The “BOIL WATER ORDER” remains in effect in Putney. All water users in Putney’s affected areas, including the intersection of Christian Square and Route 5, as well as Route 5 (Main Street) south to the Sunoco in Dummerston and Putney Landing, must continue boiling water until further notice. This directive also extends to side streets such as West Road, Old Depot Road, Putney Landing Road, Alice Holway, and Carol Brown. As a precaution, it is advised to use bottled water for drinking. Boil water for cooking. Bathing, showering, and hand washing are considered safe, although the water may appear discolored. Landmark College has offered its facilities for showering, if necessary. The next steps include collecting two water samples to be sent to a certified laboratory for testing. One sample was scheduled for yesterday, and the other for today. The tests must comply with laboratory standards for drinking water. The earliest we may receive results and potentially lift the “boil water order” is Thursday, June 19th, or Friday, June 20th of this week. A notice will be issued once the town receives the results.
On Monday, state lawmakers approved a significant reform of Vermont’s education system and forwarded it to the governor. The Senate voted 17-12 in support of the extensive education reform proposal. Subsequently, the House passed the bill through a voice vote. There was no debate in the House, and some lawmakers expressed uncertainty about the content of their vote. However, after discussions with leadership, the voice vote will be upheld. Consequently, the bill is now on its way to Gov. Phil Scott’s desk.
Individuals can now renew their Vermont driver’s licenses early, receiving credit for the remaining time. According to the DMV, new legislation effective today (Tuesday) allows for the early renewal of driver’s licenses and non-driver IDs before their expiration date. To qualify for early renewal, the current license or credential must have less than four full years left. Renewals can be processed by mail or in person.
Vermont Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, along with other lawmakers, have called on President Trump to refrain from engaging in war with Iran. This plea arises as Israel seems to be intensifying its air operations against Tehran, five days following its unexpected assault on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities. Sanders has proposed legislation aimed at preventing the use of federal funds for military action against Iran and restricting certain Congressional approvals. The proposed bill does allow for a self-defense exception.
A political consultant who dispatched artificial intelligence-generated robocalls imitating former President Joe Biden to New Hampshire Democrats last year was acquitted on Friday of charges related to voter suppression and impersonating a candidate. Steven Kramer, 56, from New Orleans, acknowledged orchestrating a message that was sent to thousands of voters just two days prior to the state’s presidential primary on January 23, 2024. Recipients were greeted by an AI-generated voice resembling that of the Democratic president, which included his catchphrase “What a bunch of malarkey” and, as prosecutors claimed, implied that participating in the primary would prevent voters from casting their ballots in November.
Lawmakers in the New Hampshire House voted decisively in favor of a comprehensive ban on cellphones in schools. The vote concluded with 314 in favor and 42 against, resulting in the approval of a ban that prohibits students from using cellphones throughout the entire school day, allowing only limited exceptions for special education, medical, and language needs. Although the ban received significant bipartisan support, Democrats had previously opposed it in committee and expressed concerns on the House floor regarding the bill’s inflexibility.
A former nurse at Cheshire Medical Center has been charged with multiple felonies related to a drug diversion scheme involving potent opioid medications. Steven Finnell, 31, was indicted last week by a grand jury in Cheshire County Superior Court on four felony counts for unlawfully obtaining controlled substances. Prosecutors claim that from June 2024 to January 2025, Finnell misused his access to the hospital’s prescription system to divert fentanyl, dilaudid, morphine, and oxycodone for his own use. Investigators report that he administered partial doses to patients while retaining the excess for himself.
WTSA SPORTS FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 18th 2025
SEATTLE BEAT THE REDSOX LAST NIGHT 8 – 0 THE REDSOX AND MARINERS WRAP UP THEIR 3 GAME SERIES THIS AFTERNOON, FIRST PITCH AT 4:10PM.
THE ANGELS BEAT THE YANKEES LAST NIGHT 4 – 0 YANKEES AND ANGELS WRAP UP THEIR 4 GAME SET THIS AFTERNOON, FIRST PITCH AT 1:05PM