Vermont

2 figures in sprawling network of people linked to violence arrested in Maryland – VTDigger

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

2 figures in sprawling network of people linked to violence arrested in Maryland – VTDigger

Two figures linked to multiple killings in several states, including the January shooting of a border patrol officer in Coventry, Vermont, were arrested Sunday evening in Allegany County, Maryland, according to county records.

Michelle Jacqueline Zajko and Jack Amadeus LaSota — also known as “Ziz,” according to media reports — were arrested and charged with several misdemeanors, according to Maryland court records.

Both were charged with misdemeanor firearm possession charges, trespassing on private property and “obstructing & hindering” a police officer, according to court records. Zajko also faces an additional charge of resisting or interfering with arrest.

Detailed information about the arrests and charges was not immediately available early Monday afternoon.

Maryland State Police officer Brandon Jeffries, who is based in Cumberland, Maryland, carried out both arrests, according to county records. Zajko was booked into the Allegany County Detention Center at 6:12 p.m. Sunday, while LaSota was booked at 7:40 p.m.

Lt. Elizabeth Shoemake, the director of operations at the Allegany County Detention Center, confirmed that LaSota and Zajko are currently detained at the facility.

Shoemake said she could not comment on the circumstances of the arrests, but she said that the two were not arrested based on a warrant, but rather “on-site activity.”

Both Zajko and LaSota have bail review hearings scheduled for tomorrow.

Federal law enforcement officials named Zajko as a “person of interest” in a Jan. 20 shootout in Coventry, Vermont that left a border patrol officer and another individual dead. According to property and municipal records, Zajko was at one point a Coventry resident and owns land in Derby. Media reports, court records and online blog posts have also linked LaSota to Zajko.

Lt. Jeremy Stonebraker of the Maryland State Police declined Monday afternoon to comment on the arrests of Zajko and LaSota.

“The investigators that are working on the case aren’t going to do any press releases at this time because the investigation is kind of fluid and ongoing and the FBI is involved now,” Stonebraker said.

Stonebraker oversees the state police barracks that covers Allegany County, Maryland.

A person answering the phone at the Allegany County state’s attorney’s office referred questions to a prosecutor handling the cases, but that person was not in the office at the time of the call.

A person answering a call to the FBI office in Baltimore, Maryland, said Monday afternoon that the office was closed due to the federal holiday of Presidents Day.

This story will be updated.

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Vermont

Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, April 8-15 | Seven Days

Published

11 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, April 8-15 | Seven Days

Perfectly Seasoned

Sunday 12

You know TV personality Alton Brown as the quirky host of hit reality cooking shows such as “Iron Chef America” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” Now the culinary commentator and author takes the stage solo at Rutland’s Paramount Theatre for a no-frills show of his talents, trading the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for a more intimate showcase of food science, humor and heart.

Girl Almighty

Friday 10

Diana Whitney Credit: Courtesy of Beowulf Sheehan

Queer author and educator Diana Whitney launches her patriarchy-smashing poetry collection, Girl Trouble, in conversation with fellow writer Eve Alexandra at Next Stage Arts in Putney. Listeners hear unflinching takes on growing up female, adolescent trauma, rape culture and modern movements of resilience before roaring onto the dance floor to channel the grit and grace of feminism.

Fun Facts

Thursday 9

It’s no surprise that we stan Local News Day (see page 13). Journalism leaders and advocates fill Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library for a fact-forward fête celebrating the value of civic transparency and trusted community information. A documentary screening and a panel discussion explore media ecosystems and spur dialogue about how to sustain an essential public resource.

Role Models

Saturday 11

Scale model makers and Lego lovers connect at CAN-AM Con at Williston’s National Guard Armory, where seminars and vendors complement a display contest honoring late Japanese producer Shunsaku Tamiya. Junior builders and veterans show off their finest constructions from any Tamiya kit for consideration in categories such as Best of Class and People’s Choice.

Saturday 11

Disco Inferno

The Current — Stowe’s center for contemporary art — invites philanthropic partygoers to the Lodge at Spruce Peak for Gala ’54: After Hours. The annual fundraiser boasts silent and live auctions, a cocktail reception, and chef-crafted food stations, all inspired by New York City’s glamorous Studio 54 era. Then revelers hit the dance floor to boogie oogie oogie in their flashiest disco dress.

See gallery listing at sevendaysvt.com/art

Piste de Résistance

Saturday 11 & Sunday 12

Music and winter culture festival Gather Outdoors takes Stratton Mountain Resort by storm with a superlative lineup of jam bands and electronic artists, including Philadelphia legends the Disco Biscuits and rising star Karina Rykman. The high-energy mountainside affair fuses plein air recreation with an immersive club atmosphere for an unforgettable end to the ski season.

Reading the Room

Tuesday 14

Vermont poet laureate Bianca Stone continues her “State of Poetry” tour with a stop at Phoenix Books in Burlington. Stone leads an analytical deep dive into the craft of late Nobel Prize-winning writer — and the nation’s 12th poet laureate — Louise Glück, underscoring the vital cultural impact of her contributions to American literature.

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Vermont

Aly Richards announces run for Vt. governor

Published

23 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Aly Richards announces run for Vt. governor

NEWBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – A new face joins the race for Vermont governor.

Aly Richards, the former CEO of Lets Grow Kids, will hold her campaign announcement on Monday morning.

Richards has spent the last decade advocating for affordable child care in Vermont, including pushing for the state’s landmark child care law.

Richards’ campaign announcement will take place in her hometown of Newbury at 11 a.m.

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Vermont

Vermont ends cold weather hotel assistance for 160 households

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Vermont ends cold weather hotel assistance for 160 households

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – About 160 households will no longer receive hotel rooms following the end of cold weather rules for the state’s General Assistance program this week.

Anti-homeless advocates said last year the federal government authorized Vermont to use state Medicaid funds for a program that could supplement rent for people at risk of homelessness.

State leaders this week said that is not an option as Vermont is still building the program.

Vermont Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson said at a press conference this week the waiver gives the authority, not the funding or infrastructure to build the program.

“The state would need to put up significant investments including enrolling housing providers, landlords, developing and building IT systems,” Samuelson said. “These steps require significant time and resources.”

The state legislature and Governor Scott’s administration have been trying to wind down the use of hotels and instead ramp up shelters to get people back on their feet.

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