On Tuesday afternoon, October 7, 2025, during ongoing search efforts for missing 74-year-old boater David Maynard from Wilmington, a kayaker on Somerset Reservoir alerted Vermont State Police auxiliary troopers about a body in the water. Crews promptly responded, recovered the body, and initially identified it as Mr. Maynard. The body will be sent to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to confirm the identity and ascertain the cause and manner of death. This incident does not seem to be suspicious. Various agencies involved in the week-long search included underwater recovery teams and aerial units from the Massachusetts and New York state police. The Vermont State Police expresses gratitude to the public and numerous first-responder agencies that provided information and assisted in the search and recovery efforts.
The Brattleboro Police Department is alerting the public about the discovery of small wax paper bags stamped with a red “Elmo” character logo. These bags are commonly used in the packaging of illicit substances, including heroin and fentanyl. The stamp bags are brightly marked with a children’s cartoon character, which could make them appear harmless to young children. While no overdoses have been linked to these specific bags at this time, the contents are believed to be dangerous and potentially lethal if handled or ingested. These items have been found in public areas, raising concerns about accidental exposure by children or unsuspecting individuals. 
Police advise children about not picking up unknown items off the ground, even if they look like candy or have familiar characters. Be alert in parks, playgrounds, sidewalks, and school routes. The priority is the safety of our children and community. Please help spread awareness and keep your loved ones informed. If you see a suspicious item, do not touch it — report it immediately to authorities. To Report Suspicious Items call 802-257-7946 or use the anonymous tip line at 802-251-8188. In an emergency, always call 911.
The government shutdown is jeopardizing the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which risks depleting its funds and impacting millions of families reliant on it for vital food assistance. WIC offers vouchers for infant formula, fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious essentials, and is currently dependent on a $150 million contingency fund that experts warn may be exhausted within two weeks if the shutdown persists. Once the funds are depleted, states will face the decision of whether to utilize their own resources to maintain WIC operations. Iowa and Connecticut have pledged to allocate state funds, whereas Mississippi is continuing its payments but has halted new enrollments. Leaders in Washington state indicate that they can only support the program for an additional week or two.
Vermont Sen. Peter Welch is raising alarm bells about the impact of expiring health care benefits as the shutdown of the federal government continues. Democrats are holding out support for the federal spending plan unless Republicans negotiate on extending health care subsidies, which will sunset in the next few months. One business owner who pays $460 a month says her payments will nearly triple if the tax credits expire. Welch says if costs go up, people will skip insurance, go to the hospital and put pressure on our health care system. Republicans in Congress have said they want to negotiate the tax credits if Democrats vote to reopen the government.
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a gun manufacturer based in Vermont following a Supreme Court decision earlier this year that restricts the liability of gun makers in shooting incidents. The lawsuit was related to a mass shooting that occurred at a garlic festival in California in 2019, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The plaintiffs contended that Century Arms, the gun manufacturer with a facility in Georgia, Vermont, should be held accountable for the improper use of the firearm they produced. Previously, last year, Vermont Federal Judge William Sessions had determined that the case against Century Arms could proceed. However, last week, in response to the Supreme Court ruling, Sessions overturned his earlier decision.
WTSA SPORTS FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8th 2025
YANKEES BEAT THE BLUEJAYS LAST NIGHT 9 – 6 GAME 4 IS TONIGHT AT YANKEE STADIUM,FIRST PITCH AT 7:08PM
THE BRUINS START THEIR REGULAR SEASON TONIGHT IN WASHINGTON AGAINST THE CAPITALS, PUCK DROPS AT 7:30PM
IN LOCAL SPORTS, THE BRATTLEBORO BEARS MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL ARE HOME AT BUHS AGAINST MY ANTHONY THIS AFTERNOON KICK OFF AT 430PM
VARSITY BOYS SOCCER AT MT ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL AT 6PM
JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER ARE IN NORTHAMPTON MASS AT 5PM
GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER STARTS AT 6PM IN NORTHAMPTON.