Northeast
Vermont House passes 'safe' injection site bill as state grapples with opioid death surge
As Vermont grapples with rising opioid overdose deaths, the House has passed a bill that would allow for the creation of overdose prevention centers in the state that would include safe injection sites — places where people can use heroin and other narcotics under the supervision of trained staff and be revived if they take too much.
The legislation, approved by the House on Thursday after emotional testimony, now goes to the state Senate.
Vermont has had consecutive record high numbers of opioid overdose deaths in recent years. In 2022, there were 243 such deaths, more than the record 217 in 2021, said Rep. Taylor Small, a Progressive-Democrat from Winooski and a member of the House Human Services Committee. As of the end of September of 2023, the state had 180 in nine months last year.
VERMONT LEGISLATURE RECONVENES FOR NEW SESSION
“We are at a crisis point. We have been in an overdose death crisis for too long. And in a year where public safety seems to be at the forefront of our priorities, it is clear that we need to expand our approach to address this crisis,” Small told colleagues on Wednesday.
The Vermont State House is photographed in Montpelier, Vermont, Oct. 13, 2019. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The drugs bought and sold in Vermont are becoming increasingly dangerous and deadly, Small said, referring to fentanyl, the animal tranquilizer xylazine and gabapentin.
Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, a Democrat from Brattleboro, said one of her favorite things about living in a small community is watching the town’s kids grow up.
“In the last 10 years, I’ve watched those children die,” she said, her voice cracking. “I’ve also grieved the deaths of my friends’ precious children, of my own loved ones, of clients. And we can’t go on like this. I want my community to stay alive, and I want us in this body to do everything we can to make that happen.”
Supporters say such centers save lives and connect people with addiction treatment, mental health services and medical care. But some Vermont lawmakers who opposed the bill said such centers would allow illegal drug use and enable drug users. They also raised concerns about minors using drugs at them.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott has said he is opposed to the idea and vetoed similar legislation two years ago.
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a recent move to their rotation, which has resulted in a surprising move from one player.
The Pirates announced that they placed right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski on the restricted list and recalled right-handed pitcher Cam Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their series finale vs. the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park on May 31.
A player going on the restricted list means that they either left the team without a valid reason, or could be announcing retirement, but may consider returning in the near future to play later on.
It is a shocking decision, as there was no indication something like this was happening and makes a big change to the Pirates pitching staff moving forward.
Why Pirates May Have Placed Mlodzinski on Restricted List
This case with Mlodzinski is likely the former, although not confirmed, as he was in the clubhouse ahead of the game, so something may have happened closer to first pitch.
Pirates manager Don Kelly announced postgame in the 10-9 win on May 30 that Mlodzinski would follow right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft in the series finale.
Mlodzinski was a part of the Pirates starting rotation for the first two months of the season, but Jared Jones recently came off the injured list and took his role in the rotation, with the Pirates sending Mlodzinski back to the bullpen.
He said following the decision that he would talk with his agency and those close to him, so he may have decided to depart the team after this.
“Obviously just excited to have Jared back with us,” Mlodzinski said. “I can honestly say I’m just still communicating with the organization and the people in my corner, whether that’s my family or my agency, about what is next. I really don’t have any comments after that.”
How This Changes Pirates Pitching Staff
Mlodzinski has been an effective relief pitcher with the Pirates, with a 2.63 ERA over 140.1 innings pitched and 94 appearances.
The Pirates had plans for Mlodzinski as a bulk reliever, but someone that can also fill any role, including in high-leverage situations and as a middle reliever, something the team has seriously needed.
His departure hurts a Pirates bullpen that has really looked for consistent arms that can get outs, preserve leads and give the team a chance to make a comeback late.
Sanders has struggled in his time in MLB with the Pirates, with a 9.26 ERA over 11 appearances, a .300 batting average allowed and a 2.20 WHIP.
The Pirates can make a few decisions on Mlodzinski, who could technically still comeback, but it looks like they will trade him at this point.
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ENFIELD, Conn. (WFSB) – Police arrested a Connecticut man on Sunday morning after he allegedly stole bottles and cans from a Connecticut Children’s Hospital donation bin.
Officers received a call at around 8 a.m. for a report of a larceny from a “Cans For Kids” donation bin at located on Raffia Road, according to the police department.
Police said they used used local surveillance cameras and municipal license plate readers to identify a vehicle and suspect.
Officials identified the individual as Joshua Wilcox of Broad Brook
With the help of Wethersfield police officers, Wilcox was found and detained. Enfield police arrested Wilcox and charged him with sixth-degree larceny and first-degree criminal trespass.
It was also revealed that this is the second incident involving Wilcox at the same location, police said.
No further details were released.
Eyewitness News will provide more details as soon as they become available.
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KENNEBUNK, Maine (WGME) — A car caught on fire on the Maine turnpike Saturday.
It happened in Kennebunk in the southbound lanes of the turnpike.
A car caught on fire on the Maine turnpike Saturday. (Courtesy of Kennebunk Fire Rescue)
You can see a large cloud of black smoke coming from the scene.
Nobody was hurt.
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Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames.
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