Raid on party leads to assault arrest
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TIMES ARGUS STAFF
STAFF, WIRE REPORT
TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: April 23, 2009
WARREN – Police busted up a party in Warren last week and arrested a "highly intoxicated" Northfield man who allegedly tried to assault a law enforcement officer, according to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff's Department.
There were about 50 partygoers at the Christmas Tree Inn on the Sugarbush Access Road, and police said they referred 11 people who were younger than 21 to the Teen Alcohol Safety Program.
Police arrested Scott MacLean, 20, of Northfield after he failed to identify himself, became disorderly and tried to assault an officer, the news release stated.
MacLean was lodged at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury.
The Central Vermont Underage Drinking Task Force/START team, made up of members of the sheriff's department, the Montpelier Police Department, the Northfield Police Department and the Vermont State Police, responded to the party early Saturday morning.
Two cited for DUI
TIMES ARGUS STAFF
BARRE – The DUI Enforcement Team from the Washington County Sheriff's Department arrested two people last weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Jessica Blanchard, 35, of East Barre was stopped for erratic operation on North Main Street in Barre, said the sheriff's department in a news release. After police came to believe she was driving under the influence of alcohol, Blanchard was taken into custody and cited for her second DUI, violating her conditions of release and violating her probation.
Nicolas Doiron, 21, of Northfield was also arrested for allegedly driving under the influence over the weekend. Police said they found Doiron stopped in the middle of Route 12 at the intersection with Route 64 in Northfield and determined he was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was taken into custody and later released on a citation to appear in Vermont District Court in Barre.
Woman cited with 'false pretense'
TIMES ARGUS STAFF
MONTPELIER – A 31-year-old South Burlington woman was cited on a charge of false pretense last week after an investigation by the Montpelier Police Department and federal investigators.
Jessica F. Castiglione is accused of receiving nearly $9,000 in unwarranted Section 8 housing benefits through fraudulent means.
The Section 8 program is administered by the Vermont State Housing Authority in Montpelier. Castiglione was cited to appear in Vermont District Court in Barre on May 21 to answer the charge.
Waitsfield receives $5.5 million USDA award
TIMES ARGUS STAFF
WAITSFIELD – The town is to receive a $3 million loan and a $2.5 million grant for construction of a new water system.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Rural Development programs, announced the funding as part of an effort to help local communities nationwide with water projects.
The Waitsfield project, once completed, is expected to alleviate public health concerns and bring residents and business property owners into compliance with state and federal rules. Residents and businesses currently relying on bottled water because of contamination or other water quality issues will no longer need to once connected to the new water system.
The primary users and connections will serve Waitsfield village and Irasville. The potential for additional hookup along the transmission line, from Tremblay Road and along Route 100, and Old County Road remains.
"The town has been working to bring municipal water to Waitsfield citizens for more than 10 years. Rural Development's support has been a critical piece toward getting us to this point and to help us address this real need," said Kate Williams, chairwoman of the Waitsfield Selectboard, in a news release.
Health Dept. warns about pouches it gave away
AP Photo
The Associated Press
BURLINGTON — Remember that green plastic pouch the Vermont Department of Health gave you? Better throw it out. It contains so much lead, it's a hazard to children.
So say state health officials, who warned Wednesday that the zippers on the pouches have 874 parts per million of lead, which exceeds the state and federal safety standards of 600 parts per million.
The pouches, which have been distributed by Department of Health district offices and at health fairs, were designed to hold a cardiovascular health record card given to people to help track their blood pressure, cholesterol and weight.
Karen Garbarino, director of health promotion and disease prevention for the Health Department, says the zippers pose "minimal health risk" to adults but shouldn't be handled by children younger than 12 because they could put the pouches in their mouth.
Police drop charge over pillow fight
The Associated Press
BURLINGTON — Authorities in Burlington won't pursue charges against the organizer of a pillow fight who'd been originally cited for disorderly conduct.
Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan says the incident Friday outside a mall on Church Street, which attracted about 50 participants, was harmless and lasted only about 90 seconds, with no damage to any property.
Twenty-one-year-old Darin Cassler, of Burlington, who planned the event using social networking site Facebook to drum up interest, won't be prosecuted. The charge was dropped Tuesday, WCAX-TV reported.
Sex offender charged in kidnapping, sex assault
The Associated Press
ST. ALBANS — A registered sex offender has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault after allegedly providing alcohol and marijuana to two teenage girls and then molesting one of them.
Vermont State Police say 39-year-old Kermit "Casper" Flanders, of St. Albans, sexually assaulted one of the girls and then drew on her face after they got drunk April 11.
A registered sex offender since 1997, Flanders had moved without notifying the state. Trooper Benjamin Katz says Flanders was arrested Tuesday and charged with furnishing alcohol to minors and a probation violation in addition to the other charges.
Jury selection set for orthopedic surgeon
The Associated Press
BURLINGTON — A Colchester orthopedic surgeon charged with molesting several female patients is going on trial.
Dr. Joseph Abate, a longtime medical adviser to the University of Vermont, is charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault and four counts of sexual assault. He allegedly used his hands to touch the genitals of patients suffering from hip problems and other ailments.
Last month, prosecutors dropped six counts of lewd and lascivious conduct. Jury selection on the remaining charges was scheduled for Wednesday, with testimony beginning Monday.
His lawyer, Eric Miller, says Abate's examinations were proper and that the allegations are a mistake.
Richmond suspends longtime administrator
The Associated Press
RICHMOND — The town has suspended its longtime administrator, and the chairman of its selectboard has resigned.
Ron Rodjenski, who served in the $58,000-a-year job for 16 years, was suspended with pay by the selectboard late Monday for what board members said was failing to follow instructions. Rodjenski told the Burlington Free Press he hadn't been told what he failed to do or how long the suspension will last.
Earlier this month, the town severed its ties with an accounting firm because Rodjenski had had a personal relationship with its auditor. He also owes about $8,400 in back taxes.
Tuesday, Selectboard Chairman Bob Marquis resigned, but it's unclear whether his move is related to the controversy over Rodjenski. Town Clerk Linda Parent says Marquis didn't give a reason.
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STILL ACCURATE?
Vt. lawmaker: state can take lead in medical cards
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) — State lawmakers are hoping to have Vermont become the nation's first state to employ medical card technology, sort of a health care debit card.
The proposal is part of the Senate appropriations bill.
Part of the proposal establishes a task force of lawmakers, health care providers, technology representatives and licensed health insurers.
They would review the prospects of using health information technology to revamp payment processes.
Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, a Windham Democrat, calls idea cutting-edge. It could mean using "smart card" technology.
This means a patient could scan a card so medical facilities can quickly review the patient's eligibility and have the insurance company identify how much of the bill gets covered.
S. Burlington plans for airport noise
SOUTH BURLINGTON (AP) — Officials in South Burlington have given their blessing to plans for an earthen berm aimed at mitigating noise from planes at Burlington International Airport.
The City Council voted 3-1 Monday in favor of a proposal to build the 12-foot barrier and plant willow shrubbery along a 150-foot section of Airport Drive.
Brad Worthen, the airport's community liaison, says the barrier could be completed by late summer.
Engineers plan to test sound levels at 25 places near the berm, before and after its installation, according to the Burlington Free Press.
Wilmington man missing for 9 days
WILMINGTON (AP) — A Wilmington man who disappeared April 12 remains missing, despite searches by a Brattleboro dive team and police dogs.
Fifty-three-year-old Robert Murphy, who was last seen leaving his job, was reported missing April 16.
Wilmington Police Chief Joseph Szarejko says police now believe Murphy may have fallen into the West River. He says investigators have talked to Murphy's friends and acquaintances, and that no one has seen him.
Police are trying to determine the route he took after leaving his job to walk to his home on Route 100, the Brattleboro Reformer reported Tuesday.
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