Newport - page 3

NEWPORT — A bottle of pure vanilla extract next to a few blocks of ice sits waiting on Lake Memphremagog. Get it? Vanilla Ice.

It’s a question as old as the lake herself. Every spring we muse over the age-old question, “when do you think the ice will go out?”

Lake Memphremagog is deep, with ice as thick as 30 inches some winters, but Vermonters never tire watching for any indicative sign of the changing season.​

To celebrate this time-honored tradition, and to make things a little more interesting while we wait, Newport Parks & Recreation runs the annual contest for residents and visitors on Lake Memphremagog.

Each year a weighted mascot is placed in the bay at ​Gardner Memorial Park​ attached to a time clock.

The mascot for this year’s “ICE OUT” content is the work of Newport Parks foreman Mac McKenny.

The facade can be seen from the Causeway bridge and stands steadfast through snowstorms, wind and rain until the ice beneath finally gives way to the early warmth of spring.

When the mascot drops, the Ice Out clock stops recording the official moment that the ice is out in Newport. People keep pretty close tabs on the facade as they pass the Causeway.

“It gives the community something to look for on the lake and they get a kick out of it,” Jessica Booth, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Newport, said.

Booth and McKenny say they’re always inundated with calls and emails as soon as the mascot goes under.

“Checking the clock throughout the day is part of the fun while we’re working around Gardner park,” said McKenny, who is in charge of making the official call for ice-out time. “But if the ice goes out on the weekend or in the evening when we’re not around, there’s plenty of people ready to report in.”

When the ice finally does go out on Lake Memphremagog, the news is always welcome to one lucky contestant who entered the closest prediction in the annual contest.

The nearest prediction, without going past, to the actual date and time wins 50 percent of the contest pool. The pool usually totals about $500, depending on ticket sales.

The other half of Ice Out proceeds will benefit the Gardner Memorial Park ​Playground & Splashp​ad Project this year.

Memphremagog Ice Out tickets can be purchased at Little G’s Deli, Hoagies, Jimmy Kwik, Westside Market, East Main General or the Parks & Recreation office.

Predictions can be submitted online too at NewportRecreation.org/ICEOUT.

Deadline to submit your guess is Monday, April 1, 2019, or when the ice goes out, whichever comes first.

For more information, call Newport Parks & Recreation at 802-334-6345.

NEWPORT — Police in Newport arrested a man after a shooting last night.

Larry Brown, 49, of Newport was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

On Thursday, police initiated an investigation after a man arrived at the station and reported that Brown had shot at him following an argument.

The man alleged Brown fired two shots in his direction, but neither round struck him.

Police say they conducted a more thorough on-scene investigation at Brown’s residence, where the altercation allegedly occurred.

Through their investigation, police allege that Brown and the victim had been spending time together when an argument ensued and that Brown fired a weapon at the victim as he was leaving.

A spent shell casing was located on the ground at the scene and seized as evidence.

There were no injuries as a result of the incident.

Brown was released on his own recognizance, on the condition that he not consume alcohol or be in the possession of any firearms or deadly weapons.

He was also ordered to stay away from the victim and that he appears for his arraignment, which was scheduled for today at 12:30 p.m.

NEWPORT — Police say that a Newport man who has been on the run since June of 2018 was arrested today.

Lucas Putvain, 31, was arrested at around 1:00 p.m. at a location on Western Avenue in Newport City.

Putvain has an extensive criminal history and allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint back in November of 2018.

The victim told police Putvain and another person ordered him to get into their car and held him at gunpoint.

Police say he demanded money before pushing the victim out of the car. Putvain had three active warrants at the time.

In December of 2018, he was seen traveling on West Street in Derby, before police say he fled at a high rate of speed.

Police did not initiate a pursuit at that time because Putvain was traveling with children in the vehicle.

Police say during today’s arrest, 29-year-old Cassaundra Walker, of Newport, was also arrested on several outstanding warrants.

Both were taken into custody without incident and are scheduled to be seen in Orleans Superior Court this afternoon.

NEWPORT — Michelle Rossi has been recognized by the Orleans County Restorative Justice Center for her “spirit of courage.”

She was presented with the award surrounded by family, friends and the Justice Center board on Wednesday evening at the Goodrich Library.

Rossi, a resident of Newport City, is involved with Girl Scouts, the ENCORE program at North Country Union Highschool, Newport City’s Promise Community, ReNewport, Big Brother/Big Sisters, and several other community-building initiatives.

Last summer, she stepped forward at a city council meeting, petitioning the city to address the presence of drug activity in her neighborhood.

Since then, she has worked persistently with others to lead a more vibrant and responsive neighborhood.

Her many admirers say they appreciate her unflagging energy and can-do perspective.

“I am inspired by her every day,” Colleen Moore-d’Ortiz, her neighbor, said. “To me, she sets an example through her actions of living with love in our neighborhood. Honestly, I never really felt like a real member of the community until we became friends. Being a part of Michelle’s community helps give me the strength to keep showing up.”

Her strength of character, community leadership, and courage to step out are primary reasons for selecting Rossi for this award.

She is the first recipient of the award, designed to be given occasionally at the recommendation of the Justice Center board of directors.

“There are so many community-driven people here that are making a difference and ushering positive change, but in a quiet, consistent and thoughtful way that supports justice and care,” said Barbara Morrow, Justice Center executive director. “The board really wants to recognize these local heroes.”

The recognition includes a small monetary gift and a hand-blown statue from Vermont artist Lada Bohac, of a giraffe.

“Michelle’s conviction to the belief that, by improving her skills she can make herself and her community better is the essence of good citizenship,” said Justice Center Board Chair, Steven Mason

NEWPORT — Police arrested a man on assault and reckless endangerment charges following a fight early this morning.

Kyler Baker, 21, of Newport, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and recklessly endangering another person.

Police officers were dispatched to the fight on Bayview Street at around 1:40 a.m.

They arrived at the Family Dollar on Main Street a short time later and located two males, including Baker and a female.

Police allege Baker walked toward the officers upon their arrival and raised his jacket to reveal a firearm.

He subsequently complied with officers to drop the weapon and placed the 12 gauge, short barreled shotgun on the ground.

Officers say they secured the gun and observed that there was a spent shell in the chamber and was warm to the touch.

Newport Police conducted an on-scene investigation and learned that Baker had been involved in an altercation with another man who was at the scene.

During the altercation, he allegedly fired the gun in the direction of the other man.

As a result of the investigation, Baker was taken into custody.

He was held on $10,000 bail at the Northern State Correctional Facility.

There were no injuries as a result of the altercation.

NEWPORT — Last month the Newport City Council approved a resolution authorizing Newport Parks & Recreation to pursue a $180,000 grant through the Vermont Land & Water Conservation Fund.

The ambitious request will support a $400,000 proposed renovation to the playground and restroom facilities in Gardner Memorial Park, tentatively scheduled for the 2020 summer season.

Centrally located, Gardner is the most well known of all city parks.

The 20-acre parcel is home to several athletic fields including basketball courts, pickleball, soccer, football, baseball and softball fields.

Each year numerous community events, concerts, farmers markets, and private gatherings are booked at the park, but most users visit for unstructured recreational use.

“On average, we see about 20,000 residents and visitors annually participating in unstructured activities like picnicking, fishing, skateboarding, walking dogs, and ice skating at the park,” said Jessica Booth, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Newport. “Nearly half of those visitors, about 9,000 between May and November, come to enjoy the playground area.”

Mac McKenny, foreman at Gardner Memorial Park says the playground is one of the biggest draws for the facility despite aging structures and lackluster play equipment.

“The play area is pretty tired and is long overdue for replacement,” Mckenny, a certified playground inspector, said. “Some of the structures are more than thirty years old, and parents who bring their children are always joking about how they played on the same equipment when they were kids.”

Mckenny also says there are concerns around safety and accessibility for some of the outdated structures.

Gardner Park Restoration, a local parent-volunteer group, successfully raised about $15,000 toward the purchase of new equipment over the past few years.

“People don’t know that a single slide can cost $2,000-4,000, and larger structures start around $30,000. It adds up quickly,” says Jenn Smith, chair of the Newport Recreation Committee and lead of Gardner Park Restoration.

Smith says the community is ready for something more than a few replaced elements at the park and they’re pleased to know that fundraising efforts will help the city pursue large grants that require a cash match.

“We’d rather see the restoration funds leveraged for the bigger picture, rather than spent on one or two small pieces of equipment,” Smith added.

The proposed renovation includes a reorganization of the play area layout with more room for picnicking, age-appropriate play structures, accessible surfacing, a sail-shade pavilion, and the biggest crowd pleaser, a new splash pad.

“When we share the idea, that’s always the wow-factor,” said Booth.

Splash pads are outdoor play areas with shoots of water spraying up from the ground. They’re popping up in parks all over the country as a safer, lower maintenance alternative to public pools.

With Gardner’s proximity to Lake Memphremagog and downtown, Booth thinks the addition of a water feature like this has the potential to put the park on the map and make it the destination it should be.

A splash pad in Gardner Park would be one of the first in the state developed in a public park, preceded only by Bennington, which is set to open their pad this spring.

The project at Gardner Park will also include improvements to pedestrian safety and upgrades to the restroom facility to support increased patronage.

While much of the project will be grant funded, Parks & Recreation has enlisted the help of the Recreation Committee to help close the $200,000 fundraising gap between now and July of 2020.

“The Restoration funds are a start, but there is still much work to be done before this plan will become reality,” said Smith.

Over the next 18 months, the Recreation Committee will spearhead a variety of fundraising events and welcome donations from private businesses or families who wish to contribute to the project.

“It’s a lofty goal, but we think the community is ready to make this happen for our families and future children.”

Anyone interested in donating or participating in fundraising initiatives for the Gardner Park playground and splash pad project can contact:

Newport Parks & Recreation at 802-334-6345 or, email info@NewportRecreation.org

Additional information can be found online at NewportRecreation.org or on Facebook at “Gardner Park Restoration.”

NEWPORT — The Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) recently received a $4,500 grant from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Northeast Kingdom Fund.

The grant will help the association’s mission of protecting and preserving the environment and natural beauty of the watershed by providing hands-on education for area elementary school classes.

“We are so pleased to have received this grant from the Vermont Community Foundation,” said Kendall Lambert, Administrative Director of MWA. “This will be the 5th year that we have run our Youth Discovery Program.”

The Youth Discovery Program is an educational field trip program for elementary school classes on Lake Memphremagog.

Students learn about the watershed, challenges, and conservation solutions.

“The program has received tremendous support from local businesses and volunteers over the years, and this new funding will allow us to build on our community support to further enhance the educational experience for our local elementary school students,” Lambert added.

The MWA is a non-profit that was founded in 2007.

NEWPORT — Newport Police say they’ve charged a man with allegedly stealing more than $48,000 from an elderly woman over a period of four years.

Eric Brigham, 52, of Williamstown, was charged with one count of financial exploitation.

According to police, back in October, a private investigator working for an 84-year-old woman notified police that her relative had been taking advantage of her by abusing his power of attorney.

An investigation was launched and police say they learned that Brigham had been given power of attorney of the woman’s affairs in June 2014.

In December of 2014, he allegedly began writing checks out of the victim’s account without her permission and in February 2015, he obtained checks that had both his name and the victim’s name on them under her account.

According to investigators, he used checks and a debit card to withdraw thousands of dollars in funds from the victim’s bank accounts on a regular basis over the course of four years.

Police say he wrote out checks to himself for cash or wrote them out under the victim’s name, but rarely gave the victim any of her own money and rarely visited her in the nursing home.

In total, Brigham is alleged to have stolen $48,149.11 from the victim and left her with several delinquent credit card bills and more than $20,000 in debt to her nursing home.

“I want to credit Officer Nicholas Rivers who investigated this complex case and was able to determine the extent of Mr. Brigham’s alleged fraud and deceit against his own relative,” Newport Police Chief DiSanto said. “Fortunately, Officer Rivers was able to follow the paper trail left by the suspect which gave us the evidence we needed to charge him.”