Leaders from our region are honoring former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. Senator Bernie Sanders remarked on social media that Carter, the 39th president, will be remembered as a decent and honest man. Senator Peter Welch emphasized that Carter’s dedication to peace and prosperity serves as a model for all, highlighting his kindness and selflessness as ideals for public servants and Americans alike.
An independent representative from Dover, Laura Sibilia, has announced her candidacy for Vermont speaker of the House. She informed the secretary of state of her intention to run against incumbent Speaker Jill Krowinski, who has held the position since 2021 and recently secured the Democratic caucus’s backing. Sibilia’s campaign is motivated by concerns over the significant increase in education property taxes. The House will elect a speaker on January 8, the first day of the session.
This year, Vermont restricted wake sports to 30 inland lakes, but residents are advocating to reduce this number to 20. Dave Kidney of West Danville has spent 42 summers enjoying activities like kayaking and tubing with his grandchildren at Joe’s Pond, which he describes as a gem of the Northeast Kingdom. However, he notes that the introduction of wake boats has disrupted the pond’s tranquility, creating dangerous conditions for traditional users. In response to recreational and environmental concerns, including shoreline erosion, Vermont has implemented its first wake sport ban. While Joe’s Pond remains an eligible zone for wake sports, Kidney is actively seeking to prohibit them there through a petition he authored.
St. Michael’s College in Colchester is promoting a new initiative aimed at making college more affordable for students next year. Beginning this fall, students from families earning less than $100,000 annually will qualify for free tuition. The college acknowledges that while some students previously received such assistance, many incoming students were unaware of it. To address this, they have introduced the St. Mike’s Community Commitment program. Brigid Lawler from St. Michael’s College emphasized the importance of informing prospective students, including those who may not have considered St. Mike’s, about this opportunity. This initiative also serves to enhance St. Mike’s competitiveness in attracting students, especially as the college faces challenges in maintaining enrollment levels post-COVID.
The town of Hinsdale has secured a federal grant for renovations at the Millstream Community Center, which will close to the public starting January 20th and is tentatively set to reopen on March 1st. This closure will affect the Welfare Office and Food Pantry. An open house is planned to showcase the improvements. The Hinsdale Welfare Office will relocate to the Town Hall on January 13th, with office hours on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM, and by appointment. Residents can reach the office in person at the selectman’s window or via email at hinsdalewelfare@hinsdalenh.org. The Food Pantry will remain at the Community Center, offering services once a week on Mondays from 10 AM to 2 PM, starting January 13th, to accommodate community members in wheelchairs. For inquiries, contact Program and Welfare Director Heather Jutras at hjutras@hinsdalenh.org or call 603-336-5726.
Police are searching for a Vermont woman who has not been seen since she left work early Saturday morning. Investigators say Tieara Hall, 34, of Morristown, was reported missing Sunday afternoon. Berlin police say Hall left her job at Applebee’s in Berlin at about 1 a.m. Saturday. They say she has not been seen or heard from since then. Police say there are concerns for her welfare. Investigators say she was last known to be driving a gray, 2015 Dodge Dart with Vermont plates GMX 512. They say she has ties to the Washington, Lamoille and Chittenden county areas.Anyone with information on Hall’s whereabouts is asked to call the police in Berlin, Vermont, at 802-223-4401.
WTSA SPORTS FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 31st 2024
THE CELTICS ARE BACK ON THE COURT TODAY AT HOME AGAINST THE RAPTORS, TIP OFF AT 3PM.
The Celtics are sitting at 22-6, second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavaliers. Boston has a 10.0 point differential, good for 4th-best in the league. Much of this is being done without their All-Star center, Kristaps Porzingis, who returned on November 25th after getting off-season surgery.
THE BRUINS ARE BACK ON THE ICE THIS AFTERNOON IN WASHINGTON AGAINST THE CAPITALS, THEY DROP THE PUCK AT 12:30PM
Happy New Year 2025, from all of us at WTSA Radio