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Vermont unemployment rate drops, Derby still highest unemployment rate in the state

Published on in Derby/Newport/News/Vermont

NEWPORT — The Vermont Department of Labor says that the state’s unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of 1 percent in January to 3.1 percent, but that Derby still has the highest unemployment rate in Vermont.

Overall, Vermont’s unemployment rate was tied for seventh lowest in the country for the same time period.

Unemployment in Vermont’s 17 labor markets ranged from a low of 2.6 percent in the Burlington-South Burlington area, White River Junction, and Woodstock, to a high of 7 percent in Derby.

The seasonally-adjusted Vermont data for January shows the Vermont civilian labor force increased by 900 from the prior month’s revised estimate.

The number of employed increased by 1,150 and the number of unemployed decreased by 250.

Labor Commissioner Lindsay Kurrle says the initial numbers for January show the state’s economy is headed in a positive direction.

Two years ago the old “Newport” labor market area was renamed to “Derby.”

Suicide shuts down Vermont Route 105 in Derby for over 3 hours

Published on in Derby/Newport/News

DERBY — A 41-year-old man from Derby took his own life today, after a 3-hour standoff with police.

At approximately 9:40 a.m., police say Burton Lawson telephoned and advised that he was at his residence and was going to take his own life with a rifle.

State troopers as well as the Orleans county Sheriff’s department and a DMV officer responded to the residence, located at 2876 Vermont Route 105, and set up a perimeter around the home.

Lawson was alone inside.

Vermont Route 105 was blocked off and traffic was detoured around the location for approximately 3.5 hours.

Police say they made telephone contact with Lawson and after about 3 hours, they heard a single gunshot.

Entry was made by police into the home, where they found Lawson dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to a statement issued by police, Lawson had not made any threats towards law enforcement or to anyone else.

Police: Holland man facing assault charges

Published on in Derby/Holland/News

DERBY — A 35-year-old man from Holland is facing charges after police say he assaulted a man in Derby.

According to the report, on January 9, at 12:30 p.m. police responded to a report of an assault that had taken place at a local business in Derby.

Arlo Rhein, 19, of Derby, told police that Sean Dickerson, 35, of Holland, entered the business and began punching and strangling him.

An employee was able to separate Dickerson from Rhein.

Dickerson then left the business.

Police say attempts were made to locate Dickerson that day.

He was later located and issued a citation to appear in Orleans County Court to answer to this assault.

Local snowmobile club helps motorist having medical emergency in Derby

Published on in Derby

DERBY — The Derby-based Drift Dusters Snowmobile Club have won many awards over the years, including the 2013 VAST Club of the Year. But on Tuesday night they went a step further and turned into local heroes.

At around 8:00 p.m. Roger Gosselin and club president Michael Koehler were out grooming trails to local businesses in Derby when they came upon a motor vehicle that had crashed into a light pole at the Shaw’s Supermarket parking lot.

As they passed by in the groomer, the car was still in gear and they saw that the man was unable to get out of his vehicle due to a medical event.

Using the club tree trimmers they were able to gain access into the vehicle, placed it in park, and shut off the engine.

The two rendered aid until emergency services arrived.

“We would like to thank Derby Line Fire Department, Derby Line Ambulance, and Vermont State Police for a quick response to the scene to further assist with helping the gentleman,” a statement issued by the club read.

The Drift Dusters Snowmobile Club maintain trails all throughout the Northeast Kingdom, including the towns of Derby, Charleston, Morgan, Norton, and Holland.

Derby Elementary School third graders sweep into Canada

Published on in Derby/Stanstead

STANSTEAD– Mrs. Jeanne Beaudry’s third graders from Derby Elementary School took their classroom across the border this holiday season to learn about the Olympic sport of curling at the Border Curling Club located in Stanstead, QC.

“I learned the students were studying the Olympics and Mrs. Beaudry and I thought having them come to the curling club would be a great opportunity to try out one of the sports while also learning more about its history,” said Caroline Aubry who is a member of the curling club and helped to organize the field trip.

Mrs. Beaudry’s class had been studying geography through the origins of various summer and winter Olympic sports and had several other activities geared around the international competition in addition to the field trip to Stanstead.

They included their own Olympic mini-games complete with certificates and medals and a visit by Susan Dunklee, a local biathlon Olympic athlete. The lessons weaved geography into the classroom in a fun way that excited the students and provided them with the opportunity take a fun field trip.

“The third grade visit to the Border Curling Club to learn about curling was a great experience for the instructors and students,” said Bruce Amsden, match chair and current member of the board of directors for the Border Curling Club. “They asked very intelligent questions and on the ice, the students paid attention to safety instructions and learned how to deliver stones and sweep in front of them.”

The third graders were the first American school, in recent memory, to have visited the club in Canada. The curling club prides itself on the friendly international camaraderie it shares between the two countries. The membership of the club is 60 percent Canadian and 40 percent American.

“My favorite part of the club is the sense that members are not American or Canadian, they are just curlers,” said Amsden.

In addition to welcoming students and teachers into the club, the Border Curling Club holds lessons and clinics for curlers of all ages throughout the year. There is a juniors program on Saturday that helps young curlers learn the game and to practice. It is open to anyone that it interested. The club will also be holding a “Learn to Curl Clinic” in January where all community members, of any age, are welcome to attend and learn how to curl for free.

For more information on the Border Curling Club and lessons to learn how to curling, visit www.BorderCurling.com.

Derby man assaulted and pointed gun at victim, police say

Published on in Derby

DERBY — A 21-year-old man from Derby was arrested on Saturday after police say he assaulted someone and pointed a gun at them.

Authorities were dispatched to a welfare check in Derby after someone called police to report that their friend had been threatened with a weapon.

Troopers responded to the victim’s home and allege that Mark Roy, 21, of Derby, had “brandished a firearm at the victim that day.”

Police say further investigation revealed that “he had assaulted and choked the victim days prior.”

Roy was placed under arrest for suspicion of first-degree aggravated domestic assault and recklessly endangering another person.

He was processed at the VSP-Derby barracks and lodged at the Northern State Correctional Facility for lack of $500.00 bail.

Two injured after four-car crash in Derby

Published on in Derby/Newport/News

DERBY — A four-car pileup at around 7:40 a.m. on the Derby Road on Tuesday sent two people to the hospital.

According to the report, before the crash two cars were stopped waiting to make a left turn onto Joseph Street, and a third vehicle was attempting to stop.

Police say Daniel Bumbarger, 28, of Derby, didn’t notice the stopped vehicle, and hit the vehicle in front of him, driven by Bradford Loughran, 44, of Derby.

The crash set off a chain reaction of rear-end collisions, with Loughran having to be removed from his vehicle by Derby Line Ambulance.

The second vehicle in the lineup was being driven by 26-year-old Kristen Roberge, of Derby, who was also transported to North Country Hospital.

According to a statement issued by police, Roberge was treated for “minor” injuries and Loughran for “moderate” injuries.

Robin Taylor, 26, of Derby, was driving the first vehicle in the lineup, that was waiting to turn onto Joseph Road.

Walmart in Derby opening November 16 with ribbon cutting

Published on in Derby/Newport/News

DERBY — A grand opening ceremony at the new Walmart in Derby will be held on Wednesday, November 16.

The event, which will start at 7:15 a.m., will include the North Country Union High School Band playing the national anthem followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The festivities are estimated to last for 45 minutes, and the store will remain open until 10 p.m.

Store hours from then on will be from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Gisele Seymour, who played a big part in bringing the Walmart to town when she set out collecting signatures to convince the company to open this store, will do the ribbon cutting.

The new superstore will be the largest in Vermont at 176,000 square feet and is on track to hiring over 300 people.

Employees have been at the site 24 hours a day working to get the store organized for the opening.

The supercenter will include a full line of groceries, pharmacy, hair salon, and tire and lube center.

Police looking for hit-and-run driver in Derby

Published on in Derby/News

DERBY — Police are investigating a crash involving a parked vehicle near the Derby Village Store.

Police say that a light blue/gray sedan parked on the side of Main Street in Derby, was struck by another vehicle.

According to the report, the vehicle left the scene and traveled east on Route 105 towards Hinman Settler Road and the town of Charleston.

The vehicle is expected to have significant front end or front quarter panel damage, as well as damage to some black plastic molding.

It may also have light blue/gray paint transfer on it.

According to witnesses, the crash is believed to have happened at around 10:00 p.m. on Monday.

Anyone with information regarding the vehicle is being asked to contact police at (802) 334-8881.

VSP and Border Patrol work together to bust teens they say broke into Derby man’s camp

Published on in Derby/Essex County

DERBY — Police say they worked together with the US Border Patrol in Derby to stake out a camp in Averill that was broken into and being used as a party spot by a group of teenagers.

On September 21, Ronald Griffin, 75, of Derby, contacted police to report a burglary into his camp located at 264 Beach Road in Averill.

Police say they met with Griffin at the location and determined that several people had broken into his camp and were possibly still using it. They say there were some personal items in the camp that belonged to the subjects, as well as fire in the wood stove and food left around the kitchen.

According to police, there was also evidence that marijuana was being “used and possibly processed in the camp.”

Police say the decision was made to leave the camp as it was found for the night.

US Border Patrol was contacted concerning the break-in, and a plan was set up for them to conduct surveillance on the camp early the next morning.

The next day two Border Patrol agents and a trooper arrived at the camp and located a vehicle in the driveway.

“After conferring with the owner and learning he was not familiar with the vehicle owner, the course of action was to wait for the subjects to leave and stop them on the road,” a statement issued by police reads.

As time passed and no one was exiting the camp, authorities say the decision was made to surround the camp and order everyone out. After several attempts of using a police siren, three male subjects exited the camp. All three were taken into custody and transported to the Border Patrol office in Canaan for processing.

According to police, Austin Guyer, 18, of Morgan and Zachary Hawkins, 19, of Newport, were subsequently charged with burglary, larceny, and possession of marijuana.

The third suspect is listed on the report as a 16-year-old juvenile.

Police say there was a large quantity of marijuana seized from the camp along with more from the vehicle being used by the three.

The vehicle was seized as evidence.

“This was a perfect example of interagency cooperation with US Border Patrol and the State Police,” Detective Sergeant Larry Smith said. “Border Patrol Agents were instrumental in securing the perimeter around the camp as well as processing the scene.”

Five arrested after failed human smuggling attempt in Derby

Published on in Derby

DERBY — U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested five, including four Guatemalans, after a failed human smuggling attempt near Derby last Saturday.

Agents arrested Miguel Ramos, 32, of the Bronx, N.Y., and Gerardo Xar-Marroquin, 27, of Guatemala on human smuggling charges.

Authorities say the Swanton Tactical Communications Center received a report shortly before 5 p.m. of possible cross-border activity in Derby and dispatched agents to investigate.

Agents say they observed a man and two women climb into a gray minivan bearing North Carolina license plates. They joined a driver and passenger already in the van.

Agents interviewed all five people to determine their citizenship and immigration status.

Ramos, the driver, produced a New York state driver’s license and claimed to be a United States citizen. Xar-Marroquin, the initial passenger, produced a Guatemalan passport but did not possess a valid United States visitor’s visa.

The man and two women did not show any immigration documents but claimed to be Guatemalan citizens.

The agents placed all five under arrest and transported them to the Newport station for further investigation.

The van was seized.

“There are ways to legally immigrate to the United States and sneaking across the border isn’t one of them,” said Deputy Patrol Agent in charge Erik Lavallee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont is prosecuting Ramos and Xar-Marroquin.

If convicted, they each face a maximum of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

Additionally, Xar-Marroquin faces removal from the United States and a bar to reentry for being illegally present in the United States.

Border Patrol agents administratively charged the other three individuals, a man and two women from Guatemala, under the Immigration and Naturalization Act for illegally entering the United States.

They are prohibited from releasing their names since they weren’t criminally charged.

The three remain in custody as material witnesses and face removal from the U.S.

State Police in Derby looking for 20-year-old man on assault charges

Published on in Derby

DERBY LINE — Police are looking for a 20-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted a woman on Monday.

At around 9:30 p.m. police responded to a report of a domestic assault that had occurred at 1150 Beebe Road in Derby.

Police say the victim stated that Colby Martin, 20, had come to her house and argued with her about custody issues.

The victim stated Martin then assaulted her while she held her 14-month old baby and in the presence of another 7-year-old juvenile, both physically and by threatening serious bodily injury.

Police say he then took her phone from her as she tried to call the police.

Authorities are currently looking for information regarding the whereabouts of Martin, and believe he may possibly be in Derby Line.

A warrant has not been issued for his arrest at this time.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call (802) 334-8881.

  • Screen-Shot-2016-07-27-at-4.13.27-PM.png
    Photo courtesy of Lt. Governor Phil Scott's office.

Bridge in Derby renamed to honor former senator Kermit Smith

Published on in Derby/News

DERBY – The Northeast Kingdom community revealed a well-kept secret on Tuesday by renaming Derby’s Clyde River Bridge in honor of former Vermont State Representative, Senator, and State House Sergeant-At-Arms, Kermit Smith.

Despite legislative action and rigorous planning, Smith’s former constituents managed to keep him in the dark about the honor.

Sen. Bobby Starr, Sen. John Rodgers, Lt. Governor Phil Scott, and Smith’s family and friends held the surprise dedication ceremony on the former “Clyde River Bridge” on Route 105 at 4:30 p.m.

Smith joined them in time to hear the bridge renamed the “Kermit A. Smith Memorial Bridge”.

“As politicians and public servants we’re trained to weather all kinds of storms, so I think a bridge is a very appropriate monument for a Vermonter who built their reputation on rising above the fray and connecting their community with the rest of the state,” said Lt. Gov. Scott. “Kermit Smith reminds us that making an impact starts at home, in our own towns, and finding ways to reach those on the other side.”

The naming was made possible with the Vermont Senate’s passage of Senate Resolution 14 on May 6. Sen. Starr sponsored the resolution, with Sen. Rodgers as co-sponsor.

“I think it’s great that we can start a new tradition of honoring people when we can let them in on the celebration,” said Sen. Rodgers. “Kerm’s done so much for the community up here, it’s right to give something back.”

  • DES-Lallie-with-all-the-4th-graders-and-teachers-2.jpg
    Derby Elementary School fourth graders happily pose as a group with Principal Stacy Urbin (left) to celebrate their success integrating math and science into a community action plan that saw them design, build and sell trellises, plus plant a produce garden for fall harvest.
  • DES-Lallies-holds-cq-2.jpg
    Derby Elementary School teachers Amy Nadeau, Debra Batista, Jennie Davis, Emily Scherer and paraeducator Gloria Loughran join Principal Stacey Urbin and Maire Folan of Green Mountain Farm to School (at right) in presenting a donation from fourth graders for Meals on Wheels prepared by Cornucopia in Newport. Receiving the gift is Lallie Mambourg, NEK Council on Aging’s Nutrition Director, which oversees the delivery program for homebound older Vermonters.

Derby pupils turn ideas into action

Published on in Derby

DERBY – This is a remarkable story that goes way beyond the proverb about teaching someone how to fish for themselves.

It began simply enough. Last November, Derby Elementary School’s fourth-grade teachers and their counterparts at Newport City Elementary applied for a joint $9,000 grant from the state Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets.

With help from Green Mountain Farm to School (GMFTS), the teachers sought funds for an innovative educational program known as “project-based learning,” that, in this case, would connect class work to produce gardening.

In Derby, teachers Amy Nadeau, Jennie Davis and Debra Batista also took note of the depleted shelves in the community pantry where produce supplies were running critically low.

The results so far are extraordinary. According to Principal Stacy Urbin, the teachers came up with a winning combination that engaged the students in a very visible and relevant way.

“Their gusto at being able to give something back to their community was tangible,” Urbin said.

Math lessons tied to engineering concepts gave the youngsters’ confidence in their collaborative designs and construction of more than a dozen trellises. Earth science units were applied as hands-on “lab” work on how to till a plot in front of the school’s extensive parking lot.

Pupils also researched plants to discover which ones would best grow vertically. In the fall, math skills will be used to figure out if the trellises helped grow more fresh vegetables than those maturing on the ground.

With community service also a component of this innovative project-based learning curriculum, the teachers invited Maire Folan, GMFTS’s program manager, to speak with the students about additional opportunities beyond stocking the food shelf with fresh autumn bounty.

“It is amazing to see how these teachers are using the garden as a foundation for their classroom work,” Folan said. “The enthusiasm and interest from the fourth grade students to engage in this space, and in their community, is a wonderful model of how farm-to-school can be a catalyst for learning.”

As a registered dietitian, Folan also evaluates the menus prepared by the providers who contract with the NEK Council on Aging to serve lunch in community dining rooms and deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound elderly.

The pupils overwhelming decided to donate the nearly $300 they raised from their trellis sales to Cornucopia in Newport which delivers nutritionally balanced meals five days a week to more than 160 seniors throughout the region.

“This is a remarkable gift from these students to their community,” said a grateful Lallie Mambourg, the Council’s Nutrition Director, about the unique inter-generational project. “The Meals on Wheels participants served by Cornucopia will be touched by their generosity and creativity. My heartfelt thanks to the students, teachers, and principal of Derby Elementary.”

Police: Charleston woman charged after overdosing with child in her car

Published on in Charleston/Derby

NEWPORT — A 45-year-old woman from Charleston faces child endangerment charges after police say she overdosed in her car in Derby.

Police say on Sunday evening, at around 6:15 p.m. they responded to Main Street for a medical issue involving a driver in a parked vehicle in the eastbound lane.

Police were informed that a young child was in the car at the scene.

Police say the driver, Savannah Bradshaw, 45, of Charleston, was transported to North Country Hospital where it was determined the incident was in relation to a suspected heroin overdose.

The child was released to family members and was not harmed.

Police say that Bradshaw is facing charges of grossly negligent operation and child endangerment.

Police: Derby man arrested for manufacturing butane hash oil

Published on in Derby/News

DERBY — A 19-year-old man from Derby was arrested this morning after police raided his home.

The Vermont State Police executed a search warrant at the residence of Shane Goodell, 19, of Derby, at 10:40 a.m.

Police say the raid was conducted after receiving information that Goodell was possessing and manufacturing butane hash oil.

According to police, items recovered during the search warrant included processed marijuana and processed butane hash oil.

Goodell was arrested on two counts of possession of marijuana, and reckless endangerment for manufacturing.

Police say he was lodged at Northern State Correctional facility for lack of $75,000 bail.

Orleans County students bring home prizes from Stanstead College 

Published on in Derby/Derby Line/Irasburg/Newport

STANSTEAD, QC – Orleans County students were among the top prize-winners at Stanstead College’s closing Baccalaureate ceremony held at Centenary Church in Stanstead on Thursday.

Patrick Young of Derby Line won the Ashworth Scholarship, awarded to a deserving local day student who consistently demonstrates effort and excels in some area of activity. He also won the English prize for Grade 9.

Brother Ryan Young earned the Art and English Prizes, the Amaron Prize for French in Grade 7 as well as the Fountain Family Scholarship.

Andrew Bouchard of Derby Line won the Grade 8 prizes for Art, English, Geography, History and Science-Technology and the Sybil Galambos Prize for Francais. He also had the highest overall average in Grade 8.

Connor Fletcher, Grade 12, of Irasburg, won the Bugbee House Prize.

Emily Willis, Grade 9, of Newport, was named the top junior female athlete, winning the Sheila Ferguson Shield. Emily also won the Grade 9 prizes for History, Music and Science.

Mya Daigle of Newport won the Trueman-McFadyen Award, presented to the girl in the senior school with the highest overall average who has played three varsity sports and won a Major S athletic award.

Alissa Bissonnette of Derby and the school’s co-head prefect won the Graham Chandler Sportsman of the Year Award, presented to the athlete who best exemplifies the attributes of character, integrity and sportsmanship.

The guest speaker for this year’s Baccalaureate was aluma Helen White, Class of 2009. Originally from Newport, White is now studying law at Yale and working this summer in a federal prosecutor’s office in Washington, DC.

Ms. White encouraged the graduates to focus on growth, build community, and embrace difference, skills that they had, in fact, already learned at Stanstead College.

“Stop focusing on being the best and start focusing on being better than you were yesterday,” she said.

Drawing on her own experience of being supported as a student and supporting her peers, she added, “Having a community matters because they help you reach your highest hopes and help you through your toughest times.”

Police clock driver doing 117 mph on I-91 in Derby

Published on in Derby/News

DERBY — Vermont state police have charged a man with excessive speed after they say they clocked him driving 117 mph on Interstate 91, in Derby.

Kodey Carminati-Renfrew, 24 of Orange, was arrested at around 10:00 a.m. this morning, after being stopped by police while headed north.

He was traveling in a 2015 Kia Optima Turbo at the time.

Carminati-Refrew was stopped without further incident, police say.

He was released on a citation and is awaiting arraignment in August.

Two dead, two injured after tragic accident in West Charleston

Published on in Charleston/Derby/Derby Line/Newport/News

WEST CHARLESTON — Two people from Orleans County were tragically killed in a single-vehicle crash that took place in West Charleston on Sunday.

Police say Esperanza Robles, 29, of Derby Line, and Ryan Coulter, 26, of Newport, were killed in the crash that happened on Vermont 105, at around 4:40 p.m.

According to a statement issued by police, Joshua Cole, 30, of Derby, was operating a 1994 Honda Prelude traveling west in the town of West Charleston, when he lost control while exiting a sharp corner.

The vehicle traveled off the north side of the road.

Cole’s vehicle then struck a large tree off the side of the roadway.

Police say the three passengers were all ejected from the vehicle, and that no one in the car was wearing a seatbelt.

Amanda Letourneau, 27, of East Charleston, suffered head and leg injuries.

Cole also suffered head injuries from the crash.

“Alcohol and speed are factors contributing to the accident,” a statement issued by Sgt. Sean Selby of the Vermont State Police reads.

The accident remains under investigation.

Police looking for missing Derby man

Published on in Derby/News

DERBY — Police are looking for a 62-year-old man from Derby who has been missing since Friday night.

Authorities say Peter Gaudreau, 62, of Derby, was last seen at his residence on North Derby Road on Friday night.

Police say he left his residence without his phone and he does not have access to a vehicle.

Gaudreau’s family is very concerned for his safety and wellbeing as he has health concerns, they say.

Anyone who has had contact with Gaudreau since Friday, or who has any information about his whereabouts is being asked to contact Vermont State Police at 802 334-8881.

Community National Bank hosting online business workshop in Derby

Published on in Business/Derby

DERBY – The Vermont Small Business Development Center and Community National Bank (CNB) have joined together to host a public workshop series called “Online Business Done Right the First Time,” that will present information about website construction and targeting online marketing strategies for small business owners.

This workshop will be held at CNB’s main office in Derby on June 22, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

Establishing a robust online presence for small businesses is essential to a successful future. Today’s customers expect to find businesses quickly and easily when they look online.

It can be challenging to determine where to focus your energy with the various website building tools and options, social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other online tools.

That, coupled with time and budgeting constraints, make it easy to make a wrong turn when it comes to decisions about the online business strategy for your business.

This workshop will help you learn the options, costs and risks associated with various digital platforms and website building strategies, as well as what online marketing tools to consider once your online presence has been established.

We will cover website building, social media, paid online marketing, analytics and more.

The workshop costs $25.00. To register for the workshop visit the “Training” tab at www.vtsbdc.org or call the VtSBDC office at 802-728-9101.

Two vehicle crash on Route 5 in Derby

Published on in Derby/News

DERBY — A 54-year-old woman from Derby was taken to the hospital this morning after an accident that took place on Route 5 in Derby.

The crash happened at around 11:30 a.m.

Police say that Lynn Pion was transported to North Country Hospital for evaluation after being hit by another vehicle that was turning out of the Shaw’s parking lot.

The driver of the second vehicle was Patricia Leonard, 48, of Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Police say that Leonard made an improper left turn onto Route 5 from Shaw’s, and was ticketed for the accident.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

Derby man sentenced 4-12 years in prison for assault charges

Published on in Derby/Newport/News

DERBY — A 28-year-old man from Derby will have to serve four to 12 years in prison on two assault charges committed back in the spring of 2014.

Nicholas Brock was sentenced after pleading guilty back in December to one charge of aggravated assault, and no contest to a charge of aggravated domestic assault in the first degree.

Brock was arrested for assaulting his ex-girlfriend back on March 6, 2014.

According to an affidavit written by Senior Trooper Clark Lombardi, later that same day Brock committed another assault, this time on a 31-year-old man from Troy who was helping retrieve some of his things from his ex-girlfriend’s home.

The man suffered a concussion, back injuries, as well as damage to his elbows and knees during the attack.

Brock was picked up again on December 27, 2014, after leading police on a high-speed chase through Newport Center.

Police say he failed to stop and began fleeing at high rates of speed before crashing the vehicle at the intersection of Cross Road and Searles Road. He then took off on foot into a field, before being captured by police.

Following that incident, he was charged with attempting to elude a police officer, careless and negligent operation, driving with a criminally suspended license, DUI, and violations of conditions of release.

Charges from the police-chase incident were dropped in the plea agreement on the two assault charges.

During sentencing, Judge Howard VanBenthuysen issued Brock credit for time served.

Derby and Newport schools awarded farm-to-school grant

Published on in Derby/Newport/News

NEWPORT — Derby Elementary School and Newport City Elementary School are joining forces to champion farm-to-school in the Northeast Kingdom through a joint farm-to-school grant provided by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and Markets. The two town teamed up with Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) to apply for the competitive Farm-to-School Grant Program, eventually being awarded $9,000 to implement a variety of farm-to-school programs between the schools.

“I am ecstatic that Derby and Newport Elementary received a farm-to-school implementation grant,” says Caroline Aubry, the farm-to-school coordinator with GMFTS that works with both schools and helped them apply for the grant. “The grant is going to allow them to expand their programming so more children will have access to fresh, healthy produce and be able to receive more nutrition and agriculture education.”

Through the farm-to-school implementation grant, which provides funding through May 2017, Derby Elementary School and Newport City Elementary will work to accomplish several objectives. The objectives were agreed upon and will be implemented by a joint farm-to-school committee comprised of administrators, teachers, and parents from both schools.

They will work to increase the amount of local food being served in the school food program by five percent by planting more food in the school gardens and incorporating popular taste tests of new vegetables into the menu. The schools will also explore composting initiatives and build infrastructure to comply with Act 148, the Universal Recycling Law.

Each school will also purchase a mobile cooking cart to streamline cooking activities with students, invest in tools to maintain the school gardens and clean and process vegetables grown in them for the cafeteria, and purchase garden kits for classes to utilize the garden space to promote Next Generation Science Standards.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to teach kids about where their food comes from and how important it is to grow your own local food as well as have access to more fresh local vegetables,” says Stacey Urbin, principal, Derby Elementary School. “We are looking forward to our students continuing to be involved with farm-to-school programming and having some added pieces. The teachers are very excited to be using the garden as a teaching space, particularly with science lessons.”

Derby Elementary School began working with GMFTS last year to bring farm-to-school programming to their students through a similar farm-to-school grant while Newport City Elementary has been working with GMFTS since 2010. Both schools grow their own vegetables in school gardens, celebrate Vermont Harvest of the Month through monthly, school-wide taste tests, and provide nutrition and agriculture lessons.

Police say Derby man charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after road rage incident

Published on in coventry/Derby/News

DERBY — A Derby man was taken into custody this week and is facing charges after having a run-in with a local game warden.

John Paul Lemay, 68, is facing charges for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and impeding a public officer.

The charges are the result of an investigation stemming from multiple incidents that occurred at the end of 2015 in Derby and Coventry, one of which police say was a road rage incident in which Lemay displayed an AR-15 assault rifle at another motorist.

The motorist happened to be Vermont State Game Warden Jason Dukette, 42, of Derby, who was off-duty at the time.

Police say Dukette noted the make and model of the vehicle, and a few days later while on-duty, spotted Lemay at a gas station in Derby. Police say Dukette also saw the firearm inside the vehicle at the time, and opened an investigation to see if the weapon was loaded.

Police say that Lemay impeded the investigation, but that the firearm in question was determined to be a pistol due to the short stock. As a result, Vermont law regarding loaded rifles did not apply.

Lemay was taken into custody without incident after being picked up on Monday for an outstanding warrant related to both incidents.

He posted bail and was released on conditions.

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