Montpelier city officials have mandated the removal of a downtown encampment that has expanded in recent weeks.
Elizabeth Byam, 44, established her camp in a small park near Montpelier’s riverfront bus station after her state voucher for a nearby Barre motel expired on July 1st. On Wednesday, Montpelier City Police officers arrived at the encampment with notices stating that the campers must vacate within 24 hours. If they fail to leave, their belongings will be removed and stored off-site, out of town. Byam estimated that approximately eight to twelve individuals had been residing at the encampment recently. She has been living there with her sons and her pregnant daughter-in-law.
Camping overnight in public parks is prohibited in Montpelier; however, city officials mentioned last summer that they typically overlook this rule as long as campers do not create problems. Previously, the Scott administration has established temporary shelters following evictions from the state’s motel system. This time, however, the Republican administration has not suggested it will take similar action.
Currently, people living outdoors in Montpelier have limited alternatives. The local service provider Good Samaritan Haven intends to open a long-awaited year-round shelter in the city later this year. Both small municipalities and nonprofits are feeling the strain from the increasing homelessness in Vermont, especially as state and federal resources diminish.
In response to federal budget cuts, the Vermont Foodbank has terminated seven employees and eliminated two vacant roles. This represents nearly nine percent of its total workforce. The organization attributes these layoffs to the loss of temporary Covid-related funding and a 20 percent decrease in food supplies from the federal government, which was reduced earlier this year. They assert that this restructuring is necessary to maintain financial stability in the coming years. The Foodbank emphasizes that despite the layoffs, there will be no changes to the schedule or locations for food distribution. To help address the funding shortfall, the state legislature has allocated $1.5 million this year, along with $210,000 raised during last weekend’s Do Good Fest.
The Vermont attorney general’s office is forming a new working group aimed at reducing domestic violence related to firearms. In numerous domestic violence situations, a judge can issue a “relief from abuse” order, mandating an individual to surrender their firearm to mitigate the risk of harm to themselves or others. The newly established Firearm Surrender Order Compliance Working Group will work on refining the procedures for the surrender and return of firearms in these instances. Unlike previous initiatives, officials indicate that this group will incorporate licensed gun dealers, who will be crucial for ensuring safe storage.
A group of over a dozen people are facing charges after a lengthy, multi-agency drug investigation in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire State Police collaborated with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Manchester District Office for this operation and the subsequent arrests. The initiative aimed to curb the distribution of crack cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine across the state. Authorities reported seizing various amounts of these drugs, along with evidence indicative of narcotics trafficking. As a result of the investigation, 17 individuals were arrested and are facing multiple charges, including apprehension or prosecution, being a fugitive from justice, possession of controlled substances in a vehicle, conspiracy to sell narcotics, sale of controlled narcotics, and possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute.
The Whetstone Pathway, located near the Brattleboro Food Coop, will be temporarily closed from TODAY Monday, July 21st, through Wednesday, July 23rd, for necessary resealing work to improve safety and longevity.
Elliot Street will be closed between the Harmony Lot entrance and Church Street TODAY Monday, July 21st, through Wednesday, July 23rd, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for a sewer line repair project. Pedestrian access to the parking garage will remain open.
The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) is excited to announce the first-ever Vermont Circus Festival, which will transform the streets of Brattleboro into a lively celebration of circus arts from November 2-9, 2025, and encourages local businesses and organizations to participate in the planning. The Vermont Circus Festival will serve as a regional event with an international appeal, centered around circus performances, workshops, seminars, and pop-up activities in and around Brattleboro, Vermont. By showcasing the enchantment of this art form, NECCA seeks to enhance community ties, foster creativity, and infuse cultural and economic vitality into the region. For more details, email NECCA at info@necenterforcircusarts.org or visit the website at NEcenterFORcircusARTS.org
The 9-year-old girl who was reported missing Saturday night in Lake George was found dead in Ticonderoga Sunday, police say. Officials add they no longer believe she was abducted.
The investigation was led by the Warren County Sheriff’s office, which said they found the body of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin with assistance from Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units.
WTSA SPORTS FOR MONDAY JULY 21st 2025
REDSOX BEAT THE CUBS YESTERDAY 6 – 1. THE SOX START A 3 GAME SERIES WITH PHILLIES IN PHILADELPHIA, FIRST PITCH at 6:45PM TONIGHT
YANKEES DEFEATED THE BRAVES YESTERDAY 4 – 2. YANKEES HEAD TO TORONTO TONIGHT AGAINST THE BLUEJAYS, FIRST PITCH AT 7:07PM
SCOTTIE SHEFFLER WINS THE PGA TOUR BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP YESTERDAY WITH -17 UNDER PAR.
The Brattleboro 12-and-under Little League All-Stars received a 3-2 victory over Colchester Sunday in the state tournament. With the win, their second in two days in the modified double-elimination tournament, the All-Stars clinched a berth in the state championship game, also on their home field, on Saturday, July 26th.