Vermont

Two Vermont teens named to National Brotherhood of Snowsports team

Published

1 month ago

January 28, 2026

Two Vermont teens named to National Brotherhood of Snowsports team

Beth McDermott
| Reporter assisted by AI

Two Vermont youth athletes were named to the National Brotherhood of Snowsports 2026 team roster, according to a community announcement from the organization.

Bronson Culver, a ski racer from South Londonderry who attends Burke Mountain Academy, and Chelsea Charles, a ski racer from Winhall who attends Stratton Mountain School, were selected for the roster.

Youth athletes on the team will be recognized at the organization’s 53rd summit Feb. 28 to March 8 at Keystone Resort in Colorado, according to the announcement.

The National Brotherhood of Snowsports is a national nonprofit representing the largest network of Black and Brown snowsports athletes in the U.S. across more than 60 ski and snowboard clubs.

The team serves as the organization’s national development team, providing athletes with financial support, coaching access, structured competitive tiers and a long-term pathway designed to help underrepresented competitors advance through regional, national and international levels of the sport, according to the announcement.

The team is primarily backed by a scholarship fund started in the late 1970s, which provides need-based assistance for training, travel, competition and equipment.

The fund remains one of the nation’s longest-running support systems for underrepresented athletes pursuing elite competition, according to the group. The org has supported more than 45 athletes who have gone on to compete across regional, collegiate, national, Paralympic and Olympic levels, according to the

“The 2026 roster underscores the depth of emerging talent in our community and the strength of a development pathway that is guiding athletes toward the sport’s highest levels,” said Henri Rivers, president of the National Brotherhood of Snowsports.

Athletes selected to the team represent nine ski and snowboard disciplines, including alpine, freestyle, nordic and moguls.

Selections were based on national and regional results, progression benchmarks, training commitment and discipline-specific potential, according to the announcement.

The summit is the largest annual gathering of skiers and snowboarders of color in the United States and serves as the primary fundraising event for the scholarship fund, according to the org.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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Vermont

Girls Vermont Varsity Insider Athlete of the Week winner powered by Delta Dental

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Girls Vermont Varsity Insider Athlete of the Week winner powered by Delta Dental

The votes have been tallied and the girls winner of the Vermont Varsity Insider Athlete of the Week powered by Delta Dental is … Callie Spaulding of Windsor basketball.

Spaulding collected 51.55% of the 43,310 total votes cast in the girls contest. The junior was nominated after helping Windsor advance to the Division III semifinals for the 10th consecutive year with double-digit outings in a pair of playoff contests. Spaulding chipped in 10 points and three assists during the playdowns and was one of four Yellow Jackets to score double digits (11 points) in their quarterfinal victory over Enosburg.

The online voting at burlingtonfreepress.com began Monday, March 2, and closed at 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 5.

Check burlingtonfreepress.com for the next ballot, which will be published on Monday, March 9.

Delta Dental Girls Athlete of the Week winners in 2025-26 school year

Winter season

Feb. 23-March 1: Callie Spaulding, Windsor basketball

Feb. 16-22: Lydia Ruggles, St. Johnsbury gymnastics

Feb. 9-15: Mae Oakley, Burr and Burton, Alpine skiing

Feb. 2-8: Chloe Moodie, Peoples basketball

Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Marlie Bushey, Milton basketball

Jan. 19-25: Brinley Gandin, Rutland basketball

Jan. 12-18: Grace Bourn, Rivendell basketball

Jan. 5-11: Patricia Stabach, Stowe indoor track and field

Dec. 29-Jan. 4: Hannah Drury, U-32 hockey

Dec. 22-28: Brooke Osgood, Oxbow basketball

Dec. 15-21: Kayla Cisse, South Burlington basketball

Dec. 12-14: Harlow Hier, Colchester basketball

Fall season

Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Eme Silverman, Poultney soccer

Oct. 20-26: Veronica Moore, Bellows Falls field hockey

Oct. 13-19: Ava Francis, Vergennes soccer

Oct. 6-12: Savannah Monahan, Milton soccer

Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Rachel Scherer, North Country soccer

Sept. 22-28: Trista Favreau-Ward, Missisquoi field hockey

Sept. 15-21: Reese Gregory, Essex volleyball

Sept. 8-14: Isabelle Gouin, Hazen soccer

Aug. 29-Sept. 7: Avery Hansen, Lake Region soccer

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

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Vermont

Friends, family rally behind Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Friends, family rally behind Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism

NEWPORT, Vt. (WCAX) – Friends and family of a Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism rallied in Newport Thursday, saying the charges stem from a mental health crisis and are unwarranted.

Vermont State Police say Joseph “J.J.” Millett, 38, of Newport, called a veterans crisis line in February, making suicidal statements and threatening a mass-casualty event.

Court records say Millett had guns and wrote what investigators call a manifesto. He turned himself in, and state police say they disarmed him at the barracks. He pleaded not guilty and was never formally arrested or placed in jail. He is currently in a treatment facility.

Supporters say the threats were the result of new medication and a mental health crisis. “But all the way to domestic terrorism for a man that fought overseas — he wasn’t a terrorist. He’s been fighting terrorists half his life,” said Chad Abbott, a friend who served with Millett overseas.

Abbott said he believes the charges could have unintended consequences for veterans seeking help. “These hotlines that they put out for us is to kind of get us the help we need. And now, none of us are going to want to call that,” he said.

Millett’s sister, Courtney Morin, said her brother served in the Vermont Guard for nearly 10 years and has struggled with mental health since returning home. “He suffers from depression, anxiety — he has PTSD. So, he’s actually been seeking help for his mental health for probably as long as he’s been home,” Morin said.

Orleans County State’s Attorney Farzana Leyva said the charge is warranted and that Millett was not calling for help when he contacted the crisis line. “He called the crisis helpline to make the threats. I think we have to be very clear about that. Those were threats. He did not call the crisis helpline for help. He called anonymously,” Leyva said.

She said the evidence — including repeated threats — Millett’s access to guns, and a manifesto justifies the charge and protects the public. “My priority is public safety, which is the highest priority that I have right now,” Leyva said.

Morin said she believes her brother was trying to get help. “I think he was seeking help. I mean, it’s all a trail of him seeking help, being on different meds. You know, we’re not in his head. We don’t know what he’s dealing with. And especially if you’re dealing with it alone,” Morin said.

Millett continues to receive treatment and is due back in court later this month.

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Vermont

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.