The Board of Directors of the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the passing of Greg Lesch, the executive director, on Wednesday. He confronted his health challenges with remarkable grace and courage. For over 20 years, Greg was the cornerstone of the Chamber, demonstrating a deep commitment to serving his community. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to Greg’s family during this difficult time.
A LifeFlight helicopter was summoned to Greenfield MA late Wednesday night following a high-speed pursuit along Main Street that culminated in a vehicle collision, resulting in injuries to two individuals. The chase involved a black pickup truck that was reportedly stolen.
Former Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave has pleaded guilty to several felony charges related to the misuse of county funds for personal benefit. Arrested in August 2023, he is required to repay nearly $19,000 to the county as part of a plea agreement. Two multiyear prison sentences for theft and falsifying evidence are suspended pending good behavior, but he may still face 7 to 14 years for perjury.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott and supporters of Act 250 reform are developing strategies to simplify housing construction by restricting the ability to appeal projects. The state’s land use law permits residents to challenge developments in court, but critics argue this leads to prolonged appeals and increased costs for developers. As part of a comprehensive housing bill, the administration aims to limit these appeals. “These are not broad deregulation efforts; they are targeted proposals designed to enhance home building and reinforce successful initiatives,” stated Vt. Housing & Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell. Additionally, the administration seeks to extend Act 250 exemptions for projects near water and sewer infrastructure.
Senator Peter Welch has expressed concern regarding Elon Musk’s access to sensitive FEMA and Medicaid data, which he believes could endanger the personal information of Vermonters. He questioned Musk’s awareness of the struggles faced by these communities, stating, “There’s been a DOGE invasion.” During his Senate floor address on Wednesday, Welch emphasized the need for Congress to reform FEMA rather than support Musk’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency. He criticized the GOP budget proposal for potentially cutting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, which could result in millions losing healthcare coverage. Welch warned that reduced payments to healthcare providers and state budgets would lead to increased costs for over 100 million individuals, asserting that these Medicaid cuts align with the Trump administration’s agenda of prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires.
Vermont State Police are investigating the death of Shawn Gibney, 63, an inmate at the Southern State Correctional Facility, who passed away on Wednesday while in hospice care at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Officials report that his death is not suspicious and appears to stem from medical issues. Gibney had been serving a 35-year-to-life sentence for first-degree murder since 1997. This marks the second inmate death from the Springfield prison in two days, following the discovery of Michael Myers, 51, who was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday. Authorities state that the two incidents are unrelated.
A man from Sturbridge was arrested in Vermont on Tuesday for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs and providing false information to police. Vermont State Police reported that a trooper noticed a suspicious vehicle on Interstate 91 in Rockingham around 3:26 p.m. The investigation revealed that the driver, 40-year-old Preston Harrison, was impaired and had given false details to officers. He was arrested and taken to the Westminster Barracks for processing. Harrison faces charges of DUI Drugs and False Information to the Police and was released with a citation to appear in Windham County Superior Court on April 1.
WTSA SPORTS FOR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21st 2025
THE CELTICS RETURN TO THE COURT TONIGHT AGAINST THE 76ERS, TIP OFF AT 7PM.
THE BRUINS ARE BACK HOME ON SATURDAY AGAINST ANAHEIM, THEY DROP THE PUCK AT 7PM.
THE REDSOX SPRING TRAINING STARTS UP TOMORROW AGAINST THE TAMPA BAY RAYS, FIRST PITCH AT 1:05 ON SATURDAY.
The NFL, MLB, NCAA and NASCAR said they support a bill introduced in Congress on Thursday that would give state and local law enforcement the ability to disable drones during sporting events, which the leagues say have become an increasing threat. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) and entitled the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act, would provide “the tools for local and state law enforcement to protect citizens,”
The American sports betting sector achieved a historic revenue of $13.71 billion in 2024, surpassing the previous year’s record of $11.04 billion, as reported in the annual report released by the American Gaming Association on Wednesday. Looking ahead to 2025, the industry is anticipated to expand by only one additional state: Missouri, which legalized sports betting through a ballot initiative in November, is projected to commence operations by mid- to late-summer.