WTSA News For Your Wednesday, April 19th:
Police are investigating a fatal truck accident in Dover. Police say the truck went off Dover Hill Road in the area of Taft Hill late Tuesday morning The driver, whose identity has not been released, later died from injuries received in the crash.
Grace cottage hospital wants state approval to update its facilities. Chief officer Doug Divello says they’ve submitted an application to Vermont’s Green Mountain Care Board for a Certificate of Need to build a new Family Health clinic. Because the current clinic is bursting at the seams (13 medical providers and 50 other employees provide over 31,000 patient visits per year in two connected houses built in the 1850’s), Grace Cottage has requested an expedited review of the application. Several Community Forums about the new clinic will be held this spring and summer, beginning Wednesday, May 10.
Danielle Fitzko has been appointed commissioner of Vermont’s Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Fitzko has served as interim commissioner since January 2023, and has worked in the department since 2003, including as director of forests for the past four years. She replaces Michael Snyder, who served as FPR commissioner for 12 years. Fitzko will lead 130 full-time employees across four divisions, and over 400 seasonal workers that mainly operate our world class Vermont State Park system.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott says this year’s legislature is ignoring the needs of small communities around the state. According to Scott, despite the efforts of his team and many legislators from these small towns, initiatives that would help communities and families are being sidelined and sacrificed in order to satisfy political agendas and appease special interest groups. This includes an unwillingness to modernize Act 250 so we can increase housing in rural communities; removing funding I’d proposed for much-need community infrastructure like roads, bridges and stormwater; not considering tax relief for working families; and eliminating initiatives that would create jobs in the counties that need them most.The Governor is asking people to share their stories with their lawmakers.
Joe Ribsam, New Hampshire’s Director of Children, Youth and Families, says he will leave state government on June first. Joe has accepted the position of Director of Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Policy at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a nationally recognized foundation focused on the well-being of children and youth. State Health and Human services Interim Commissioner Lori Weaver has committed to ensuring continued support for the child welfare transformation efforts developed during Joe’s tenure.
An alleged serial vandal is out of prison again. Micael Bizuneh, 33, has been accused of smashing up dozens of cars from Burlington to St. Johnsbury, and other communities in between. After previous arrests, he has been released after being found not competent to face the charges. But Bizuneh doesn’t meet the criteria for inpatient mental health treatment either. Bizuneh was released again on Friday from Washington County. The court order says he has to contact Northeast Kingdom Health Services for an intake appointment and follow-up treatment.
LOTTERY NUMBERS:
TRI STATE PICK 3 1-5-7
TRI STATE PICK 4 1-2-3-5
LUCKY FOR LIFE 15-19-22-23-34 LUCKY BALL 10
MEGA MILLIONS 7-9-15-19-25 MEGA BALL 4
MASS CASH 6-17-26-30-32
WTSA SPORTS:
Jayson Tatum had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Celtics past the Hawks Tuesday night, 119-106, to take a two games to none lead in their playoff series. Boston visits Atlanta Friday night, tip-off is at 7pm.
The Bruins host the Panthers tonight, puck drops at 7:30.
Alex Verdugo singled home the winning run as the Red Sox beat the Twins Tuesday night, 5-4. The teams play again tonight, Corey Kluber on the mound for Boston, first pitch is at 7:10.
The Yankees lost to the Angels Tuesday night, 5-2. The teams play tonight, Jhony Brito on the mound for New York, first pitch is at 7:05.