coventry

COVENTRY — Authorities say that a tractor fire last night in Coventry does not appear to be suspicious at this time.

At around 11:30 p.m. the Irasburg Fire Department responded to a report that a tractor parked in a cornfield was fully engulfed with flames.

The cornfield was in the area of the intersection of Coventry Station Road and Pelkey Road.

Police say the tractor had been in use planting corn during the day and had been parked since late afternoon.

Nelson Farms employees had performed some minor repairs to the planter that was attached to the tractor after the tractor was parked.

A nearby neighbor noticed the fire at approximately 11:30 p.m. and called 911.

No one was injured and the tractor is considered a total loss.

Investigators responded to the scene early this morning and say that there appears to have been a catastrophic failure in the tractor’s electrical system.

The cause remains under investigation but is not considered suspicious.

COVENTRY — The Newport City Fire Department responded to a structure fire in Coventry this morning.

A large, two-story barn at 862 Heermanville Road was fully engulfed in flames at around 9:20 a.m.

The barn was no longer in use as a dairy barn and used primarily for storage.

It was completely destroyed by the fire, however, no person or animal was injured.

Newport City Fire Chief Jamie Leclair contacted authorities to request assistance with an origin and cause investigation.

An investigation was initiated and initial investigation efforts suggest that the fire appears to be electrical in nature and non-suspicious.

First witnesses on scene noticed the fire in the southwest corner of the building.

Anyone that may have witnessed the fire is asked to contact Detective Sgt Michael LaCourse at 802-334-8881.

COVENTRY — A section of Vermont Route 14 in Coventry was closed down yesterday while police investigated a report of gunshots being fired near a residence.

At around 7:15 p.m. police received a 911 report of several shots fired in the vicinity of 84 Blake Road.

Several law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Border Patrol responded to the area to assist.

Police say they believe the shots were fired as means of target practice, and that no injuries were reported and no law violation occurred.

Vermont Route 14 in the area of Blake Road was closed for approximately 3 hours as a precaution throughout the investigation.

An alternate route was provided to traveling motorists.

COVENTRY — A 22-year-old woman from Connecticut was transported to North Country Hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Coventry this morning.

The police were notified at around 7:00 a.m. that a vehicle headed south on Vermont Route 14, sild through the intersection of Route 5 and collided with an unloaded tanker trailer.

The driver was identified as Danielle Browning, of Hebron, CT.

Police say the truck was being operated by John Judd, 37, of Newport Center.

Judd was headed north on Route 5, and according to the report, he noticed Browning’s vehicle approach the intersection unable to stop.

He slowed down and moved as far to the right as he could but was unable to avoid the collision.

Browning’s vehicle slid partially underneath the tanker trailer which caused her to sustain what police describe as “incapacitating injuries.”

She was transported to North Country Hospital by Newport EMS.

Newport Fire Department also arrived on scene and assisted.

COVENTRY — A woman was injured during a head-on crash in Coventry on Sunday that closed Alderbrook Road for over an hour.

The accident took place at around 4:10 p.m. near the intersection of Vermont Route 14.

According to police, Cory Valentine, 26, of Coventry, had been traveling south on Alderbrook Road when he crossed the double yellow line into the northbound lane.

Sarah Martell, 56, also of Coventry, was traveling north in her lane and was unable to maneuver to avoid the collision.

Both vehicles impacted head-on in the northbound lane.

Police say Martell’s airbag did not deploy.

She was extricated from the vehicle by rescue workers and transported to North Country Hospital for treatment for injuries.

According to the report, Valentine was not transported to the hospital.

There is no update as to the nature of Martell’s injuries at this time.

NEWPORT — A 44-year-old man from Coventry is wanted by Newport police after they say he fled during a traffic stop.

Police say Scott Amidon is wanted for attempting to elude and driving with a criminally suspended license.

On Sunday, an officer attempted to stop Amidon on Main Street.

He fled from police and allegedly drove away on Route 5 at speeds in excess of 90 mph.

After ditching his car, police say he took off on foot and officers were unable to locate him.

Amidon is currently a wanted fugitive and has several outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Police say he should be considered dangerous.

Anyone with information about Amidon is being asked to contact the Newport Police Department at 802-334-6733.

COVENTRY — Police are seeking the public’s help after a local family pet was shot and killed.

This evening, at around 5:30 p.m., police were contacted regarding a beagle which had been shot yesterday, February 19, between the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Spencer Hill Road in the town of Coventry.

Police say the animal had been mistakenly left outside during this time frame.

The beagle was taken to a vet where a necropsy was performed which determined the cause of death.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information is being asked to contact the State Police at 334-8881.

COVENTRY — There has been some flooding reported in Coventry and town administrator Amanda Carlson says the town is working hard to ensure everyone is safe, and help to minimize any damage to homes.

The Community Center has been opened up as a temporary shelter.

Carlson says that if you need assistance or a place to go, don’t hesitate to come in.

If you are in other areas of the town and are experiencing any problems with flooding, let town officials know immediately.

It is also important that people check on friends and neighbors who might need assistance and call the town to see if there is anything they can do.

Update: Town officials say they assisted community members who went door to door in the village and checked on everyone. This will continue throughout the next couple of days but so far everyone is safe and accounted for.

The water under Hi-Acres bridge was quite elevated so every resident on the road was warned that if levels increase they might be stuck and to call the town immediately if there are any problems.

Photo by Vanessa Raymond Palmer.

UPDATE: Police say they have recovered the stolen vehicle, and have collected new evidence in the investigation.

COVENTRY — White Mountain Auto in Newport was burglarized overnight, and a car was stolen from off the lot.

Police say they were notified of the burglary at 8:00 a.m. this morning.

The vehicle that was stolen is a 2010 slate blue Hyundai Sonata.

The key to the vehicle had been taken from inside the business during the break-in.

At the time it was stolen, the Hyundai was bearing a White Mountain Auto plate on the front and no plate on the rear.

Police say the break-in and theft occurred sometime between 5:00 p.m. Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. Friday morning.

Anyone with any information about this incident is being asked to contact police at 802-334-8881.

COVENTRY — A Westfield man is facing charges after a single-vehicle crash in Coventry on Thursday afternoon.

At around 4:11 p.m. police were notified of the wreck on US Route 5, just south of Airport Road.

The driver was identified as 29-year-old Frank Villegas.

Police say Villegas traveled off the traveled portion of the roadway while headed north in a 2005 Ford Focus.

He was found to be “under the influence of intoxicants and was subsequently arrested for DUI,” a statement issued by police reads.

Troopers were later notified that Villegas was under conditions of release, one of which was he could not drink alcohol.

He is scheduled to appear in Orleans County court to answer to the charges of DUI and violation of conditions of release.

NEWPORT — A 52-year-old woman from Barton was injured in a single-vehicle car crash this morning.

At around 9:00 a.m. police responded to the crash on I-91 north, near mile marker 167 in Coventry.

Police say the driver, identified as Deanna Simpson, was experiencing a medical emergency, which caused her to veer off of the roadway and lose control of the vehicle.

Simpson was transported to North Country Hospital.

According to the police report, Simpson suffered “non-life threatening injuries.”

The crash is still under investigation.