford

 

  MONTPELIER, Vt. - The Department of Public Safety says despite controversy and concerns over plans to close two of the four Vermont State Police 911 dispatch centers, they are closing.

"Derby will be closing first. I expect that could be coming within the next 45 days," Vt. Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn said.

Flynn says the Rutland center will close soon after Derby. And with these shutdowns will come layoffs.

"My fear is that should this consolidation happen, the stress we face every day will only increase immensely," said Nicholas Shannon, a dispatcher. "We will be responsible for at least 50 percent of the state and be expected to make life-altering decisions with decreased staffing and increased workload."

At a public hearing at the Statehouse Tuesday night, dispatch workers were blunt about their opposition.

 

 "There is simply no safe way for this consolidation to continue," one dispatcher said at the hearing. "Every time a problem in this proposal arises, the powers that be throw a solution at it which actually ends up being more of a problem."

Flynn met with the House Committee on Government Operations Wednesday to outline his view of the consolidation plan. Some lawmakers worry about the loss of state jobs and possible safety issues with fewer dispatchers handling more calls.

"Reducing the numbers, and there's 7,000 more a year, somewhere someone's going to be picking up some extra calls," said Rep. Mark Higley, R-Orleans-Lamoille.

But Flynn says first responders will get to scenes quickly.

"This is not going to affect the services we provide," Flynn said. "The only thing that's going to change is the service delivery method."

When it comes to laying off potentially 30 dispatchers, Flynn says it's a tough decision. But he says the consolidation will save the state nearly $2 million.

"Not a decision that I enter into lightly, but it is a decision that I look at in my greater obligation to the people of the state to be a steward of the taxpayers' dollars that I'm entrusted with," Flynn said.

Some lawmakers expressed frustration off camera about the plan, but Flynn says he can close the dispatch centers without legislative approval.

 

ROBBERY - North Springfield Irving Station - Do You Recognize This Subject?

Springfield Police Department, Springfield, VT's post.

https://www.facebook.com/133631763326692/photos/pcb.903238313032696/903234093033118/?type=1&theater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Springfield Police Department, Springfield, VT added 2 new photos...

 

On March 18th, 2015, at approximately 19:30 hours, officers from the Springfield Police Department and Vermont State Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the North Springfield Irving Station. 

A masked and gloved man had reportedly entered the convenience store and subsequently displayed a gun while demanding cash from the clerk. The robber fled the scene on foot after being given cash. 

The robber is believed to be a white male, about 5'8" tall, and stocky with dark eyes and a deep voice. 

The robber wore a grey hoodie with a red printed design on the front and back. 

 Anyone with information is asked to contact the Springfield Police Department. Again the PD comes to you the public to assist with identifying the subject in the photo. While the image is grainy we are hoping someone may recognize the subject.

Weathersfield Proctor Library Town Challenge

The WS Faculty and Staff have a vibrant team ready to compete in the Weathersfield
Proctor Library Town Challenge to be held here at school on March 21, 2015 at 7:00
pm.

The school adult team members are:
Tim Herbert
Lora Powers
Kristina Hughes
Alternates: JeanMarie Oakman and Patty Pomerleau

We also have a student team called the Purple Panthers who will be competing,
representing WS, as well. These stellar students will give any team a run for their money,
for sure:
Skylar Swan, Grade 8
Kacie Charest, Grade 8
Brooke McKeen, Grade 8
Alternate: Grayson Frazer, Grade 7

If you care to make donations for either team, we will gladly accept ALL donations! Please contact the school at 674-5400.

It is to benefit the Proctor Library so it is indeed for a good cause! Hope you will come out and see us compete on March 21st at 7:00 pm!

It promises to be a very entertaining night!

Weathersfield School - Substitute Training - Part 2

Weathersfield School is hosting substitute training, part 2, on March 26, 2015 from noon to 2:00 pm in the Conference Room.

This is open to all substitutes who came in September for the first training, for any new substitutes, and for anyone who is interested in learning more about substituting.

The agenda will include Act One training, classroom management strategies, emergency preparedness information, confidentiality, dress code, chain of command, our sub policy, review of our handbooks and a tabletop drill.

For more information, please call the school at 674-5400. We are hoping for a good turn out!

This training is open to the public.

UPDATE: SCAM ALERT! "Holly" - Many Victims, Same Story!

Please also visit: Springfield Woman Cited for Scamming Neighbors 
http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/springfield-woman-cited-for-scamming-neighbors/1319740?cid=2597239#.VQwf1VGvhCw.facebook

Police Department, Springfield, VT
January 15 - March 16

Victims one by one trickle in....the story the same .... Holly .... scamming individuals (she reportedly has at least one accomplice) of $140.00 to "help her release a $10,000.00 CD" because her husband "left her destitute".

Says just enough to invoke familiarity, went to school with your son/daughter, you know her grandparents, I remember you - you used to work here or there...Bubbly, maybe even Feigning Grief to add to the "Destitute" performance.... Trusting....

PLEASE, the choice is ultimately yours, but be very, very much aware that the stories, no matter the tale spun, are lies... it's nothing more than a scam.....

And because it is a verbal agreement, a loan, a civil action, we can do nothing to criminally charge her.

 According to one post, she again scammed someone yesterday with the same story...

Spring? Winter? Winter? Spring!!!!

WCAX-TV

https://www.facebook.com/WCAXTV/photos/a.211649130441.267115.140859045441/10155319305795442/?type=1&theater

 

Inside The Forecast:

Every time we make a little headway towards spring, like yesterday when we hit 40° for a high in Burlington, then it seems like we take 2 steps backwards into winter again. That's what will happen today.

A cold front will move through today, accompanied by rain & snow showers. The first part of today will still be mild, but cold air will come rushing in on blustery NW winds by mid-to-late afternoon. A few snow showers will continue, mainly in the higher elevations through the night. And there could be a few snow showers in the mountains on Wednesday.

The cold air will stick around through the rest of winter! Thursday is the last full day of winter. Spring officially starts on Friday at 6:45 PM.

There will be another brief spike in our temperatures on Saturday, but that will be ahead of yet another cold front, which will spread a few rain/snow showers around on Saturday, and then usher in more winter-like air for the first Sunday of spring.

And that's just the way it's been going so far this year.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! -Gary

 

 

IDENTIFIED!!!! Parker Hill Breaking and Entering - Do You Recognize These People?

***The PD is pleased to announce with help from all of you, all 3 subjects have been identified!!******We Thank You so much for your commitment to your community!!!****

https://www.facebook.com/133631763326692/photos/pcb.902257146464146/902256866464174/?type=1&theater

Springfield Police Department, Springfield, VT added 6 new photos.

On Saturday evening a house on Parker Hill was broken into by the subjects in the photos below. Anyone recognize these people or the truck they arrive in - The truck is a black or dark blue Suzuki Equator?

 

Small Districts Feel the Squeeze: Vermont Bill Pushes Consolidated Schools

Valley News

http://www.vnews.com/home/16069926-95/small-districts-feel-the-squeeze-vermont-bill-pushes-consolidated-schools

 

Mergers. Consolidation. Realignment.
Whatever term is used, the core concept behind a major educational reform bill wending its way through the Vermont Statehouse is the same: The state’s taxpayers can no longer afford to pay for the diminished economies of scale that come with small school districts.
Read more: http://bit.ly/1BKpKmo

 

Small Districts Feel the Squeeze: Vermont Bill Pushes Consolidated Schools

vnews.com