Authorities are investigating a fatal crash that happened on Route 9 in
Chesterfield on Friday. Chesterfield police said multiple crews responded to a two-car crash on Route 9 near Cady Lane and Old Chesterfield Road around 4 p.m. Authorities said the driver of a Ford Mustang was driving westbound on Route 9, crossed the double yellow line, and crashed head-on with a Toyota Highlander heading eastbound. Authorities said both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released their names. The passenger in the Ford Mustang was transported to the hospital by DHART with life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Chesterfield police said they are working with New Hampshire State Police to investigate the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Lance Rouse at (603) 363-4233.
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office has released
statistics comparing fire fatalities in the state for the year 2024
with the previous two years, revealing concerning statistics
In the first 6 months of 2024, there have been 11 unintentional
fires resulting in 13 deaths in the state. Comparatively, in all of
2023 there were 11 fires and 12 victims. In 2022 there were 8
fires resulting in 9 fatalities. The fire marshal’s office notes that
nearly 3 quarters of the incidents this year did not have
working smoke alarms or didn’t have an adequate number of
working smoke alarms. Officials stress that having working
smoke alarms in homes is absolutely critical to provide early
detection and give residents time to escape, in the event of a
fire.
The Vermont Department of Forests and Parks and
Recreation is studying how to manage the growing
popularity of Hamilton Falls. To that end, a civil
engineering firm has been hired to develop a master plan
for the site, balancing preservation with recreational
access. There will be an informational meeting on July 18
at 6pm at the Windham meeting house to learn about
three conceptual designs developed so far.
A man was shot and killed by a police officer Friday morning in Manchester, officials said. Police Chief Allen Aldenberg confirmed the shooting happened at about 9:30 a.m. on Bridge Street between Beech and Ash streets. The man who was shot was taken to Elliot Hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. The attorney general’s office later confirmed that he had died. The man’s identity has not been released, pending an autopsy and notification of next of kin.
New tax data shows just how much Vermonters, and the tens of thousands of visitors spent during April’s Eclipse. Upwards of 160,000 people visited Vermont to witness totality on April 8th. Tax revenue data reported late last month shows Vermont collected over $16 million in meals and rooms taxes, and over $42 million in sales-and-use taxes. Compare that to the same time last year, when the state took in $15.4 million for meals and rooms taxes, and more than $42 million for sales in use. But State Tax Commissioner Craig Bolio says the numbers don’t tell the full story. Some spending, like on groceries, isn’t captured in the revenue report. Other data could be lagging too, like credit card sales. Bolio says revenues only reflect the entire month. Vermont’s Commerce Agency, which estimated the total economic impact could top $50 million, is still crunching the numbers and will issue the total economic impact in a few weeks.
The attorney general’s office said the shooting happened after an officer on patrol approached the man to speak with him. The man told the officer he had a gun, and the officer told him to keep his hands visible, according to the attorney general’s office. At this point, that’s still fully under investigation with regards to what the beginning of that interaction was, said Senior Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati.
A new payroll tax will take effect Monday July 1st 2024 to fund the expansion of
Vermont’s child care financial assistance program. Starting July 1, employers will pay a 0.44% tax on wages paid — with an option to withhold up to 25% of the tax from employees — and self- employed Vermonters will pay a 0.11% tax on income, according to a press release from the Vermont Department of Taxes. The new tax was passed as part of Act 76, which became law in June 2023 after the Legislature overrode Gov. Phil Scott’s veto.
A teen’s death is under investigation after he was stuck under a car in the Mount Mansfield Union High School parking lot. EMS and officers responded to the high school around 4 p.m. Thursday. Police say Silas Salyer, 18, from Underhill, was brought to UVM Medical Center for treatment and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Police say Salyer was working on his car in the school parking lot when the jack holding up the car collapsed.