Lowell - page 2

LOWELL — Local authorities are hoping that they can track down a driver who struck and killed a calf in Lowell this morning.

Police say they were notified of a crash involving an unknown vehicle on the Cheney Road in Lowell, near the Ostiguy Road.

The unknown vehicle collided with a 1-year-old Jersey calf.

The calf died as a result of the collision, and police say the vehicle involved never stopped to notify anyone.

The incident happened sometime between 6 and 7 a.m.

Anyone with any information is being asked to call the Vermont State Police.

NEWPORT — Katherine Sims of Lowell, founder and executive director of Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS), is being recognized nationally through Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives, a search to identify and honor 100 leaders who are changing rural communities and agriculture for the better.

The honorees were announced at a National Ag Day event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Sims is the only honoree from Vermont.

“There is incredible work being done around food and agriculture throughout the Northeast Kingdom and the state of Vermont and I am proud to be involved in working to create a better future with everyone,” said Sims. “It is an honor to be recognized through Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives and to be able to highlight that great work that is taking place, especially in the Northeast Kingdom.”

Sims, a graduate from Yale University, started GMFTS as one school garden in Jay/Westfield and the belief that every Vermonter deserves access to healthy, affordable food. The organization has since expanded and now works with 27 schools growing school gardens, sourcing local food in the cafeteria, and providing nutrition and agriculture education.

It also serves free meals in the summer to kids through its Lunchbox food truck, runs a regional food hub, Green Mountain Farm Direct, to source local food in schools and institutions, and heads a state-wide education campaign, Vermont Harvest of the Month, to educate communities about the great food grown in Vermont.

Sims also serves on the board for the Vermont Council on Rural Development, Vermont Land Trust, and the University of Vermont Extension Advisory Board.

Farm Credit, an organization that supports rural communities with credit and financial services, launched the Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives program as part of its 100th anniversary. One hundred honorees were selected, by a panel of experts on rural matters, from 1,100 nominations that spanned all 50 states. They are considered among the best-of-the-best who are positively shaping what is next for rural communities and agriculture.

“Farm Credit has supported rural communities and agriculture for 100 years, and we understand the vision and commitment it takes to remain successful as rural America evolves and changes,” said Todd Van Hoose, president and chief executive officer of the Farm Credit Council. “The Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees are inspiring examples of leaders who are creating a brighter, more vibrant future for rural America.”

LOWELL — A 46-year-old man from Montgomery is dead, and a 39 year-old woman is injured after an ATV crashed in Lowell on Sunday afternoon.

Police are reporting that Richard Buckland, of Montgomery, was pronounced dead at North Country Hospital after being involved in an ATV accident that took place on a remote trail in Lowell. The crash took place at around 1:41 p.m., Sunday.

Police also say that Elizabeth Buckland was transported to North Country Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries relating to the crash. Reports say that she suffered a lung injury in the accident.

The incident happened approximately two miles out on a trail that runs adjacent to Mines Road.

The crash is still under investigation, but police say that both were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Vermont State Police and members from the Newport and Missisquoi Ambulance and Lowell Fire Department responded to the scene.

“Remote rescue was used to transport two subjects from the machine involved,” a statement issued by police reads.

LOWELL — Police are investigating a burglary that took place sometime last week in Lowell.

Police are saying that the incident happened at a camp located on Mines Road.

The break-in occurred sometime between Wednesday, May 13, and Friday, May 15.

The camp belongs to Lawrence Trahan, 55, of Virginia.

Trahan advised police that several items had been taken during the burglary, and that the windows to the camp had been smashed out.

Police are asking that anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Vermont State Police Derby Barracks.

LOWELL — A 50-year-old man from Lowell was processed for DUI after an early morning crash that took place in Eden.

Police are reporting that Steven Stolte was traveling south on Route 100 at around 4:30 a.m., with a blood alcohol concentration three times the legal limit in Vermont. Stolte was driving a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta when his vehicle struck a guardrail along the west edge of the roadway.

The Jetta then crossed both lanes of Rte 100 and drove off the road in front of a residence. Stolte then struck a parked, unoccupied truck causing it to be pushed into another parked car. The truck, a 2003 Chevy Pickup, was totaled after the crash.

The Vermont State Police, North Hyde Park Fire Department and Northern EMS responded to the crash.

Stolte was screened by EMS and was not injured, but provided a roadside blood alcohol concentration sample of 0.249%.

The legal limit is 0.08%. He was subsequently processed for DUI and issued a citation to appear in Lamoille District Court.

LOWELL — Police say a 24-year-old man from Lowell went on a crime spree early Saturday morning in Montgomery, that included attempted burglary, stealing a school bus, possession of narcotics, and driving through multiple mail boxes as he made his way back to his home in Lowell.

Matthew Pion was taken into custody on August 30, after troopers first received emergency calls at around 3:35 a.m. from terrified residents on Hazen’s Notch Road in Montgomery, who contacted police after a man had attempted to gain forced entry into their home. The male was ultimately unsuccessful in his attempt.

As troopers responded to the call it was learned that a school bus had been seen traveling without headlights on Hazen’s Notch Road toward the Orleans County line. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department was called upon to assist.

While St. Albans troopers tracked the school bus on Hazen’s Notch Road, Derby troopers successfully located the bus stuck in the roadway on Hazen’s Notch in Lowell, at which point Pion was taken into custody.

The investigation found that Pion, who was substantially intoxicated, had failed to gain access to the residence in Montgomery. He then stole a school bus that was parked nearby, and attempted to use it to return to his Lowell residence.

Investigators say that he drove the school bus through multiple mail boxes along the way. He managed to reach his residence but grounded the school bus into the pavement as he was unable to negotiate his driveway.

Pion was transported to the St. Albans Barracks for processing. During the processing Pion provided an evidentiary sample of his breath which showed his BAC to be above the legal limit of .08%.

Pion was later transported to the Northwest Correctional Facility where he was lodged for lack of $5000 bail.

He is scheduled to appear in Franklin County District Court to answer the charges of DUI, Felony Attempted Burglary, Felony Theft of a School Bus, Operation without Owner’s Consent, Possession of Narcotics, and multiple counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident

LOWELL — The Vermont State Police are reporting that two street signs in Lowell were stolen, and a third was removed from its location. Sometime between Tuesday and Thursday the signs went missing.

One was stolen from Kempton Hill Road, located at the intersection with the Mines Road. The other was taken from Mines Road, located at the intersection with Vermont Route 58.

The third sign indicated a narrow bridge ahead, and was removed from its location and discarded in the river located in the same general area.

When street signs are stolen they are often used as decorations, however, sometimes it is done to avoid obeying the law by claiming later the sign was not there.

Usually considered to be a prank by the perpetrators, the theft is often costly and inconvenient for the municipality.

In the United States, each street sign generally costs between $100 and $500 to replace.

Anyone with information pertaining to this theft is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police, Derby Barracks 802-334-8881.