Vermont students — like those across the country — continue to struggle with
math and reading. The National Assessment of Education Progress tests
released this week were the first since the pandemic for eighth graders in
science and 12th graders in reading and math. In reading, the average score in
2024 was the lowest score in the history of the assessment, which began in
1992. Thirty-two percent of high school seniors scored below “basic,” meaning
they could not find details in a text to help them understand its meaning. In
math, the average score in 2024 was the lowest since 2005, when the
assessment framework changed significantly. Vermont Education Secretary Zoie
Saunders says the state is very concerned about the declining scores. She says
they started to see a decline even before the pandemic and the learning loss
associated with lock downs. She says that the Vermont scores correspond with
the national declining results.
A 22-year-old Keene man was arrested Monday on multiple felony charges
involving a juvenile following a months-long investigation by Rindge police.
Austin Bailey was charged with four Class B felony counts of transmitting a lewd
image to a child and one Class B felony count of felonious sexual assault against
a juvenile. He also faces one Class A misdemeanor count of sexual assault
against a juvenile. Bailey was arraigned on Monday and ordered held in
preventative detention at the Cheshire County House of Corrections. His
probable cause hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17 in 8th Circuit, District Division,
Jaffrey Court.
Average gasoline prices in Vermont have risen 3 cents per gallon in the last
week, averaging $3.19 per gallon today, according to AAA. Prices in Vermont are
9 cents/g higher than a month ago and stand 12 cents/g lower than a year ago.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1cent per gallon in the last
week, averaging $3.19/g today, according to AAA. The national average is up 6
cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 6 cents per gallon lower than a
year ago.
A 61-year-old Springfield man was arrested Sept. 4 for allegedly violating an
abuse prevention order and conditions of release. Richard Decoteau was taken
into custody at 11:15 p.m. at a lodging establishment in Rockingham after
Springfield police received a report that he had contacted a person he was
prohibited by court order from contacting. Decoteau was arrested without
incident with assistance from the Bellows Falls Police Department. He was
transported to the Springfield Police Department for processing. After
processing, Decoteau was issued a citation, and appeared in Vermont Superior
Court, Criminal Division, Windsor Unit on Sept. 5th.
The U.S. Forest Service and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and
Recreation are urging the public to be extremely careful with all types of
outdoor fires. Fire danger conditions and fuels are significantly elevated, with
most of the state being under moderate or severe drought. Though daily fire
danger ratings may fluctuate, the overall situation is significantly elevated
beyond what is typical for the area at this time of year.
Raccoons, skunks and other critters are active this time of year, sniffing out
trash and causing other trouble, but state officials say there are several things
you can do to ward them off. The biggest thing is keeping food scraps out of
your trash. Experts suggest lidded compost bins with turned knobs, which
thwart many animals. If you are composting, don’t just let the food scraps pile
up; add dry leaves, sawdust, wood chips or shredded paper. They help bacteria
break down food faster.