Authorities have identified a man from Vernon who is alleged to have struck a 14-year-old girl with his vehicle before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred on Friday shortly after 4 p.m. on Route 142 in Vernon. According to the Vermont State Police, David Knapp, 61, of Vernon, has been charged with negligent driving. The teenager received treatment for minor injuries and has since been released.
The Vermont Department of Labor released data on the Vermont economy for the time period covering December 2024. According to household data, the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for December was 2.4 percent. This reflects no change from the prior month’s revised estimate. Vermont has the second lowest rate in the nation behind South Dakota (1.9%).
Vermont officials report that tourism generated $4 billion for the state economy in 2023. According to the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, approximately 15.8 million visitors spent this record amount, accounting for over 9% of the state’s gross domestic product, significantly exceeding the national average of 3%. The tourism sector supports around 30,000 jobs, representing about 9% of Vermont’s workforce.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1 bird flu, in a non-commercial backyard flock in Windsor County. Samples collected on January 21st were tested and confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Iowa. This marks the fifth case of HPAI in Vermont’s domestic flocks since spring 2022, highlighting the need for continued vigilance against this ongoing threat. This confirmation follows another case in Franklin County last December.
Vermont’s congressional delegation is actively seeking to safeguard local industries amid rising concerns over proposed tariffs between the United States and Canada. Senator Peter Welch convened a roundtable in St. Albans with business leaders to discuss the potential economic impact of these tariffs. The meeting allowed local business owners to express their concerns regarding job security, costs, and the sustainability of their operations, which Welch described as an ideal opportunity to engage with the business community.
New Hampshire officials are alerting residents, particularly seniors, about a lottery and sweepstakes scam. The state attorney general reports that scammers falsely inform victims of winning a prize, requiring upfront fees via wire transfer, bitcoin, or prepaid cards to claim it. The AG emphasizes that legitimate lotteries do not request advance payments and advises against sharing personal information.
Tuesday commemorated the 39th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, which occurred on January 28, 1986, when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after launch. Among the seven crew members who perished was New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian teacher selected for a space mission, along with Dick Scobee, Mike Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, and Gregory Jarvis.
WTSA SPORTS FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29th 2025
THE BRUINS BEAT THE SABRES YESTERDAY 7 – 2, BRUINS AR OFF TONIGHT AND ARE BACK ON HE ICE THURSDAY AGAINST WINNIPEG PUCK DROPS AT 7PM
THE CELTICS ARE BACK ON THE COURT TONIGHT AGAINST THE BULLS, TIP OFF AT 7:30PM.
IN LOCAL BOYS BASKETBALL, THE BEARS VISIT OTTER VALLEY TONIGHT, TIP OFF AT 7PM
LOCAL GIRLS ICE HOCKEY, BURR & BURTON VISITS BRATTLEBORO TONIGHT, THE DROP THE PUCK AT 7PM