Morgan

MORGAN — Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in Morgan on Thursday.

The crash took place near the intersection of Vermont Route 111 and Coche Brook Crossing at around 5:46 p.m.

The drivers were identified as Nancy Parker, 80, of Island Pond, and Matthew Godin, 37, of Plentywood, Montana.

According to the police report, Parker was headed east on Route 111 when she crossed left of center and sideswiped Godin’s truck traveling west.

Police say no injuries were reported.

The westbound lane was temporarily closed until the vehicles could be towed away.

MORGAN — A number of Americans, including Morgan resident Parker LaCourse, showed their support for the United Nations on June 12, in Washington DC.

The gathering took place on the final day of the United Nations Association of the United States of America’s Leadership Summit, a conference that trained and mobilized Americans who support the work of the UN.

The convening took place at a pivotal moment for the world and the U.S.-UN relationship.

During in-person meetings with members of Congress and their staff, advocates collectively called for full U.S. funding for the UN Regular Budget and UN Peacekeeping dues in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget.

To demonstrate there overwhelming support for a strong U.S.-UN engagement, more than 600 Americans from across the country, including LaCourse, converged on Capitol Hill to petition Congress to maintain robust U.S. support for vital UN agencies and programs and discuss global issues like climate change, peace and security, the refugee crisis, and more.

They also called on their members of Congress to stand up for the rights of all people by presenting them with a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that embodies a key pillar of the UN’s work.

MORGAN — A 17-year-old driver was transported to the hospital after a single-vehicle crash in Morgan this morning.

Emergency workers responded to the scene on Route 111, at around 10:30 a.m.

Police say their initial investigation revealed that a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling westbound when it went off the road.

According to police, the driver was found to be traveling too fast for road conditions and subsequently lost control of the vehicle.

The driver was transported to North Country Hospital to be treated for possible injuries sustained during the crash.

MORGAN — For seventeen years, the people of Morgan and surrounding communities have come together for a free chicken and hot dog barbecue hosted by the Morgan Church.

This year the event will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Over 200 people showed up last year, an enthusiastic mix of Northeast Kingdom folks, vacationers, and some who were just driving by and saw the tents set up by the church.

There will be a bouncy house for the children as well at tomorrow’s event.

The Morgan Church is located at 14 Mead Hill Road.

The event is open to everyone, so come on out.

MORGAN — Jim and Sharlyn Jordan’s farm is well-known, with its extensive fields running along both sides of Route 111 for 1.5 miles, just east of Lake Seymour. The land has long been used as a dairy farm.

Jim’s father, a veterinarian, started the family business in the 1950s. He bought 500 acres and built a barn for 65 Jersey cows. Jim worked alongside him, and took over the business when his father passed away.

Jim and Sharlyn have since owned and operated Lake Seymour Farm, expanding it by 100 acres and adding onto the barn with a milking parlor and bunker silos. Their herd now has 240 mature cows, plus young stock.

The Vermont Land Trust recently purchased a conservation easement from the Jordans with funding from the Freeman Foundation. This legal agreement protects the land for agriculture by limiting development and subdivision.

The Jordans are also working with the Vermont Land Trust’s Farmland Access program to find a buyer who will keep the land in active agricultural use. This program connects farmers with affordable farmland for new and growing businesses.

Since 2004, the program has helped nearly 60 farm businesses emerge, create local products, and add jobs.

“Jim and Sharlyn have always taken a lot of pride in their land, and they’re not the only ones who want to see it remain a farm,” said Jon Ramsay, the Farmland Access Program director for the Vermont Land Trust. “It’s one of those keystone farms that everyone in the area knows.”

When the farm originally went on the market, many in the community were concerned about what would happen to it. The Lake Seymour Association is happy with the conservation outcome, as are many who live near the lake or enjoy swimming, walking, fishing, and boating there.

“The water in the lake is clean right now, and we’d like to see it stay that way,” said Jim Jordan. “It’s good to keep this land in farming and not see it developed because it’s so close to the lake.”

Jim also said people know the farm if they ride the VAST trail, which passes through the woods on his property.

MORGAN — Authorities have identified the second victim in the fatal fire that broke out at a residence in Morgan back in February.

The second victim has been positively identified as 64-year-old Mary M. Stone.

Investigators say the fire at this time is not suspicious and appears to have been the result of improper use of a kerosene heater indoors.

The fire took place on February 26 at around 11 p.m., claiming the lives of two people.

The other victim was identified last week as Jeffrey Doba, age 58.

MORGAN — One of the victims in the fatal fire in Morgan has been positively identified as Jeffrey Doba, age 58, of Morgan.  

Police say that the second victim has not yet been positively identified.

The Vermont State Police is still conducting an investigation into the identity of the second victim, and say the cause of deaths are still pending the results of the final report of autopsy.   

When rescue workers arrived at the location on February 26 at around 11 p.m., they found the home fully engulfed in flames. Through their efforts the fire was extinguished and in the process fire fighters discovered a body inside.
 
Investigators discovered a second body amongst the ruble while investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

MORGAN — Two people are dead after a fire broke out at a residence in Morgan last night at around 11:00 p.m.

Authorities say the Charleston Fire Department was toned out and responded to the location and found the home fully engulfed in flames. Through their efforts the fire was extinguished and in the process fire fighters discovered a body inside.

Arson Investigators from the Vermont State Police and Arson Investigators from the Vermont Division of Fire Safety were contacted and responded as well as Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
 
Investigators discovered a second body amongst the ruble while investigating the cause and origin of the fire. Both bodies are reported to have been severely burned.

The victims were removed and transported to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington.
 
The identities of the deceased are unavailable at this time pending positive identification and notification of family.

Police say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
 

MORGAN — Police say that two handguns were stolen during a burglary last week.

The incident happened Thursday night or early Friday morning, at a home in Morgan.

Police are not releasing the location of the break-in or the name of the victim, because they say that it is part of an ongoing investigation.

Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Jonathan MacFarlane said that the stolen guns were both .38 caliber revolvers.

Police are asking that anyone with information about this incident or the stolen revolvers to call 802-334-3333.

DERBY — Chairman, President and CEO of Community Bancorp. and Community National Bank Stephen P. Marsh has announced the promotion of Kathy M. Austin to President and Chief Operating Officer of Community Bancorp. and Community National Bank.

Her promotion will take effect on January 1, 2016.

Ms. Austin has worked at Community National Bank for over 35 years, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with oversight of the bank’s retail operations.

“Kathy has a long history of increased responsibility and has played a substantial role in the bank’s continued growth,” Marsh said. “She has unique leadership qualities that will serve her well in her new position.”

Austin is a graduate of the New England School of Banking at Williams College and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

She also is a past recipient of the Outstanding Community Banker Award presented by the Vermont Bankers Association.

Austin currently serves as Board Chair of North Country Health Systems and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Northwoods Stewardship Center and the Newport Age-Friendly Advisory Council.

Austin and her husband Shawn reside in Morgan.

MORGAN — A Morgan man was ejected from his Jeep during a single-vehicle crash that took place on Monday morning.

The incident happened at around 10:00 a.m., on Route 111, near the intersection with Hayward Hollow Road in Morgan.

Police say that 59-year-old Kip Blindow was traveling in a 2004 Jeep Wrangler, when his vehicle veered off the right-hand side of the road.

The Jeep rolled multiple times after the tires struck the soft shoulder.

Blindow was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

Kathleen Blindow, 54, of Morgan, was the only passenger at the time of the crash. She was not ejected from the vehicle. 

Both were transported to North Country Hospital for treatment.

Derby Line Ambulance and Fire responded to the scene. 

MORGAN — Police say that they are investigating reports of several mailboxes being vandalized in Morgan early this morning.

The incidents took place on Toad Pond Road, sometime around 3 a.m.

A total of fifteen separate mailboxes were smashed with what police say appears to be a baseball bat.  

Some mailboxes were completely destroyed, while others received only minor damage.  

Damaging, destroying or tampering with mailboxes is a federal crime, punishable by a fine and up to three years of imprisonment.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Sgt. Sean Selby VSP Derby at 334-8881.