On Sunday, April 20th, members of the Brattleboro Police and Fire departments responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident on South Main Street involving two pedestrians. The road was closed from approximately 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. due to the severity of the incident. Both pedestrians sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were treated by BFD personnel before being transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for further care. During their investigation, police determined that Rolf B. Parker-Houghton, 59, of Brattleboro, operated his vehicle negligently, leading to the crash. He was issued a criminal citation for negligent operation and released, with a court appearance scheduled in Vermont Superior Court at a later date.
The Vermont House has passed a bill designed to reduce medical debt for low-income residents, which now awaits Governor Phil Scott’s approval. The legislation proposes using $1 million in one-time funding to eliminate $100 million in medical debt, potentially benefiting around 60,000 residents. Led by Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak, the initiative highlights the significant impact of missed payments on financial health. In collaboration with the nonprofit Undue, the plan involves negotiating with providers to buy debt from low-income individuals and those with outstanding debts. Similar measures have been implemented in states like Rhode Island to address increasing medical debt.
Vermont may soon have birthing centers if Governor Scott signs a bill currently awaiting his approval. These centers offer prenatal and delivery care outside of hospitals. As one of only eight states without free-standing birth centers, Vermont could issue licenses for clinics if the bill is enacted. Advocates believe the state’s first such center could open within a year.
A high school student died in a crash early Easter morning in Bedford, as reported by police and family. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Back River Road near County Road. The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead after the car struck a pole and rolled over. Police have not disclosed the driver’s identity, but a family member confirmed the individual was a student at Trinity High School.
On Friday, Vermont’s wildfire risk was moderate to high, coinciding with peak fire season as temperatures rise. Currently, Vermont and New York are in a pre-green state, where dead grass, leaves, and twigs can dry out due to factors like sun, wind, low humidity, and heat, increasing the potential for rapid fire spread. To prevent uncontrolled fires, it is crucial to remove these fine fuels from any burnable debris. The National Weather Service indicates that while the risk of accidental fires is moderate, the actual number of fires remains low.
A suspect in a Colchester shooting has been arrested in Florida. At 12:59 a.m. Saturday, Broward County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended 21-year-old Ryan Ducharme of Burlington in Pompano Beach. Ducharme was wanted for a shooting that occurred on April 12, which left a 23-year-old man critically injured. A 19-year-old man was also arrested in relation to the incident. An arrest warrant for Ducharme was issued by the Vermont Superior Court for first-degree attempted murder and aggravated assault, and he is expected to be extradited to Vermont.
A local man, Lee M. Stockwell, 41, from Putney, has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and resisting arrest following an encounter with state police on Saturday morning. He was arrested on April 19 around 9:11 a.m. on East Putney Brook Road. Police determined he was operating a vehicle under the influence and that he resisted arrest before being taken to the Westminster Barracks for processing. Stockwell faces charges of DUI Drug #2 Refusal and Resisting Arrest and has been released with a citation to appear in Windham County Superior Court on June 17 at 8:30 a.m.
WTSA SPORTS FOR MONDAY APRIL 21st 2025
GAME 1 OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS STARTED YESTERDAY, IT WAS THE CELTICS OVER THE MAGIC 103 – 86. GAME 2 IS WEDNESDAY IN BOSTON, TIP OFF 7PM
THE WHITE SOX BEAT THE REDSOX YESTERDAY 8 – 4 THE REDSOX WILL TRY TO TAKE 3 OUT OF 4 AT FENWAY THIS MORNING AT 11:10AM FIRST PITCH.
THE YANKEES BEAT THE RAYS YESTERDAY 4 – 0 THE YANKEES HEAD TO CLEVELAND TO START A 3 GAME SERIES WITH THE GUARDIANS TONIGHT 6:10PM FIRST PITCH
The Boston Athletic Association will celebrate the 129th running of the Boston Marathon today. The Men’s Wheelchair race begins at 9:02 a.m. EST, followed by the Women’s Wheelchair at 9:05 a.m. EST. The first mass participation runners, known as Wave 1, start at 10:00 a.m