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Family of slain Vt. National Guardsman searches for answers

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Family of slain Vt. National Guardsman searches for answers


WHEELOCK, Vt. (WCAX) – As Vermont authorities search for answers in the fatal shooting of a Wheelock man Monday, officials are providing more information about the Vermont National Guard member, and his family is speaking out.

Vermont State Police say Gunnar Watson, 27, was found dead Monday morning around 6:30 a.m. in his home on Route 16, the victim of a homicide.

The front door to Watson’s house was boarded up Wednesday, but family members we spoke to said they are searching for answers in the senseless homicide.

“My daughter called and said she had an issue. I came over and he was on the kitchen floor and that was the end of it,” said Tracy St. Louis, Watson’s father-in-law. “Just kind of shocked that something like this could happen. Anyone who knew him — it’s the same thing — what kind of connection there was that could lead up to this?”

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“We have no reason to believe there is someone coming back here to do more harm to our family. We don’t know why this senselessness happened. We have no idea,” said Elizabeth St. Louis, Watson’s mother-in-law.

Watson was a rising talent in The Vermont Army National Guard, having completed the Airborne Ranger and Sniper School in two years, according to his commander. “Sgt. Watson consistently demonstrated exceptional physical and mental prowess, epitomizing the ideal of the quiet professional, and earned the admiration and respect of his peers and superiors,” Vermont National Guard Capt. Max Kennedy said in a statement.

Watson leaves behind his wife and two children — five and 14 months old.

“We’ve yet to come into contact with someone who didn’t like him as a person or a soldier or someone that they worked with,” Tracy said.

Police are continuing to ask those who live in the area to check their home security or game cameras and to report anything suspicious.

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The Wheelock case is one of two shooting deaths state police are currently investigating in the Northeast Kingdom. Authorities Wednesday again said they do not think the cases are connected.

Related Stories:

Police identify victim of fatal shooting in Wheelock

Police investigate 2 shooting deaths in 2 days in Northeast Kingdom

Police investigating suspicious death in Wheelock

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Vermont Green FC announce more women’s matches, return of Sam Mewis

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Vermont Green FC announce more women’s matches, return of Sam Mewis


UVM soccer: NCAA championship parade on Burlington’s Church Street

Fans flocked Church Street to celebrate UVM men’s soccer’s historic national championship with a parade and rally.

Sam Mewis and the Vermont Green Football Club women’s team are returning to Virtue Field this summer.

Following 2024’s successful debut, the former United States national team star will once again coach the Vermont Green women for a pair of exhibition matches, the Burlington soccer club announced Thursday. Last summer, Mewis’ squad defeated FC Laval 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation in front of a sold out crowd at Virtue Field.

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The 2024 event was established in hopes of adding a full-time women’s franchise. Adding a second exhibition game for this summer is a positive step in that direction, said Adam Pfeifer, the club’s sporting director.

“(Last summer) was an unforgettable experience for our club, community, and team, but it was just the beginning of our commitment to the women’s game,” Pfeifer said in a news release. “We’re very happy to be doubling our training and match experience for the women’s squad in 2025 as we continue to sustainably build our infrastructure with the goal of a permanent women’s team playing in a league as soon as possible.”

The women’s team will play Flower City 1872 of Rochester, New York, at Virtue Field on Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, June 14, they will play AS Blainville of Montreal at 6 p.m.

“Coaching with Vermont Green last summer was one of the highlights of my year. I am so happy to be back with the club this season and I can’t wait to offer my perspective and experience playing professional soccer all over the world,” Mewis said in the same news release. “Vermont Green is made up of an incredibly thoughtful and intentional group of people who are actively growing the soccer scene here in Vermont.

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“The fans of this club have blown me away with their support, engagement, and passion. With two games this summer and an entire week of training, we will set our players up for success both with us and beyond, and we’ll set the stage for Vermont Green Women to grow into something even greater.”

The team’s full roster and staff will be announced in June during training camp. To purchase tickets for the exhibition matches, visit tickets.vermontgreenfc.com.

The Vermont FC men’s squad embark on their fourth season in the USL League Two with the Maple Cup vs. FC Laval at Virtue Field on Saturday, May 24.

Taylor promoted to Vermont Green FC head coach

Chris Taylor has been promoted to head coach of the Vermont Green FC men’s squad ahead of the 2025 season, the club announced this week.

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Taylor, who has served as assistant coach with Vermont since 2022, is the current head coach of SUNY-Plattsburgh. Taylor replaces three-year head coach Adam Pfeifer, who will continue in his role as sporting director, according to a news release.

“I am deeply honored to be named as the next Head Coach of Vermont Green FC,” Taylor said in a statement. “Joining the club in 2022 was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I am excited for this next step. Following Adam is a big task, but his support and that of the club will make this transition work. I am grateful to Adam for not only bringing me in, but trusting me from day one with numerous responsibilities. I am determined to help the club succeed and give our fans another great summer.”

Peifer caps his tenure as head coach with a 39-11-4 record in all competitions. That includes a second-round appearance in last year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

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





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Vt. education officials weigh in on Trump’s trans student-athlete ban

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Vt. education officials weigh in on Trump’s trans student-athlete ban


MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont education officials are assessing what President Trump’s executive order banning transgender student-athletes means for local schools and federal funding.

The Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports executive order allows federal agencies to withhold funding to schools that allow transgender athletes to compete in sports. And like other executive orders, it’s pitting federal rules directly against Vermont law.

Gregory Thayer formed the group Vermonters for Vermont to push back on what he sees as problems in public education, including programs promoting diversity and transgender athletes competing in sports. He supports the president’s order, saying that biological males competing in women’s sports is unfair.

“We’ve seen a lot of people unhappy for being disenfranchised in their respective sports and the physicality to some of these women around the country,” Thayer said.

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But others say the order erases transgender people from public life. Amanda Rhodenberg with the LGBTQ advocacy group Outright Vermont says trans youth participating in sports can foster self-esteem and a sense of belonging. She describes the new executive order as a slippery slope to broader discrimination.

“Doubling down on those exclusionary practices is creating schools where not all young people have the same rights to participate and exist as they are,” Rhodenberg said.

Vermont law bars schools from discriminating against students based on race, sex, or other identity. The Agency of Education has interpreted that law as meaning transgender students must be allowed to participate in sex-segregated activities like sports in a way that matches their gender identity. Asked whether Vermont will change its policy in the face of the president’s order, the AOE released a statement saying: “The agency will continue to protect all students and their ability to access the full educational experience, including sports participation.”

Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark says she will fight to protect trans athletes’ ability to participate. “I want to reassure them that I have their back and I will put the full force of my office to protect them and take action if necessary,” she said.

It remains to be seen whether the Department of Education will withhold funding from Vermont schools over this issue.

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The 7 Best Vermont Events This Week: February 12-19, 2025 | Seven Days

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The 7 Best Vermont Events This Week: February 12-19, 2025 | Seven Days


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  • Courtesy of Joplin Wistar

  • Winterdeep

Illuminated Manuscripts

Saturday 15

Winterdeep, Treewild’s family-friendly sound, light and art installation at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne, enhances the outdoors with projections of seasonal poetry. As folks of all ages saunter down the meandering trail, ambient music, illustrations and larger-than-life paper lanterns adorn the landscape — all generated by Vermont artists and musicians.

Funny Girls

Thursday 13-Sunday 16

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Stealing From Work - COURTESY OF A&K WOODWORKING AND DESIGN

  • Courtesy of A&k Woodworking And Design

  • Stealing From Work

Richard Curtis’ 2003 rom-com Love Actually begins with a simple plea — open your eyes to love. Homegrown all-female comedy group Stealing From Work leans deeper into that request with Love … Well, Actually at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington. The offbeat, irreverent sketch show asks viewers to confront the deluge of messy and weird that love brings with it.

Sensory Special

Friday 14

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Dining in the Dark - COURTESY

  • Courtesy

  • Dining in the Dark

Epicurious valentines revel in Dining in the Dark, Gold Restaurant’s unique culinary experience in Burlington. The multisensory adventure affords foodies the rare opportunity to abandon sight (via low lighting or blackout mask) in pursuit of heightened gastronomic enjoyment. Partial proceeds benefit the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Waiting in the Wings

Friday 14-Sunday 16

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New Works Now - COURTESY OF ISAAC LORTON

  • Courtesy of Isaac Lorton

  • New Works Now

Northern Stage’s New Works Now festival in White River Junction and Hanover, N.H., reinforces the org’s mission of developing, nurturing and mounting works by up-and-coming American playwrights. This year’s staged readings include taut drama Intimate Surveillance by Catherine Stewart and farcical madcap comedy Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret by Talene Monahon.

Sowing Seeds

Saturday 15

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Maggie Herskovits - COURTESY OF JHON GONZALEZ

  • Courtesy of Jhon Gonzalez

  • Maggie Herskovits

Vermont educator and “horticulture therapist” Maggie Herskovits launches her first book, An Urban Field Guide to the Plants, Trees and Herbs in Your Path, at the Hive on Pine in Burlington. The guide introduces readers to more than 50 plants found within the confines of concrete jungles — and inspires folks to consider with wonder how life still teems in unexpected places.

Oh, Sappy Days!

Opens Saturday 15

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Magic of Maple - COURTESY

Prepare your taste buds for late winter’s gooey gift, ’cause it’s that time of year again. During the weeklong Magic of Maple event at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, guests learn about our region’s maple traditions and history, witness sap flowing straight from the source, and delight in sugar on snow demos.

Cold Play

Through February 23

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"Shared Visions Near and Far" shanty by Zea Mays Printmaking - COURTESY OF KELLY FLETCHER

  • Courtesy of Kelly Fletcher

  • “Shared Visions Near and Far” shanty by Zea Mays Printmaking

The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center showcases the annual “Artful Ice Shanties” outdoor exhibit at Retreat Farm, a place-based honoring of New England’s ice fishing history, coupled with innovative artistic talent. From dawn to dusk, visitors drop in to admire the expressive structures. February 22 brings a lighthearted awards ceremony for more notably inventive efforts.

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