As millions of Americans hit the roads to head home after Thanksgiving, there were a handful of travel hiccups in our region. In West Rutland, U.S. Route 4 closed around 8 a.m. for a three-vehicle crash. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police said slick roads caused the crash. In New Hampshire, a part of the northbound side of Interstate 89 in Enfield was briefly closed after a report of multiple crashes. State police in New Hampshire said there were two cars off the road as a result of two different crashes. Both of those incidents were also caused by slick travel conditions. The roadway reopened around 11:15 a.m. Finally, in Springfield, Vermont, traffic came to a halt on Interstate 91 around 1 p.m. due to a crash that blocked both northbound lanes around Exit 7. The road was closed briefly and reopened about an hour later.
A judge denied the Vermont State Employees Association’s petition to get a preliminary injunction to halt Gov. Scott’s return-to-office mandate. VSEA argued the mandate is rushed, will upend the lives of employees living out of state, and will cost taxpayers more. The court says the union did not show evidence of irreparable harm in their filing. This means most state employees will have to report to the office three days a week beginning today, Dec. 1st. The Scott administration contended they have the authority to bring employees back, and having more public-facing positions will provide better service for Vermonters. The state also says it will make exceptions for some employees if they have long commutes or child care issues. About 3,000 employees work remotely. The state has received 425 exception requests. Officials say 25 have been approved and 400 are still under review.
A state panel wants to streamline ways to appeal local development and Act 250 rulings. If Vermont lawmakers give it the green light, appeals for Act 250 permits would be heard in front of the Land Use Review Board instead of in Environmental Court. Housing advocates claim the current system allows a handful of people to challenge projects and gum them up in the courts for years, driving up the cost of housing. They say reforming the appeals process is an important piece of the puzzle in solving Vermont’s housing crisis. Act 250 supporters contend the vast majority of projects pass Act 250 without issue. Others question to what degree, if at all, Act 250 contributes to Vermont’s housing shortage.
A Pennsylvania driver struck a deer on Interstate 91 southbound Saturday morning. Troopers responded to the single-vehicle crash near mile marker 10.6 at approximately 10:47 a.m. Blaise E. Wagner, 22, of Bath, Pennsylvania, told police a deer entered the roadway and he was unable to avoid a collision. Wagner was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. His 2025 Hyundai Tucson sustained minor front-end damage. No injuries were reported.The weather was clear and road conditions were dry at the time of the crash.
Vermont State Police said that two cats were taken to the Humane Society after being found in poor condition in a car on Thursday. According to authorities, Marie A. Feniello, 65, of Bennington, is under conditions of release that prohibit her from owning any animals. Police say that her car was reported stopped on Interstate 91 in Dummerston on Wednesday afternoon and when troopers responded, they found two cats in her car in poor condition and inside a “heavily soiled” crate despite those conditions. Feniello was cited to appear in a Windham County court next month. The cats were reportedly taken to the Windham County Human Society and will be evaluated and cared for.
Vermont’s bee population has grown significantly since the last comprehensive survey, with researchers discovering nine species completely new to the state, according to new research from the University of Vermont’s Gund Institute. The study marks the first statewide count since 1962, when Vermont had only 98 documented bee species. The state now has 352 species, making it home to the most bee species in northern New England. Researchers say Vermont’s diverse terrain, coupled with climate change, may be contributing factors to the increase. The growth also reflects increased effort to search for new species.
WTSA SPORTS FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 1st 2025
THE CELTICS ARE OFF TONIGHT, THEY’RE BACK ON THE COURT ON TUESDAY AT TD GARDEN AGAINST THE KNICKS, TIP OFF AT 8:00PM.
THE BRUINS ARE ALSO OFF TONIGHT, THEY’RE BACK ON THE ICE ON TUESDAY IN DETROIT AGAINST THE RED WINGS, PUCK DROPS AT 7:00PM.
IN MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TONIGHT, THE 10-2 PATRIOTS ARE HOME AGAINST THE 2-10 GIANTS. THE PATS ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR 10 WIN IN A ROW, KICK OFF AT 8:15PM