After the eclipse, many travelers caused traffic congestion on roads in our region. The Vermont Agency of Transportation expected heavy volumes of traffic heading north in the morning and early afternoon, followed by very heavy traffic heading south on the interstates immediately after the eclipse. Delays were experienced at on-ramps and on southbound state highways. Some roads were closed, including the popular Burlington Beltline, which turned into a parking lot. Apart from a bad crash on Interstate-189 heading north on the on-ramp to I-89 north, there were few issues on the road. VTrans officials will provide exact traffic numbers in the coming days.
A Vermont man accused of killing a police officer in a head-on crash during a pursuit in Rutland last summer pleaded not guilty to a new elevated charge of aggravated murder. Tate Rheaume was ordered held without bail pending an evidence hearing. Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene on July 7, 2023. Rutland County State’s Attorney Ian Sullivan said. Rheaume was driving at speeds of more than 80 mph while moving in and out of traffic before the fatal crash.
After an investigation, Vermont lawmakers have recommended against impeaching Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore. Grismore was captured on video kicking a handcuffed man in August 2023, leading to his suspension and eventual termination. Despite winning re-election, he still faces assault charges to which he has pleaded not guilty. Grismore also lost his law enforcement credentials last December. While lawmakers believe Grismore should resign, the timing of the alleged assault before his election has made impeachment unlikely for some.
A Vermont woman faces DUI charges after police say she was found
driving the wrong way on Interstate 89. Just before 1 a.m. on
Tuesday, Vermont State Police say they got reports of a car driving
south in the northbound lane near mile marker 17 in Sharon. Police
stopped the car and identified the driver as Allison Roth, 56, of
Quechee. Roth was arrested on suspicion of DUI and issued a citation.
She is due in court at the end of the month.
Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont, will permanently close this year due to declining enrollment since the 1970s. The board of trustees unanimously voted to shutter the 86-year-old college at the end of the current semester. Despite efforts to make the school economically sustainable, Goddard College has continued to struggle.
Opening statements were delivered on Tuesday in the first civil trial involving the state-run Youth Detention Center in New Hampshire. David Meehan, the accuser, claimed to have experienced physical and sexual abuse during his teenage years at the former YDC. He was the first of many victims to come forward. The accusers are suing the agencies for millions of dollars, alleging that they should have known or did know about the abuse. Additionally, there are criminal cases pending against 11 former YDC employees, who are facing charges of aggravated felonious sexual assault. The Youth Detention Center is now called the Sununu Youth Services Center.