Westmore

WESTMORE — The closure of Vermont Route 5A in Westmore to stabilize a rock ledge along the road next to Lake Willoughby, will be extended until Friday, November 1.

The rock stabilization project involves scaling loose material from the ledge face and pinning blocks in place to prevent future failures.

The site has a history of rockfall failures, including one that occurred in March affecting travel on Route 5A until large rocks that fell into the road could be removed.

It is anticipated additional failures will occur this winter if remediation is not completed.

Contractor JP Sicard’s crews have finished scaling and removing the rock debris from the site.

One-third of the rock dowels have been installed, and the contractor says crews will work on installing rock dowels through the weekend.

During the course of this work and removal of loose material from the rock slope, there was bedrock material exposed that provided the opportunity to deliver a longer-term fix than the original stabilization measures that were outlined in the project scope.

As a result, VTrans authorized the contractor to complete additional stabilization measures which required more time.

The road is expected to re-open by the end of the day on Friday, November 1.

Travelers will need to continue to use Route 5 and Route 16 as a detour during the closure period

DERBY — Community National Bank President Kathy Austin recently announced the promotion of Beth Morin to Vice President and Senior Loan Operations Officer.

Morin started working for CNB in 1985 and has served the bank in many lending capacities.

Most recently, she held the position of Vice President and Special Asset Officer.

In her new role, she will oversee residential and consumer loan processing and underwriting, loan servicing, loss mitigation, and special asset administration.

“Beth’s exceptional skill set and experience make her well-suited to take on her new responsibilities,” Austin said.

During her career, Morin has completed many courses and programs related to banking, finance, and lending.

She makes her home in Westmore with her husband, Jim.

WESTMORE — Vermont Route 5A in Westmore will be closed for two weeks, starting today.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation has closed the road to stabilize a rock ledge along the road next to Lake Willoughby.

The rock stabilization project will involve scaling loose material from the ledge face and pinning blocks in place to prevent future failures.

This site has a history of rockfall failures, including one that occurred in March affecting travel on Route 5A until large rocks that fell into the road could be removed.

It is anticipated additional failures will occur this winter if remediation is not completed.

The Barton-based contractor J.P. Sicard will perform the stabilization work.

In preparation for the closure, the contractor started placing detour signs along roads leading to the project area to alert motorists about the project.

WESTMORE — The Vermont Agency of Transportation says they will close Vermont Route 5A in Westmore for up to two weeks in mid-October to stabilize a rock ledge along the road next to Lake Willoughby.

The rock stabilization project will involve scaling loose material from the ledge face and pinning blocks in place to prevent future failures.

This site has a history of rockfall failures, including one that occurred in March affecting travel on Route 5A until large rocks that fell into the road could be removed.

It is anticipated additional failures will occur this winter if remediation is not completed.

VTrans will make a public presentation to the Westmore Selectboard on September 16 at 6:00 p.m., at the Town Clerk’s Office, located at 54 Hinton Hill Road.

NEWPORT — An Orleans man who dragged a cow moose eight miles behind his truck after shooting it in a Westmore hay field, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges.

Authorities say 22-year-old Gerin Fortin was in Orleans Superior Court on June 26 where he pled guilty to taking a moose in closed season and taking a moose by illegal means.

Several other related charges were dismissed.

Fortin admitted shooting a cow moose in September of 2017 in a remote Westmore hay field using the headlights of his truck.

Using his truck, he dragged the moose 8 miles over pavement to the outskirts of Orleans before abandoning the moose to rot.

Fortin was sentenced to serve 60 days on state work crew, plus probation, ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution, ordered to attend alcohol counseling, and he was ordered to forfeit the firearm he used.

Fortin also lost his privilege to hunt, fish and trap for three years in Vermont and all member states of the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact.

The truck used to drag the moose was repossessed by a lienholder.

Chief Warden Col. Jason Batchelder credits the public’s help in bringing this case to a close.

“Many of the fish and wildlife violation cases investigated by Vermont State Game Wardens come from members of the public who care enough to provide information,” Batchelder said. “You can help by reporting a violation with a phone call to a State Police radio dispatcher, or anonymously by calling the Operation Game Thief phone.”

The toll-free Operation Game Thief line is 1-800-752-5378.

WESTMORE — Police say that for two weekends in a row, they’ve responded to complaints of underage drinking at a house in Westmore.

At around 11:20 p.m. on Friday, police say they received a report of an underage drinking party at a home located on Hinton Hill.

Police say when they arrived the home had a large number of vehicles parked in the driveway and in the roadway.

According to the report, individuals were seen fleeing from the residence into the woods.

Troopers say they also responded to the same residence the weekend prior for a similar complaint.

A total of 10 minors were issued diversion paperwork for the consumption of alcohol under the age of 21 between the two separate responses.

Police say the homeowner was cited into court for enabling alcohol consumption by minors.

WESTMORE — A truck partially went through the ice on Willoughby this afternoon.

At around 3:00 p.m. Orleans Ambulance and Westmore Fire Department responded to the scene. All occupants of the truck were out and safe by the time they arrived.

The truck was approximately 50 feet from the Willoughby fishing access, partially submerged.

The driver was identified as Travis Cady, 30, of Wheelock.

Cady told police after driving on the ice, he was returning to shore when the truck hit a large bump in front of the access.

When the truck struck the ice after the bump, the front end sunk through the ice and became lodged.

Police say Cady’s ability to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Vermont was under criminal suspension.

He was issued a citation for the charge of criminal DLS.

Wrights towing responded and removed the vehicle from the ice.

Anyone accessing Lake Willoughby from the Willoughby access area is cautioned about the large hole in the ice approximately 50 feet from the access area.

Westmore Fire department marked the location where the truck fell through, however, caution in the area is stressed.

WESTMORE — Police recently released photos of a man they are trying to identify following a burglary that took place in Westmore back in July.

The incident took place on Peene Hill Road, when someone unlawfully entered a residence and stole several firearms.

The victim was able to provide police with a detailed description of the firearms, which include five semi-automatic pistols and one semi-automatic rifle.

Police say they now have surveillance footage from the property, which captured several still photographs of a white male in a baseball cap.

Anyone with information as to the identity of this person is being asked to contact troopers at the Vermont State Police Derby barracks.