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Orleans, North Troy residents plead guilty to fentanyl and cocaine conspiracy

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy/Orleans

NEWPORT — Samuel Fuller, 33, of Orleans, and James Bassett, 40, of North Troy, have each pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute illegal narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine base.

According to court records, Luis Luna, 28, and Edwin Martinez, 26, both of Hartford, Connecticut, have also pleaded guilty to the charges.

Fuller will be sentenced on May 11, and Bassett on April 20.

The drug crimes all four defendants have pleaded guilty to carry 5-year mandatory minimum sentences and maximum sentences of 40 years.

All four defendants pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.

In addition, Fuller and Luna pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base.

According to court records, Martinez was Luna’s fentanyl source and Luna, in turn, supplied Fuller with the fentanyl.

Fuller would split the fentanyl with Bassett, who provided the money for the purchase.

Investigators say every two weeks or so, Fuller would collect money from Bassett, then order specific amounts of illegal drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine base.

Fuller would drive to Hartford, Connecticut where he would meet Luna at various locations.

Police say Fuller would drive back to Vermont, split the fentanyl with Bassett, and they would each sell fentanyl to Vermonters.

Bassett and Fuller had a customer base in the Northeast Kingdom, primarily in Caledonia and Orleans counties, police say.

Break-in at American Legion, North Troy

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NORTH TROY — Someone broke into a building in North Troy over the weekend.

Police responded to the American Legion for a burglary reported at around 6:34 p.m.on Monday.

According to the report, there was forced entry into the building sometime between noon on Sunday and Monday at noon.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police at 802-334-8881.

Man arrested after punching, shattering car window in North Troy

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NORTH TROY — A 45-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault and unlawful mischief in North Troy yesterday.

Police were notified of an incident at a home on Main Street at around 7:23 p.m.

According to the report, during an argument at the residence, Billy Pecor threw some items in the home and then punched the windshield of a vehicle, causing it to shatter while there were occupants inside.

Pecor was arrested at the scene.

Police say he also had an active arrest warrant out of Franklin County.

He was transported to Northern State Correctional Facility for the court-ordered conditions of release and was awaiting arraignment today.

Newport man facing charges after fleeing police with children inside car

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NEWPORT — A Newport man with an active arrest warrant led police on a pursuit through North Troy with two children inside the vehicle, police say.

At 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, police attempted to stop a vehicle on Vermont Route 105 by East Hill Road for a registration violation.

The vehicle accelerated and attempted to flee from police, leading them on an 8-mile pursuit through the Village of North Troy.

Police say the vehicle reached a top speed of 76 miles-per-hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone.

The vehicle came to a stop in the Community National Bank parking lot in Troy.

The driver was identified as Jake Buck, 32, of Newport.

Police say Buck had an active warrant.

“Investigation of the vehicle revealed there were two juveniles in car seats,” a release issued by Sergeant Debra Munson reads.

Buck was taken into custody, processed in Derby for the additional charges, and lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility on his active warrant.

He was scheduled to appear in court this morning to answer to charges of attempting to elude, careless and negligent operation, excessive speed, criminal DLS, reckless endangerment, and child cruelty.

Diane Mansfield of North Troy honored with Caregiver Excellence Award

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NORTH TROY — Diane Mansfield of North Troy was recently acknowledged with the “Caregiver Excellence Award.”

Terry Collins, the director and general manager of the Northeast Kingdom Homecare, presented Mansfield with the award.

Mansfield has worked as a caregiver since 1995 and has been employed by NEKHC since 2015.

NEKHC says she has taken the initiative to help her client by learning how to work with individuals who are visually impaired.

She works closely with the Association of the Blind to better help her clients gain confidence and independence.

Mansfield has completed both online courses, the Caregiver and the Alzheimer’s/Memory courses from the Institute for Professional Care Education, as well as two sets of classes on sign language.

She has also has gone on to receive her LNA Certificate.

Caregivers enable our elders to age in place in their homes, providing safety and comfort.

They provide peace of mind for family members who can’t always be there to care for elderly parents and grandparents, as well as critically important respite to those who have assumed the work of caring for older family members.

Vermont is the second oldest state in the nation and is expected to overtake Maine as the oldest by 2032.

Caregivers fill an increasingly important role in Vermont’s communities.

Boat trailer stolen in North Troy

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NORTH TROY– A 25-year-old North Troy man’s boat trailer was stolen yesterday.

Police say they received a report from Adrian Archambault that his 1977 boat trailer was stolen when he parked at a residence on Main Street in North Troy.

Witnesses were able to provide police with a description of the vehicle that took it, along with descriptions of the suspect.

The truck that was seen leaving with the stolen trailer was a white Chevrolet pick up truck.

Police also say at the time of the theft, the trailer had building materials on it.

Anyone else who may have witnessed this theft is being asked to contact police at 802-334-8881.

Missing hikers found safe in Jay

Published on in Jay/Newport/News/North Troy

NEWPORT — Local emergency workers rescued five lost hikers in the North Troy/Jay area on Sunday.

Police were notified of the incident at around 8:30 p.m. when a friend of the hiking group reported that they were due to meet him at a Long Trail crossing in Richford, at approximately 4:00 p.m.

He told police he checked in with the hikers at noon, and everything was fine, but then was unable to reach them via cell phone afterward.

All five hikers ranged in age from 60 to 75 years of age.

They began their hike from the Journey’s End trailhead in North Troy at 10:00 a.m.

One of the hikers was eventually able to contact 911 and GPS coordinates were obtained by police.

Based off of their location, a State Police cruiser was able to patrol the roadways near Journey’s End Road and blare the cruiser siren, which the lost hikers were able to faintly hear.

With the assistance of members from the North Troy Fire Department, who, with all-terrain vehicles and intimate knowledge of the wooded area, police were able to locate the lost hikers in a densely wooded area approximately 3/4 of a mile southwest of the Journey’s End Road/North Jay Road intersection.

All five hikers were physically fine, minus insect bites.

They were identified as John Boutin,66, of Fairlee, Elizabeth Boutin, 70, of Vaschon, WA, Linda Boutin, 75, of West Fairlee, Mary Bombard, 64 of Fairlee, and Kathleen Herrington, 71, of Montpelier, VT

Police looking for suspect after Dollar General in North Troy broken into

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NORTH TROY — Police responded to an alarm at the Dollar General in North Troy early this morning.

The call came in at around 1:00 a.m.

When they arrived at the location on East Main Street, police say they discovered that the store had been forcefully entered and items inside were scattered around.

The store was cleared by troopers.

Video surveillance footage indicated a single male, wearing a red jacket, gloves, and a face covering, forcefully entered the store, placed items in a bag, and left the store through the same place he entered.

A state police canine was used in an attempt to track the suspect but he was not located.

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

Jay man allegedly admits to local burglaries

Published on in Jay/Newport/News/North Troy

NEWPORT — Police say a 21-year-old man from Jay was arrested in connection to a series of burglaries in the area, including one at the Jay Country Store.

Joshua Furlow was arrested this week following an investigation into a burglary in North Troy.

On Thursday, police responded to investigate the burglary at a residence on N. Pleasant Street.

The victim told police someone had been in their home and taken cash, jewelry, and other personal property.

According to police, after several interviews and an investigation, Furlow was arrested.

During the investigation, police also say Furlow admitted to a retail theft at the Derby Walmart and to being one of two individuals who burglarized the Jay Country Store on July 27.

He was lodged on $15,000 bail at the Northern State Correctional Facility and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Police looking for driver after stolen car crashes in North Troy

Published on in News/North Troy

NORTH TROY — Police are looking for the driver of a stolen car that crashed in North Troy on Wednesday night.

At around 10:40 p.m. police responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash on East Main Street.

Police say the vehicle was headed east when it traveled left of center before going off the road and colliding with a stone wall.

It then rolled back onto the road.

The vehicle was reported stolen out of the Hardwick area.

The driver fled the scene on foot prior to the arrival of first responders and was unable to be located, police say.

Anyone with information in regards to this matter is asked to contact the Vermont State Police Derby Barracks at 802-334-8881.

Police: Troy man facing numerous charges

Published on in News/North Troy/Troy

TROY — A 32-year-old man is facing numerous charges after an incident that took place in North Troy on Friday morning.

Police say at around 9:40 a.m. they received a report of a suspicious vehicle with an unconscious operator parked in the caller’s driveway.

The driver left when confronted and was followed to a vacant building in the area of Main Street in North Troy.

He was confronted by residents again, before allegedly fleeing the scene in an unsafe manner, striking and damaging a telephone pole and nearly striking the witnesses.

The vehicle was located shortly after by a trooper on Kennison Road in Westfield, where the driver was stopped and identified as Adam Gallant, 32, of Troy.

While speaking with Gallant, police say they observed indicators of drug activity and drug impairment.

“Subsequent investigation and DUI screening indicated Gallant was operating a vehicle while under the influence of depressant drugs,” the report reads.

A K9 was deployed and the vehicle was seized pending a search warrant application.

Gallant was placed under arrest and processed in Derby, where he was released with a citation to answer to the charges of DUI drugs, leaving the scene of an accident, negligent operation, reckless endangerment, as well as numerous moving violations.

Hit-and-run takes down utility pole in North Troy

Published on in News/North Troy

NORTH TROY — A driver from Connecticut was cited today after police say he snapped a utility pole in half during a hit-and-run in North Troy.

At around 11:00 a.m. police received a report of a crash on VT Route 105.

The Vermont Electric Company reported someone struck a utility pole, snapping it in half before leaving the scene.

A trooper who responded found a Connecticut license plate in the debris. The plate belonged to a blue, 2018 Ford F-150 rental vehicle.

Several hours after, the trooper spotted a blue F-150 with damage consistent with the crash in a parking lot down the street.

The driver was identified as Artur Kapusicnski, 51, of Newington, CT.

Kapusicnski told police he had not been injured in the crash.

He was issued a citation for leaving the scene of a crash.

Troy couple find purpose and spirit in restorative justice

Published on in News/North Troy/Northeast Kingdom/Troy

TROY — Annie and Irv Fellows of Troy have long sought to make a difference in the world. For more than 30 years, Irv and Annie worked for the government, attempting to bring their passion for helping people through that venue.

“When I retired, Annie and I made a commitment that we would seek other ways to help people in need,” Irv said.

Then, about 4 years ago, Irv met Orleans County Restorative Justice Center’s Executive Director, Barbara Morrow during an effort to set up a Newport area warming shelter.

“She asked me if I would like to be on a ‘Circles of Support and Accountability’, called CoSA for short,” he said. “I initially had no idea what that was, but I found the concept challenging and well aligned with my spiritual principles. At first, I had little confidence that I could contribute anything, but, as time went by, I realized my perspective and life experiences could be supportive. Annie saw that I was finding CoSAs rewarding, and she decided to do volunteer as well.”

A CoSA is a team of usually three volunteers who, with a trained facilitator, work with someone called a “core member,” a person reentering the community from incarceration, for a year.

The team works with the person to figure out what problems they face and how they might address those problems. The team and the core member come up with a plan for the future and identify skills the core member has or could develop that will help them overcome present or future barriers. The CoSA group also acts as a source of accountability and a sounding board.

The Fellows said there are many rewards and frustrations to volunteering as a CoSA team member, but that the rewards are worth it.

“I’ve become aware of many bureaucratic barriers a person faces when they are trying to successfully reenter the local work environment,” Irv said. “For instance, a person needs to have their social security card to get a job. Seems like a simple thing, unless their card has been lost and they have no transportation. Obtaining a new copy of that card often involves seeking a copy of a long-misplaced birth certificate and a long bus ride to Montpelier. The lack of a driver’s license can also be a barrier. Without public transportation in the area, a person trying to get back on his or her feet often has to settle for a minimum wage job within walking distance. They often end up living on a financial knife’s edge, and even a small unexpected expense can make them vulnerable to frustration and depression, and the temptation to return to old ways.”

With that said, Irv Fellows said there are beautiful successes, often helped along by a core member with a good attitude about the process and support their receiving.

It can happen, the Fellows say, that amazing things take place in a person’s life through the process.

“My first CoSA involved a person who had alcohol and anger issues. When he started, he was adrift. He did not know how to handle money, he was isolated and he had very few prospects for employment. He worked very hard to avoid alcohol and completed training to control his anger. We taught him how to handle his money, and he listened to our advice. Soon, he began to bloom. He gained confidence in himself and his ability to control his own life. We sought people willing to give him a chance as an employee, and his work ethic soon convinced them he was a valuable worker. It has been more than a year since his CoSA ended, and his hard work continues to bring him success.”

Irv and Annie have served on a number of CoSA teams, and they say each one is a very different experience. What isn’t different, they said, is the caliber of volunteers they share this work with.

“There is a real reward in getting to know other CoSA volunteers,” Irv Fellows said. “I find them to be remarkable people.”

The Orleans County Restorative Justice Center’s Executive Director, Barbara Morrow, shares Fellow’s outlook on the volunteers, and welcomes interested people to find out how they can take part too.

“We will have a Circles of Support and Accountability training in Lyndonville May 3rd and 4th,” Morrow said.

This is required of all CoSA volunteers, has received rave reviews, and is a great orientation to work with our clients. We invite people to attend even if they’re not sure yet that they would volunteer, but are thinking about it.”

To learn more about OCRJC services, visit their website at www.kingdomjustice.org, email bmorrow@kingdomjustice.org or call 802-487-9327.

Police looking for missing North Troy woman

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NORTH TROY — Police say they are looking for a 28-year-old woman from North Troy.

On Tuesday, the Vermont State Police were advised by family members that Kayla Delzio had not made contact with friends or family since December 21.

Police responded to her residence and attempted to contact her by phone.

As of 5:30 p.m. today, she has not been located.

Police say she is believed to be in Caledonia or Orleans counties, and may aslo be in New Hampshire.

Local and State law enforcement agencies have been notified.

Anyone with any information regarding Delzio’s whereabouts should call (802) 334-8881.

Christmas Home Alone dinner tradition continues in North Troy

Published on in Lowell/Newport/News/North Troy/Westfield

NORTH TROY — Nobody wants to be alone on Christmas Day, and thanks to Donald St. Onge of North Troy, if you live around here, you don’t have to be.

Donald started this great tradition many years ago to fill a void in the community. He is no longer able to take on an active role, but we would like to continue the tradition that he started and turned into such a success.

The annual Christmas Home Alone meal will be served at the St. Vincent de Paul Church, located at 18 North Pleasant Street in North Troy, on Christmas Day.

The gathering starts at 11:30 a.m. with a meal to follow at 12:00 p.m.

All who find themselves alone on Christmas Day from the surrounding areas of North Troy, Troy, Lowell, Westfield, Newport Center, and Newport City are welcome.

The dinner will consist of turkey and ham, with many side dishes and desserts. The dinner is under the auspices of the Missisquoi Valley Historical Society.

If you would like to make a donation, checks can be made out and mailed to:

Christmas Home Alone
C/O Becky Therrien
71 Church St
Newport Center, VT 05857

Anyone who would like to make any other donation or volunteer their time please contact Becky Therrien by calling (802) 487-9225.

If you would like a meal delivered on Christmas Day, home delivery is available, but only in North Troy by calling (802)487-9225.

Police: DUI crashes in Troy and Coventry

Published on in coventry/Newport/News/North Troy/Troy

NEWPORT — Police say two drivers are facing DUI charges after separate single-vehicle crashes that took place last night in Orleans County.

At around 9:15 p.m. police received a call of a crash in the town of Troy.

While speaking with the operator, Gilles Desjarlais, 71, of Troy, police say an odor of intoxicants was detected.

Desjarlais willingly completed standardized field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest for DUI. He was transported to Newport Police Department where he was processed and released.

Later in the evening, just before midnight, police received another call of a single-vehicle crash in the town of Coventry.

Police say an odor of intoxicants was detected emitting from the driver, Gaetan Corderre, 25, of North Troy.

According to the report, Corderre also willingly completed standardized field sobriety exercises and was subsequently placed under arrest for DUI.

He was transported to the Vermont State Police Derby barracks, where he was processed and released.

Woman re-sentenced for fatal North Troy crash that killed Jay couple

Published on in Jay/Newport/News/North Troy

NEWPORT — A 32-year-old woman from St. Albans was in court on Tuesday to be sentenced again on two counts of gross negligence operation with death resulting, after a 2013 crash that claimed the lives of an elderly couple from Jay.

The tragic accident took place in North Troy on Aug. 5, 2012. Art Moran, 82, and his wife Peggy, 75, were on their way home from church when they were struck by Alexis Gabree.

Gabree told police after the accident that she was a recovering drug addict who had recently relapsed. Test results showed she had 11 different substances in her bloodstream at the time of the accident.

She was driving without a valid license.

At a contested sentencing hearing in April of 2014, Gabree pled guilty to the two charges, and Judge VanBenthuysen sentenced her to two concurrent sentences of 6 to 15 years to serve.

She filed a Post-Conviction Relief Complaint alleging that she had ineffective counsel and challenged the sentence she received. Her complaint was denied.

In September of 2015, she appealed her case to the Vermont Supreme Court, and in September 2017, they reversed the lower Court’s decision and remanded the case, thereby allowing Gabree to withdraw her plea.

On Tuesday, Gabree appeared in Vermont Superior Court where she reaffirmed her guilty plea to both counts and was re-sentenced to the original 6 to 15 years to serve.

Seventh DUI for North Troy man lands him 6-11 years behind bars

Published on in Newport/News/North Troy

NEWPORT — On Tuesday, a 49-year-old man from North Troy was sentenced for his seventh DUI.

Desmond Durivage was sentenced to serve 6-11 years for the charges of DUI, violation of conditions of release, false information to a police officer, and driving with a suspended license.

Durivage had six prior convictions, going back to 1990 for DUI. He also had a previous arrest for DUI that was amended to a gross negligent operation in 1996.

The most recent charges he faced stem from an investigation by the Vermont State Police.

“Durivage was stopped for driving 16 mph in excess of the posted speed limit on August 11, 2015,” a statement issued by the Orleans County State’s Attorney’s office reads. “Durivage was found to be under the influence of alcohol and admitted to drinking.”

In a statement, Orleans County State’s Attorney Jennifer Barrett says she takes the prosecution of DUI cases seriously and encourages members of the community to call 911 if they suspect drunk or drugged driving.

Barrett commented at sentencing that Durivage’s conduct was jeopardizing the lives of the Orleans County community members.

Newport police looking for suspect after break-in at West Side Deli

Published on in coventry/Newport/News/North Troy

NEWPORT — The Newport Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for a man who allegedly broke into a business early this morning.

Police say they are actively seeking Daniel Greenwood, 41, whose most recent known addresses are in Troy and Coventry.

At approximately 4:42 a.m. an officer was dispatched to the West Side Deli on Highland Avenue for a report of a person inside the store.

The officer began searching the area and was joined by an off-duty officer who was passing through the area.

The officers located a man, later identified as Greenwood, on one side of the building and attempted to establish a perimeter.

Greenwood then allegedly emerged from a bush where he had been hiding and ran toward a gold SUV parked nearby.

One of the officers attempted to subdue Greenwood and ordered him to stop, but he allegedly revved the SUV’s engine and eventually accelerated onto Highland Avenue, reaching a speed of approximately 70 mph in a 25 mph zone.

The officer retreated to his cruiser and began pursuing him, but ultimately lost sight of his vehicle.

A short time later, officers located a piece of the vehicle’s front end, including a license plate registered to another vehicle owned by Greenwood.

A search of his two previous known addresses proved unsuccessful.

Anyone with information about Greenwood’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact Newport Police at 802-334-6733.

He is wanted on charges of attempted burglary, unlawful mischief, attempting to elude, gross negligent operation, excessive speed, and resisting arrest.

Two injured during Thursday afternoon car crash in Derby

Published on in Brownington/Derby/News/North Troy

DERBY — Two women from Orleans County were injured in a car crash that took place in Derby on Thursday.

At around 4:30 p.m. police responded to the incident on Vermont Route 191 at the intersection of Crawford Road in the town of Derby.

Dawn Perry, 52 of Brownington, and Karen Rinner, 55, of North Troy were identified as the drivers.

Derby Line Fire Department and Newport Ambulance were dispatched to the scene to assist.

According to police, both women sustained injuries and were transported to North Country Hospital for treatment.

The crash investigation is still ongoing, but at this time police say it does not appear as though speed or impairment were factors in the collision.

Canadian men accused of smuggling 30 pounds of marijuana into U.S. through North Troy

Published on in News/North Troy/Quebec

NORTH TROY — Two men from Canada were picked up by Border Patrol trying to cross illegally into the United States with 30 pounds of marijuana.

Robert Eldridge, 67, and James Gauthier, 56, both residents of Quebec, appeared in United States District Court in Burlington following their arrest for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.

According to the criminal complaint, the defendants were arrested in the evening on April 2 in North Troy, just south of the international boundary.

Agents observed Gauthier hiking through the woods south from Canada, then saw him put two duffle bags into a car being driven by Eldridge.

Agents detained both defendants, searched the bags and discovered about 30 pounds of marijuana.

If convicted, the defendants face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy released Eldridge on conditions pending his next hearing but ordered that Gauthier be temporarily detained until another hearing.

North Troy dog catcher pleads not guilty to felony marijuana cultivation charge

Published on in News/North Troy

NEWPORT — A 51-year-old man from North Troy who was arrested back in September after police say they found 118 full grown marijuana plants in his backyard, pleaded not guilty to a felony charge on Tuesday.

Christopher Kinkade, who police say was the North Troy dog catcher, was busted on September 16 after a raid was carried out on his property at 116 North Pleasant Street.

Interestingly enough, Kinkade is listed on the state marijuana registry, which allows him to have seven immature marijuana plants or two mature plants in his possession, so long as they are grown in a locked room on the second floor of his home.

Police say there were no plants growing inside Kinkade’s home, and that 118 plants were growing in his backyard, behind a locked fence.

According to court documents, two people tipped police off about the plants, stating that they were clearly visible from the bottom of the fence.

Police used a helicopter to gather evidence to obtain the search warrant, which was issued by Orleans County Judge Howard Vanbenthuysen.

Kinkade is facing a felony cultivation of marijuana charge and faces a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

He was released Tuesday on conditions.

VSP: 118 marijuana plants seized in North Troy

Published on in North Troy

NORTH TROY — A 51-year-old man from North Troy was arrested on Friday for cultivation of marijuana.

At around 7:30 p.m. police executed a search warrant at 116 North Pleasant Street in North Troy.

Police say they located and seized approximately 118 marijuana plants.

Christopher Kinkade, 51, of North Troy was subsequently placed under arrest for the cultivation of marijuana.

He will have to appear in court on November 11 to answer to the charges.

Canadian caught smuggling 281,307 Xanax near North Troy gets 1 year in prison

Published on in News/North Troy

NEWPORT — Cedrick Bourgault-Morin, 22, of Quebec, Canada was sentenced this week for smuggling 281,307 pills Xanax into the United States.

The judge sentenced Bourgault-Morin to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release.

According to court records, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on January 13, 2016, three United States Border Patrol agents responded to the area of the international border near the village of North Troy.

Agents observed Bourgault-Morin wearing white camouflage clothing, and walking on the tracks. He was pulling a plastic sled behind him, loaded with a large object wrapped in white camouflage.

As he started to conceal the sled and its contents with snow, agents approached him, apprehended him, and seized the sled.

The agents discovered a large duffle bag on the sled.

A search of Bourgault-Morin’s person revealed he did not possess a wallet or any identification documents, no cellular telephone, or other common items.

Other than his clothing, the only item on him was a silver folding lock-blade knife.

Upon further inspection in Newport, agents discovered the duffle to contain 300 vacuum-sealed plastic bags, containing a total of 281,307 pills.

Each pill bore markings consistent with those used to identify Xanax, which is a brand name for Aprazolam.

Aprazolam is a benzodiazepine class of psychoactive drug typically prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication and a Schedule IV drug.

The 300 bags of pills weighed approximately 182.82 pounds and had a value of approximately $1.6 million.

Officials warn of phone scams in Newport, Jay, North Troy

Published on in Jay/Newport/North Troy

NEWPORT — Vermont business owners in Newport, Jay, and North Troy have reported receiving a call from a person claiming to be from the Vermont Electric Cooperative, the businesses’ electric utility, demanding immediate payment of an alleged delinquent bill.

The caller threatens that electric power will be disconnected unless immediate payment is made.

The caller had account numbers for some of the businesses.

Authorities say these calls are not from the electric utility, and that this is a scam call. They say scammers have also used the names of other electric utilities when making these phony calls in past years.

If you receive a call from someone claiming your power is about to be disconnected, hang up.

If you want to verify the claim, call the customer service number on your utility bill.

Vermont Electric Cooperative customers may call 1-800-832-2667 or 1-802-635-2331 with any questions.

If you need assistance in resolving an actual disconnection issue with your utility, you may contact the Vermont Department of Public Service at 800-622-4496.

Scam callers frequently use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone services to place calls over an internet connection. This allows the scammers to mask the callers’ location. They are also using software that allows the callers to “spoof” the Caller ID system.

The majority of these calls come from overseas. Consumers should not respond to the calls or call the numbers provided by the scammers.

Consumers who have sent funds should contact their financial institution, the Consumer Assistance Program, and their electric utility immediately to protect their accounts.

Receipt of these kinds of calls, along with any other scams consumers receive, can be reported to the Consumer Assistance Program by filing a complaint on-line at www.uvm.edu/consumer or by calling 800-649-2424.

For more information on financial frauds, identity theft and other scams, visit the Consumer Assistance Program website at www.uvm.edu/consumer.

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