Senators from our region were among lawmakers from both parties on
Thursday grilling U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over turmoil at
federal health agencies and efforts to pull back recommendations for COVID-19
vaccinations. Kennedy’s exchanges with Sen. Bernie Sanders and others on the
committee repeatedly devolved into shouting, from both sides. New Hampshire
Sen. Maggie Hassan earlier pushed Kennedy on the recent changes to COVID
vaccine guidelines for children.
With the FDA approving the latest round of COVID-19 vaccines for high-risk
individuals and those over 65, the Vermont Department of Health says their
goal is to ensure that the vaccine is available for everyone. The FDA's
recommendations have raised concerns about vaccine access for those who
don't have a high-risk condition. Medical organizations are making their own
recommendations, differing from the FDA's guidelines. The Vermont
Department of Health is waiting for an advisory committee's recommendation
to determine their next steps. The Vermont Department of Health says the
vaccine will be insured in Vermont and advises those with questions or concerns
to consult their doctor.
A Michigan woman faces federal charges after authorities say she took part in a
plot to smuggle people across the border into Vermont. A federal grand jury
indicted Norma Linda Lozano, 53, of Ypsilanti, with one count of conspiracy to
smuggle aliens and six counts of bringing aliens to the U.S. for profit. Authorities
say Lozano was part of a smuggling operation over the last year that brought
people over from Central America into the U.S. through Canada. They say she
drove from Michigan to Vermont to meet the immigrants at prearranged
locations. In one incident, authorities say Lozano transported six adults and two
children, including an eight-year-old girl, placed in the cargo area of the
hatchback on top of luggage. It comes as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on
Thursday announced that they ramping up efforts to target human smuggling
operations exploiting America’s northern border.
A Brattleboro man is due in court after he was found burning items in a
backyard early Friday morning. State police heard about the situation on Fort
Bridgman Road at roughly 1:04 a.m. The man involved, 29-year-old Kyle
Shippee, was reportedly in active violation of release conditions. At the scene,
authorities say that Shippee was in one residence’s backyard, burning “several
household items”. He was arrested, later processed and issued a citation to
appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windham Criminal Division September 5. He
was lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility and “was held on $500.00
cash or surety bond”, with new conditions set.
Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place Sunday night through Saturday
morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Work will continue on Vermont Route 9
(Western Avenue and High Street), U.S. Route 5 (Canal Street and Main Street),
Vermont Route 30 (Linden Street) and Vermont Route 142 (Vernon Street).
Flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through multiple
work zones. Motorcyclists should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces. All
motorists should be aware of raised utility structures and wet paint. Parking
restrictions will be enforced during working hours. Pedestrians should watch for
sidewalk detours.
Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.16/g, up 6 cents per gallon from last
week, up 5 cents/g from last month and down 19 cents/g from a year ago. The
lowest price in the state this week was $2.85/g while the highest was $3.28/g, a
difference of 43.0 cents per gallon. Prices were lowest in Bennington ($3.06/g)
and Rutland ($3.08/g) counties and highest in Lamoille ($3.25/g), Franklin
($3.26/g) and Grand Isle ($3.23/g), according to AAA. The national average price
of gasoline has fallen 1 cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.20/g
today.