The Milton Town Manager has identified Sergeant Paul Locke, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries while responding to a house fire on Main Street. He was treated and released from the hospital. The suspect, 38-year-old Aaron LaRoche, was found deceased in the home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No officers discharged their weapons during the incident, and no other injuries were reported. Sergeant Locke has served in the Milton Police Department since 1999, specializing as a drug recognition expert.
A recent report from the Agency of Agriculture indicates that 94% of surveyed Vermont dairy farms employ migrant workers. Laura Ginsburg, Dairy Strategy and Innovation Manager, emphasized the importance of migrant labor in dairy and other agricultural sectors, such as turkey farming. Peter Stone, owner of Stonewood Farm, noted their dependence on legal temporary migrant workers for processing turkeys during Thanksgiving, stating, ‘We couldn’t do it without them.’ Despite efforts to find full-time help, he reported a lack of applicants. The farm employs around 30 migrants from Jamaica through the H-2A program, which requires specific visa applications for temporary work. These workers can only stay for ten months and are compensated at approximately $19 per hour, the same as other employees, with housing and transportation provided for grocery shopping. Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint said immigration policy needs to take another approach. Stone said if he were not able to hire migrant workers, he said he would not know what would happen.
Vermont Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch have expressed concern over the Trump administration’s intention to eliminate the IMLS, a vital agency for libraries, historical societies, and museums. They urge the administration to maintain funding as mandated by federal law, noting that the Vermont Department of Libraries relies on $1.2 million annually from the federal government to support state libraries.
Yesterday on Thursday 4/24/25, under the direction of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, Acting Deputy Under Secretary John Walk instructed State agencies to improve identity and immigration verification for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility. This guidance supports President Trump’s Executive Order 14218, which mandates that USDA and other federal agencies enhance eligibility verification to prevent ineligible aliens from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits. Secretary Rollins stated, ‘President Trump has made it clear that American taxpayers will no longer subsidize illegal aliens.’
The Vermont Senate Thursday afternoon gave its preliminary approval to a Burlington charter change that bans guns in businesses that serve alcohol. The 17-12 vote was along party lines: All of the Democrats voted for it, and only Republicans voted against it.
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) has launched the Catalyzing Regional Dairy Workforce Grant program, which allocates $800,000 to enhance dairy workforce development in the Northeast. This funding aims to improve existing programs and support current and future dairy farm and processor employees. Eligible initiatives include registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships, and training programs, with a focus on reaching under served communities and increasing participant engagement.
WTSA SPORTS FOR FRIDAY APRIL 25th 2025
THE NBA PLAYOFFS CONTINUE TONIGHT IN ORLANDO WITH THE CELTICS AND MAGIC AND GAME 3, THE CELTICS LEAD THE SERIES 2 GAMES TO NONE, TIP OFF 7PM.
THE REDSOX ARE IN CLEVELAND TONIGHT TO START A 3 GAME SERIES WITH THE GUARDIANS 7:10PM FIRST PITCH.
THE YANKEES START A 3 GAME SERIES TONIGHT AT HOME AGAINST THE BLUE JAYS AT 7:05PM
NASCAR CUP SERIES THIS SUNDAY ITS THE JACKS LINK 500 AT TALEDAGA AND 188 LAPS, RACE TIME AT 3PM ON FOX
THE PGA TOUR CONTINUES THIS WEEKND WITH THE ZURICH CLASSIC AT THE TPC AT LOUISIANNA.
The Patriots have selected Louisiana State University junior Will Campbell as the No. 4 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Campbell, 21, is considered one of the top offensive tackles in the draft and is expected to be a big piece in the Patriots’ NFL comeback. The 6-foot-6, 323-pound player will help protect quarterback Drake Maye, an area where the team struggled last year.